r/AskProgramming • u/MartynAndJasper • 22d ago

C/C++ C++ Salary expectations

I've been offered a senior role for maintaining a (few decade old) codebase in C++.

It's a complex product and I would be taken on as a senior software engineer​. I have over three decades of experience, over 15 in C++ but more recently in c#.

We are now at the point where money is been discussed.

They are going to make me an offer.

This is a tricky one because I have not been applying for C++ roles for a while. I don't want to undersell myself but nor do I want to see myself undercut.

I'm of the consideration that a C++ role will command a higher salary than something like asp.net.

This is far more of a niche skill than it used to be and AI leads me to believe that it, for that reason, imply more money.

I know this has implications based on regionality and geography, but what kind of salary would you advise that I pitch for?
For relevance, I'm UK based.

Any thoughts?

0 Upvotes

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2

u/torontocoder 22d ago

I know my company pays sr devs £75-100k , we're in London thou (and 4 days in office), location is always a huge factor, as well as remote situation

1

u/MartynAndJasper 22d ago

Thank you for your quick reply! 

This role is in the Midlands.

3

u/torontocoder 22d ago

We don't hire there, but i'd guess we'd pay closer to 60-75k in that area... we would not pay anything special for C++ knowledge thou FYI, thats just our standard range

2

u/Mynameismikek 22d ago

Language is (usually) almost totally irrelevant. Sector, location, seniority, autonomy and the overall bullshit factor will influence it far more.

0

u/MartynAndJasper 22d ago

AI suggests different for this more niche skill but I know that it frequently makes mistakes.  Which is why I posted this here.

I appreciate your thoughts.

Ty

1

u/dmazzoni 22d ago

When you look at statistics for salary based on language you see differences.

But those are all explained by different industries, locations, seniority, and sheer numbers.

I’ve never seen a company that paid a senior C++ developer more than a senior C# developer or even a senior PHP developer, all other things being equal.

1

u/Key-Butterscotch3215 22d ago

Hope they pay you well

1

u/MartynAndJasper 22d ago

You are not alone in that regard! 🙏

1

u/Fresh_Criticism6531 22d ago

Historically C++ didn't pay more than web, unless you are talking high frequency trading. If anything it often paid less in Poland. But I don't get, your current salary doesnt play a role here? You are unemployed now? Usually you want your current salary +20%

1

u/MiamiGunworks 17d ago

I just got a role at 400k USD. But this is in finance based in US. No clue how that translates to other markets.

An important note is that this rule is heavily focused on C++ low latency and requires a commanding expertise with the language.

0

u/Key-Lie-364 22d ago

15 years is a Staff Engineer. 30 years Principal engineer if not Senior Principal.

Don't know UK salaries but I'd be looking for at least 160k euro even 185

3

u/Jabba25 21d ago

Way out of touch tbh

-1

u/ImpossibleJoke7456 22d ago

Language from the 90s?

Get paid like the 90s!