I asked developers how much MONEY they make
**The Rise to Success: Stories from Glassdoor**
As we delve into the world of software development and technology, it's clear that success is not solely dependent on formal education or traditional career paths. In this article, we'll explore the journeys of three individuals who have turned their passion for coding into lucrative careers.
**A Full Stack Engineer's Journey**
One such individual is a full stack engineer at Glassdoor, who has been in the industry for seven years. Initially, they were pre-med majors before switching to computer science at the last minute. This career change proved to be a wise decision, as they've since become a sought-after talent in the tech world. Speaking about their salary, they revealed that they started at $70,000 in Chicago and have since increased their earnings to $180,000 per year.
When asked about advice for newcomers to the industry, they emphasized the importance of building something from scratch. "I needed to make an app to help me organize my music," they shared. "The thing that I learned through that process was that I didn't hate it." This anecdote highlights the value of taking risks and trying new things – even if it means stepping out of one's comfort zone.
**Rising Through the Ranks**
Another individual, Alex, is a software developer with over seven years of experience. Their journey began in 2013 when they started at $40,000 per year after graduating from college. By the end of 2018, their salary had increased to lead developer status, earning them around $200,000 per year.
Alex shared that they've hired junior developers who are just starting out and have been able to secure higher salaries than themselves. "If you thought $200,000 was a lot," they said with a laugh, "the next two developers I'm speaking with are paid crazy."
**A Self-Taught Developer's Rise**
Anthony, another developer, is an example of someone who has successfully transitioned into the tech industry through self-learning. They dropped out of college and began learning coding on their own, eventually landing a job as a junior web developer at $17 per hour.
When asked about their current salary, Anthony revealed that they now earn around $250,000 per year. Their advice for others looking to break into the industry? "It's not like it's just for intelligent people," they emphasized. "Anyone can get into this career path if they're willing to put in the work."
**The Highest Paid Developer on Earth**
Lastly, we have Matthew, a senior software engineer at Credit Karma who is among the highest paid developers on Earth. Their journey began in 2018 when they started at $80,000 per year.
When asked about advice for newcomers to the industry, Matthew emphasized the importance of networking and finding job openings through personal connections. "I think you're way better off seeing if you can even just like find someone on LinkedIn and like ask them to just look at your resume," they advised.
Matthew's current salary is a staggering $400,000 per year, adjusted for growth in stock. Their advice to others? "Keep looking, keep switching," they said with a smile. This philosophy has clearly worked for Matthew, who continues to thrive in the tech industry.
**Empowering Students through Technology**
Finally, it's worth noting that me and my team are committed to helping students like Ali, Frank Ramos, Devin Gray, and many others succeed in software development. If you're looking to break into this field and want to work with us, click the link below to apply. We can't wait to see the amazing things you'll achieve!