Like others, I'll start by questioning the assumption behind the question. I know I've made more than some of my managers, starting at least ten years ago. Many people get this idea very early in their careers, when it's true because they're just starting out and (obviously) their managers are not, but after only a few years of big raises and easy level advancements it needs to be re-evaluated.
When it is true that managers make more, there's no single reason. On the good side, the effect of a good manager compared to a bad one can be bigger than for an IC. On the bad side, managers get to whisper more in the ears of those who control the money. In between, and most often, let me ask you one simple question.
* Would you want to be a manager?
For me the answer is HELL NO. I got close to it once, and didn't care for it. Many other ICs feel the same way. You'd have to pay us extra to give up what we do now for management work ... and so that's exactly what often happens. Supply and demand, pure and simple.
This is true, over my career as my companies have grown I've naturally taken a tech lead and then manager role because it was the most effective way to help the team and it turns out I'm very good at it. But if it wasn't compensated better then I'd simply stay in my lane as an IC, and the companies would suffer due to having to bring in inferior management lacking technical skills.
Comments
Like others, I'll start by questioning the assumption behind the question. I know I've made more than some of my managers, starting at least ten years ago. Many people get this idea very early in their careers, when it's true because they're just starting out and (obviously) their managers are not, but after only a few years of big raises and easy level advancements it needs to be re-evaluated.
When it is true that managers make more, there's no single reason. On the good side, the effect of a good manager compared to a bad one can be bigger than for an IC. On the bad side, managers get to whisper more in the ears of those who control the money. In between, and most often, let me ask you one simple question.
* Would you want to be a manager?
For me the answer is HELL NO. I got close to it once, and didn't care for it. Many other ICs feel the same way. You'd have to pay us extra to give up what we do now for management work ... and so that's exactly what often happens. Supply and demand, pure and simple.
This is true, over my career as my companies have grown I've naturally taken a tech lead and then manager role because it was the most effective way to help the team and it turns out I'm very good at it. But if it wasn't compensated better then I'd simply stay in my lane as an IC, and the companies would suffer due to having to bring in inferior management lacking technical skills.