From 37K to 2.2 Crore: Software Engineer's Viral Salary Leap

A software engineer's career has captured widespread attention, documenting an 11-year journey from a monthly salary of Rs 37,000 in 2015 to an impressive package of approximately Rs 2.2 crore as of August 2026. This significant growth was achieved through strategic job changes and career development.

Beginning his career in 2015 at a service company, he earned Rs 37,000 per month, gaining valuable experience. After four years, his salary increased to around Rs 1.1 lakh monthly with a promotion. In 2019, he transitioned to a FAANG-level company, nearly tripling his compensation to Rs 44 lakh annually.

The pandemic brought challenges, leading him to quit in mid-2020. He then joined a US-based real estate startup for Rs 50 lakh annually, which later increased to Rs 70 lakh by the end of 2021. In May 2022, he co-founded a fintech startup as CTO, but due to licensing issues, he left in August 2024.

By October 2024, he joined an Indian startup in a leadership role with a Rs 1.2 crore package, though he departed within three months due to a toxic work environment. In February 2025, a FAANG company offered him Rs 1.5 crore. A promotion in March 2026 brought his package to over Rs 2 crore, currently standing at approximately Rs 2.2 crore with stock benefits.