This is my experience.

I worked for over 10 years doing Linux Kernel driver implementation. At Intel.

When I quit last year my base was $120k (150 TC). I couldn’t afford a house in the HCOLA I’m in. Remote wasn’t an option. For me a house is a prerequisite to starting a family.

So I left to get housing. Either making more or going remote and moving to a less expensive area.

Embedded is really fun for me, but it just can’t keep up in times of such inflation- especially WRT housing.