Is Coding a Good Career? Pros, Salary, and Path Options
Explore if coding is a good career with salary data, job outlook, learning paths, pros and cons, and a practical checklist to start coding professionally.
Software Developer Salary: What You Really Earn in India and Abroad
When you think about software developer salary, the amount of money a person earns for writing code, building apps, or maintaining systems. Also known as programming salary, it varies wildly based on location, experience, and the type of company you work for. It’s not just about knowing Python or JavaScript—it’s about what you build, who you build it for, and where you’re doing it.
Many people assume all coders make six figures, but that’s not true everywhere. In India, a fresh graduate might start at ₹4-6 lakhs per year, while someone with 5 years at a top tech firm like TCS, Infosys, or a startup funded by Sequoia could earn ₹15-25 lakhs. In the US, entry-level roles often begin at $70,000-$90,000, and senior engineers at Google or Apple can hit $200,000+ with stock. The gap isn’t just about cost of living—it’s about demand. Companies in Silicon Valley pay more because they’re competing for talent globally. Meanwhile, in India, the market is growing fast but still has a lot of entry-level roles that pay less.
What really moves the needle isn’t just your degree. It’s the specific skills, the programming languages, frameworks, and tools that employers are actively hiring for. Also known as tech stack, it includes things like cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), DevOps tools (Docker, Kubernetes), and modern frameworks (React, Node.js). If you know how to deploy apps on the cloud and automate testing, your salary jumps. Even basic knowledge of AI tools like LLMs is now a bonus. And don’t forget soft skills—communication, problem-solving, and teamwork matter more than you think, especially as you move up.
Location isn’t the only factor. Startups pay less upfront but offer equity that could pay off big. Big tech gives stability, benefits, and clear promotion paths. Freelancers can earn more per hour but deal with inconsistent work. Government jobs? They pay steady but rarely match private sector pay. The career path, how you grow from junior developer to team lead or architect. Also known as software engineering progression, plays a huge role in long-term earnings. Many developers plateau after 3-4 years because they stop learning. The ones who keep up with trends, get certified, or move into specialized areas like cybersecurity or data engineering see the biggest pay bumps.
You’ll find posts here that break down coding class costs, compare the toughest programming challenges, and even show you which degrees lead to the highest salaries. Some talk about how math fits into coding, while others reveal the hidden factors behind why some developers earn more than others—even with the same title. Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about switching jobs, this collection gives you real, no-fluff insights into what drives pay in tech today.