Ask HN: What specialties can get a senior web developer more salary? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: What specialties can get a senior web developer more salary?

11 pointslifeplusplus16 comments

Say your salary is approaching $200k mark in few years. What directions can you go to be in better position from here...

I realize just the salary isn't everything, esp given that you get taxed through nose. So maybe modest increase in salary but more chill job?

How can you get

.. to $400k?

.. to position with more impact?

.. more autonomy?

.. social interaction?

.. less stress?

.. less coding?

.. more fun?

lots of things to optimize for but what does get you there? I know the things I need to do to become a better sr software developer: communication, architecture/system design, learn my tools, learn my stack in and out, delegating, coaching other devs, etc. It's great if you're happy with that. But frankly I'm feeling my passion for coding as work dwindling and would love to explore. I thought I wanted to be a technical product manager, until I realized it was basically middle management where you get worse of both sides.

You want basically everything: fun, high salary, impact, autonomy, less stress etc.

That's where it's wrong. That thing doesn't exist.

Even people suggesting you to go work for FAANG are kind of wrong. By becoming the biggest gear in the machine cog, I doubt you will ever find satisfaction.

I'd honestly go see a psychologist, it seems you don't know what you want and even your own desires seems to be mirrored to what people generally see and want here in HN.

For instance, if you are looking for satisfaction and making yourself happy, fixing your parental or whatever troubling issue you may have, more money or a different job won't fix it. But rather by a self-exploratory process which a professional might be able to help you with. Life isn't about having a job.

Maybe those are internal issues you have, like a crush which didn't work out, mother/father, relationships, poverty background or whatever. Anyhow, go see a psychologist.

No I said there are different things I could optimize for. And not knowing what you want doesn't mean I need to see a psychologist, it's being realist and acknowledging we know little of what will make us happy just guesses.

Even if you could output $100k/month, you'd still be benchmarked against the next guy who could do the same. Maybe if you're capable of heroic acts, e.g. building an Airbnb quality app in 2-3 months, for highly competitive companies like Rocket Internet, or consulting companies.

The other option I see is doing your own thing, writing competitors for existing services. You'd probably need good understanding of products/users, as well as the ability to output several prototypes a day.

that's why i feel there is a ceiling for just web developers. what about dba admin? systems architecture aws specialty? Obviously ML works but you need phd in math for that.

Money-wise those salary-bands are only achievable at faang-tier with promotions (others can confirm). Getting into faang is Leetcode, getting promoted there is a game that only those that have done it can explain.

If you want to play that game at that level then you should goto Blind app and read up on what those career ladder psychos are obsessed with. You’ll get more sociopathic, but realistic answers about what’s involved.

Demonstrate soft skills: leadership, people management. And also get into the business side of the company, understand how they measure success, propose new ideas...

Leaders need and trust people with these three skills: soft skills, business skills and technical skills.

Some positions might be:

- Tech Leader - Team Leader - Product Management - CTO

Getting to 400k+ is straightforward. Grind leetcode and apply to FAANG.

what about other career paths?

People skills. Move into management. Lead teams of web developers.

how can i develop people skills

Get off HackerNews and talk to people IRL.

Start your own business, take your own risks.

Not OP but this is what I'm leaning towards. I can only think of opening up a software consultancy, population: 1 (myself); I'm not convinced that's a long term strategy and I would struggle to find clients

i used to do freelancing as junior web developer... i dont think ill put up with it now.

Location?

nyc

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