For experienced database engineers, $125k isn't an impressive number, and it's the highest salary listed at rethink -- meaning that you're unlikely to get that number without being judged so "senior" by the rest of the company that you merit the highest salary possible.
I've always thought that their choice to post those salary numbers was a bit foolish. Far better to negotiate a low-ball offer for an experienced candidate after selling them on your company during the interview, than to have them avoid interviewing at all because your salary ranges are fixed and low for the industry.
Again, Glassdoor.com doesn't seem to have a lot of data showing that database engineer salaries above $125K are widespread. I'm interested in any evidence supporting that view (relates to some other conversations I've had recently).
I have friends in the database industry who make far more. I also know a number of people who make rethink's highest salary. It's not an exceptional number.
I think you're assuming too much about the data on Glassdoor -- it's not necessarily reliable or precise, especially for positions that require experience. The numbers you'll find there are rough guidelines of average salaries for people who are willing to post to glassdoor. That set is not necessarily representative of software engineers as a whole.
I agree, GlassDoor may not have good data. That's why I'm interested in other evidence. With due respect to you and your acquaintances, it would be helpful to have better public data against which one could make comparisons.
I can say that GlassDoor's data for the jobs I am currently familiar with seems fairly close to my own observations.
I've always thought that their choice to post those salary numbers was a bit foolish. Far better to negotiate a low-ball offer for an experienced candidate after selling them on your company during the interview, than to have them avoid interviewing at all because your salary ranges are fixed and low for the industry.