To make that $200,000 you also have to pour an ungodly amount of time, effort and money into the education system, etc. Once you factor in all the relevant differences the gap is a lot smaller than it appears at first. There are many programmers who earn that kind of salary and don't fit your description of being in finance or climbing the managerial ladder for years on end.
There are many programmers who earn that kind of salary and don't fit your description of being in finance or climbing the managerial ladder for years on end.
Who are they and where do they work? I am looking for a job.
Find product companies where top-percentile individual contributors can make a huge difference to the company's bottom line and are renumerated accordingly.
