February 2, 2026
Ghosted and grossed out by gross pay
We asked 15,000 European devs about jobs, salaries, and AI [pdf]
Coders clap back: 'These pay numbers are way off—especially in Germany and Switzerland'
TLDR: A survey of 15,000 European developers says pay and remote work top priorities, juniors get hired fast, and most aren’t scared of AI. Commenters—especially in Germany and Switzerland—torched the salary figures as unreal, blasting long interviews, probation, and warning Europe is losing talent to better offers.
A big new report of 15,000 European developers drops juicy stats—juniors landing jobs in 3 months, Switzerland still top pay, salary and remote work ruling the wish list, and most folks not fearing AI. But the comments? Absolute wildfire. German and Swiss readers are calling the salary tables “broken,” saying the pay bands feel way below reality. One German commenter insists €80–90k after five years is standard, while another paints a grim picture: 65k after 5–6 interviews, a 6‑month probation, and then taxes. Cue the memes: “ghosted harder than a dating app,” “probation speedrun,” and the classic warning that Europe’s “golden geese” will fly away for better feed.
Some readers agree with the report’s pain points—almost half say they’ve been ghosted after interviews, and juniors say entry roles demand too much experience. Others question the sample: it’s based on job boards and social channels, not union-heavy employers, leading to cries of “sampling gap.” The study’s ideal 2-stage interview fantasy? Commenters say reality is five or six rounds plus homework. As for AI, the report says it boosts output but ups pressure; commenters nod, calling it “do more with less.” Want the receipts? The full PDF is here: read the report.
Key Points
- •Data sources include analysis of 23,000+ job offers and a CAWI-based survey of IT professionals on social media.
- •Most juniors obtain their first IT job within three months, but about 75% say entry-level roles demand too much experience.
- •42% believe higher education helps but isn’t essential; 85% of respondents hold a university degree.
- •AI is viewed as boosting efficiency while raising performance expectations; most employees don’t feel threatened by AI taking jobs.
- •Switzerland is reported as the highest-paying country for IT professionals; candidates prioritize salary and remote work options, and prefer two interview stages.