What do you do that you earn six figures?

r/financialindependence • u/fidgit86 • Aug 13 '21

It seems like a lot of people make a lot of money and it seems like I’m missing out on something. So those of you that do, whats your occupation that pays so well?

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u/techmagenta Aug 13 '21 edited Aug 13 '21

It’s insanity. My SO is also a software engineer (5ish year experience). Our combined compensation is 600k yearly. She’s not interested in FIRE unfortunately, so I save 40% of my pay check and she spends a lot of money on things like jewelry and purses. Even with her low savings rate she still eclipses me though, which is nice.

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u/ArtFUBU Aug 13 '21

I am trying to do software engineering. I was even a jr web dev for 2 years. It's hard man. I'm not a dumb person but I expect only 10 percent of the population is really capable of serious software engineering...and then you also have to be trained AND like it to do it well. I got a taste of how hard it was until I was let go. It just doesn't come naturally to me but I enjoy solving stuff.

I was making decent money and hope it will just come with time/experience but I am trying to study more about technologies while programming to get into cyber security because I know for a fact development won't be a thing for me 20 years from now. At least from what I understand about cybersecurity, it's less programming and more about process/tech accounting essentially.

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u/techmagenta Aug 13 '21

agreed. Ever consider recruiting, tech sales, demo engineering? All these roles can make similar amounts of money as softwareware engineers without having to do the nitty gritty.

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u/ArtFUBU 29d ago

My first professional experience out of college was in an HR department. I really hated it but learned I could execute projects and sit on a computer all day no problem. So I taught myself programming. I'm not terrible at it and I'm still going to pursue it but I need more time/work in it to really figure out what direction I should head in. I would probably be a real natural at tech sales considering just who I am as a person but it's also sales and for some reason, it doesn't interest me as much as getting to invent and create something from scratch.