[TopQuark]

They were paid 150k a year because of market demand, or perceived market demand. Either the dipshits that were paying them didn't understand market economics OR the market dictated their value based on limited supply.

Isn't this what I said? Except for using a derogatory word in reference to market participants. Obviously, you don't know that market participants, in the aggregate, are always smart --- smarter than any other economic institution.

[RockyMtnMan]

The "market participants" ie the hiring managers were willing to pay 150k. Either they had a ligitimate use for the skill hired and were willing to pay the current market rate OR they had no idea what the market rate was.

Frankly we should all be proud of any kid, with nothing more than a high school diploma, that can negotiate such a salary. If the hiring manager was snowballed by such an individual then he would in fact be a dipshit.