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This is my struggle. Do you go the management route for the money or stay in development where the pressure, and pay, is lower...

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Have you considered consulting? Where you have more control and leverage over your earnings? (Especially if you have a spouse whose health insurance you can use)

Or perhaps PMing (which in many scenarios can lead to better pay, and less prone to ageism, though arguably even more stressful than being a manager)

I’m mulling these potential paths myself, to climb the pay scale and fend off ageism.

I haven't considered consulting mainly out of fear. I know a few very talented consultants that struggle to maintain a steady client-base. I'm the sole income + benefits in our household and with multiple little ones, my risk taking has decreased considerably. PMing might be an option though. I've worked mainly for smaller companies, so I imagine that's something I'd have to transition to a mid/large company to find?

In my career at least it’s never been true that the pay or pressure have been lower as an engineer vs a manager.

That's good to hear! My understanding was that as you move towards your 40's and 50's it becomes more challenging to find engineering roles that are willing to compensate you for your increasing experience levels. I hope I'm wrong.

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