[throwaway189262]

Semi unrelated, but is FAANG still a comfortable path to such income? I've been debating between doing FAANG or starting my own business for years and the wavering hasn't done me any good.

If it's still possible to make 500k+ working at FAANG now that stocks aren't increasing so rapidly, I need to get on that right away :)

[throwaway_goog]

Yes. $500K+ is roughly L6 at Google or the equivalent at another FAANG. It's quite a bit easier and less risky to get to that level than to start a business that nets $500K+ annual profit. (Believe me, I tried.)

[throwaway189262]

Yeah that's what I'm realizing. I'm getting too old to gamble again. I think a remote FAANG job would be my best choice.

How high is L6? I've got about a decade of experience, I heard most don't make it beyond L6 but it's all rumors.

[joshuamorton]

L3 is new grad. L4 is "terminal" in that there's no explicit up-or-out pressure beyond that point. L5 is senior, and I'd say most people don't make it beyond L5 without intent. L6 has a few shifts from prior levels. Notably that a high performing L3 is an L4 and a high performing L4 is an L5 (usually), but simply performing well at L5 isn't enough to get to L6, the scope of work and goals shift between L5/6. You generally won't be considered for L5 without 10+ yoe, as I understand it, although internally you can reach it faster.