I hate to mention salaries ranges on HN because of the HN/Silicon Valley bubble where people seem amazed that not only does every developer not live on the West Coast they also don’t make half a million dollars and are not all bumming it in a trailer park.

But, outside the west coast and New York City. In most major cities in the US, a semi hands on software architect can make between around $125K - $150K. A consultant can make from $140K to $200K.

>>a semi hands on software architect can make between around $125K - $150K. A consultant can make from $140K to $200K.

Do years of experience matter to make that kind of money?

Definitely,

But with diminishing returns. After 8-10 years. Any additional “years” of experience doesn’t matter. What you have done does.

I’ve officially been developing for over 20 years, but my first 12 years might as well been 3 years + 1 year doing the same thing 9 times.

Job hopping over the past 10 years has helped me make a lot more money but more importantly helped me learn a lot.

And by “consultant”, I mean the buzzwordy “implementation consultant”, “digital transformation consultant”, etc.

Yes I die a little every time I say it.

>>But with diminishing returns. After 8-10 years. Any additional “years” of experience doesn’t matter. What you have done does.

Reckon this is when most people establish their own business