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Ask HN: What steps can I take to earn $250K+?

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Ask HN: What steps can I take to earn $250K+?

#1

Post by vbtemp »

If I were to work backwards from the goal of making a salary at $250K+, what would they be?

Given context, I'm an MS in computer science, about a decade of experience in software development (both in R&D and production systems, embedded to cloud). Currently, I'm $100K/yr shy of my goal.

In the end, my goal is to have a strong enough salary to raise a family in financial security, and be in a position such that my spouse works because she wants to, not has to. Look forward to the discussion!

(Note, Location is high-COL big-metro east coast city)

Re: Ask HN: What steps can I take to earn $250K+?

#4

Post by spraak »

This is side stepping the answer you're looking for: can you change locations with your current salary? The net effect could be living as if you had $250k.

Otherwise, the best way I think reaching beyond the $150k/year salary as a SWE besides becoming a senior Engineer at Google etc. is creating your own startup and keeping the head count small, e.g. like many of the people on Indie Hackers. Of course, I haven't done this yet myself, but that's what I've come to when thinking about this.

Other options I haven't explored as much could be investments of some kind (crypto? traditional stock market? real estate?)

Re: Ask HN: What steps can I take to earn $250K+?

#7

Post by bsvalley »

Where are you located? $250k in San Francisco for example with 10 years of experience is very doable. How? RSU's. Look for big and hot tech companies and that's it. If you're talking about $250k as a base salary, then I'd say forget about it unless you move into management. Even then, it would take you years to get there. If your wife starts working then your total monthly income will definitely make it easy for you to raise a family in the Bay Area. Again, I'm totally guessing, you could be located in Nebraska or Canada I don't know..

Long story short - RSU's in big companies.

Re: Ask HN: What steps can I take to earn $250K+?

#8

Post by godelmachine »

bsvalley wrote: post #7

Where are you located? $250k in San Francisco for example with 10 years of experience is very doable. How? RSU's. Look for big and hot tech companies and that's it. If you're talking about $250k as a base salary, then I'd say forget about it unless you move into management. Even then, it would take you years to get there. If your wife starts working then your total monthly income will definitely make it easy for you…

Does RSU mean restricted stock unit?

Re: Ask HN: What steps can I take to earn $250K+?

#9

Post by godelmachine »

vbtemp wrote: post #3
govr wrote: post #2

answer your question for those of us trying to make $150k, thanks.

1. Find a company or startup that desperately needs someone with your skillset ASAP 2. Negotiate hard 3. Have a good reputation

Thanks for the three points :)
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