Originally Posted by edgeprod

It's important to clarify (not just for you, but for the driveling idiots who will latch onto your comment without context): he's asking for a SENIOR-level programmer, not some random programmer. Random programmers still make $50-$90k, that's the entry-level and mid-level norms, not just in adult.

Regardless of whether he actually needs what he's asking for, the salary level he's offering is possible for that type of talent, if they are looking at intangibles beyond the paycheck, etc.

You're correct that most programmers (or, in this case, senior-level programmers) are not making $200k. People whose names you would probably recognize (people who have worked for me in the past) are at $165k-$180k now. $200k isn't easy to come by anymore, and I'd say it's all but unheard of in adult.

To put that in perspective, my freelance hourly rate is generally $225/hr (less for projects I like, more for projects I don't). I'd have to code (not work -- CODE) almost 20 hours per week at that rate to come out at $200k/year. It's unreasonable to expect that you could acquire customers at your chosen rate, complete their projects with all of the overhead and administrative bullshit, and still put in a solid 20 or so hours per week. That's why many people (myself included) choose to take a salary at this point until things get less speculative and the market returns in many industries. $100k without the "hassles" of the freelance is appealing to some.