If income is your goal, in this industry, I think that it makes more sense to maximize TC in your day job. SWE can reasonably make over $1m per year, from a single job.
If you’re not in FAANG or equivalent, work on getting there. Then if you’re not L7+ work on that.
If you’re not in FAANG or equivalent, work on getting there. Then if you’re not L7+ work on that.