Am I Being Unreasonable About My Pay?

[TreesBikesLove]

Hello MMM community,

This blog and forum changed my life and have driven me to demand more from myself, my employer, and my life. My life and free-time has been optimized for happiness (with still more progress to make, obviously) but I have been struggling to increase my pay at my current job.

As a software engineer in a large company, I enjoy flexible work time, work-from-home options, minimal meetings, a pretty campus with turf field, recreational soccer at lunch on said turf field, private running paths with no cars, friendly coworkers, and low stress. All combined, this is a very good job that I am happy to have.

My only problem with this job is that I am underpaid compared to my peers at other companies and that gives me slight twinges of uncertainty about whether I should stay. My current salary is $70k in an area where I could make $85k-$90k at another company. In the meantime, I have been working with my manager for a pay raise but have not been successful thus far.

Am I being unreasonable about wanting more pay for the cushy, great job that I have? My partner thinks I should be very grateful and that the higher pay of other companies could be associated with a worse culture, less benefits, and longer hours but I don't know if that's true. My peers (from college, mostly) seem pretty happy with their jobs but maybe they think I have it great even for less pay?

$10k per year raise over a 16 year career is over $250,000. That number is the dollars and cents reality of accepting this lower paying job but how do you quantify the quality of life difference? What if that quality of life difference is actually nothing because the other company has better perks?

Thank you.

[slappy]

Definitely consider the benefits. My employer offers a 100% match up to 7% of my pay, and they also do a profit sharing contribution of 10% per year. So if I left, I would have to make at least 10% more just for that, not even including other benefits. Have you compared benefits at all?

[Frankies Girl]

Does the lower pay really effect how you feel? Does it color how you view yourself, your ability to do this job, or make you otherwise disgruntled, and is the knowledge that other places pay the same job description so much more, making you resent the job you have?

If you are actually content with your job in all aspects except for pay... is the pay alone enough of a sticking point that it is eroding your happiness?

I'll speak to my own situation/experience: I was someone that was highly paid in my field (not compared to STEM salary, but by art/design standards, I was up there). I also hated the place, and it was so stressful I burnt out badly and have a form of PTSD at this point. Most all of my coworkers were disgruntled, and there was lots of dysfunction, favoritism and bullying. Deadlines were constant, unrealistic and projects/workloads were heavy, hours were often insane, and the perks/benefits, while nice, were never enough to justify the level of crazy and asshole behavior that existed in this place.

I got locked into this situation because I chased the money aspect in the interest of saving as much as possible. But I wish like anything looking back now that I had gone for a decent paying mid-level job at a place that was more pleasant to work for and minimized the stress levels.

If I was you, I'd weigh the non-monetary benefits you describe as being more valuable than an increase in the paycheck. Working some place that values their employees' outside life and offers them such flexibility, and you actually enjoy your work experience overall? That is (in my opinion) priceless.

I'd still make sure to chase after decent raises and any bonus $ possible, but as far as leaving purely based off of the salary... nope. If I was happy and making decent enough bank to still FIRE on a reasonable timeline, it's a no-brainer for me to say I'd stay put in a job situation that made me happy with my work/life balance.

[neo von retorch]

I'm not sure of your age, or what kind of "software engineer" you are, nor do I know the local market salaries for your area. (I'm only half sure about the salaries here!)

Anyway, work is 40 hours / week, 2000 hours / year. Being "happy at work" is a great thing. I miss it. My job now isn't awful, but I'm not particularly engaged, only slightly social... I have to be here.

I had a job for ~5.5 years that was much like you described, though not a "large company." Really great environment, people and perks. The pay was not amazing, and the annual raises were really small (though this was 2006-2011 time period...) I left for a nearly $15k raise. If I had to do it over, I'm not sure - I might have tried to stay there as long as possible. Of course, I wasn't exactly frugal then. I mean, I was in some ways, not in others. Overall, if you know more, you could do things differently, but you don't, at the time.

Anyway, since then, I've been at jobs for ~15-18 months, then moved on. Just chasing money now, since I can't seem to find an environment like that one. (And if I did... would I have to take a big paycut? Probably, and I'd do it, too!)

