1. My wage is different now that I run my own companies, but the most I ever made as a developer or architect was well over $150k.

2. What pushed me there was a combination of things:

- I am really good at software development and architecture

- I'm a big picture kind of person, so I've always understood the value propositions with software/tech to solve problems. Not everything is always code in the real world.

- I'm generally pretty fun to be around. And I think this might be the most important. I'm (generally) not an asshole, nor am I an agreeable wallflower that isn't noticed. People know when I'm in a meeting, I've got valuable input, I also shut my mouth and listen. Putting your head down and toiling away silently will not get you anywhere in the big picture.

3. I live in a Seattle suburb. Houses around here are approx $500-750k, no income tax, you can rent a 3,000 sqft house for about $1,900/mo, property taxes are pretty high. Sales tax is like 12-15% but on a a grocery bill of $100 I'll rarely have more than $2-$3 in taxes. So I would keep a pretty big portion of my paycheck if it weren't for two kids and a third on the way.

4. The most I ever made was as a Senior Software Engineer at a consulting company as we got paid like lawyers (by the hour and profit sharing). The highest non-management title I ever had was Software Architect- which also paid north of $150k.

5. I've spent nearly my entire career in consulting, professional services, or agencies. Meaning in my career I was primarily a gun for hire and billed out at big rates for everything from SAP implementations to The Gates Foundation website for various companies (and on my own).

5a. I think consulting and professional services are more about who likes you that determine the types of work you get, agency life is all fire drills all the time, so if you survive you're probably pretty good under pressure (maybe not the cleanest developer though). Everywhere I've been, everyone knew the standouts and the not so great devs, but I know for fact the pay of some of the standouts (especially young ones) was less than a fair number of the not so good devs. I don't think perceived skill correlates with salary nearly as much as negotiating tactics and confidence do.

5b. My niche has been problem solving. Most of the last six years has been web development, and the last three have really been about scalability- but my entire career has been listening to the customer talk and building something they're happy with.

I now run my own software consulting company, among other things, but I can say this about how I got my money working for other people: I had the confidence I was good enough to get the job done and I'd ask for as much money as possible coming in. I'd negotiate the shit out my entrance to the company. The worst they can say is no, we can't offer you that much. They won't take an offer off the table if they want you.

I graduated college to a $55k/year job. I was at $105k 28 months and two jobs later. You don't owe a company anything other than your best effort every day. If you see a better opportunity, take it. Don't be an asshole, try your best, get over your fuck ups quickly, and be honest. You'll rarely burn a bridge, people will respect you, and the money will come only if you're open to new opportunities.