That money does not come without cost: competitiveness at work, imposter syndrome, unreasonable deadlines, on-call rotations. Not to mention that you'll very likely be working for a mega-corp trying to improve some abstract metric for your division by 4% so they can sell more ads for more dollars. I don't know what your current situation is, but consider carefully what you would be giving up to get those dollars.

That's good perspective, thank you. <3

I used to see salary threads like this and be depressed too, but don't be. You not getting paid what you're worth does not mean you are not worth more. Next time you go out and interview be bold. Absolutely some companies will balk at a high salary requirement, but others will take it seriously. Even if you don't get $250k you'll get closer than you think and do much better than you are right now.

I was making a lot less not long ago. Then I went to an interview, knocked it out of the park, and when the ask TC reqs I just said $250 would work, and they made it happen. This is not in SF-area or NYC either.

Thanks, and good advice about being bolder with future salary asks. :)