[Retire-Canada]

Well here's what I would do:

1. keep trying to get a raise at your current gig
2. look for job postings in your area that you are qualified for and that offer higher pay
3. apply for these ^^ jobs
4. See what happens. If you can't get a higher paying job offer stop worrying about it
5. if you do get a higher paying job offer validate that the work environment is as nice as you currently have
6. depending how you feel about the offer either take it or go back to your company and use the offer as leverage for a raise

A 14% - 29% pay raise is a lot so it's worth pursuing. Just make sure your expectations are realistic. You do that by actually getting offers for a higher paying position. If you can't than it may be that you are being paid appropriately.

[Lis]

I'm in a similar boat - "underpaid" in the sense that if I worked elsewhere, my salary would probably be bigger.

But, I'm happy here and am not looking for a new job, both because of the benefits my work offers on paper (401k match, phantom stock), and benefits that just happen (ability to live close to work vs. commuting a long way, I get along with my coworkers and there really isn't office drama - not guaranteed elsewhere).

So, the two questions are - should your work be valued at more than $70k+ all the benefits you currently receive, and are you "guaranteed" to make more if you move elsewhere (I put guarantee in quotes because you can never really know with the soft benefits)?

Honestly, I'd say if you're happy with your current work, manager, coworkers, and perks, stay there until you're unhappy. An extra $10k a year or $250k in the long run isn't going to be worth it if it makes the next 10 years of your life miserable.

[neo von retorch]

A 14% - 29% pay raise is a lot so it's worth pursuing. Just make sure your expectations are realistic. You do that by actually getting offers for a higher paying position. If you can't than it may be that you are being paid appropriately.

Yes - my "great place to work" company didn't counter-offer. But then they also reduced the number of people they had in that position from ~4 down to (not many??) within a few years, as it just wasn't the absolute core of who they were as a company. So they didn't value it as much as other companies do.

[Meowmalade]

Have you ever had a terrible job?  I don't think you can really know what it's like until you've lived through it... I was stressed all the time, worked long hours, and had a very short temper.  I would happily have taken a paycut to have less work.  I finally did look elsewhere and went back to my agreeable and easy-going self-- no one could believe that I used to be this intense (and scary) person.  It didn't just affect my work life, but my job also affected my stress level outside of work as well.

I'm in a great job now, and I plan to stay as long as it's still good (once I'm closer to FIRE, will see if they let me work part-time-- then this would be the perfect job indeed!).  I firmly believe that the grass is not greener on the other side for me.  If you had the opportunity to go elsewhere and then get your job back if you're unhappy, that's something you could try, but I'd first try to figure out whether you'd regret losing what you have if you can't get it back.

[effigy98]

I am at a big software company and think about the same thing. My job is really easy, relaxed, and all the perks you mentioned, but I can do so much more and get paid better at another company. I have kind of hit a cap at my job where it is A LOT more work to go to the next level but the pay is not A LOT more and adds a lot of stress. Reward structure is also what seems "random" based on politics and popularity and not how much benefit you actually bring to the company. I decided to either get a side hustle doing software work for small companies or start practicing interview algorithms and moving to a more fulfilling, challenging job that pays more.  I ended up landing a side hustle that pays really well and now focus on that when I feel like a challenge, and it has helped fill that hunger for something more, plus it has shaved off a few years until FI.

[TreesBikesLove]

Does the lower pay really effect how you feel? Does it color how you view yourself, your ability to do this job, or make you otherwise disgruntled, and is the knowledge that other places pay the same job description so much more, making you resent the job you have?

If you are actually content with your job in all aspects except for pay... is the pay alone enough of a sticking point that it is eroding your happiness?

Thank you for the reply. Your question is relevant and helps a lot. The subject of pay is not enough to make me unhappy with this job. Ironically, if I had never discovered MMM I wouldn't even be having these doubts. It's only the drive for more little green employees that affects my feelings. This is a job I really enjoy and meshes extremely well with my laid-back personality. As my partner and I plan for parenting and I talk to parents who work with me, they assure me this job will be great for family life.

I'm in a similar boat - "underpaid" in the sense that if I worked elsewhere, my salary would probably be bigger.

