Re:Ask HN: How much are full stack developers worth?
by hkarthik on Thursday May 28, 2015 @06:25PM
(#9621576)
Absolute numbers really mean nothing in determining if you are being paid what you are worth. Just like in real estate, location is everything.
The best metric is to determine the high water mark for being considered "well paid" given the cost of living where you live, and then adjusting your expectations around that.
Software developers in most US metros are usually paid well above the median income in their area. If you aren't making that much, you have two options:
1) Move to a different area where average developers salaries exceed median income levels.
2) Work remotely for a company in such areas, where even a discounted salary for their market puts you above the median where you currently live.
My take on the salary that you've stated is that it feels low if it's in Nashville or Chattanooga, but it might be high if you're living in Johnson City. This is totally subjective based on TN developers that I've worked with in the past.
The best metric is to determine the high water mark for being considered "well paid" given the cost of living where you live, and then adjusting your expectations around that.
Software developers in most US metros are usually paid well above the median income in their area. If you aren't making that much, you have two options:
1) Move to a different area where average developers salaries exceed median income levels.
2) Work remotely for a company in such areas, where even a discounted salary for their market puts you above the median where you currently live.
My take on the salary that you've stated is that it feels low if it's in Nashville or Chattanooga, but it might be high if you're living in Johnson City. This is totally subjective based on TN developers that I've worked with in the past.