They absolutely have. It's much easier to switch jobs without moving than to get a job that requires a move. Their leverage isn't totally gone -- especially since full remote jobs are becoming more common -- but it's definitely reduced.
When you move, it's not just the hassle and expense, but also the life changes. Especially if you have kids, those are big.
Experienced software engineers in general are capable of moving to practically any major metro if they really want to. By your reasoning, all of them should possess the same pay scale, the same cost of labor.
When you move, it's not just the hassle and expense, but also the life changes. Especially if you have kids, those are big.
Experienced software engineers in general are capable of moving to practically any major metro if they really want to. By your reasoning, all of them should possess the same pay scale, the same cost of labor.