An anonymous Reddit user has gone viral after sharing how he grew his annual compensation from Rs 5 lakh at a startup to nearly Rs 1.5 crore at Google in just five years.
The software engineer, who currently works at Google, detailed his career journey in a Reddit post that quickly gained attention from professionals looking for insights into rapid career growth in the technology sector.
According to the user, he began his career in 2020 at a small startup with an annual salary of Rs 5 lakh. Unlike many graduates who secured positions at established firms, he joined a young company where he was required to handle multiple responsibilities, from coding and debugging to interacting with clients.
“The startup did not pay much, but it taught me more in one year than I could have learned elsewhere. I was solving real problems every day,” he wrote.
The Redditor explained that he spent his evenings studying data structures, algorithms, and system design while working full time. He also built personal projects and regularly participated in coding challenges to sharpen his skills.
After gaining experience, he switched to a product based company, which significantly increased his salary. Over the next few years, he continued making strategic job moves, focusing on roles that offered stronger technical exposure rather than chasing the highest immediate pay.
“I stopped asking whether a job would increase my salary. I started asking whether it would increase my value in the market three years later,” he said.
The engineer revealed that he faced numerous interview rejections during this period. However, each unsuccessful attempt helped him identify weaknesses and improve his preparation.
“There were weekends when I spent ten hours solving coding problems. It was exhausting, but every interview taught me something new,” he shared.
His efforts eventually led to an opportunity at Google. After clearing multiple coding and technical interview rounds, he secured a position at the tech giant.
Today, the Redditor claims his total compensation is around Rs 1.5 crore annually, including base salary, performance bonuses, and stock awards.
Reflecting on his journey, he said that rapid salary growth was the result of continuous learning rather than luck.
“Five years ago, I was earning Rs 5 lakh and wondering if I was falling behind. Today, I realise that consistent effort compounds just like money. Small improvements every day can completely change your career,” he wrote.
The post quickly attracted hundreds of reactions from fellow Reddit users, many of whom praised his dedication and discipline.
One user commented, “This is exactly why people should focus on skills instead of comparing salaries. Five years of consistent effort can completely change your life.”
Another wrote, “The most impressive part isn’t the Rs 1.5 crore package. It’s the fact that he kept going despite rejections and setbacks.”
A third user said, “Stories like these remind us that career growth isn’t always about where you start. It’s about what you do after you start.”