Why are we only talking about YOE?
For sure, companies have different policy to define level requirements for BS and PhD. For example, PhD campuse hire can get E4 at FB with 0 YOE. While we only talks about how many years a guy has worked regardless how many years he has spent in graduate school doing MS or PhD. Should we use โhow many years after graduateโ to clarify our level?
The assumption in most posts is PhD + 0 yoe should get L4, MS + 0 yoe should start at L60, etc. What other specific information do you want? Unless the guy did a part time PhD it's not relevant.
I'd also put an asterisk next to a masters degree. I'd argue that unless a person's master in CS included research and writing/ defending a thesis, it's no different than just a bachelor's degree. A master's degree without research just shows me that the person took an extra 2 years worth of classes in college, but doesn't tell me they're any more capable or competent than a person with a bachelor's degree. A master's degree which includes research, writing and defending a thesis, etc. shows me the person is able to research other data/ writing/ facts and then apply that to other problems. It lets me know that they should be completely capable and confident in diving deep into a problem.
PhD makes more difference
Yes, compared to either type of masters degree, a PhD is not close to being on the same plane. But even then, depending on the university a PhD was earned can make a world of difference in the quality. As in, some people I've met and talked about what they did as part of their PhD work, i was left very unimpressed
Are you a PhD? Why so salty?
I am not PhD. I am salty about G and F but not degree.