How to break into the 400k+ compensation bracket in tech

[Anonymous]

I’m an individual contributor and have plateaued around 300k total compensation, I want to make it to 500k one day but don’t see a clear path forward. I know I’ll probably need to go into management but my social skills aren’t great, and I value WLB. Any advice? I’m approaching the 8 year mark in my career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m an individual contributor and have plateaued around 300k total compensation, I want to make it to 500k one day but don’t see a clear path forward. I know I’ll probably need to go into management but my social skills aren’t great, and I value WLB. Any advice? I’m approaching the 8 year mark in my career.

LOL. Is this post a joke??

[Anonymous]

Sorry, but social skills (networking) and no WLB to get there initially. That, or having some hard to get/find subject matter expertise that the company needs.

[Anonymous]

You need to get into management because one day you'll be too expensive for your role. Someone younger will do it for $75K less and put in more hours. That's big tech life.

So out of self-preservation you need to lean in more, advertise yourself, and make yourself indispensable to senior mgmt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to get into management because one day you'll be too expensive for your role. Someone younger will do it for $75K less and put in more hours. That's big tech life.

So out of self-preservation you need to lean in more, advertise yourself, and make yourself indispensable to senior mgmt.

This.

[Anonymous]

Wow, so bummed I went into federal contracting rather than big tech in 2003... post dot.com they were who were hiring 30 year olds, but wow was it a bad choice...

[Anonymous]

Are you an engineer? Most of the big tech companies have robust promotion paths for engineers (e.g. staff, senior staff) that don't require direct people management if you are technically valuable. But you will need to effectively take on projects with larger scope and broader organizational impact, which also requires insight and EQ/people skills.

If you're not an engineer, then yes you will likely need to move into people management.

If you pick the right company and the markets are good, you can also get there at your current level through equity.

[Anonymous]

Unless you’ve got a rare talent/skill and have a degree from Stanford 300 seems right for max comp. And even then you’re not getting WLB. The days of engineers whose only skill is knowing code leaving work at noon to paddleboard is long behind us.

[Anonymous]

What do you do OP? I'm a systems engineer with devops experience, can code in assembly, C++, Python, and R. AWS cloud certified and I only make $150 as a middle aged engineer. What is your role/skillset? I will happily take your jobs when you leap to $500k!

[Anonymous]

Very difficult without being in management. The ones I know have really stellar scientific skills (like good enough to be a chief scientist at OpenAI, for example). Generic SWE is commoditized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very difficult without being in management. The ones I know have really stellar scientific skills (like good enough to be a chief scientist at OpenAI, for example). Generic SWE is commoditized.

Chief Scientist will be valued @ higher net worth.
In seriousness, back office quant for HF can make 400k, no need to be management.

[Anonymous]

Considering tech is contracting, I am not sure many promotions or large salary raises will be handed at least this year. You best bet is to interview with another company, get a meaty RSU package. Stay for 3-4 years and then jump ship

[Anonymous]

You need to be part of a successful startup. Find 1-3 other people to do it with.

[Anonymous]

I know several people (two on my current team) who work multiple contracts at the same time. If you are efficient you can swing it. Three 175k contracts will get you to your goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to get into management because one day you'll be too expensive for your role. Someone younger will do it for $75K less and put in more hours. That's big tech life.

So out of self-preservation you need to lean in more, advertise yourself, and make yourself indispensable to senior mgmt.

In addition to this, it’s really only the top 10-15% of programmers or coders or CS that are paid >$500k and they are highly sought after. The fAANGs throw $1-2M cash bonuses at them to get them to stay and then start ups try to throw $1-2m of preferred stock at them to get them to switch. In addition to their huge base salaries.

But honestly, they do the work better and faster than 4-5 average programmers so we want them. And they problem solve.

Going the mba route or PMgr route is something else entirely. You’d be leaving your craft. Which if you were top15% you’d never do.