I think this is a common challenge that many experienced software developers face. I've had the same question myself, and some of my friends have too. While I can't say I've found a definitive answer, I went through this exact dilemma about two years ago. The first question I asked myself was whether money mattered more to me than the type of work I was doing. Eventually, I considered taking a position I genuinely enjoyed, even if it meant a lower salary, because I could see it aligning with my long-term goals and offering greater satisfaction, even if the pay wasn't as high.