I don't see any moral justification for a software engineer earning more than someone collecting waste [1].
In general I agree. However, besides education costs (I have quite many friends who have a sizeable loan), software engineers also enter the workforce quite a bit later. E.g., taking Netherlands as an example:
- Waste collector: age 12-16 VMBO
- Software engineer: age 12-18 VWO, age 18-23 BA+MA university
Also, very few students actually finish university in time. So, they are usually 24 or 25 when they are on the market. So, there would be less opportunity to build up a pension at equal wages.
I think that most of those students already work during their studies and income difference is so big that they will definitely earn more money in total before 30.
I would be more worried about doctors which start to work independently a lot later and do not earn much in the beginning of their carrier (at least in my country).
The same reason you have pensions now, despite guaranteed state pensions. Whilst $10K is probably liveable, in some places, if you own a house, it's likely not going to be terribly comfortable.
In general I agree. However, besides education costs (I have quite many friends who have a sizeable loan), software engineers also enter the workforce quite a bit later. E.g., taking Netherlands as an example:
- Waste collector: age 12-16 VMBO
- Software engineer: age 12-18 VWO, age 18-23 BA+MA university
Also, very few students actually finish university in time. So, they are usually 24 or 25 when they are on the market. So, there would be less opportunity to build up a pension at equal wages.