Why do people here feel the need to put their salary and credentials in their questions and answers?

People who do so are attempting to give credence and validation to their answers and opinions. Unfortunately, it tends to detract somewhat, especially when some of them are probably fibbing.

Credentials mentioned, why? Because it might be very useful and helpful to know that an offered response to a question is not being thrown out there by some amateur nutbag who THINKS he or she knows what he or she is talking about.

You can be qualified to do something on the one hand, and authorized to do something on the other hand. They don't automatically go together, which is unfortunate; certainly there are people without official credentials who are qualified to give an authoritative response to a particular question, yes.

Nevertheless, let's say the topic is grapefruit. Would you give equal weight to a reply about grapefruit from a rubber-band or scotch-tape salesman? An airline pilot? Or a citrus plantation grower?

I have B.S. from the Minnesota Insitute of Bull Sh!t Studies, and I make over $42.42 a year hocking imitation leiderhosen out of the back on my van up the street from the Quicky Mart.

It makes me just about as qualified as anyone here.

probably because they are insecure with themselves, and they think that they will engender respect from us if they make a high salary or work in some profession that others may envy. Or they are just jerks who enjoy gloating.

For the same reason that some people feel the need to tell everyone what they think their IQ score is. They think it adds some credibility to their opinions, I guess.

I haven't the slightest idea, and I have a Master's Degree in Psychology. And we make close to 6 figures in our household.

;)

2 out of the thousands of answers here every day is hardly a trend, but it is probably some need to prove to you they are important.

I dont know, I have never seen it.

Maybe if they feel like they have to remind people of their success, they are compensating for something else

I have no idea!

($164K/PhD in Applied Ethnomythological Studies)

I always just smile and don't say anything. Pride is something that isn't helpful to anyone, no matter what their affiliation is.