And the last few years I've taken to blowing off recruiters from SV (including FAANG companies). I'm earning very good money for a software engineer where I live, but... dang, "other-worldly" is a good term for the money you people make.
OTOH, being forced to live in California is a huge downside to any FAANG job (for me, anyway).
Yes - but try Des Moines or Missoula or Boise or even Portland, OR (a growing tech hub) and these salary levels are hard to hit. And, outside of the FAANGs the salaries are a step down just about everywhere.
OTOH, being forced to live in California is a huge downside to any FAANG job (for me, anyway).