A technology professional earning Rs 1.05 crore a year has shared an unexpected lesson from his 14-year career: the salary that made him happiest was not his current crore-plus package, but Rs 20,000 a month.
His story, shared on Reddit, has attracted attention because it challenges the common belief that a bigger salary always brings greater happiness.
From Rs 14,300 Salary To Rs 1.05 Crore
The tech professional graduated from a tier-3 college in 2012 and reportedly spent nearly six months searching for his first job.
My salary from 14,300 per month to 1,05,00,000/- per year
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u/Creative-Box8104 in
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His initial monthly salary was Rs 14,300. It later increased to Rs 20,000, followed by Rs 32,000 and Rs 60,000.
After moving to Bengaluru, his career took a different turn. His annual salary eventually reached Rs 13 lakh before rising through several milestones — Rs 25 lakh, Rs 40 lakh, Rs 60 lakh, Rs 80 lakh and finally Rs 1.05 crore.
He also said he holds ESOPs worth more than Rs 50 lakh, although he does not consider them part of his wealth until they can actually be exercised.
Why Rs 20,000 Was More Special Than Rs 1 Crore
Despite earning more than Rs 1 crore today, he considers Rs 20,000 per month the happiest salary of his career.
The reason was simple: the increase from Rs 14,300 to Rs 20,000 had an immediate impact on his everyday life.
He was able to stop depending on public buses and buy his “dream bike”. That relatively small salary increase created a feeling of independence and progress that later, much larger hikes could not replicate.
Higher Salary Changed His Lifestyle
As his income increased, his financial situation became more comfortable.
However, he believes that salary hikes eventually have less impact on day-to-day happiness once a person reaches a certain income level.
According to his experience, after earning around Rs 25-30 lakh a year, additional income can have a much bigger impact on investments and wealth building than on lifestyle.
At the same time, he said higher-paying roles can also bring additional pressure, responsibility, workplace politics and mental stress.
His Advice About Promotions
The techie also shared a strong opinion about waiting for promotions.
Based on his own career experience, he believes employees should not stay with a company only because they are expecting a promotion.
His career reportedly included just one promotion over a period of 13 years, while much of his salary growth came through career moves and changing opportunities.
Now He Wants Freedom, Not Just Money
The biggest change in his thinking is that he is no longer focused only on increasing his salary.
After reaching a package of Rs 1.05 crore, he says his priority has shifted towards freedom.
He admitted that he no longer enjoys working for someone else and sometimes continues working beyond regular office hours.
His goal now is to build something of his own, even if it earns significantly less than his current salary.
He Still Lives A Relatively Simple Life
Despite his high income, the tech professional said he has not adopted an extremely expensive lifestyle.
He continues to drive a 10-year-old car and does not own an apartment in Bengaluru.
Instead, he has purchased a plot in a villa community and has invested across real estate, stocks, mutual funds and cryptocurrency.
He also owns a commercial property.
Crypto Trading Cost Him Rs 20-25 Lakh
His financial journey has not been completely successful.
He revealed that he lost approximately Rs 20-25 lakh through cryptocurrency trading.
His experience led him to make a simple observation: investing can be slow and boring, while trading can become very expensive when things go wrong.
He Is Building Something Of His Own
Outside his regular technology job, he has started experimenting with small products and micro-SaaS projects.
Although these projects reportedly do not have users yet, he is using the experience to learn about marketing and building products.
His immediate ambition is to create something capable of generating around $1,000-$2,000 in monthly recurring revenue.
If he eventually reaches that level, he said he may consider leaving his job or taking a six-month break.
The Question Behind His Success
His story ultimately goes beyond salary.
After spending 14 years building a successful career and reaching a package of Rs 1.05 crore, he is now asking himself whether earning more is really the goal.
For him, the bigger question has become whether he is building the life he actually wants.
His experience suggests that financial success and personal satisfaction do not always increase at the same speed.
Conclusion
The tech professional’s journey from a Rs 14,300 monthly salary to an annual package of Rs 1.05 crore is a remarkable career story.
But what makes his experience unusual is that he remembers Rs 20,000 as the salary that made him happiest.
The early pay increase gave him a sense of independence, while his current income has brought greater financial security but also more responsibility and pressure.
Now, instead of chasing another salary hike, he wants to build something independently and gain more control over his time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the techie earn now?
According to his Reddit post, he earns around Rs 1.05 crore annually.
Which salary made him the happiest?
He said Rs 20,000 per month was the happiest salary of his career.
How did his salary increase over the years?
His salary reportedly grew from Rs 14,300 per month to Rs 20,000, Rs 32,000 and Rs 60,000 before reaching Rs 13 lakh annually and later crossing Rs 1 crore.
Does he own ESOPs?
Yes. He said he has ESOPs worth more than Rs 50 lakh, but does not count them as wealth until they can be exercised.
How much did he lose through crypto trading?
He said he lost around Rs 20-25 lakh while trading cryptocurrency.
Does he want to continue earning a higher salary?
His focus has shifted away from simply earning more. He says he is now more interested in freedom and building something of his own.
What is his long-term goal?
He hopes to build a product or micro-SaaS business generating around $1,000-$2,000 in monthly recurring revenue, which could eventually allow him to leave his job or take a career break.