Senior Software Engineer+18% typical comp change · ~3.0y typical
92% of observed moves out of Software Engineer go here (8,200 careers)
progressionconfidence high8,200 careers83% of observed exits move upward from there
Observed career paths · engineering
Where does a Software Engineer go next?
25 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
Engineering Manager+32% typical comp change · ~6.3y typical
reachable via Senior Software Engineer. 30% joint share of observed careers
leadership branchconfidence high2,100 careers71% of observed exits move upward from there
Executive Director-36% typical comp change · ~8.0y typical
reachable via Founder. 0% joint share of observed careers
leadership branchconfidence low90 careers71% of observed exits move upward from there
Principal, Private Equity+44% typical comp change · ~8.0y typical
reachable via Founder. 0% joint share of observed careers
leadership branchconfidence low90 careers84% of observed exits move upward from there
Specialist path
VP Operations+9% typical comp change · ~8.0y typical
reachable via Founder. 0% joint share of observed careers
executive stepconfidence low90 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
VP of Product+4% typical comp change · ~7.8y typical
reachable via Founder. 0% joint share of observed careers
executive stepconfidence low70 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
Higher-growth opportunity
Staff Engineer+44% typical comp change · ~6.7y typical
reachable via Senior Software Engineer. 42% joint share of observed careers
progressionconfidence high2,900 careers67% of observed exits move upward from there
Career pivot
Senior Game Developer-28% typical comp change · ~7.0y typical
reachable via Senior Software Engineer. 4% joint share of observed careers
pivotconfidence moderate260 careers46% of observed exits move upward from there
Product Manager+4% typical comp change · ~3.5y typical
3% of observed moves out of Software Engineer go here (310 careers)
pivotconfidence moderate310 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
Senior Product Manager+20% typical comp change · ~6.8y typical
reachable via Senior Software Engineer. 3% joint share of observed careers
pivotconfidence moderate240 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
Entrepreneurial possibility
Founder-35% typical comp change · ~4.0y typical
1% of observed moves out of Software Engineer go here (90 careers)
foundingconfidence low90 careers30% of observed exits move upward from there