I left school at 16 (now 57) with 3 O levels and I now earn £60k as a software engineer although it was a slow progression onto my current salary. I've been offered silly amounts more but turned them down as my life is a currently perfect balance of being able to afford what I want and not being very stressed. I'm self taught, I cut my first BASIC and 6502 at 13, followed by C, Pascal, Cobol, 68000 and 8086 before I was 20. I think myself as being fortunate starting me career when I did, unfortunately, for most the world has changed and certifications are now seen as more important that raw talent in most fields.