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Ethereum Core Devs Paid 50%+ Below Market Rate
A new survey reveals most Ethereum developers earn far less than industry peers, with no token upside.
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Ethereum’s core contributors are earning dramatically less than their peers in crypto, according to a new report from Protocol Guild. The group surveyed over 100 developers and found median salaries lagging market rates by as much as 60%, raising long-term concerns about retention and ecosystem growth.
What’s the Scoop?
- Pay Gap: Median salaries for Ethereum devs are around $140,000 — more than 50% below competing roles elsewhere, which often exceed $300,000 and include token or equity compensation. Most Ethereum contributors receive none.
- External Offers Rising: Nearly 40% of surveyed devs reported receiving outside offers in the past year, with an average value of $359,000. Many offers came from rival chains and L2s.
- Credible Neutrality at Risk: Protocol Guild called undercompensation a serious threat to Ethereum’s development roadmap and long-term neutrality, warning that key contributors could drift to better-funded projects.
- Support Programs: The group’s 1% Pledge — supported by projects like EigenLayer, Etherfi, Taiko, and Puffer — along with donations from VanEck’s ETH ETF profits, has funneled over $32M into developer funding since 2022.
- Impact of Guild Funding: Members received $66,000 on average over the past year through the Protocol Guild. For many, that comprised nearly a third of total compensation — with 59% calling it “very or extremely important” to staying onboard.