But, I'm happy here and am not looking for a new job, both because of the benefits my work offers on paper (401k match, phantom stock), and benefits that just happen (ability to live close to work vs. commuting a long way, I get along with my coworkers and there really isn't office drama - not guaranteed elsewhere).

These are also great hidden benefits of the current job.

A 14% - 29% pay raise is a lot so it's worth pursuing. Just make sure your expectations are realistic. You do that by actually getting offers for a higher paying position. If you can't than it may be that you are being paid appropriately.

This is where the imposter syndrome kicks in but you're right, I might be currently paid appropriately. Internally, my team is very happy with my contributions since I started last July and would like to see me get a promotion to match my title with my skill. Their encouragement and information from HR about this company's pay compared to outside companies is what started the conversations with my boss about a raise and promotion.

My employer offers a 100% match up to 7% of my pay, and they also do a profit sharing contribution of 10% per year. So if I left, I would have to make at least 10% more just for that, not even including other benefits. Have you compared benefits at all?

My current job has standard-low pay benefits (4% 401k, 5% profit sharing, no ESPP). The main benefits are to quality of life (flexibility, engagement, etc.).

Have you ever had a terrible job?

I had a bad experience on a previous internship that led to despair, introspection, and questioning if software was what I wanted to do with my life. Luckily I found MMM and had a previous internship experience to know that it isn't all bad. MMM gave me the focus to grind through that crappy internship and the previous experience helped guide my post-graduation job hunt. Thank you for the insight into how bad a job can really be. If this place ever comes anywhere close to affecting my mood outside of work it'll be time to move on. That is not acceptable to me.

I ended up landing a side hustle that pays really well and now focus on that when I feel like a challenge, and it has helped fill that hunger for something more, plus it has shaved off a few years until FI.

Setting up a side-hustle is something I will focus more on. The flexibility and low-stress nature of my current job makes the prospect of doing a side hustle possible. Currently I really enjoy spending my post-work time with my partner, friends, and family but there is still room for a side hustle in there somewhere.

Thank you, everyone, for the insight. In this journey I have embarked on, the prospect of early retirement can sometimes cloud my judgment on the true goal: maximize lifetime happiness. If I am not rewarded for challenging myself at this job then it will be time to move on but until that point, I am happy here.

[jtraggie99]

I'm kind of in a similar situation.  I work for a small, privately owned software company.  I'm in management but there is little room for me to move up and I know I could make more money at a larger company and potentially grow my career.  But, and it's a big but, when things are well we've gotten annual bonuses to the tune of 15%.  Plus they pay 100% of my insurance premium for myself and my kids (and it's pretty solid health insurance).  Plus I get a 100% match on my 401k up to 6%.  Plus I am able to work from home a lot and have a very flexible schedule which helps with my kids.  All that combined and I would have to get a serious bump to make it worth my while.  And at the end of the day, I might very well be able to do that.  But the low-stress quality of life (and I also have a very short commute when I do go into my office) makes just the idea of trying something else, a very stressful thought to me :)

[RobFIRE]

You only started the job last July? Then I'm not surprised that a pay rise hasn't been possible yet, most companies will probably only want to consider that as part of an annual cycle, and only when you have really proven yourself, normally that takes more than a year.

In general, an equivalent role at another company with 15 to 25% higher pay could easily mean 15 to 25% or more longer hours, significantly increased stress etc.. I don't think I would want to switch jobs from a role I was happy with and had a good work-life balance for that kind of % pay difference, unless the extra money would be really significant in terms of current lifestyle/clearing debt, or it was very clear that the new role would not lead to a significant increase in stress/hours.

[mm1970]

Well here's what I would do:

1. keep trying to get a raise at your current gig
2. look for job postings in your area that you are qualified for and that offer higher pay
3. apply for these ^^ jobs
4. See what happens. If you can't get a higher paying job offer stop worrying about it
5. if you do get a higher paying job offer validate that the work environment is as nice as you currently have
6. depending how you feel about the offer either take it or go back to your company and use the offer as leverage for a raise

A 14% - 29% pay raise is a lot so it's worth pursuing. Just make sure your expectations are realistic. You do that by actually getting offers for a higher paying position. If you can't than it may be that you are being paid appropriately.

