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

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

#31

Post by aminotaa »

I have no idea about the east coast labor market, but in Bay Area $250k is what an I4-I5 gets payed at medium/large RSU granting companies.

As a software developer at I4+ you have to

- Be able to independently complete start-to-finish large features in reasonable time

- Drive resolution of complex problems (fix any bugs with your code and medium bugs elsewhere)

- Deliver high-quality work (low bug rate, low failure rate, high flexibility, great coding style, automation, documentation)

- Introduce improvement ideas and get them implemented (gets harder the more people get involved)

- Own a functional area end-to-end

- Have product-wide technical and functional knowledge (know everything that your department is working on from both developer and customer perspectives)

- Mentor junior engineers

- Excel at communication

- Participate in recruiting

If you can demonstrate the above, you should have no problems getting hired at $250k+ in Bay Area.

Getting to above $500k is another story. Took me 20 years.

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

#32

Post by byebyetech »

panda888888 wrote: post #18

Step 1: Move to Seattle and find a job there. Purchasing power there is 38% higher than NYC. We'll say that your salary stays at 150k, but you'll realistically feel like you have 38% more. (Source: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?cou... ) Step 2: Buy a house in Tacoma. Don't buy in Seattle; the market there is in a bubble. Tacoma is an up-and-coming suburb. Cost will be ~300k for a livable ho…

One hour commute each way? That would be terrible.

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

#33

Post by throwaway713824 »

If you're already making $150k, get a remote job for $100k. Remote can be a bit more competitive to land, but there are some low paying companies out there who's hiring is comparatively loose.

Ideally, your main job is low effort giving you time during your day for some moonlighting. Or get two remote jobs. Yes, I'm proposing working too jobs concurrently. Some people find this objectionable, but for salary positions I don't. IF neither job keeps you busy, why not?

Edit; Low performing teams in low performing organizations rarely require 4 hours of effort per day. If you do get 4 hours of good effort in these places, you're still a super star. One could easily do 40 hours a week and excel at both. Check your assumptions.

Bottom line is if you're capable in this profession, you're leaving money on the table.

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

#34

Post by byebyetech »

VSPrw3C1yK wrote: post #19

I was in your situation a couple years ago and I doubled my salary. Identify an essential but unmet need in your organization. Satisfy it. This makes you essential, but also demonstrates you can manage yourself, execute and provide strategic value. Renegotiate compensation. Rinse and repeat.

Can you give an example. It sounds bit general and non-actionable. Example will help understand how as a SWE you can find unmet need within organization?

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

#36

Post by paulddraper »

throwaway713824 wrote: post #33

If you're already making $150k, get a remote job for $100k. Remote can be a bit more competitive to land, but there are some low paying companies out there who's hiring is comparatively loose. Ideally, your main job is low effort giving you time during your day for some moonlighting. Or get two remote jobs. Yes, I'm proposing working too jobs concurrently. Some people find this objectionable, but for salary positions…

> strong enough salary to raise a family

Working 80+ hrs a week isn't usually compatible with raising a family.

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

#37

Post by gaius »

King-Aaron wrote: post #23

$100,000 per year and you don't feel that this currently gives you financial security. Can we please step back for a moment and reflect on that.

Can we please step back for a moment and reflect on that.

$117k is officially considered “low income” in some places http://fortune.com/2018/06/27/bay-area-six-figures-housing-h...

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

#38

Post by ryanx435 »

aminotaa wrote: post #31

I have no idea about the east coast labor market, but in Bay Area $250k is what an I4-I5 gets payed at medium/large RSU granting companies. As a software developer at I4+ you have to - Be able to independently complete start-to-finish large features in reasonable time - Drive resolution of complex problems (fix any bugs with your code and medium bugs elsewhere) - Deliver high-quality work (low bug rate, low failure r…

RSU is "restricted stock unit"?

so basically you get equity worth 250k. But what is the actual take home pay amount?

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

#39

Post by cam3ham »

panda888888 wrote: post #18

Step 1: Move to Seattle and find a job there. Purchasing power there is 38% higher than NYC. We'll say that your salary stays at 150k, but you'll realistically feel like you have 38% more. (Source: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?cou... ) Step 2: Buy a house in Tacoma. Don't buy in Seattle; the market there is in a bubble. Tacoma is an up-and-coming suburb. Cost will be ~300k for a livable ho…

lol, I'll take "how to make drastic moves and bad investments for $1000, Alex"

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

#40

Post by cam3ham »

aminotaa wrote: post #31

I have no idea about the east coast labor market, but in Bay Area $250k is what an I4-I5 gets payed at medium/large RSU granting companies. As a software developer at I4+ you have to - Be able to independently complete start-to-finish large features in reasonable time - Drive resolution of complex problems (fix any bugs with your code and medium bugs elsewhere) - Deliver high-quality work (low bug rate, low failure r…

$250K salary + RSUs? Or $250K total compensation?

Because the latter isn't that great with the COL in the Bay area. Also, if the company isn't already public... then forget about the RSUs!

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