With 26 years in software development, low level linux (kernel "stuff") and low level windows (kernel "stuff" again), with work including from analyzing malware to writting DRM that was left unbroken for 3 years, to high level software, system administration on various unixes and unix like beasts, including low level networking, fluent in c, c++, asm x86/64, go and some "stuff" I am not proud off (c#, java, python, js, php), expirience in management, team leadership, working for bluechips, US three letter agencies and army (as a part of my previous jobs), annoyingly proficient in security (..., there is more, but who cares) I earn 24k netto euros a year and consider myself lucky, due to a fact that I cant move to another country based on broken marriage and my wish to still parent my kid every second week. Oh, you have 120k salery? I wouldnt complain if I were you.
/sarcasm off
Just my 5 cents, Instead of counting the money, concentrate on what makes you happy. You will pass better on long term. At the end there is not much you can take into grave. And money certanly doesnt make it softer.
Your advice at the end is good but I would add that you shouldn't let others take advantage of you.
People aren't being paid $200k-$2M / year for reasons of charity. They get paid that much because their contribution to the company is higher than that.
>Your advice at the end is good but I would add that you shouldn't let others take advantage of you.
Everybody is being taken advantage of if you think about it, especially if you're a salaried employee.
Hell, if you ask Googlers earning $600k they'll think they're being taken advantage of. If you ask CEOs of F500 companies they'll also think they're being take advantage of. If you ask Multi-Billionaires with offshore accounts in tax havens to pay their fair share of taxes, they'll also think they're bein taken advantage of.
If you let this way of thinking drive your life, you'll end up very miserable.
And exactly this is the part where people have problem understanding. If there is no company that you could sell your knowlidge for the sallary you would like to have, it doesnt matter how good you are. I know lots of local developers that are top notch, earning even less, on the other side, forgive me the wording, I know a few midiocre people, that were kicked out of my company as incompetent (they really were incompetent) and later passed google interviews (before anyone says it, I dont want to work at google, there are other more honorable jobs like selling drugs to kids or selling arms to central africa - I'll pass those too)).
Bottom line, knowlidge is not worth a penny, it doesnt matter. Only how good you are to selling yourself and if there is no company preparing to offer you a higher sallary - relocate somewhere else. Or decide not to move and be satisfied with what you have. Like I decided my kid is more important than Tesla and bunch of expansive gadgets (while I do have long term ENTP/INTP relationship with a former photomodel that has IQ higher that anyone that was hitting on her though ;) ). And I am happy. More than most people running for money.
I will repeat it once again. Go for whatever makes you happy. Ignore the money, as a developer you will survive. Dont put money as your goal as you will be miserable at the end.
SV is so gluttonous that we forget how good we have it relative to almost every other market in the world. We do half-page rants just because we accidentally stepped in dog doo before work.
/sarcasm on
With 26 years in software development, low level linux (kernel "stuff") and low level windows (kernel "stuff" again), with work including from analyzing malware to writting DRM that was left unbroken for 3 years, to high level software, system administration on various unixes and unix like beasts, including low level networking, fluent in c, c++, asm x86/64, go and some "stuff" I am not proud off (c#, java, python, js, php), expirience in management, team leadership, working for bluechips, US three letter agencies and army (as a part of my previous jobs), annoyingly proficient in security (..., there is more, but who cares) I earn 24k netto euros a year and consider myself lucky, due to a fact that I cant move to another country based on broken marriage and my wish to still parent my kid every second week. Oh, you have 120k salery? I wouldnt complain if I were you.
/sarcasm off
Just my 5 cents, Instead of counting the money, concentrate on what makes you happy. You will pass better on long term. At the end there is not much you can take into grave. And money certanly doesnt make it softer.