I think the difference between software devs and other "profressionals" is that there is a much more stable career path for other industries, which generally in

I think the difference between software devs and other "profressionals" is that there is a much more stable career path for other industries, which generally includes pretty regular pay and position bumps each year well into your 50s. I know lawyers that start really making money once they hit partner in their firms in their 40s. Or business / financial types who tend to increase salary just because the "pyramid" effects of their existing clients and number of underlings. Doctors have a very regular schedule of raises as do almost all public workers as they gain seniority - teachers, federal and state workers, etc. Even the typical corporate middle manager will generally be promoted to higher levels with more responsibility. But software engineers just don't seem to be given the same options, by default. If you're an individual contributor, there are only so many project managers they need, and companies absolutely will not push your salary up by 5% each year once you've hit a plateau in mid 30's (e.g. about $160K in my relatively high COL city).