Comment by kykat
I think that 2k is really really cheap for the expertise in kernel development
I think that 2k is really really cheap for the expertise in kernel development
there are a lot more kernel programmers than kernel work
"Lots" is a relative term, but the overwhelming majority of kernel developers are employed and usually do kernel work as part of their job (usually at least ~80% but it could be argued as high as 97% depending on how you interpret the breakdown done by LWN of each release[1]).
And I would guess that most of the kernel devs who are "working for free" are doing the stuff they personally enjoy and find satisfaction in working on, because it's a hobby -- so many of them are probably not interested in fixing random bugs for cash either.
It is, but it's amazing how cheap kernel expertise is relative to comparable experience in other specialties like frontend.