alt Hacker News“ However, the top devs will earn more than ever. ”
No they won’t. Productivity does not determine the wage rate.
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It does, in the higher echelons of performance / seniority.
Junior wages won’t change, and may even get lower.
But, at least at present, the top devs are earning more than ever as their skills are much more leveraged.
I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
curious as to why
most top swe comp comes from equity in the company, which benefits from productivity
not only that but the leveraged nature of swe means top performers are in perpetual shortage and low performers contribute negative productivity
anecdotally weve seen comp rise as the best candidates have multiple competing offers as well as the freedom to start their own business
> “ However, the top devs will earn more than ever. ”
The AI companies will skim all the extra profits.
It’s already happening. Top tier devs have two ways of earning way more than before:
1. They can build and sell their own products or services. We are already seeing 1-2 person software companies earning real money. Top devs don’t have to stay in corporate if they think they can generate more revenue on their own.
2. When companies get rid of their B devs without losing productivity, they can pay their A devs more.
I’m in the #2 camp right now. My team shrank by 50% through attrition in the last year. We didn’t hire anyone new when someone left. My pay has increased.