Subj : Re: Software Job Market Myths
To   : comp.programming,comp.software-eng
From : Ronald Skoog
Date : Sat Jul 23 2005 05:22 pm



Terry wrote:
> 1. Any good programmer requires $60,000 to $90,000 per year or more.
> (Wrong. They may only require $40,000, or less, depending on the job. Entry
> level programmers just out of college, many of whom are very capable, can be
> hired for $30,000. It's not the 1990s anymore. There are many unemployed
> engineers. The crazed demand for programmers is gone. Programmers require no
> more pay than intelligent, educated, skilled workers in other professions.)

In my area a union electrician or plummer make more than $40K (base pay)
after a 3 to 4 year apprenticeship and a police officer makes considerably
more with a MUCH better retirement package.

Given that, why would anybody want to spend 4 in college just to earn $40K?
Add in that the industry is so unstable that you'll probably be out of a job
is 5 years (if you don't burn out) and you have to wonder why anybody is
taking computer science classes anymore.

Ron

.