+1

Especially if you are young

[Christof]

Software - at the moment - is an exceptional business guarded by inside knowledge much like lawyers, doctors, investment bankers and other high paying professionals. It's not the norm to most people to make this much money or even consider $10K annual increases. For many jobs that's the lifetime increase.

Unlike the professions I mentioned, though, we don't yet have a strong up or out mentality.  As a lawyer, doctor, consultant or banker you work shitty long hours to eventually become a partner often in a limited number of big companies.

In software we have a few big companies, but we don't have the partner model. You get paid well without the competition. Smaller companies have a hard time competing with these salaries within the area.

So what's the point?

It depends on what you believe is going to happen in our field in the next decade. If you think we are moving towards what other high paying professionals are doing, then move up, get highly paid, switch companies, suffer. Otherwise you might be without a job.

If you think, Software is continuing to be the exception: High paying but not that much stress, because the demand for software is staying strong, then stay in your job, work one or a few years more, but in the meantime have a relaxed life.

[fuzzy math]

There are only 2 major employers in the PDX suburbs. Both allow you to live in an area where the price is a fraction of PDX. If you're comparing salaries to those who live in town and commute there you're doing yourself a disservice.

[JLee]

You only started the job last July? Then I'm not surprised that a pay rise hasn't been possible yet, most companies will probably only want to consider that as part of an annual cycle, and only when you have really proven yourself, normally that takes more than a year.

In general, an equivalent role at another company with 15 to 25% higher pay could easily mean 15 to 25% or more longer hours, significantly increased stress etc.. I don't think I would want to switch jobs from a role I was happy with and had a good work-life balance for that kind of % pay difference, unless the extra money would be really significant in terms of current lifestyle/clearing debt, or it was very clear that the new role would not lead to a significant increase in stress/hours.

THIS!

You've been there NINE MONTHS..chill!  If you can get $90k elsewhere, why did you accept $70k 9 months ago?

[asauer]

Ask HR for a total compensation statement.  This will include all that the company pays in benefits, 401k and the like.  It may put your $ in a new perspective.  How much would you be paying for a gym that you don't have to pay now b/c of soccer and trails? All these should be taken into consideration before making a decision to move companies.  It still may be worth it for you to jump ship, just make sure you have all the info first.

[ringer707]

Have you ever had a terrible job?  I don't think you can really know what it's like until you've lived through it... I was stressed all the time, worked long hours, and had a very short temper.  I would happily have taken a paycut to have less work.  I finally did look elsewhere and went back to my agreeable and easy-going self-- no one could believe that I used to be this intense (and scary) person.  It didn't just affect my work life, but my job also affected my stress level outside of work as well.

I'm in a great job now, and I plan to stay as long as it's still good (once I'm closer to FIRE, will see if they let me work part-time-- then this would be the perfect job indeed!).  I firmly believe that the grass is not greener on the other side for me.  If you had the opportunity to go elsewhere and then get your job back if you're unhappy, that's something you could try, but I'd first try to figure out whether you'd regret losing what you have if you can't get it back.

Second all of this. I took a 15% paycut for my current job. Love my coworkers, genuinely enjoy coming to work everyday, great workload, and get to leave the office on time with very little weekend work. I was crying, anxiety-ridden disaster at my last job. Not saying that would be the case at any other company you could move to, but I certainly factor workplace-happiness as part of my compensation. Consider also whether other companies have any additional commuting costs/further from you/parking? While I took a paycut here, I no longer have to pay for parking and have a shorter commute, but of which have added greatly to my financial and emotional well-being.

Seeing now that you've only been there 9 months though, you could very well be jumping the gun. Take time to enjoy your position and perhaps get some more time under your belt.

[TheAnonOne]

I'll be the counter to most posts here.

Money is nearly the only thing I care about when I look at job prospects. This same outlook has pushed me into higher and higher positions (also in software) and I am actually a better developer for it.

I am also 3 to 5 years from fire at 26/27 years old. I can't think of a single regret.

I make it a point to be kind and communicate often at work, but I consciously don't make friends, add people to facebook or anything like that.


