[bruce511]

You're getting to thd real root of the question here - Whst is most important to you? Is it the code, or the money?

Management earns more money. Partly because they control how the money is spent. Partly because they're a value-multiplier.

Coders get to write code.

You seldom get both [1].

So for each person, it's really important to understand your root motivation. If it's money, then climb the ladder. It's gun in a different way, and if done well, can bring satisfaction.

However, if writing code is eat gets you out of bed, if meetings are something you detest, then perhaps "enough money" is enough, and you might prefer enjoying your path through life.

[1] you seldom get both in a large company. However in very small companies, and one-man operations, you can often find a very lucrative niche. Fewer people means little management (although more time talking to customers) so you get to spend more time actually producing.

[shrimp_emoji]

For me, it's definitely code. But only certain flavors of code.

I would choose to write C even in an oldschool world where it only paid $50k. I even do it at home for fun!

Java[Script] or C# though? Nah; I'm going back to school or something.

What a weird professional dynamic.