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Ask HN: How to earn 1 million in 5 years without working for a startup?

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Re: Ask HN: How to earn 1 million in 5 years without working for a startup?

#4
If you are a top Java/C++ coder, you could probably make that much working for a big investment bank. Many of them are upgrading their FX trading systems to allow low latency trading and are prepared to pay top bucks to get the right people.

Alternatively, if you have a strong quantitative background (ie. Maths / Physics) you could go into quant development which would pay handsomely as well.

Re: Ask HN: How to earn 1 million in 5 years without working for a startup?

#5

If you are a top Java/C++ coder, you could probably make that much working for a big investment bank. Many of them are upgrading their FX trading systems to allow low latency trading and are prepared to pay top bucks to get the right people. Alternatively, if you have a strong quantitative background (ie. Maths / Physics) you could go into quant development which would pay handsomely as well.

Making $1m of gross income and making $1m of savings are two very different things.

You probably won't sock away $1m working for a bank.

Re: Ask HN: How to earn 1 million in 5 years without working for a startup?

#6
post #5

If you are a top Java/C++ coder, you could probably make that much working for a big investment bank. Many of them are upgrading their FX trading systems to allow low latency trading and are prepared to pay top bucks to get the right people. Alternatively, if you have a strong quantitative background (ie. Maths / Physics) you could go into quant development which would pay handsomely as well.

Making $1m of gross income and making $1m of savings are two very different things. You probably won't sock away $1m working for a bank.

Though it is possible to get $1m in 5 years, if you are an workaholic with a quant. PhD:

http://www.quantfinancejobs.com/jobs/quant-trader.asp

Re: Ask HN: How to earn 1 million in 5 years without working for a startup?

#7

If you are a top Java/C++ coder, you could probably make that much working for a big investment bank. Many of them are upgrading their FX trading systems to allow low latency trading and are prepared to pay top bucks to get the right people. Alternatively, if you have a strong quantitative background (ie. Maths / Physics) you could go into quant development which would pay handsomely as well.

can you please give more info about this: "FX trading systems to allow low latency trading" what is it ?

Re: Ask HN: How to earn 1 million in 5 years without working for a startup?

#9
post #5

If you are a top Java/C++ coder, you could probably make that much working for a big investment bank. Many of them are upgrading their FX trading systems to allow low latency trading and are prepared to pay top bucks to get the right people. Alternatively, if you have a strong quantitative background (ie. Maths / Physics) you could go into quant development which would pay handsomely as well.

Making $1m of gross income and making $1m of savings are two very different things. You probably won't sock away $1m working for a bank.

I got called by a recruiter a few weeks ago pitching lead FX dev role at a day rate of £1000 GBP, which works out to around an annual salary of $350k USD. That's definitely at the high end of the scale but it shows it's not infeasible (£600-£750 is a more typical rate).

Re: Ask HN: How to earn 1 million in 5 years without working for a startup?

#10
post #9
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Making $1m of gross income and making $1m of savings are two very different things. You probably won't sock away $1m working for a bank.

I got called by a recruiter a few weeks ago pitching lead FX dev role at a day rate of £1000 GBP, which works out to around an annual salary of $350k USD. That's definitely at the high end of the scale but it shows it's not infeasible (£600-£750 is a more typical rate).

You still won't save that much because you will usually live the lifestyle of your peers which will be very expensive.
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