15 YOE Sales AE considering a boot camp to make the career pivot to software engineering. Made $200k last year - likely looking at a 50+% pay cut at the start of my engineering career, plus the cost of the boot camp. Am I crazy? How long would it take me to get back to $200k+/yr in engineering?

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Not crazy, but it all depends on why you're trying to make the career switch. Are you trying to make more money? Do you have a genuine passion for engineering that you'd like to pursue? Are you trying to achieve better work life balance? Are you tired of sales quotas and that kind of hustle?

The question I always ask myself is: If you picture yourself in your current position in 10 years, will you regret not having tried something else? If that answer is "yes" then it's not crazy, and it's worth pursuing.

Depending on what you specialize in as a software engineer, ~5 years will likely get you back or close to that salary range, but obviously also dependent on the company, bonuses, stocks, and other benefits. Ultimately I think a software engineer probably has a higher salary potential in the long run when compared to Sales.

As some points of reference, I have a senior SE friend with 8 YOE making $325k base (full stack, non FAANG, Seattle). My partner is a senior SE with ~7 YOE and makes $260k base (full stack, non FAANG, Seattle). I regularly hear of some Bay Area FAANG salaries hitting $400k+ base for senior SE's.

Best of luck with your decision, and if you choose to do it, your career pivot!!

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