I have no degree. Base salary 160k roughly 50-60k in equity/year. 10 years experience. I'm not at the top of my game yet.
I started at 70k with no experience no degree.
I would perhaps argue that 70k starting with no experience or degree is very much not the norm. I'm not questioning you, but how/where?
I have no actual work experience prior to my current job and no degree. I am 23 years old and I have a 6 figure salary and equity in the Bay Area. If you know people that know what you are capable of and can refer you to a company then an amazing resume is completely irrelevant. Last week I turned down a job offer from Blizzard Entertainment (was by referral) because they could not match my current salary.
I'm jelly, you should post some your story for inspiration for all of us young people without a 6 figure salary :)
You are questioning me, but it's fair. I should've said with minimal experience (nothing that'd be on my resume today).
It was a contracting gig. Hourly, operations and NOC type work.
There is no ceiling.
Luckily for us, we can prove it. Not many people will ever get a chance to say, "hey, let me show you that I can do it". There aren't many hobbyist surgeons (I hope).