My Salary & Expenses as an Ex-Software Engineer in New York City (2026)

This video is a candid financial breakdown from a former Big Tech software engineer who moved to Wall Street and now runs two AI businesses. He contrasts a $144,000 engineering salary with high New York City living costs, lists personal and business expenses, and explains how app sales and coaching shifted his income mix. The tone is practical, self-aware, and often humorous.

– Compensation & career: From a $10k/month intern to a $136k base (raised to $144k), plus a $27k sign-on and modest bonuses; no equity from his employer.
– Cost of living: Breaks down NYC expenses—$3,500 rent for a Wall Street studio, ~$800 groceries, frequent dining out, and other lifestyle costs.
– Business finances: Runs an AI coaching service and an AI solutions agency, tracking ~$5,000/month in business costs and reporting $57,500 revenue last month with apps receiving acquisition offers.
– Trade-offs & lessons: Explores location premium, lifestyle choices (e.g., eating out, shopping), irregular entrepreneurial income, and the long game of building products over years.

Quotes:

If you don’t see me with the liver, it’s because I had to sell it to make rent.

DoorDash loves me.

Last month my businesses made $57,500 — one app could out-earn my $144K salary.