[temp234]

Sounds like you're at a good company with a structured plan for retention/promotion, don't worry about it. At a good company like that you're probably also learning a lot. If you start to feel like there's no way up or skills are stagnating, start switching jobs every 1-3y for similar or bigger pay bumps.

Eventually you hit a point where you feel financially secure or you're hitting the max rate for your skills and your decision to stay/leave gets more nuanced and less about money

[crate_barre]

This. The switching every 2-3 years are for those in somewhat typical companies that don’t really pay top rate and mostly plan around the fact that people will leave in that time frame. This allows the company to maintain their salary cap with new people that will start lower and cap out at about 2-3 years (salary wise and level wise). These companies are simply structured that way whether they know it or not.

But I’ll add, even with all that said, you don’t want one company on your resume. A track record of a few good companies is a strong signal that you have your career in order, so I’d still aim to leave no later than the 4-5 year mark.

Unless you are in leadership position, a serious one, not just a nominal one (you just got the title but still chump change at the place), stick to this type of plan.

[temp234]

> These companies are simply structured that way whether they know it or not.

Dang, I love this. This is so true. Never listen to the recruiting marketing about how we love our people or reassure yourself by looking at people who have been at the company for so long (6-10y). Look at what realistically happens to the everyday programmer who makes B+ effort and be frank with yourself

But yeah OP, you sound fine for now. Enjoy being young with some cash and save some