Software engineer/programmer wages in most of Europe are much lower than what you'd probably expect, if you're in the US.
Now I don't know how much bonus he was earning, but he says he was earning 85-95% of the entire bonus share, and that the other members of the team were earning about 100-200... Given that, I'd guess it was at least 1500 on top of his basic wage (let's assume that's another 1500), totalling a low estimate of 3000eur/month, which is higher than the average in many European countries:
http://www.worldsalaries.org/computerprogrammer.shtml
I know the rates in the US are higher, but I'm curious to know why? The standard of living in an average European country is way higher, and the tax is higher as well. So is it basically the demand supply scenario or what?
I suspect that debt plays into it. Americans, particularly ones fresh out of college, tend to have a crap-load of debt. Then they "demand" higher pay because they literally can't have the same standard of living without it.
Although I could be wrong. I certainly don't know much about how Europeans view debt.
Maybe you're right. I've heard that education in Europe is pretty cheap. This could be one of the major factors for having "good enough" salaries.
Also, in the US, you need insurance for everything, unlike Europe with public healthcare (I'm not sure how many countries have free health though). So, that could be one of the hidden costs as well.
I do indeed, but it's sort of an increase by default. SV pays that level so to attract you have to price accordingly, or that's my shaky not based on anything but gut feeling theory.
Now I don't know how much bonus he was earning, but he says he was earning 85-95% of the entire bonus share, and that the other members of the team were earning about 100-200... Given that, I'd guess it was at least 1500 on top of his basic wage (let's assume that's another 1500), totalling a low estimate of 3000eur/month, which is higher than the average in many European countries: http://www.worldsalaries.org/computerprogrammer.shtml