Ask HN: I'm 26 and would like to make 100k/yearly before I'm 30. How do I do it?

#1

Post by randomnamehere » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 2:09 PM UTC

Like the title says, I am currently 26 and would like to make at least 100k a year by the time I am 30. I am a front-end dev with about three and half years experience but, professionally speaking, I feel like I am stagnating.

I have a very deep understanding of html/css and I know enough jQuery/JavaScript to handle DOM manipulation, as well as build out image sliders, tabbed content areas, etc. etc. I am also very knowledgeable about WordPress. As far as locations go, I live in the central US and won't be moving to San Francisco, New York City or any other large coastal city. Taking that into consideration, 100k would be considered more in the central US than somewhere like San Francisco.

Basically, I see two options. The first option is to start learning a backend language, something like Ruby/C# and hoping for the best. I seriously doubt I could get enough experience learning a new language part time though. My second option is to really start focusing on MVC JavaScript frameworks and becoming proficient in something like Backbone or Angular.

Are those my only two realistic options? If so, are there any recommendations on which route I should go or any general advice?

Re: Ask HN: I'm 26 and would like to make 100k/yearly before I'm 30. How do I do it?

#2

Post by philiphodgen » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 2:14 PM UTC

You are looking at the problem backwards.

What do people want so badly that they will give you $100,000 to get it?

Re: Ask HN: I'm 26 and would like to make 100k/yearly before I'm 30. How do I do it?

#3

Post by Eyes2design » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 2:20 PM UTC

I'm 27, I do PHP Programming, I moved from Ar. to salt lake ut, There is a large and growing need here for programmers. I know I need a frontend guy with skilled in js, and html.

give me us a resume jobs@greenpolkadotbox.com

Re: Ask HN: I'm 26 and would like to make 100k/yearly before I'm 30. How do I do it?

#4

Post by _pius » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 2:20 PM UTC

I'd look at AngelList jobs, set the slider to $100k minimum, and see what comes out.

https://angel.co/jobs

Re: Ask HN: I'm 26 and would like to make 100k/yearly before I'm 30. How do I do it?

#5

Post by hardwaresofton » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 2:20 PM UTC

Dive into something that compiles.

And also, what is the job pool like around you? Certain companies just don't pay as much as others.

If you want to continue web dev, learn the backend. Take some time, and write a small webapp in Django, Rails, Play Framework, Node, and anything else that sparks your fancy (and learn their accompanying languages).

Also, one other thing that will get you paid really quickly is databases. Learn your RBDMS theory, optimizations, normalization, etc. And learn about some noSQL databases, and you will qualify for a whole different class of jobs, which will be higher paying, for sure. Much less people are knowledgeable about databases.

These days, the easiest and quickest way to get a rise in paygrade is to switch jobs and renegotiate.

[EDIT] - philliphodgen's answer is possibly more right than this one. A practical application: go look on job sites like glass door, and see how much money is getting paid on average for which job descriptions, then get those skills.

Re: Ask HN: I'm 26 and would like to make 100k/yearly before I'm 30. How do I do it?

#6

Post by lmm » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 2:24 PM UTC

The money's what matters? Go into an investment bank (i.e. Goldman Sachs) and start doing stuff. It's easier to move teams internally than get hired for exactly what you want. Demonstrate that you are willing to put in the time and take the risks and you'll get your 100k, for all the good it will do you.

Learning a new language part time is easy - if you're smart you could certainly pick up Ruby or C# in a couple of weekends. You don't need "experience" to get good at something, only to get hired for it. So again, the secret is to get hired for a position that's nominally doing something on your CV (web developer), then transition within the company to doing what you want. If need be, once you have your C#/whatever "experience" from doing it at this company you can then use that to get a job as a "C# developer" at a second company (possibly at higher salary). It's insane that this is how things work, but that's hiring practices for you.

Re: Ask HN: I'm 26 and would like to make 100k/yearly before I'm 30. How do I do it?

#7

Post by johnmurch » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 2:32 PM UTC

If you are that good with Javascript - jump on the node.js bus rather than Ruby or C#.

In terms of making more $ the first thing I would work on is salary negotiation, not necessarily skills. There are a few great salary courses on udemy that can help with asking/answer the right questions when looking for something new or even a raise.

In terms of location/salary - I would also recommend looking to freelance for companies in NY/SF as you can get a higher rate rather than central US.

Lastly - I would say to not just think in terms of $100k but in terms of products. What products/site could you build that charges $30/month (SAAS) and can get 500 signups. Just that would get $18k/month in revenue or over $200k/year. Now $30/month may sound like a lot but take a look at Basecamp (http://basecamp.com/pricing) $20 minium a month or dive into b2b saas and checkout some of the crazy #'s they charge - http://www.marketo.com/small-medium-business/pricing.php

500 clients sounds like a lot at $30 - but no matter how you do the math (10 clients $1000/each) or (100 clients $100) a product can easily pay over your $100k/year especially if you spend the next 4 years building it. Focus on getting your first paying customer within 1 month of today and just keep going hard.

My 2 cents :) Good Luck!

Re: Ask HN: I'm 26 and would like to make 100k/yearly before I'm 30. How do I do it?

#8

Post by iends » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 2:35 PM UTC

johnmurch wrote: post #7

If you are that good with Javascript - jump on the node.js bus rather than Ruby or C#. In terms of making more $ the first thing I would work on is salary negotiation, not necessarily skills. There are a few great salary courses on udemy that can help with asking/answer the right questions when looking for something new or even a raise. In terms of location/salary - I would also recommend looking to freelance for com…

Why your node recommendation? Does node pay particularly well?

Re: Ask HN: I'm 26 and would like to make 100k/yearly before I'm 30. How do I do it?

#9

Post by Eyes2design » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 2:54 PM UTC

iends wrote: post #8

johnmurch wrote: post #7

If you are that good with Javascript - jump on the node.js bus rather than Ruby or C#. In terms of making more $ the first thing I would work on is salary negotiation, not necessarily skills. There are a few great salary courses on udemy that can help with asking/answer the right questions when looking for something new or even a raise. In terms of location/salary - I would also recommend looking to freelance for com…

Why your node recommendation? Does node pay particularly well?

Node.js is a section of services that will be needed now and in the future to create distributed web services/ sites, so yes node js is important to the next level of the web resources.

Re: Ask HN: I'm 26 and would like to make 100k/yearly before I'm 30. How do I do it?

#10

Post by beauzero » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 3:08 PM UTC

Move to Salt Lake or Atlanta...depending upon your social likes/dislikes. Atlanta has a very large 6-18 month consulting community. Better than anywhere else in the US vs. cost of living. 100k here is equivalent to 175 in New York or San Fransisco. Consulting because you can move/learn every 6-18 months.