Inflation comes in to play as well. Groceries cost more, gas costs more, cable TV, utilities etc. Count on say 3% inflation per year (I think it averages around that, more or less). That 23 YO software engineer may also get married and have some kids – assuming he can pull himself away from the laptop long enough to meet a mate, and actually ‘mate’. That raise quickly evaporates as you can see. I might be off, but I would say that a software engineer in San Diego with 5 years solid experience may be worth 90+ a year. And would probably start at 55+. Anyone know if I am off on that?
Not sure who has the breakdown on job stats…you would think they would be published eh?
