How to ACTUALLY Make Money in Tech in 2025

Summary

In 2025, breaking into tech is more competitive than ever. AI has taken over many entry-level jobs, and traditional hiring methods are no longer effective. To succeed, focus on specialization in high-value areas like security, AI, and performance optimization. Alternatively, you could become a technical founder or work in tech-adjacent roles such as product management or sales. The key is solving specific industry problems, building reusable solutions, and positioning yourself as an expert. With a clear roadmap, you can build a successful tech career by focusing on delivering real value, not just accumulating generic skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 AI integration has replaced many entry-level coding jobs, making it harder for junior developers to find work.
• 😀 The traditional job hiring pipeline is broken with most positions being filled internally or through networks before they're posted.
• 😀 Specialized developers are earning more than generalists. Specializing in high-demand areas like security, AI, and performance optimization is the key to earning higher salaries.
• 😀 Developers who can build reusable components, rather than just following tutorials, provide more value and are more in-demand.
• 😀 There are three primary paths to significant income in tech: specialized developer, technical founder, and tech-adjacent professionals.
• 😀 Technical founders solve industry-specific problems, creating focused solutions like SaaS tools or custom software, rather than coding full-time.
• 😀 Tech-adjacent roles such as product managers, solutions architects, and technical sales can also lead to high salaries, even without heavy coding skills.
• 😀 Identifying and solving repetitive problems with reusable solutions is a key strategy for success in tech careers.
• 😀 The recommended six-month action plan includes: choosing a specialized path, building foundational knowledge, developing a solution, and positioning oneself as an expert.
• 😀 Future-proofing your tech career involves continuously identifying valuable problems to solve, documenting your work, and building systems around your solutions.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this video?

The video focuses on how to make real money in tech in 2025 by providing updated strategies. It emphasizes specialized skills, problem-solving, and understanding the current state of the tech industry rather than outdated advice.

Why are traditional coding skills not enough to succeed in 2025?

AI tools have replaced many entry-level coding jobs, meaning developers now compete with artificial intelligence, not just other humans. Additionally, the hiring process has changed, with many positions being filled through internal networks or before they are even posted.

What are the three critical changes in the tech industry in 2025?

1. AI integration has eliminated many entry-level coding jobs. 2. The traditional hiring pipeline is broken, with many job positions filled before being posted. 3. Specialized skills now command higher salaries compared to generalized knowledge.

How does specializing in one area help developers make more money?

Specializing allows developers to focus on high-value areas such as security engineering, AI integration, or performance optimization. This makes them more valuable to companies that need experts in specific fields, allowing them to earn significantly more than generalists.

Can you provide an example of someone who successfully used specialization to land a high-paying job?

Yes, Gabe, a former insurance worker, focused exclusively on payment processing systems. Within 90 days, he landed a junior role at AMX with a six-figure salary, not because he knew everything but because he solved a specific, valuable problem better than others.

What is a 'tech adjacent' professional, and how can they make money in tech?

Tech adjacent professionals, such as product managers, technical salespeople, and solutions architects, are high earners who do not code much, if at all. Their value comes from their ability to identify problems worth solving, offering strategic solutions rather than technical implementation.

What are the key components that most applications need, according to the script?

The key components most applications need are authentication, chat, and profile management. These core components make up 90% of what most applications require, which is why developers who can build reusable solutions for them are highly valued.

What is the six-month action plan outlined in the video?

The six-month action plan is: 1. Month 1 - Focus and strategy (choose a path and problem domain). 2. Month 2-3 - Build a foundation (learn relevant technologies and build solutions). 3. Month 4-5 - Create a complete solution and test it. 4. Month 6 - Position and monetize (create a portfolio and offer solutions to companies).

How does identifying problems and building reusable solutions drive success?

By identifying common problems and creating reusable solutions, developers can provide lasting value. This approach positions them as problem-solvers who are highly sought after, rather than just following tutorials or offering generic solutions.

What is the final piece of advice for ensuring long-term success in tech?

The final piece of advice is to build systems, not just skills. Developers should document their work, create communities around their solutions, and continuously identify new problems to solve in order to remain valuable as the tech industry evolves.