Why are some programmers paid more than others? (marginalrevolution.com)

Local cost of living, Current saturation of the market, Negotiating prowess during salary talks

Probably no HNer's are surprised at the variance in programmer prices. What's interesting about this article is that for people outside the Hacker culture, this is a genuine, puzzling question. It goes to show that we've got quite a way to go before programming is well-understood among the general populace.