Strategy - When you've maxed in pay (relatively speaking)

For example - If you are a network engineer making 150,000 (let's assume this is the max you can get for your networking position).

What then? Do you shift into management, maybe you look to shift into another technology/role that aligns but has a history of paying more, (again just for the sake of the conversation), security engineer at 180,000?

I'm interested seeing how you all handle the proverbial ceiling, not that the company level, but the market level, assuming you've hit it.

Thanks

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blargoe

Honestly if I were making that much I would probably stop trying to get more money and focus on overall satisfaction. Sprinkle in some emerging technologies that are directly relevant or adjacent to ensure that that level of compensation will be sustainable as the IT curve continues to shift.

networker050184

Personally I'm making really good money so as blargoe said I'm focusing more on overall satisfaction these days. I'd take a pay cut for a cool job.

Theoretically speaking, if I made the maximum and needed more I'd look into different roles. Probably something on the sales side to get that commission. Usually vertical tech moves (networking to systems or security etc.) aren't going to get you much more money if you are at the top of your field already.

DatabaseHead

Makes sense, wonderful follow up.

Thanks a lot.

gespenstern

Architecture (where I'm at now). And then Architecture for New England/New York big buck financial companies (that would be my next step).

I know that they pay much better than that for right candidates and my job is to make sure that it's me.

Unfortunately, it requires sacrificing almost everything. I haven't even played Doom 2016. And of course, willingness to move anywhere.

networker050184

You'll definitely be able to top that even below the architecture level in NYC. It's obviously not cheap either.

gespenstern

I'm getting more than 150k outside of NYC now. My next goal is quarter million base.

greg9891

I wish I made 25% of 150,000 lol.

Trucido

If I made 100k - 150k a year I wouldn't worry about money at that point. Considering I am doing OK on 30-35k a year. It would depend on how content I am with the job really... If its a lot of money and makes me want to kill myself, I would consider improving myself and getting a different similarly paying job. Its hard to say really, but happiness and mental stability is better than pay.

DatabaseHead

Trucido wrote: »

If I made 100k - 150k a year I wouldn't worry about money at that point. Considering I am doing OK on 30-35k a year. It would depend on how content I am with the job really... If its a lot of money and makes me want to kill myself, I would consider improving myself and getting a different similarly paying job. Its hard to say really, but happiness and mental stability is better than pay.

Money motivates me, just like certifications motivates some people or accomplishments. All those are great, but you gotz to show me the money.

I'm ~80 right now with bonus, next step up which is very doable is ~110,000 with bonus. After that it get REALLY tough, I mean really tough and competitive. Going against people who have degrees from MIT and Harvard. To get Gespenstern money I'd need to move into a director position, those aren't easy to come by, unless you just take the crappiest of the positions, like director of service management. NO thanks.

That's what prompted me to ask. I'm good now and I'll be good for another year or so but after that............ It will be tough.

thomas_

I would probably start a side gig(or put more money into the existing one I have) after I maxed out everything else such as IRA, 401k, HSA etc.

sillymcnasty

gespenstern wrote: »

I'm getting more than 150k outside of NYC now. My next goal is quarter million base.

I just looked at your linkedin and almost passed out. Jeez you're the man lol

kohr-ah

Go into consulting or work for a enterprise company (Cisco, Juniper, etc).
The more you make the company money the more you will get.

I agree with what everyone else says. I make good money now and I'd take a pay cut to find a job I'd be satisfied at and would love to find a job I could feel would be more of a permanent home and look forward to being there for years to come.

dmoore44

JoJoCal19

I agree with the points on architecting or consulting to push the income envelope higher. I'd also recommend management but I understand that's not everyone's cup of tea. I'm definitely far from maxed out working in InfoSec, but I'm already over $100k base and right at $120k with bonus and I'm finding my drive to go higher and take on more responsibility just isn't there. I think part of it is that I've spend the last 2 years (March 2014 - February 2016) making 3 job moves and doubling my income into the six figures and I'm just burnt out, and the other part is that I'm already at my goal of $120k in individual income without too demanding of a job (although I'd prefer that figure to be base salary alone). Time will tell whether the drive to keep advancing comes back but I'm just keeping my eye on jobs right now solely for the purpose of trying to land a remote job. It also isn't helping that when my wife starts working in January we will be surpassing my goal for household income. So now that income isn't the motivator for me, the biggest motivator I have is staying up with the latest technology.

dave330i

pre or post sale architect.

Danielm7

Agree with all the above, also consider cost of living into these decisions. I'm sure lots of people thought that they were underpaid at 75K in middle America only to take a 110K job in CA and realize they feel like they made less than they did in the first place. I make a decent amount now, I wouldn't want to take a cut but at this point I consider things like remote work as bigger benefits than an extra couple thousand dollars.

gespenstern

sillymcnasty wrote: »

I just looked at your linkedin and almost passed out. Jeez you're the man lol

Actually, there are better folks in here. dijital1 is one of the most accomplished professionals and many others as well.

OctalDump

As others have suggested, it can be about the other perks of the job.

Private consultancy is an option. You can set your own hours (to some degree), and charge enough that you can get away with working not many hours.