In another thread, @SevenDad noted that his daughter was just selected for an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, a wonderful accomplishment. It made me think of a female candidate that I just placed (I’m a headhunter). I will keep this sanitized for obvious reasons of privacy, but these numbers are all accurate.
She was graduated from college in 1999, so estimate early 40’s. She manages a technical team of 100 at the world’s best known e-commerce company as a Senior Manager, not yet a Director. She has an undergraduate degree in Technology from a mid-range Indian University. She is excellent at her work with a winning personality.
Her compensation was $756,000/yr. She was being promoted to Director the following year, at $917,000. If you are a high performing woman in technology, the world is your oyster. If I had a daughter with STEM gifts, and assuming that she enjoyed technology, I would urge her to work equally hard on her technical AND leadership skills. It is so difficult to find women in technology, and a huge premium is paid. Money may not be a motivator, but if it is, that way riches lie.