Could I keep this up for a 50 year career? I doubt it, it is stressful, but ultimately my goal is for my wife and I to check out and travel the world in our 30s.

I suppose it depends on your goals and how you will accomplish them.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

[TreesBikesLove]

Thank you, everyone, for the facepunches. Reading peoples' reponses here and also the Living a FI "Job Experience" posts help put my life into perspective. Sometimes it's hard when you go on a forum like this and read about people's troubles saving 60% of their pay with $200k take home and other super high earners' stories. Perspective helps a lot and I am happy here so here I will stay.

I'll be the counter to most posts here.

Money is nearly the only thing I care about when I look at job prospects. This same outlook has pushed me into higher and higher positions (also in software) and I am actually a better developer for it.

I am also 3 to 5 years from fire at 26/27 years old. I can't think of a single regret.

I make it a point to be kind and communicate often at work, but I consciously don't make friends, add people to facebook or anything like that.


Could I keep this up for a 50 year career? I doubt it, it is stressful, but ultimately my goal is for my wife and I to check out and travel the world in our 30s.

I suppose it depends on your goals and how you will accomplish them.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

Thank you for the counterpoint. My partner and I will not achieve FI in the short timeframe you are accomplishing (congratulations, by the way!) because she is in medical school accumulating a lot of debt. On the flipside, she loves helping people and plans on working for a long time to fulfill that inner-drive. Your ruthless approach to work is very efficient and obviously has good results but I'm not sure I can take that approach. I like to think of myself as enjoying a life of leisure and the super low stress, recreation-filled days here feel very close to leisure even though I'm technically at work. Of course if this job was super stressful at the current pay (the retail store managers from my highschool job come to mind) I would be leaving immediately.

[Goldielocks]

There is a decided pay hit for the flexible work options.   Not everyone, always, but that is a huge reason for gender pay gap in some industries (lawyers, CPAs).   Those with flexible options and not on call constantly,  get up to 20% less pay for choosing the steady employer.   The other reason is either lots of work travel, or less stable job positions (work or bonus or employment fluctuates with the market trends).  The reason for the extra pay is that even if you still only put in 50 hours a week, there is a huge difference between having to make work your #1 priority over EVERYTHING else in your life (sick mother, kids concerts, ability to join a sport and recreation team), and having flexible options.  Employers have to pay for this.

Why do some folks get paid less mid-career?  Because many of them chose to swap from high demand employer positions, earlier in their career, and and then did not advance pay at the same rate, because new employer has a topped-out rate that is much, much lower and the pay curve is flatter.

The only way to change this, realistically, is to go get a different job, and put in face time.   It's all about choices.

[Goldielocks]

Have you ever had a terrible job?  I don't think you can really know what it's like until you've lived through it...

+1

I very much liked this post!

[JLee]

I'll be the counter to most posts here.

Money is nearly the only thing I care about when I look at job prospects. This same outlook has pushed me into higher and higher positions (also in software) and I am actually a better developer for it.

I am also 3 to 5 years from fire at 26/27 years old. I can't think of a single regret.

I make it a point to be kind and communicate often at work, but I consciously don't make friends, add people to facebook or anything like that.


Could I keep this up for a 50 year career? I doubt it, it is stressful, but ultimately my goal is for my wife and I to check out and travel the world in our 30s.

I suppose it depends on your goals and how you will accomplish them.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

I'm chasing money, too -- but 9 months is too soon to be demanding raises and looking for other companies, IMO.

[Meowmalade]

I like to think of myself as enjoying a life of leisure and the super low stress, recreation-filled days here feel very close to leisure even though I'm technically at work.

So, you just needed a reminder of what you value  :)  Just also wanted to add, it sounds like you might be pretty young; is this your first job?  I agree with those who said that 9 months at a job is too soon to be asking for a raise and considering a move-- if you change jobs this soon, it looks really bad.

