I've noticed this with a lot of professions. Comp is back-loaded. They start much lower than software, but the good ones make it up in the end by being owners a

I've noticed this with a lot of professions. Comp is back-loaded. They start much lower than software, but the good ones make it up in the end by being owners and having a crew of 10-20 work for them, and earning margin on their labor. Regulation and professionalization (e.g. you need to be licensed) seem to encourage this. Software, assuming one doesn't go into management, seem to have a more linear comp structure. You start much higher, but it doesn't ramp as dramatically as most trade/licensed professions as you go up. Probably because there's less regulation/capture so even entry-level people keep more of what they produce, vs the almost-feudal nature of many trades/professions. Just what I've seen, anyway.