I am 35 years into my computer engineering (programmer) career and 25 years at my current company. For the past 10 years I have been repeatedly offered ‘promotions’ into management, but turned down every one of them. I earn more than all but one manager I have ever had at this company. They have a 7 level technical track where the top 2 or 3 levels can actually earn more than the engineering managers. I am currently at level 6 and have been told I can expect to be promoted to level 7 next year. My late career earnings blow away all 8 listed here. I have a few friends working for other companies that have expanded engineering career paths similarly to keep good engineers doing what they do best instead of forcing them into management.
You are the exception.
Of my graduating class at Iowa State, 80% now work in fields other than engineering. Many in management.
Of those who are still individual engineers, most are self employed.
Few companies want to keep high dollar engineers around. To expensive to the MBA kids, who feel threatened by engineers.
A mentor told me that if you love your field you MIGHT get 10 years before you are considered to old. I pulled off 15, but them realized if I wanted to make more I needed to get into management.