I'm also a software engineer and used to work in the Bay Area, have friends who got into Facebook and Google relatively early and probably have more money than they know what to do with.  One guy I used to hang out with is now a VP at Facebook!  If I compare myself with them, I'm dirt poor.  On the other hand, I have many friends in Portland from all walks of life, and many can barely make ends meet despite working very hard.  I'm incredibly wealthy compared to them.  You and I are both lucky in that we have cushy jobs and get paid quite a bit while having a good quality of life-- if you don't lose sight of that, life feels pretty damn awesome!

[TreesBikesLove]

So, you just needed a reminder of what you value  :)  Just also wanted to add, it sounds like you might be pretty young; is this your first job?  I agree with those who said that 9 months at a job is too soon to be asking for a raise and considering a move-- if you change jobs this soon, it looks really bad.

You and I are both lucky in that we have cushy jobs and get paid quite a bit while having a good quality of life-- if you don't lose sight of that, life feels pretty damn awesome!

It's interesting that my age comes across so easily on an online forum but yes this is my first permanent position out of college and I'm 24. Two previous 6-month internships, one Summer internship, and 9 months here add up to about two years of experience but obviously each new job is like starting from scratch at my experience level. I would not consider leaving here before a year but if I am still stagnant after two then it will be time to move. My manager is helping me with my professional development so I don't foresee stagnation.

Your second point is what my partner says all the time and you are both completely right. Compared to a lot of software engineers I could be doing better but compared to your median American family we're doing great with lower stress and the advantage of compound interest.

Thanks, again, everybody. Perspective helps a lot in this situation and that is why I turn to this community.

[Meowmalade]

You're welcome, and here's another contrary thought to everything I just said: when you're younger, it can be a good time to take more risks and find work that's challenging and interesting (and pays more!).  When the work is fun, it's not bad even if you have more of it, especially if your partner is also busy with her demanding med-school path.  I wouldn't leave a job where I was really happy, but a year or two down the road, you may not feel as content with the status quo and want to look for something different.  And I don't just mean pay growth, I mean that you might get bored.  Better to explore those things before you have kids, because that's when you'll want stability.

[Lis]

A few years older than you here... there's a huge competition when you're a recent grad. You're establishing yourself for the first time as a real adult kind of, and it's easy to think that the only perk that counts is the salary you're paid. So if your peer is getting paid $10k more, obviously they found a job *better* than yours. It takes some years and experience (usually shitty experiences) to figure out that the peer-salary competition really doesn't matter. (Don't worry, soon it will be so-and-so is getting married already, or so-and-so bought a house, or so-and-so reached this life milestone before you! Being in your 20s can suck sometimes lol)

[albireo13]

A few thoughts ...
* can you stay in your job and have a side hustle for extra $$ coming in?   
I am a electronics engineer and did that years ago.  I consulted on the side for a few years.  Cleared $60K extra money which we used to buy land for our house.

* a good job you like is something to be treasured.  I've had jobs where I hated going to work each morning.  That is emotionally debilitating.

* you should get your resume out there and look every few years anyway ... as a matter of course.  You may find a nice company that pays you really well.

[JLee]

One thing that stood out to me on another glance over the original post -- the only reason you're not happy is because you're comparing yourself to others.

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
— Theodore Roosevelt

There will always be someone doing "better" than you in some metric.  Don't be concerned, and enjoy the fact that you have an awesome job that you love (and that pays 30% more than the median household income in Oregon).

[effigy98]

I feel like there is a shelf life to being a software developer, much like people in professional sports. I am pretty sure there is ageism in the industry and you start not wanting to put up with bs all day every day which makes you not such a docile employee. There are exceptions, but it is rare to work with people over 40 that are not in management. I also think the market is inflated now and eventually will cool off when the schools start pumping out software developers again. It seems like there was a pause due to dotcom crash and outsourcing fears.

I think you should make as much money as you can, as soon as you can, and invest the highest percentage as you can. When you get older you stop wanting to put up with the bullshit and burnout can happen. Even if you are still working in your late 30's, you will REALLY appreciate being FI as it will allow you to move companies and jobs without worrying about pay, it also gives you the power to say "no I will not do that boring project or come in on Saturday". You will REALLY appreciate your younger self for doing the best thing for your future. The company does not care about you, it is a corporation to leech every penny from you, fortunately, it goes both ways. If I could talk to my younger self, I would have said, chase the highest paying opportunities, save the highest percentage possible, and delay gratification until you are FI (don't buy BMW's!!). I do not think your 20's is the time to get comfortable and coast, it's the time to take risks, make more money, and be FI as fast as possible to enjoy your 30's and beyond.

