In your 30's, I think you need to start thinking about exit-strategy (saving enough to live financially independent), rather than hopping to yet another job.
Then, you can job hop down in salary and do something more fun.
Also, if you spent your 20s building up contacts it becomes pretty easy to start a business serving the needs of your particular niche in the industry.
Management and starting a company that grows beyond 8 people require pretty much the same leadership skills.
Now, moving up to director or VP level or higher (assuming you have the aptitude and desire), is a different story.
And as you said, the target is really a VP/Director type position, using mgmt as a stepping stone.
It's like how a Sergeant makes more than an Lt in the Army, however, the progression in the officer core quickly outstrips the best an enlisted man can hope for.
The great thing about leadership roles is they're typically very transferable, there's not many orgs that don't need good leaders.
Not in the U.S. Army. Most junior NCOs make less than even a fresh Academy graduate. The NCOs making more than a junior lieutenant have all been in the service for 10+ years.