The "big salaries" can only be a small part of it, because while the salaries are bigger than average in tech, they aren't that much bigger until you reach a re

The "big salaries" can only be a small part of it, because while the salaries are bigger than average in tech, they aren't that much bigger until you reach a relatively elite status (IC5+, e.g., "team tech lead", "principal software engineer", etc.), at an elite company (FAANG or FAANG-like). For me it's a combination of the cultural mix, the climate, and the opportunities (my current job, and the potential for others).