Am I doing something wrong, I've read a few posts here and most of these people are at least making $150k/y. I'm 22 years old with about 3 years of experience in PHP/JavaScript (With jQuery/Handlebars), PSQL. I work 100% remote because the companies located on the other coast of Florida from me. My area is not really a good tech spot either. Stuart/PSL/West Palm/Ft.pierce Florida area could even go to Orlando if I had to. So is it just my area that's screwing me over? I did not know the languages when I joined and planned on an internship but learned quick and passed their tests with 100%. They gave me my first programming job at 47k TC ($45k/y + 2k bonus) A few months later im $50k + 2k bonus A year later of being there im at $60k + 2k/year A year later im at $70k + 2k/year And finally where im at $80k + 2k/year I'm a Software Architect now our highest position beside a manager. I will probably build $5k/year every year for at least the next 4 years as I told my boss I want to make it to 6 figures and wanted to know if that was possible here which he said yes in 4 years. So when I see people are making $150k commonly and some people are in the half a million a year I can't believe it. I make all my deadlines. If I'm given a project ill stay up 48 hours to finish that project in time. So it's not as if I don't produce a lot of work... Is it just my area thats screwing me over? Is it really screwing me over compared to the cost of living of a place like Seattle? Edit: I want to make this clear I'm happy where I'm at, I just want to confirm that I'm not being taken advantage of.
Let me tell you the 3 L’s... Location, Location, and location.... Here is San Antonio, the pay scale is similar for that role... however Austin, an hour drive up the road, is easy over 6 figs.... just crazy how things work
Your making 80K at the age of 23 in a low cost of living area and you don’t have to go into an office. I would run the math but that set up sounds pretty good.
I do love the setup I have, but I am just concerned that is being taken advantage of. Also for my future, I don't see anything better than what I have other than creating my own software company which even then I am not in the right area for.
You’re not being taken advantage of, but yes, you will eventually run into a wall where your career and compensation stagnates unless you move into management and start climbing the ladder. There’s only so much money and career advancement they’ll send to someone working remotely in a low COL area. I would say you have another 4-5 years before reaching that point.
I was making peanuts ($5000/year in India) at the age of 23. Now I am 29 and earning 35x. Don't think you are under paid but you can always get more by switching to FANG and other top tier companies.
Hey - I grew up and went to school in FL. $80K is pretty solid for 3 YOE and remote work. You can probably accelerate your rise to $100K by interviewing and getting offers elsewhere, assuming your current job is willing and capable to counter. I would advise deleting this app. Most people posting numbers on here work for top tier firms in major cities with insane COL and taxes. It presents an extremely skewed picture of the entire industry. If you’re comfortable with where you are and satisfied with your work and career progression, stay there and enjoy your life.
Thanks for the insight. Good to know from someone that use to live in Florida and understands the COL here.
Tbh none of the tech companies out west use stuff like jQuery/Handlebars much anymore. It’s all React and beyond. So modernizing your skill set would help if you were thinking about moving.
I've noticed. I recently started doing personal projects with Vue to try an keep up with the rest of the world. Would you say React is the most popular among the bigger companies?
React is more popular right now, but Vue is gaining popularity fast and might over take.
Maybe I’m biased, but I think you’re young and hungry, and you sound smart, so you should shoot for FAANG or unicorn in NYC, Seattle, or Bay Area. You don’t want to regret it later in life possibly when the economy slows down and salaries aren’t as high. Plus think of your learning and overall career progression, not to mention retirement. After making 300k+ for a while, you can decide if you want to come back to Florida. Or wherever. And for people saying COL is high there: The increased TC WAY offsets the COL.
Agree. COL matters, but get high tc for a while then decide.
Honestly, I think the issue is the PHP/JS. Those languages don't pay as much. Learn C++, Java, Python, and start practicing back-end development.
Thanks for the insight I know PHP is not a very renown language but I thought JS was popular. I actually have done a decent amount of Java development already and through college C++/Python but I don't really count that.
How does one have 2-3 yoe at 22? Do you have a college degree?
Worked full time while college online. Yes, I have a degree but after getting the experience I decided to stop after getting my AS in Computer Information. I also have a dozen or so technical certifications. Started programming Runescape private servers at about the age of 13 and my brother was my reference to get into my first job.
Maybe Im biased but I think a full comp sci degree is a prereq to 90% of candidates to reach very high levels of impact. You need to know abstract information about a bunch of areas you dont know exist and will likely be useless in 99% of your coding time. The other 1% of the time you would get into a 'you dont know what you dont know' type of situation, which is the place where one makes bad decisions. Again not prereq 100% of the time, but generally I would not consider a 22 yold with an online degree as having 2-3 yoe. Of course there are outliers and nothing is impossible.
Where did you decide? Are you still in Florida?
1. You're not working in a high COL location. 2. You're not working in FANG or unicorn.