I've placed 1000s of developers at startups over many years. My advice is forget about the money at 28, it doesn't matter if you earn peanuts or peanuts++
What matters is who you work for and that they develop you/manage you right. Different people need different kinds of teams/incentives/cultures. A great manager at a shit company will be better for you long term.
Also, learn how to hustle. Start sending cold emails to companies you admire. When you don't get a reply or a reply you like, send emails to the employees. In most successful companies there's so much going on that being persistent and annoying is the only way in.
What matters is who you work for and that they develop you/manage you right. Different people need different kinds of teams/incentives/cultures. A great manager at a shit company will be better for you long term.
Also, learn how to hustle. Start sending cold emails to companies you admire. When you don't get a reply or a reply you like, send emails to the employees. In most successful companies there's so much going on that being persistent and annoying is the only way in.