The expectation that everyone should reach these career levels is easily dispelled by basic math. L6 and EM can by definition exist at a ratio of, at best, 1:6 to the people at more junior levels. Most engineers might be “stuck” at L5, but most potential EMs are stuck before they even become EMs, due to the same math.
But of the people at L6 on either ladder, who are ready to work at the next level, opportunities are definitely easier to find for ICs, than managers. An L7 IC, after all, doesn’t have to come with a team of 30-50.
I've never seen a large company with more L7+ engineers than L7+ managers. Usually it's a ratio of drastically more managers hired/promoted into those levels than engineers, and some orgs don't have any engineers in those levels at all.
> L6 and EM can by definition exist at a ratio of, at best, 1:6 to the people at more junior levels
And for the respective IC of that level the ratio is even worse as in many companies they help out with many projects consisting of 5-10 people. In short there are many more manager positions at a respective level than IC ones.
But of the people at L6 on either ladder, who are ready to work at the next level, opportunities are definitely easier to find for ICs, than managers. An L7 IC, after all, doesn’t have to come with a team of 30-50.