Ask HN: How do I earn more money a JavaScript developer?
I'm a full-stack JS developer, I mainly build apps in React Native. Usually I'll come into an agency or a startup for 6 - 12 months and build an MVP, shaping the pre-launch product, system architecture, blueprint design, that sorta thing.
I've done this sort of contracting for ~10 years, and while it's fine it's starting to feel a bit stale for me.
I also have a family (and a mortgage) now, so I want to earn more money.
The problem: I earn ~AU$300k (US$200k, EU180k) as a contractor, yet the only full-time roles for a lead dev or tech lead here pay $160k - $180k.
So I can give up contracting for more career progression, but that means taking a massive pay cut.
I could also try to become one of those LevelsIo / MarcLou #buildinpublic "I earn $50k/mo!" guys, but at 37 with two toddlers I don't have the mental fortitude to post self-promotions on X and TikTok as often as this requires.
Has anyone been in this situation before? What did you do?