im currently a software engineer in test, developing qa automation frameworks and tools and i feel like im paid on the lower end of the spectrum in comparison to typical developers. should a software engineer in test be justified in making just as much as a regular software engineer?
SDET always earns considerably less than SWE. SDET jobs don't require passing difficult coding interviews because the expectations of the job are much lower. It's unfortunate but the industry just perceives SDET as far less capable.
I feel like you should, but I'm in the same boat. I've been in the industry about 10 years and make 129 base. I'm not sure what devs make but supposedly I'm treated as a dev when it comes to salary. That being said, I've been at the company 5 years and haven't once increased my level, so I wonder if salary may be even but trajectory might me slower.