No IIT, no IIM, techie shares how he went from Rs 6 LPA to Rs 68 LPA in just six years

A software engineer recently narrated his remarkable rise in income, revealing how he progressed from earning ₹6 lakh annually to securing a ₹68 lakh package within a span of six years. He shared his experience on the online community Reddit, specifically in the Developers India forum, hoping his story would encourage those facing uncertainty in today’s competitive job landscape.

He explained that he completed his graduation from a mid-tier engineering college in 2019 and began working at a service-oriented firm with a modest salary. His journey, however, was far from linear and involved multiple transitions, challenges, and periods of uncertainty.

In mid-2019, he started his first role with an annual compensation of ₹6 lakh. By September 2020, he made his first major move, switching to a product-based company where his salary more than doubled to ₹13 lakh. This transition marked the beginning of his upward trajectory. In early 2022, his consistent performance earned him a promotion to a higher engineering role, along with a significant salary increase to ₹23 lakh per annum.


However, his career path was interrupted in December 2022 when a personal family crisis forced him to step away from work, resulting in a year-long gap. Re-entering the workforce proved to be one of the toughest phases of his journey. Determined to make a comeback, he dedicated four intense months to revising core technical concepts such as data structures, algorithms, and system design. His efforts paid off when he secured a new role in early 2024 with a package of ₹48 lakh.

By March 2026, he achieved another milestone, transitioning into a major technology firm with an impressive ₹68 lakh salary.

Looking back on his career path, he identified his first transition between jobs as the toughest phase. A previously secured offer was suddenly revoked during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving him in a difficult position when recruitment activity had almost come to a halt worldwide. With opportunities scarce and uncertainty high, he faced a prolonged period of waiting and repeated efforts. However, through consistent determination and patience, he eventually landed a new position. The entire experience proved transformative, helping him build mental strength, adaptability, and the confidence to navigate setbacks in an unpredictable professional landscape.

His story struck a chord with many readers online, with several expressing admiration and gratitude for the inspiration.