Think I’m going to get an offer for a Technical Program Manager role. It’s way outside my field of expertise and takes me from a leadership role to the bottom of the ladder. I’d fill some skills gaps that have made it harder to move to a large tech company, but I’m also much better at higher level work than I am at execution. Currently at 150k TC in Midwest. TPM role would require me to move to CA and has a base of 180-190k. Unclear about the rest of the benefits. Thoughts?

Cost of living adjustment will eat that comp increase for breakfast.

I’d love to dive in on “much better at higher level work than I am at execution”. Ideally you should be good at executing to know what can be done high level

First thing - You are moving with a paycut adjusted for cost of living Second - You are stepping down in role hierarchy which you know already but its going to be difficult to adjust to. Third - Are you really passionate about new skill set you would acquire? If not, this isnt a good deal at all.

Here’s a good cost of living calculator u can use to prove you’re not getting a fair increase https://www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-living-calculator/compare/detroit-mi-vs-san-francisco

That's really not a pay increase at all if you're moving Midwest to Cali - and if its out of your realm of technical expertise and you're not high on execution it may be a steep climb. Personally, I'd only consider it if I was passionate about the program.

Nope.. can’t survive with that pay in California

Are you In consulting now? It’s either a great way to get into tech, or not the right move because you will be labeled for that low level job for a while. Without knowing your situation, I would say my gut is on the latter. Also your new tc should be around 250 for your age in tech. Otherwise keep looking

Do any one agree that technical program manager is a stagnation role after some point of time and there is no growth thereafter? Is it a good role and can a program manager branch out to product management later?