C# web developer being paid the same as a splicer!

Question

Hi, I know this isn't programming related per-se but i really need some educated & experienced advice on this.

I work for a UK based web development agency as a c# web developer, and have been working alongside a splicer for a little over three years (he's been there a few months more then me).

We both started with little/similiar industry experience and have learned most of what we know, here.

After a couple of pay reviews I have learned that he is currently being paid exactly the same as me.

Now, he is very good at his job, if i was ever in need of a splice done he would ALWAYS be my first port of call.

However I can't help but feel that by being paid the same as him basically means that the programming trade is equal (in value of employees) to splicing. (something that i know a lot of people could do as appossed to programming of which i know only my colleagues)

What are peoples thoughts on this?

To me, if ability factors into wage decisions, that basically means i must be pretty bad at my job?

If it doesn't then the position should be paid at the market rate which means im being underpaid? (or the splicer over paid)

NOTE Splicer: Someone who takes a design (psd for example) and converts it to HTML markup.

NOTE Just to clarify, the main point of this question isn't really about feeling undervalued. I just wanted to see what people would think if they were being paid the same as a splicer??

Answer 1

I can't say this is true for everyone but I've always found that comparing myself to other people is usually a bad starting point. The real questions are whether you like your job, whether you make enough to take care of yourself, whether the organization you work for values you, and whether you are growing.

If it's money you're after, then move on or look for something based on salary requirements you come up with that are independent of a comparison with coworkers. For example, on salary.com you can find out what a typical wage is for a given profession in your area.

In a world where a full professor usually makes less than a construction worker I think it's wrong to think that the professor is incompetent because a blue collar worker makes more.

Answer 2

I take it that if you weren't feeling undervalued by your employers in other ways the question may never have arisen.

Would you even have bothered to find this stuff out if you were happy? I have a specialised and hard won technical expertise not matched by the expertise of the Customer Service Manager in my office. But if she is getting paid equitably with me I don't care. I have about the best job I could possibly have and feel valued in the workplace.

Poking around asking questions about that sort of thing would serve me none. So what does it serve you?

Just cut to the chase and start seeking alternative employment.

Answer 3

Sadly, live with it. Many/most companies have rules against sharing wage information, so saying anything (especially complaining) may be a quick way to give yourself the boot.

But, really, pay rates are always spanned, and often greatly. Even a small team of employees under the same title can show a decent spread. Age also varies, especially since everyone will always be asking for more than the last cycle/generation.

Ultimately, you shouldn't necessarily value yourself based on your wage. Wages are often based on timing and what the team/company can afford. Reviews and raises are often a better indicator of your value.

But, if you truly feel cheated, than you should really start looking for a new position. Just know that wage-hunting has its obvious limits -- ask for too much and no one will hire you.

Answer 4

For a lot of organisations wages are based on how little they can pay you not how much you are worth. I have walked into organisations where I consider certain people to be vastly overpaid for the role they do. For historical reasons they are on what they are on.

The question you need to ask yourself is Are you being paid what you think you are worth?

If the answer is no, take steps to make it so.

Answer 5

Given your new definition of "splicer" I have to say (on behalf of all the splicer teams I've worked with) I think you're being incredibly disparaging of your colleague's profession. Working with photoshop and being able to produce high-grade markup and especially CSS (JS?) in a rapidly evolving world of tight standards is non-trivial.

Sure, I doubt the upper reaches of that career will make the kind of money the upper-reaches of yours might (read "sys-architect / CTO"), but they could do if he gets into the UE and design side more, and frankly it's an extremely important skillset for a company to have. Many (most?) people who label themselves "programmers" would be wholly incapable of that kind of flexible GUI work.

Don't undervalue the "splicers", and as others have said don't get hung up on what others are pulling in (especially where no direct comparison can be made). Walk a mile in his shoes, etc..

Answer 6

Companies will always pay as per what they value the most. In companies like Microsoft, Google, programmers make more than the average manager. Whereas in most other companies Manager salaries are significantly larger than the people they manage. If your friend's company is mainly a web design shop then perhaps it is important for them to have a good HTML coder.

Secondly what pay you get is directly proportional to how critical your works is for your company (and how easily they can replace you). There is not much logic in comparing your pay with a different skill set and different company.