How to make 200K+ in IT?

From most job descriptions I've seen, it looks like most individual contributor tech jobs cap out salary around the mid 100Ks. I'm wondering what one would have to do to get past that and into the 200Ks or above, without going into management or sales.

Any advice on how to make 200K+ in tech as an engineer? Do you believe this is possible outside of one of the high cost of living tech hubs, like NYC and Silicon Valley? What skillsets or industries do you think this is possible in?

Does anyone here make above that? Are you on a salary? Do consulting? Entrepreneur, contractor? What kind of work do you do? Do you enjoy it? Did you pick to do that tasks the job entails or is it highly-paid because it's work others avoid? What advice would you give others looking to be in a similar position as you?

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Comments

Packet2070

At least here in LA I am not seeing many Jobs willing to pay more than $70/hr . There is currently only one Job that's been open for Months, they want a double-CCIE with over 10 years experience and they only want to pay $80/hr, I mean seriously ?

kalimuscle

Packet2070 wrote: »

At least here in LA I am not seeing many Jobs willing to pay more than $70/hr . There is currently only one Job that's been open for Months, they want a double-CCIE with over 10 years experience and they only want to pay $80/hr, I mean seriously ?

o
are these full time or contract

Packet2070

Contract.

Iristheangel

The above gig I screenshot was sent to me yesterday in the LA/OC area. It was FTE for $170-200K. CCIE-level knowledge but lab not required. If you're getting on the lower scale of that, it's still more than $80/hr and with FTE, you have benefits as well.

kalimuscle

Packet2070 wrote: »

Contract.

how long is the duration of the contract.

Dakinggamer87

MitM wrote: »

I'd be happy with 130-150K

Yea I could live with that happily

shimasensei

Thanks for the great information everyone. What are your opinions on high paying IT jobs you are qualified for but would need to relocate? Are companies pretty open to that? If the job is worth it, I can even pay my own way to relocate. This is my (near) future goal in terms of salary, but I (unfortunately) currently live in a high COL area where $65k-85k is considered high-paying and these jobs are found in the federal / DoD spaces. I also have a family (wife and toddler), this makes the relocation process trickier.

anhtran35

I know Mantech relocated a family from VA to San Diego. He probably makes above 120k. DOD/FED IT jobs are in demand in DC/MD/VA. COL is high but it really depends. I know people that lives in the boonies and commute up. I know some work remotely.

nachodba

@anhtran35, spend 1/3 the cost of a house for 2x the commute. Oh how I don't miss those days of fighting traffic on 7/66/50.