How Can You Double Your Developer Salary?
I often come across a common misconception, especially among junior developers, who believe that whatever they’re doing now will automatically lead to more money 💰 in the future as a developer.
Each time I’ve tried to explain why that might not be the case, they initially react negatively and don’t take my advice.
It’s only after a few years that they come back to me, realizing that I was right. But by then, they’ve already lost valuable years 🕰️ in their development careers.
It’s a tough lesson to learn, and it reminds me of when you try to warn someone not to touch something hot, but they have to feel the burn to understand.
As a Senior PHP Developer, I can tell you that focusing solely on current skills without looking ahead or listening to experienced advice can delay your progress.
Keep this in mind: Always be open to feedback, especially from those who have walked the path before you. Don’t waste years learning the hard way that the industry evolves and so should you.
I’m here to share some thoughts on a topic I care about deeply.
It’s just my opinion, shaped by over 10 years of experience as a PHP Developer.
You don’t have to trust it, believe it, or even follow it — it’s simply my perspective on how to improve your life as a developer.
Let’s dive into a common trap I’ve noticed among juniors: they often think that learning everything about everything is the best approach.
Stick to just one single technology
Focusing on a single technology is crucial, and here’s what I mean by this: as a PHP Developer, you should choose one main framework to master. For instance, trying to specialize in both Symfony and Laravel at the same time isn’t the best approach, even though they share many similarities.
Remember, if you want to be an expert in something, focus solely on that. You can’t become an expert in multiple areas, no matter how much effort and time ⏰ you invest.
I often hear criticism about this approach, mainly from full-stack developers who believe they’re doing everything right. But from my perspective, specialization is key.
Don’t get me wrong, I also use other technologies besides PHP, but only when they serve a specific purpose. For instance, I might use Python for developing server-side applications, but for the backend side of any web app, I stick exclusively to PHP.
Consider this… the highest salaries for developers typically come from top companies with sophisticated and complex products.
These companies usually hire developers for very specific roles; they don’t usually employ full-stack developers.
From my experience, when I see a job description labeled “Full-stack”, here’s what it often means:
- The company is relatively small and isn’t looking to expand significantly.
- The company prioritizes the final product over its quality.
- The company may not have sufficient funds, which is crucial to consider for your future in the company.
For a product owner, this setup might be okay, but for a Senior Developer, it can be a nightmare😱.
Why? Because in such environments, your chances to evolve and grow professionally are minimal.
In my career, I’ve sometimes had to switch the tech language I use due to a company’s shifting focus. For example, if a company didn’t have new projects in my primary language, I’d be moved to projects in other languages like Python, Go, or .NET.
However, my advice to all developers is this: if the switch to a different tech language is just temporary, it might be okay to stick it out. But if the change lasts more than 3 months, I recommend looking for new job opportunities.
Staying in a position where you’re not utilizing and developing your primary skills for too long can hinder your career growth.
Narrow Your Skills to Increase Job Offers and Salary
A common point junior developers often make to me is that knowing a lot about many different technologies can increase your job opportunities and chances of landing a good position.
Let me share a personal experience to illustrate this point.
I once updated my CV to include a huge list of skills — trust me, it covered almost all tech languages. And yes, I was getting up to 10 job offers daily. But here’s the kicker: after a month of searching, I still hadn’t found the perfect job.
Why? The salary offers were all below my expectations 📉.
The following month, I decided to try a different strategy.
I revised my CV to focus solely on my skills and experience as a PHP Symfony Developer.
The result? I received only 10 offers that month, but each one exceeded my salary expectations 📈.
This taught me a valuable lesson: why wade through 300 mediocre job offers when you can target and receive 10 excellent ones?
It’s all about honing in on the market that best fits your skills and career goals to land the best positions with the best salaries.
Bored 😴? It’s Your Project, Not the Coding Language!
I often hear people say that working in just one tech language can get boring.
Let me clear up a common misunderstanding: it’s not the tech language that’s boring, but rather the project you’re involved in.
The solution? Switch projects, not languages.
I’ve been working with PHP for over 10 years and Symfony for more than 5 years, and guess what?
I’m still NOT bored with PHP/Symfony…
Just as a final note, I want to clarify that throughout this article, I focused solely on PHP Symfony because that’s where my expertise lies as a PHP Symfony Developer.
This doesn’t mean I’m claiming this technology is the best — it’s simply the area I know best.
The Best Programming Language is the one in which you have experience…
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