Ask HN: What's the compensation ceiling for remote developers?

11 points by kiraken 4 years ago | 8 comments

I've been a remote developer for 11 years, and I'm currently making around a $100k/year. I've interviewed for a few other companies but it seems like the ceiling is at around that level.

Have you encountered better compensations for remote devs or is this really the ceiling?

throwarayes 4 years ago |

I make $220k plus benefits as a specialized staff dev at a major tech company. Plus $100-$200k.year in stock. I’m 100% remote.

Likely if all you care about is salary, you find a FAANG job and move up the IC ranks. On http://levels.fyi a Google Principal Eng make > $1m in total per year in stock, salary, bonuses.

In my experience there’s a major stepwise change from major tech company paying Silicon Valley rates everywhere vs other companies not as heavily sought after by recruits.

bkovacev 4 years ago | |

Does specialized staff dev mean you work with a very specific tech stack? If so, do you mind sharing what it is? Also do you work 100% remotely within the States or from another country?

sdevonoes 4 years ago |

Well, it depends on where the company you work for is located. Not every company can pay $200K.

codingdave 4 years ago |

That is definitely not the ceiling. Remote work does tend to be a lower than in-person roles in tech hubs... but also higher than in-person roles in smaller, non-tech cities.

If you are hitting a ceiling, it is not the remote aspect that is limiting - something else must be going on.

throwaway000981 4 years ago |

$205k plus equity, based out of central Europe.

patatino 4 years ago | |

FAANG?

throwaway000981 4 years ago | | |

Nope. I should mention that the equity is not currently liquid :)

digianarchist 4 years ago |

$175k CAD. Not FAANG.