Well, maybe if salary compression and inversion didn’t exist and that companies would pay their existing developers based on market value instead of HR enforced policies of “no raises more than slightly above cost of living”, incentives would be better aligned.

But as long as statistically the best way to make more money is by job hopping every two or three years, developers are always going to look out for their own resume and best interest.

No job is permanent It is irresponsible not to be focused on keeping yourself marketable.