A Bengaluru tech professional's candid career update on Reddit has captured widespread attention, detailing a 12-year journey from a starting salary of ₹5,000 per month to an annual package of ₹45 lakh. The post, which also reveals an estimated net worth of ₹70 lakh, has resonated with users for its honesty about setbacks, career breaks, and self-doubt.
Humble Beginnings with No Degree
The professional entered the IT field in 2013 after completing Class 12 in commerce and a three-year diploma in computer science, without a bachelor's degree. Their first role was as a junior web developer earning ₹5,000 monthly—a modest start that marked the beginning of their technology career.
Gradual Growth Through Role Changes
In 2015, the professional moved to a full-stack developer position with a monthly salary of ₹15,000. By 2017, they had advanced to a senior developer role earning ₹50,000 per month. A further promotion in 2018 to senior software engineer brought a monthly salary of approximately ₹87,000. These years saw steady role changes and incremental salary growth, with each switch bringing new responsibilities and better pay.
2021 Leadership Leap
A major milestone came in 2021 when the professional became a technical lead with an annual package of ₹28 lakh, later increasing to around ₹32 lakh per annum. During this period, they began investing in mutual funds and the stock market, while Provident Fund savings contributed to their financial base.
Job Loss and a Planned Break
In April 2025, the Reddit user was laid off. According to the post, they received approximately ₹11 lakh before tax, comprising severance pay, notice pay, and leave encashment. Instead of immediately seeking new employment, they decided to take a short break, relying on savings to cover expenses.
Return with a Higher Package
By November 2025, the professional had rejoined the industry as a senior technical lead with a ₹45 lakh annual package. Their total net worth of around ₹70 lakh was built through mutual funds, Provident Fund savings, fixed deposits, and other investments.
Honest Reflections on Career Choices
The professional openly shared their feelings about the journey. “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).”
The post has sparked discussions about career progression, the value of degrees, and the importance of persistence in the tech industry.
