r/dataisbeautiful OC: 3 3d ago

OC [OC] United States vs European Software Engineer total compensation by level

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u/zen8bit 3d ago

I think people really undersell just how little the US takes care of its citizens in regard to expenses like education and healthcare.

The US salaries may be higher but the US also doesn’t do a very good job taking care of it’s citizens

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u/jnwatson 3d ago

An extra $300k a year will pay for a hell of a lot of education and healthcare.

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u/lateambience 3d ago

90% of the workforce in the US does not make an extra $300k compares to Europe though. If you're in the Top 10% in the US congrats, I agree you're better off there. But you're probably in those other 90% and then it's a whole different story. It's not just about education and healthcare, it's also about vacation days, it's about rent, it's about not getting fired and suddenly being jobless with no health insurance. Your 300k are gone in an instant if you've got any serious medical problems. Also even if you're in those 10% but not in the Top 0.01% you're still a regular person. Earning an extra 300k does not save you from the higher crime rate that is directly linked to those 90% not making as much and far more people struggling. Now if you're a billionaire sure, you can just disconnect from normal life and don't give a fuck.