0 - These examples were chosen specifically to avoid software & Internet companies, to show that "real" companies that operate in "normal" parts of the country also pay in the $200k range. (These companies are also likely to have less representation on levels.fyi because people who spend any time on levels quickly start wondering why they aren't working for a tech company.) "Cherry-picking" would be highlighting all the FAAMNG workers who are remote and/or working in satellite offices. Google engineers in midtown Atlanta are paid well above any of these, but I specifically did not include those jobs because those in fact are elite.
1 - levels.fyi will not have a record of all the folks working at a given company.
2 - Somebody is indeed the highest-paid engineer at every firm, so that data point is relevant. (It could be you!)
5 - Yes, some tech people make a lot less than others. It is also true that $200k is still rapidly becoming a mid-career salary in major US cities beyond the expensive coasts. (No, you are not mid-career at age 28.)
1 - levels.fyi will not have a record of all the folks working at a given company.
2 - Somebody is indeed the highest-paid engineer at every firm, so that data point is relevant. (It could be you!)
3 - Fine, swap out ExxonMobil for Chevron in Houston and then realize they hire from the same talent pool and likely are in the same total comp range: https://www.levels.fyi/company/Chevron/salaries/Software-Eng...
4 - Take JP Morgan in Houston as a bonus: https://www.levels.fyi/company/JPMorgan-Chase/salaries/Softw...
5 - Yes, some tech people make a lot less than others. It is also true that $200k is still rapidly becoming a mid-career salary in major US cities beyond the expensive coasts. (No, you are not mid-career at age 28.)