The dev environment seems chaotic to me, especially everyone under the whip in this climate. I like breaking the system, but I'm still unsure how far that will take me.
It depends on where you work. If you learn niche tools and processes, you can make good money. If you're just content being a monkey banging on a keyboard in the background waiting for stuff to break, well, you'll have to be content with lower pay and being pissed on. QA isn't too different from development in that regard - in some companies development and QA can be held in high regard. In others, they're pretty much dogs that get whipped into a deadline and then screamed at when stuff doesn't work. lol.
I did it. I worked retail grocery for 15 years, both in a grocery store and as a salesman. I made the jump to the petrol-chemical industry. I started as a contractor for one of the big oil refineries, then at age 35 I got hired on at that refinery as an operator. I had to endure 7 years of shift work, but the pay is great. I worked my way up to a staff job, now I make over $100K a year. No degree required.
There will be some opportunities to do something completely different, like working the next big census. That could change your course. Very tough time to consider leaving a job though. If you can stand another year, I'd recommend that.
There been a lot of good advice. Shroopy, The story about 2 guys leaving and ending up back at the company scares me. I'll stay at my company. Thank you for your help. Vlaurelio and DrofDunk, Both of you have given me the best advice to consider. Even though I am tired of being in a cubicle job, it seems to be the only short term solution available to increase pay. You are right. It is a much better idea to switch to another area in the same company, then leave for a new company and career. I would love to work in the REO dept, even if I am in the same position. Eventually, I would like to buy foreclosed property as a hobby. I would love to see the price drops and timelines of these properties from the business side. Hopefully, I can change departments and change skill sets to liven things up a bit. We are making a big push towards Cognos as our main reporting tool. There will be many other departments that would want me, after I get more experience. Then, I can wait until a position opens up in REO. You guys really helped me out. I can see a better career path now. Thanks!