Currently I'm an analyst in the Cyber Security industry and make good money for my age and area, looking at $105k gross (before taxes) for 2021 in a situation where my CoL is basically $2k/mo, debt free, building retirement/non-retirement investment accounts, etc. at 25 yrs old. Projecting my pay to continue to go up at a rate that is a little above inflation, but not by much.

I'm at a point now where I can just maintain where I am, maybe do a couple things (a cert here and there) to show continued education and keep myself modern/appealing for employers, and enjoy my free time otherwise. Or otherwise I can step up the momentum and work on either transitioning towards a managerial role or potentially a specialized role in the industry, where I could make even more money, at the cost of spending more free time to earn more certs more frequently, and/or get a Master's degree.

What does the misc think?

Ask yourself if the extra money would enhance your quality of life.

Unless you are passionate by your job, are building a business or are interested by a lavish lifestyle, then working more than 40 hours a week is a waste of time IMO. You could always try to put in more and try to get out of the rat race early.

Jelly


Why add more to your plate if you’re satisfied?


Don’t burn yourself out brah

“Only those who decline to scramble up the career ladder are interesting as human beings. Nothing is more boring than a man with a career.”

― Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn

I'm in a similar boat as you. I make $125k as an EE and think there is a sweet spot between compensation and stress as you approach management level positions. I'm currently at a firm with somewhat of an "up or out" culture, though, and I'm scared due to how stressed out my managers/directors are. I genuinely think $100-150k is the ideal salary range, working 40 hours a week mostly from home and able to maintain low stress and a high quality of life. I think the MBA opens up a lot of doors to jobs like this, either at a corporation or in the government, lots of generic business/finance/management jobs out there

low stress 40 hour/wk WFH job + long-term investing is my ideal money making strategy

I would think if you're under 50 that eventually you'll plateau hard in your current position and want more of a challenge. I say keep climbing as long as it doesn't sacrifice your health.

Yeah find a comfortable level to stay at and enjoy life.

The endless rat race of leveling up is not that important to me anymore.

I'm the same, except 5 years older and a little higher salary. I would have to put in like 100% more effort to maybe get a 25% salary increase at best.

I don't think I would trade what I have for a harder job and a commute for twice the pay. Just trying to focus on my investments and chill, at least for right now.

I tend to lean towards this view.


Better life > better office




That being said, it’s always important to stay marketable and especially in IT Security to stay up to date on emerging threats/new technologies. It’s good to be comfortable in your role and environment, but that can change quickly after a single event or a management change so it’s important to be able to move on if needed. So even if you plan on staying put you should add certs along the way.

This isn't your parents work environment anymore. The idea of finding a job at 22 and staying there for 43 years is quite honestly a thing of the past, if not counter productive to your success. Gone are the days of starting out at a company as a clerk and advancing up to a managerial position.

If you've found a job with better opportunity to beef up your resume or that pays more money shoot your shot. You rinse and repeat that until you're comfortable with your work load and pay. If you've become accustomed to $105k salary jump ship somewhere that pays more. You have that luxury to do so in this job market.

surely asking the misc for advice is the best thing you can do brah

I enjoy my job but at this point I’m happy where I’m at. Pretty well on cruise control for the rest of my career. Much rather enjoy where I’m at and my free time rather than try to advance and likely enjoy the job less and work more. Gotta weight the pros and cons mate

Not very passionate about it, but I do feel competent in it and it has its calm times to relax. I've been doing OT and working holidays with the intentions to "get out of the rat race early", which gets me closer to $105k-110k gross for the year. Without doing that I'd be closer to $90k with current bonuses/salary. Never had a lavish lifestyle, not sure I'd even want it tbh, just a nice modern one would do.This is one angel/devil on my shoulder every day. I try to accept it by acknowledging I'm doing above average per my location/age group. But I also acknowledge I can make some larger shifts upwards with the right focus and commitment, expending my fun now simultaneously.This is honestly probably true. I can see that from an outsider's perspective, that being a manager, director, executive, whatever is just following a pre-made system and position put in place by the company. Literally molding yourself into the shape of a cog that fits into a machine, and it's something that makes you appear disinteresting and boring. But it also proves dedication and competence. And leads towards large money, with recognition/power, but also lots of responsibility.Hate the "up or out" cultures. I saw it at my old job. If you weren't progressing upward, they thought you were being stagnant, which to them was an equivalent of falling behind, so you'd get let go. My current gig wants employees to progress, but there's clear evidence of acceptance from my own coworkers that have been stagnant for the long term.

MBA, followed by pursuing a position in the industry that could benefit from it, would potentially bring me upwards to like the $125k+ range pretty quick.This is a consideration too. To maintain at a younger age would probably also mean to get bored quicker too.

Is it ok?

Do what makes you happy. Who cares if others think it’s ok or not

Depends on what you want out of life. Keeping up with the Jones' is a sad way to live. I see it a lot and its something I never want to be.

Imagine a life where youre just a people pleaser. Living just to consoom, your basically a walking corpse.

Ive already checked out myself. Join me.

the only expensive things I like are wristwatches and boots. I realized that even those tastes don't take much money to purchase occasionally. I don't need no vacation home, boat, super car etc. But I could buy those things eventually if I feel like it 20 years from now for the lulz. Feels good man to be content.

If you decide to just coast from now on OP, do not overlook this post. You still need to keep up with tech advancement.

I think as long as your retirement is being funded (Max 401k, Max HSA, Max Roth (if you qualify) have your emergency funded, and after all that, able to live the standard of life you want, then just do what you want.

Do you have other things that you want to pursue? Things like starting your own business, hobbies, that would require making more money to start up?

Just remember that $100k right now, won’t hold the same value as in the future, so make sure that if you do decide to stay idle, that your yearly raises are at least keeping up with inflation. Also, a lot of positions have pay bands where the employee can max out at, you might need a raise or go elsewhere to stay in your position level once you’ve maxed out the band.