A Bengaluru tech professional’s career update is getting attention online for one simple reason. It shows how a modest starting salary can gradually grow into a high-paying role over time, though not without setbacks, career breaks, and moments of self-doubt.Shared on Reddit, the professional’s 12-year journey now stands at a ₹45 lakh annual package and an estimated ₹70 lakh net worth. The post has struck a chord with many users, not just because of the numbers involved but because of the honesty with which the journey has been shared.
First job with no degree and low pay
The Reddit user entered the IT field in 2013 after completing Class 12 in commerce and a three-year diploma in computer science. At the time, they did not have a bachelor’s degree. Their first role was as a junior web developer with a monthly salary of ₹5,000. It was a modest beginning, but it marked the start of their career in technology.
Early roles with gradual pay growth
The next move came in 2015 as a full-stack developer, earning ₹15,000 per month. By 2017, the professional had moved into a senior developer role with a monthly salary of ₹50,000. In 2018, they became a senior software engineer, earning around ₹87,000 a month.
These years were marked by steady role changes and gradual salary growth, with each switch bringing new responsibilities and better pay.
2021 career jump into leadership
A major shift came in 2021 when the professional became a technical lead with an annual package of ₹28 lakh. This later increased to around ₹32 lakh per annum.Around the same time, they also started investing in mutual funds and the stock market, while Provident Fund savings added to their financial base.
Job loss and break in 2025
In April 2025, the Reddit user was laid off.According to the post, they received around ₹11 lakh before tax, which included severance pay, notice pay and leave encashment. Instead of immediately looking for another job, the professional decided to take a short break and relied on savings during that period.
Return with a higher package
By November 2025, they had rejoined the industry as a senior technical lead with a ₹45 lakh annual package.According to the Reddit post, their total net worth is around ₹70 lakh, built through mutual funds, Provident Fund savings, fixed deposits, and other investments.
Personal reflections shared online
The professional also spoke openly about their feelings regarding the journey and the choices they made along the way. “I’m currently content with my salary, but I feel like I should have worked hard and gotten into good-salary jobs earlier in my career rather than sticking to small-scale web dev companies with a small salary. Back then, it was huge for me too. What was holding me back was the lack of a bachelor’s degree; I thought I could only get so much with a diploma,” the Reddit user wrote.They added, “I still feel regret of not taking a bachelor’s degree, and only in this Jan I enrolled to IGNOU BCA just for the sake of having a bachelor’s degree.”On comparing themselves with others, the user wrote: “Looking back, I feel proud of myself for getting to where I am but also feel like there are people doing better than me and getting paid way higher than me for the same experience (It’s a human think ig, constant comparison).”Disclaimer: The information in this article is sourced from a social media post and has not been independently verified by The Times of India.Thumb image: Canva (for representative purposes only)
