Not my experience. But I've primarily worked in places where programming talent was front & center, valued, and the cost of replacing a good developer was high

Not my experience. But I've primarily worked in places where programming talent was front & center, valued, and the cost of replacing a good developer was high. If you get a 3% raise at a big software company, that's usually a sign you're not doing very well and might want to think about leaving. A healthy raise should be in the 6-12% category. Your top co-workers are getting raises like that. Compounded yearly, it adds up. Not to mention the component of negotation that comes into play. You'll have similar employees making $60k next to ones making $90 or $120. Not necessarily all skill driven. Worry about saving a little out of each paycheck and getting good returns in the stock market? You're better off doing well at work and getting a healthier raise. Pick a good place to work. If you care enough about your career to spend time on ycombinator, but you're working in the back office of a healthcare company, you should seriously think about upleveling your employer. Remember, you can always fire your boss. Find a place to work where the software talent is the main thing. Not back office support. Not consulting. A place where software drives the business from the revenue side, rather than being a cost center.