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My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

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Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#361
post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the US, maybe. In other countries like the UK, a principal architect is probably not getting half that. I would guess from a quick google that an architect in the UK is on around £50k to £70k. Which is $63k to $90k. I'm a senior software engineer with around 10years experience. I'm on £38k ($48k) plus a very small bonus, maybe £2 to £3k if I'm lucky. Last job was a mid-level engineer on £28k. I've seen junior deve…

I really can't understand why they stay in the UK then, to be honest. We seem to have better salaries and generally lower cost of living across the sea... I have no affiliation with this company but here's a recent example, quoted at 95k so you could presumably push higher: https://www.ninedots.io/job/lead-react-engineer/

[deleted]

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#362
post #350

Mine for shits and giggles (USD) 2009 - 0 (moved and was living off savings, almost broke) 2010 - 150k (affiliate marketing, self, from home, 3 hours per day worked) 2011 - 24k (just a sliver of affiliate marketing, self, from home, not sure how many hours I worked) 2012 - 42k (SEO contract work, tiny company - part remote, 40 hours a week) 2013 - 42k (SEO contract work, tiny company - part remote, 40 hours a week) 2…

Whoa, Can I ask what made you switch from that sick-looking 2010 gig?

Well, in 2010 I was doing affiliate marketing via Facebook & Adwords. FB made some changes during that time that made it impossible for me to continue. I ran with Adwords for a while but then Google killed of the niche too. This is basically what happens when you trust your livelihood in the hands of other companies that can turn it all off in a second. The income that year was split in half between me and my partner so in total I think we pulled in 300k. It was nice while it lasted but then the real world knocked.

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#363

These threads always invite the outliers (i.e. those who want to humble brag). Here's mine outside Washington/California/Silicon Valley/NYC: - $40K: 2010-2013, "DevOps" at small startup. No ownership/shares. - $45-72K: 2014-Current, Programmer (various job titles) working for state's education department Even management here only make $90K capping out around $115K~. But cost of living is low. These threads never have…

Also in a pretty LoC area.

2007: $35k (First job out of school. I didn't know to negotiate better. Also my favorite job I've had) 2008: $60k 2012-2015: $80-$115k 2016-2017: $117.5k 2018: $100k + quarterly bonus based on company profits

It's not crazy FAANG level income but the cost of living out here is low enough that I'm pretty sure I make out decently well in comparison.

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#364

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Family, friends, football club, being in ones own culture? Not everyone is ready, able or willing to start a new life somewhere. And an important detail to remember is that Europeans usually work a lot less than Americans. Due to progressive taxes people tend to choose for more time off rather than more pay.

>And an important detail to remember is that Europeans usually work a lot less than Americans. Due to progressive taxes people tend to choose for more time off rather than more pay. Yep, anecdotal but time is just so much more valuable in my 20s than the extra (taxed) money. The sweet spot atleast for me is a 3 day work week. Pays enough and it has a decent balance. I could never trade this situation for a US dev job…

Yeah - but I was referring to Ireland. When headhunters contact me it's weird how the British ones offer surprisingly low salaries compared to Ireland, Germany, Finland, etc. (obviously this is after converting to EUR). I suppose I should have been more specific about which sea I referred to.

And time is incredibly valuable, if only because for most of us enjoying time is the whole damn point of working. I find playing with my kid or traveling or working on side projects much more fulfilling than my day job (which is fine, but ultimately just a job)

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#367
From East Europe to Central Europe.

  2012 - Junior web developer         - 6k  / Year Euro       - Romania (small outsourcing company)
  2013 - Junior web developer         - 11k / Year Euro       - Romania (same small outsourcing company)
  2014 - Software Dev                 - 13K / Year Euro       - Romania (bigger outsourcing company)
  2015 - Senior Software Dev          - 15K / Year Euro       - Romania (outsourcing, the it dep of a german company)
  2016 - Senior Software developer    - 70k / Year Euro       - Germany, Berlin, very early stage startup
  2017 - Senior Software Engineer     - 70K / Year Euro       - Germany, Berlin, medium international fintech company
  2018 - Senior Software Engineer     - 65K / Year Euro       - Germany, Berlin, medium german company

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#368
Thought I'd share my experience. I went to College for Graphic Design but shifted into programming. I mainly build internal tools/dashboards, mobile apps, training applications, website maintenance. All positions are in central New York State, US (fairly low CoL):

  Tiny (5 person) Company
  2008 - Graphic Design / Web Developer Intern (College) - $100 / week
  2010 - "Senior" Web Developer - $15 / hr

  Low-Mid (120 person) Company - Relocated To Hometown, Previous Employer Closed Business
  2010 - Graphic Designer - $14.86 / hr
  2013 - "Senior" Graphic Designer - $17.00 / hr

  Mid (350+ person) Company
  2014 - Graphic Designer / Web Developer - $46,000 / year + $8,000 bonuses
  2015 - Graphic Designer / Web Developer - $50,000 / year + $8,000 bonuses
  2016 - Software Developer - $70,000 / year + $10,000 bonuses
  2017 - Software Developer (Remote) - $75,000 / year + $10,000 bonuses
  2018 - Software Developer (Remote) - $78,000 / year + $10,000 bonuses
Still living a bit check-to-check due to high college bills, car payments, etc. Will be much more comfortable in a few more years after payoff.

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#369

These threads always invite the outliers (i.e. those who want to humble brag). Here's mine outside Washington/California/Silicon Valley/NYC: - $40K: 2010-2013, "DevOps" at small startup. No ownership/shares. - $45-72K: 2014-Current, Programmer (various job titles) working for state's education department Even management here only make $90K capping out around $115K~. But cost of living is low. These threads never have…

Started out in a LCOL area (Central PA). Dropped out of Comp. Sci. program. ColdFusion -> ASP -> .NET (with lots of Web Development). All the different titles. But typically just a member of the team; not the team lead or architect.

All figures W2 gross pay and 40 hour / week jobs (No on call, paid OT or I didn't play!)

  1998-1999 $9/hr -> $13/hr
  2000-2003 $27k -> $33k
  2003-2006 $40k -> $50k
  2006-2011 $55k -> $63k (nice job, raises not-so-much)
  2012-2014 $75k, $72k, $80k (job hoppin' fool)
Moved to a higher COL area (closer to Philly)

  2014-2015 $88k -> $91k
  2016-2017 $100k -> $103k
Took first Corp-to-corp 1099 job

  2017+ $160k
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