Re:I am an HFT programmer (Score 1)

The hourly rate does put it in perspective. Unless they happen to get paid with some kind of stock grant or benefit program, most of that gets hammered by the tax man at the %39 bracket (and probably state tax as well). They probably do get a couple weeks vacation, but if they live in NYC you lose a ton to rent and living costs. Which as an employee isn't that bad, but you can do better per hour at a Microsoft, Google or Apple. And you won't burn out after a year.