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by givemeethekeys 1416 days ago
Most of that made sense apart from the last paragraph.

Don't most engineering managers get paid more than most IC engineers? Doesn't the move to management progress all the way to the C-suite? If so, then how is moving to management a lateral move?
4 comments
silent1mezzo 1416 days ago
In a lot of newer tech companies it's more of a lateral move at the senior level (e.g. SE3 == EM1). I've worked at a few companies now where I've managed engineers who make more than I do.

It's a different set of skills, you're specializing in people vs code. Companies that stack management on top of IC are basically forcing their best engineers to either go into management or leave for a company that doesn't do this.

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mandeepj 1416 days ago
> In a lot of newer tech companies it's more of a lateral move at the senior level

Not really. FAANGs - and few more - have been doing for a time longer than I know of. https://qr.ae/pv58mp

> Companies that stack management on top of IC are basically forcing their best engineers to either go into management or leave for a company that doesn't do this. Again, not really! Amazon does stack rank and they can't afford to force out their best engineers. I'm aware their culture is demanding and that's purpose built, but that does not imply what you are saying. Check their levels here - https://www.levels.fyi/companies/amazon/salaries/software-en...

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rgavuliak 1416 days ago
Doesn't amazon also have an IC track (with Principal level) and Engineering Managers?
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dominotw 1416 days ago
>Not really. FAANGs - and few more - have been doing for a time longer than I know of.

I work at a faang and managers at the same level make more more money, you can easily confirm this on levels.fyi.

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bl4ckm0r3 1416 days ago
> Don't most engineering managers get paid more than most IC engineers? Doesn't the move to management progress all the way to the C-suite? If so, then how is moving to management a lateral move?

> Don't most engineering managers get paid more than most IC engineers? Nope, about the same if not less!

> Doesn't the move to management progress all the way to the C-suite? Also the IC part can take you there (Managers have a hard time becoming CTOs)

> If so, then how is moving to management a lateral move? Because it's a different role (in most companies) and there's no direct connection between technical level and people management

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vlucas 1416 days ago
Moved to manager track ~2 years ago from IC, and from what I have seen, yes. Mangers typically make a bit more than the equivalent IC role. The pay bands are slightly higher, so you probably make ~5-20% more for the same "level" as a manager than you do as an IC.
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dominotw 1416 days ago
exactly!!

No one ever seems to be answer this question. You are agreeing to work for less if you choose to stay IC. Thats the truth.

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