I don't really see this as particularly constructive. 250K a year is a lot to be certain but, it's hardly "1%" pay. If you work hard and join a large company like MSFT, Google, Apple, etc. you have potential to make this. It's not that uncommon in the software development world.
Besides, why the violin? He isn't bemoaning his decision. He seem happy about it. He may be speaking to all the young recent graduates that are gunning for a role like his. I enjoyed the post.
Of course, those income figures are household income levels, so if he lives with a spouse/partner/significant other who makes $100K or more, they're in.
> If you work hard and join a large company like MSFT, Google, Apple, etc. you have potential to make this. It's not that uncommon in the software development world.
First, yes it is pretty uncommon in the software development world, because a small number of software engineers work for these companies in areas with pay like that.
Second, the software development world is pretty small in the overall employment picture, so the people who work for those companies at that salary are a small minority of a small minority.
This is also household income, not personal income. Last I checked, the 1% mark for a single guy was roughly $192K/year, and for a household it was about $388K. If his spouse makes an equal amount, he could very well be in the 1%.
That's wealth. 1% income is $388K. Average wage income of people at the 99th percentile is relevant here, also. To assume that 100% of this person's income is coming from wages is probably a wrong assumption, esp. in this market.
Plus he mentions in the article (technically, in a comment) that his quarter-million figure includes insurance, 401k, discounted ESPP, and stock (which has a 1-year vest). It's not at all unbelievable that his actual salary could be as "low" as $150k.
That is NET worth not annual income. $250k is a very high annual income, and very few people attain this working for someone else. Most people bringing in that amount or higher are running a company.
Besides, why the violin? He isn't bemoaning his decision. He seem happy about it. He may be speaking to all the young recent graduates that are gunning for a role like his. I enjoyed the post.