Do you need a degree to get a good job in computer programming?

Answer 1

Your question is hard to answer. Depends on what "good" means for you... also on your actual skill, if you freelance or not, the labor market situation in your country and on the specific company you want to work for and last but not least your actual task.
In general, of course, an academic degree will make it easier to earn more, as you have a sheet of paper that suggests that you are not too incompetent. An academic degree still doesn't mean someone is actually good in programming as being good in programming is not equivalent to passing exams.

Answer 2

Nevertheless, I'm happy with my job situation as I freelance and have my own company separate from the freelancing here in Germany. Still, I'm not an average programmer as I likely have more academic experience and work experience than most people here in @ SoloLearn C++ (was PhD student and have 10+ years of work experience).
Maybe you can find an overview of earnings in IT from one of the big job sites like Stepstone to get a general impression. I know Stepstone has this for dependently employed IT guys in Germany.

Answer 3

A degree if a good starting point, but as everything in life, passion and commitment get farther on the scale...
I just wonder... if you want to work as a freelancer, where it's a good place to start, in particular if you haven't worked recently on a development project recently? It's there a place online where you get a chance to proof what you can do?