Programmers are generally very well paid in the U.S.<p>The issue is, they hit pay-ceiling very quick, unless they go into management position.  And really, who wants to be an IT manager?  It&#x27;s probably the second worst job in IT after IT project manager. <i>chuckles</i><p>A 30 year old sr. software engineer will be paid not much less than a 40 year old one, even if 40 year old is much more talented, and deserves to get paid twice as much.<p>I suppose the same issue exists for pharmacists.  Out of school, you&#x27;re expected to make $110k; pretty much the same exact salary as RPh with 20 years of experience.