[S_A_P]

As others have said here the answer is “it depends”. There is no best career path for the most part. There are certainly ways you can make more money and have greater job security. Most of the time job security and salary are at odds with each other.

Next you need to decide what you want out of life. Do you LOVE development and building software? Or is it something that you do because it pays pretty well? Do you want to travel and see the world? Do you want to work only enough to do the things you love? Do you want to build a company? Do you like managing people? Do you want to still be a developer in 20-30 years?

I don’t think this is a dumb question and I actually think that it’s smart to ask these kinds of questions. Unfortunately I can’t tell you what is best for you with out know more about you. (Even then I can just give advice based on my life experience which may or may not help you) I suggest finding a trusted senior person at your company and see if they will mentor you. If may help to see aspects of the business not related to development as well.