Without the backing of an elite IIT degree, this 32-year-old engineer has climbed his way into the crore-earning bracket—a feat that many dream of but few achieve. He recently shared his professional journey on the Indian Flex subreddit, detailing a decade-long ride from earning Rs 4.4 lakh annually to securing a staggering Rs 1.03 crore compensation package. His story is a testament to perseverance, calculated risks, and an unwavering focus on growth.
The First Job and Early Hustle (2015–2016)
Fresh out of a second-tier engineering college with a degree in Electronics and Communication, he landed a campus placement in 2015 as a software developer with a Rs 4.8 lakh annual salary, of which Rs 4.4 lakh was fixed. Coming from a lower-middle-class household, this pay felt like a major win. Living in a shared two-bedroom apartment with five others in Bengaluru, he managed to enjoy his early working years while even setting aside some savings. A modest salary hike the following year brought his earnings up to Rs 5.8 lakh per year.
Entering Management and Shifting Gears (2017–2019)
In 2017, he got accepted into a top-tier IIM, marking a pivotal moment. His MBA experience included a high-paying international internship in 2018. By 2019, he graduated and secured a pre-placement offer as a Program Manager in India with an annual compensation of Rs 17 lakh. Despite earlier promises of an international role, organizational changes meant he had to settle for a domestic posting—a minor setback that didn't deter his ambitions.
Moving Through Frustration to Strategic Changes (2020–2022)
His next pay revision in 2020 increased his package to Rs 18.5 lakh, though it didn’t meet his expectations. In 2021, he joined a major e-commerce firm at Rs 22 lakh per year, along with Rs 7 lakh in stock options. The following year, his salary rose to Rs 24 lakh, and he received a small promotion with a minimal hike, prompting him to begin exploring new opportunities again.
Taking a Leap with Remote Work (2023)
The year 2023 marked another major shift—he joined a remote SaaS company at Rs 31 lakh fixed pay with an additional Rs 12 lakh as a joining bonus. Although he accepted a lower title, the remote setup and higher income compensated for it. In 2024, a promotion followed, raising his pay to Rs 41 lakh. Another hike in 2025 brought his total to Rs 47 lakh, but he remained dissatisfied with the title.
The Game-Changer Offer (Mid-2025)
Everything changed recently when he received a job offer as Principal Program Manager, reporting directly to the Chief Product Officer, with a compensation package of Rs 1.03 crore—Rs 70 lakh fixed, Rs 8 lakh variable, and Rs 25 lakh in ESOPs. His current employer attempted to counter with an Rs 65 lakh offer, but he declined, choosing the new opportunity for its potential to generate long-term wealth and career growth.
Humility Amid Success
Despite his achievements, he remains grounded. He still rides the bike he bought in 2015, owns no property, and lives on a single income while his wife builds her own design agency. With dreams of bigger purchases and starting a family on the horizon, he knows the journey isn't over yet—it's just getting started.
The First Job and Early Hustle (2015–2016)
Fresh out of a second-tier engineering college with a degree in Electronics and Communication, he landed a campus placement in 2015 as a software developer with a Rs 4.8 lakh annual salary, of which Rs 4.4 lakh was fixed. Coming from a lower-middle-class household, this pay felt like a major win. Living in a shared two-bedroom apartment with five others in Bengaluru, he managed to enjoy his early working years while even setting aside some savings. A modest salary hike the following year brought his earnings up to Rs 5.8 lakh per year.
Entering Management and Shifting Gears (2017–2019)
In 2017, he got accepted into a top-tier IIM, marking a pivotal moment. His MBA experience included a high-paying international internship in 2018. By 2019, he graduated and secured a pre-placement offer as a Program Manager in India with an annual compensation of Rs 17 lakh. Despite earlier promises of an international role, organizational changes meant he had to settle for a domestic posting—a minor setback that didn't deter his ambitions.
Moving Through Frustration to Strategic Changes (2020–2022)
His next pay revision in 2020 increased his package to Rs 18.5 lakh, though it didn’t meet his expectations. In 2021, he joined a major e-commerce firm at Rs 22 lakh per year, along with Rs 7 lakh in stock options. The following year, his salary rose to Rs 24 lakh, and he received a small promotion with a minimal hike, prompting him to begin exploring new opportunities again.
Taking a Leap with Remote Work (2023)
The year 2023 marked another major shift—he joined a remote SaaS company at Rs 31 lakh fixed pay with an additional Rs 12 lakh as a joining bonus. Although he accepted a lower title, the remote setup and higher income compensated for it. In 2024, a promotion followed, raising his pay to Rs 41 lakh. Another hike in 2025 brought his total to Rs 47 lakh, but he remained dissatisfied with the title.
The Game-Changer Offer (Mid-2025)
Everything changed recently when he received a job offer as Principal Program Manager, reporting directly to the Chief Product Officer, with a compensation package of Rs 1.03 crore—Rs 70 lakh fixed, Rs 8 lakh variable, and Rs 25 lakh in ESOPs. His current employer attempted to counter with an Rs 65 lakh offer, but he declined, choosing the new opportunity for its potential to generate long-term wealth and career growth.
Humility Amid Success
Despite his achievements, he remains grounded. He still rides the bike he bought in 2015, owns no property, and lives on a single income while his wife builds her own design agency. With dreams of bigger purchases and starting a family on the horizon, he knows the journey isn't over yet—it's just getting started.
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