How do I properly quantify exactly how much value I'm adding to the company I work for and the world to possibly determine how much I'm precisely worth?

You're almost there...

Now apply this to the implication that these sv companies did not depress engineer wages.

You're absolutely right. I'm demanding a 500k bonus from my boss tomorrow or I'm GONE!

You should. I write code in another industry (HFT) and most people coming out of college are getting 400-500k bonuses or more after a year. We joke about how raw of a deal the average developer in SV is getting -- Google has roughly the same net profit/employee that we do (maybe even more), and all they're getting is chump change.

I both hate and admire you for that. One bonus like that is all I need to finish plans for good. I know talented programmers getting the equiv of $50k and I wish I could do something for them.

Interesting. How does one get into that industry? Can you shoot me an email?

I thought HFT was going into rough times?

why does that make sense?

you aren't paid in proportion to your worth; you are only paid in proportion to your negotiating power. if 50 other people can produce the same worth for your employer, you're going to be paid a lot less than if you are the only one who can produce the same amount of worth.

don't take this as an argument that you are being paid "unfairly" - you're not. just see it this way - you are worth much more than that. set your career sights a lot higher because you deserve it.

You need to ask yourself what your replacement cost is, not how much value you are adding.

Sure, you're a drop out, but if you have an in-demand skill set replacing you is not going to be cheap.