10 years in low-paying jobs. Then a 3X salary jump in 3 years to Rs 30 LPA. He shares mistakes and lessons

For nearly a decade, a Reddit user felt like his career was going nowhere. After spending 10 years in low-paying roles with barely any savings, a 33-year-old professional finally broke the plateau and achieved a 3X salary jump — from Rs 9.4 LPA in 2022 to Rs 30 LPA in 2025. His story, shared on Reddit, struck a chord with thousands, not just for the financial leap, but for how he rewired his career through self-reflection and targeted learning — all in his 30s.

Slow start, steep climb
The journey began in 2013 with a backend BPO role at just Rs 15,000/month. Between 2015 and 2021, he worked in an HR services delivery role, earning Rs 5.6 LPA at best. Looking back, he admits that the first eight years lacked direction. With no mentors and a background in aviation science, he initially leaned toward an aviation career before settling into the corporate world. But it was a slow burn. He didn’t upskill or explore high-paying alternatives early on, which delayed his growth.

That changed in 2022 when he consciously pivoted. He joined a new firm in an HR operations backend role and started learning intensively. Within two years, he earned an internal promotion into a functional HRIS role, leveraging his existing experience while picking up in-demand tech and systems skills. This internal shift unlocked new doors, both in scope and salary. Now, with a Rs 30 LPA offer in hand, he’s finally reaping the rewards of consistent upskilling, smart internal mobility, and clarity of direction.

Netizens laud his grit and skill focus
Reddit users applauded the trajectory, especially his late-stage career acceleration. Many praised his determination to change course rather than blame circumstances. One user called it “amazing progress” and urged him to continue upskilling and focus on AI-era skills. Others echoed that it's never too late to pivot, with one commenting: “This is how you climb-by knowing your strengths and moving strategically.”

The transition from a static role to a high-impact HRIS function drew special attention. Many said this was a classic case of how blending domain knowledge with tech skills can unlock exponential growth, a reminder that you don’t always need to switch industries, just go deeper into smarter roles.

His expenses and investments
While the career graph is rising, the financial side still needs work. His only current asset is a recently purchased Rs 40 lakh villa in his hometown (on loan). Monthly outflows, including rent, EMIs, and expenses, touch Rs 80,000. He has Rs 2 lakh in PF and no other savings or investments yet, due to earlier missteps like supporting a failed family business and losses in intraday trading (totalling Rs 10–12 lakh).

Now, his focus has shifted. He's paused all high-risk moves and plans to build a six-month emergency fund within the next three months. Redditors unanimously urged him to start investing in mutual funds, build a balanced portfolio (equity, debt, gold), and let compounding do its work.

As one user put it, “Awesome professional progress, and it’s never too late for investment. Keep learning, keep growing, keep investing.”