[JLee]

I feel like there is a shelf life to being a software developer, much like people in professional sports. I am pretty sure there is ageism in the industry and you start not wanting to put up with bs all day every day which makes you not such a docile employee. There are exceptions, but it is rare to work with people over 40 that are not in management. I also think the market is inflated now and eventually will cool off when the schools start pumping out software developers again. It seems like there was a pause due to dotcom crash and outsourcing fears.

I think you should make as much money as you can, as soon as you can, and invest the highest percentage as you can. When you get older you stop wanting to put up with the bullshit and burnout can happen. Even if you are still working in your late 30's, you will REALLY appreciate being FI as it will allow you to move companies and jobs without worrying about pay, it also gives you the power to say "no I will not do that boring project or come in on Saturday". You will REALLY appreciate your younger self for doing the best thing for your future. The company does not care about you, it is a corporation to leech every penny from you, fortunately, it goes both ways. If I could talk to my younger self, I would have said, chase the highest paying opportunities, save the highest percentage possible, and delay gratification until you are FI (don't buy BMW's!!). I do not think your 20's is the time to get comfortable and coast, it's the time to take risks, make more money, and be FI as fast as possible to enjoy your 30's and beyond.

While I agree, I do not think 9 months into the first job out of school is the time to start playing that game.  At least get a solid year, if not two.

[Bicycle_B]

Calculate the difference between your savings rate (% of after tax pay being invested or used to pay down debt).  Then consider how much or little it would change if you got another $10K in pretax salary. 

If you're already saving 60% (example 70k gross, 60k take home, 24k spend rate, 36k investment) and your marginal tax rate is 30% including FICA, a $10k pretax raise only shifts you a little bit (67k take home, 24k spend, 43k investment; 64% saving rate). 

Then calculate the years of difference to FIRE using the Years to Retirement table.
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/01/13/the-shockingly-simple-math-behind-early-retirement/

Prorate the difference based on how many years left.  For example, if your net worth is now zero, the table applies; 64% gives you about 1.6 years of saved work compared to 60% (I used 80% of the difference between 60%'s 12.5 years and 65%'s 10.5 years).  Or calculate more precisely yourself; I don't think the table's precise. 

Fwiw, I would side with the people saying that sticking with a workplace you like is worthwhile.  Your years of experience as they grow will be a credential for higher pay in a couple of years, and many employers will not be as good.  Someday the high fliers will get laid off in a recession too.  You get partial protection by being a lower pay employee... a good trade-off if you have the great benefits you have.

[Christof]

I feel like there is a shelf life to being a software developer, much like people in professional sports. I am pretty sure there is ageism in the industry and you start not wanting to put up with bs all day every day which makes you not such a docile employee. There are exceptions, but it is rare to work with people over 40 that are not in management.

I'm not sure that is the case. Software development is heavily segregated by technology. You are often only exposed to the part that matches your technology and approach and are more less oblivious to anything else.

In my area of expertise I'm one of the young ones (think COBOL). Most peers in my area are in their 50ties or 60ties. I'm a business owner, so I'd probably meet your definition of a manager. Most of my employees are older than I am. However, I am also working on web applications, and here clearly I am one of the old ones. Almost everything is different between those two worlds.

The one thing that clearly is age related is mental flexibility. Once you get older (which actually starts early to mid 30ties), you can't adapt as quickly. Older employees have more problems following processes that are different from what they used to do previously. They are less willing to explore the unknown. When I ask a young developer if they can write a small program in Herdurtl, they usually say yes and even if they never heard of the language, and usually they deliver something. Older developers will balk at doing something in .NET 4.6 when they are only experienced in 3.5.

If you're expertise is web based applications and you work at Google, Facebook, etc. I wouldn't be surprised, if you won't find a developer above 40. These companies are younger than my own one. If your expertise is ABAP you might even earn more (it's part of the SAP eco system) and you'll find lots of developers above 40.