Hey HN! I browse this site quite often and have finally reached a "breaking point" so to speak. I'm a self-taught developer located in the US and got my first dev job around 6 months ago. It's a remote position paying just over $20p/h. I enjoy writing software and pay wasn't a huge factor at the time. I was just happy to collect a paycheck doing something I love.
However, I browse this site and frequently see 6 figures thrown around casually for Jr. Dev positions and it blows my mind. I come from a very poor family and the thought of making "even" $70-80k feels unrealistic. I've applied to job listings in and above that range, but have yet to receive so much as an email back. Skill-wise I would probably put myself a bit above the "average" Jr. Dev and feel I have a lot to offer, but when I every day on HN I see discussions of salaries that are several times what I make for the same job I can't help but wonder what I'm doing wrong to not be receiving offers in these ranges.
However, I browse this site and frequently see 6 figures thrown around casually for Jr. Dev positions and it blows my mind. I come from a very poor family and the thought of making "even" $70-80k feels unrealistic. I've applied to job listings in and above that range, but have yet to receive so much as an email back. Skill-wise I would probably put myself a bit above the "average" Jr. Dev and feel I have a lot to offer, but when I every day on HN I see discussions of salaries that are several times what I make for the same job I can't help but wonder what I'm doing wrong to not be receiving offers in these ranges.