Director of Engineering+25% typical comp change · ~3.7y typical
70% of observed moves out of Engineering Manager go here (980 careers)
progressionconfidence high980 careers83% of observed exits move upward from there
Observed career paths · leadership
Where does a Engineering Manager go next?
9 observed directions, from real career histories. Percentages are the share of people who made each move; the count is how many careers each number rests on. This is the generic map. No aspiration, no filler.
Typical advancement
Management path
VP of Engineering+60% typical comp change · ~8.0y typical
reachable via Director of Engineering. 42% joint share of observed careers
executive stepconfidence moderate410 careers84% of observed exits move upward from there
CTO+63% typical comp change · ~8.7y typical
reachable via Director of Engineering. 16% joint share of observed careers
executive stepconfidence moderate160 careersno observed onward moves above the evidence floor
Higher-growth opportunity
Director of Product+29% typical comp change · ~7.0y typical
reachable via Group Product Manager. 5% joint share of observed careers
progressionconfidence low85 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
VP of Product+40% typical comp change · ~7.8y typical
reachable via Group Product Manager. 1% joint share of observed careers
executive stepconfidence low85 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
Adjacent career
Staff Engineer+3% typical comp change · ~2.8y typical
22% of observed moves out of Engineering Manager go here (310 careers)
return to ICconfidence moderate310 careers67% of observed exits move upward from there
Principal Engineer+24% typical comp change · ~7.2y typical
reachable via Staff Engineer. 11% joint share of observed careers
return to ICconfidence moderate310 careers0% of observed exits move upward from there
Group Product Manager+6% typical comp change · ~3.7y typical
6% of observed moves out of Engineering Manager go here (85 careers)
lateralconfidence low85 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
Entrepreneurial possibility
Founder-12% typical comp change · ~8.3y typical
reachable via Director of Engineering. 12% joint share of observed careers
foundingconfidence moderate120 careers30% of observed exits move upward from there