My Salary Progression in Tech
Some random points of advice after 30 years in tech...<p>First, decide whether you are more interested in pushing forward on technology or on earning more. Yes, you probably want both, but you should decide which matters more. Also, note that the answer will likely change if your personal situation changes, in particular, if you start a family.<p>These points are primarily for those who put earning more above pushing technology. I was married early on and that became the priority for me.<p>- Always work to make your boss successful. There are a variety of advantages to this. First, if you make them successful and they rise in the company, they are more likely to give you a promotion and raise as well. Second, if they change jobs and go to a place you&#x27;d like to work, whether it&#x27;s in one, five, ten years or more, you&#x27;ll be someone they call when they need to hire. Third, it makes it much easier for them to go to bat for you when you ask for a raise.<p>Given all of that, it&#x27;s also important to work for bosses that you want to see succeed. If you really don&#x27;t like your boss, and you find it distasteful to help them be successful, work towards their success while you look for another boss.<p>- If you want to earn more, ask for more responsibility. I was married when I was an engineer of 3 years. To earn more, I asked to be made a project lead. I delivered several projects, then asked to be made a manager. I managed several people, then asked for a transfer to start and manage a remote sales and service office. In each case, I was given 30%+ raises.<p>The point here is that you need to ask. Let your boss and HR know that you want to be considered for promotion. Once you&#x27;ve asked, remind them at more or less regular intervals, perhaps 6 months. You want it to stick in their minds that you are looking to move up and at some point, an opportunity may come up that you&#x27;d be on the short list for.<p>- Change jobs or companies. This is typically the most effective way to get a raise. <i>The key is to look while you&#x27;re still working</i>. Many people in tech keep their heads down until the company goes through a rough patch and lays off or shuts down. Then, if they don&#x27;t have runway, they have to take the first position that comes along. If you think you need to move, keep your job and do your search so you can evaluate each opportunity without being under pressure.<p>- Treat options or other equity as the icing, not the cake. You can be deliberate about accumulating wealth without windfalls by consistently earning more than you spend and conscientiously investing your savings. If you&#x27;re able to cash in on options, that is great, invest it, buy a home or whatever. But earn what you&#x27;re worth in cash.