To be fair - you can get to staff and make $500k+/yr. After that - it’s very nebulous as to how you get higher up the ladder and doesn’t involve leetcode as much as it does political prowess and the right connections.
So, I believe it is still possible but it is a very different skill set and does become difficult. Transitioning to management train sometimes is more efficient and then it’s a whole new skill set to progress there.
I will admit though - it does taper off and opportunities do become fewer. But, still, you’re making $500k+ by the time you’re on the really difficult track and that’s a pretty healthy amount. (Still might need a partner to comfortably afford a house in SV but that’s another discussion)
You can make 500K+ as a senior engineer with competing offers - and you can get senior with 4 YoE out of college (bachelor's in a top 3 program) these days. No need to wait for staff.
Sure but I'd rather not use people who graduated from Stanford, MIT, etc. as a baseline. These are inherently super exclusive and small communities. I'm saying that most people who didn't go to a top program but are at least grindy enough to do leetcode are capable of getting to $500K/yr as long as they are open to FAANG-etc.
I'd rather us not use Stanford as a baseline even if the crowd is numerous and abundant on HN and SV.
So, I believe it is still possible but it is a very different skill set and does become difficult. Transitioning to management train sometimes is more efficient and then it’s a whole new skill set to progress there.
I will admit though - it does taper off and opportunities do become fewer. But, still, you’re making $500k+ by the time you’re on the really difficult track and that’s a pretty healthy amount. (Still might need a partner to comfortably afford a house in SV but that’s another discussion)