A software professional recounted on Reddit how his earnings escalated from a modest ₹37,000 per month in his first job to an annual compensation exceeding ₹2.2 crore after just eleven years. The thread attracted considerable attention, with many commenters praising the trajectory as evidence of hard work and the evolving pay landscape in India’s technology sector.
Early years and first promotion
The individual, who described himself as coming from a middle‑class background and not having attended a tier‑1 university, entered the workforce in 2015. He accepted a role at a service and consulting firm, receiving a starting salary of ₹37,000 each month. He credited the company’s strong technical culture with providing valuable learning opportunities that set the foundation for later growth.
After four years of service, his monthly remuneration rose to roughly ₹1.1 lakh. At that point, he admitted to becoming “complacent” and decided to explore opportunities elsewhere, believing a change could accelerate his career.
Jump to a FAANG‑level firm and subsequent moves
In 2019, the engineer secured a position with a FAANG‑level organization, earning an annual package of ₹44 lakh—almost three times his previous earnings. He highlighted the exposure to large‑scale corporate processes as a key learning experience. However, the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic in early 2020 intensified workloads, adversely affecting his mental health. Citing the stressful environment and pervasive negative news, he resigned in mid‑2020 without another offer in hand.
Following his departure, he joined a U.S.–based real‑estate startup, initially receiving a ₹50 lakh yearly package. Within eight months, a promotion lifted his compensation to ₹65 lakh. By the close of 2021, an appraisal further increased his earnings to nearly ₹70 lakh per annum.
Entrepreneurial stint and return to employment
May 2022 marked a new chapter as he co‑founded a fintech venture, taking on the role of chief technology officer. The startup initially attracted interest but soon encountered licensing hurdles. By March 2024, the situation had deteriorated, prompting one co‑founder to exit. The remaining founder continued for a few months before concluding that the venture’s prospects were limited. He began seeking new employment in August 2024.
In October 2024, he accepted a position at an Indian startup, reportedly with an annual package of ₹1.2 crore. The stint proved short‑lived; after three months he left, describing the workplace as toxic and overly dependent on low‑cost labor.
February 2025 brought a return to a FAANG‑level company, this time with a ₹1.5 crore salary. A subsequent promotion in March 2026, accompanied by additional equity, lifted his total compensation to approximately ₹2.2 crore per year.
Public reaction and broader context
The Reddit post generated a wave of supportive comments. One user, also from a modest background and a tier‑3 college, shared a parallel rise from an 8 LPA (₹55,000) starting salary in 2022 to a ₹33 LPA base salary, describing the original poster as an inspiration. Another commenter praised the journey as “pure hard work” and encouraged the engineer to enjoy his success. A third participant noted that while one‑crore packages have become common in Bangalore, salaries surpassing two crore remain rare, labeling the achievement as “amazing.”
The engineer concluded by reflecting on his non‑elite educational background, stating that earning a compensation comparable to graduates from top institutions feels like a “flex.” The narrative underscores the potential for substantial earnings in India’s tech ecosystem, even for those who begin their careers without a tier‑1 degree.
Disclaimer: This report relies on user‑generated content from social media. The publication has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
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