Yup. And it's not limited to software/tech. The local police department has the same problem with patrol/beat officers - many of the good ones were promoting

Yup. And it's not limited to software/tech. The local police department has the same problem with patrol/beat officers - many of the good ones were promoting into desk jobs because their salaries capped out. IIRC, they ended up creating a new tier of patrol roles on top that corresponded, income-wise, with the first or second level management.