While now retired, over the course of my career I gravitated between private practice and real estate development several times. Each transition involved increased responsibility -- although it must be said that, on average, base compensation in private practice always was somewhat lower than what I received while working in real estate firms. However, the real boost in real estate involved equity participation in our projects.

My first job in real estate was as a Construction Manager for a large scale commercial developer. My later positions in real estate were as a Development Director for large scale commercial projects, working in much smaller RE firms. 

My career path in architecture was rather normal -- starting as an Intern right out of school and finishing as a Senior Principal in the firm from which I retired.

I think it worth noting that all of my job opportunities in real estate came from people who knew me well as a practicing architect and who had grown to trust my experience and judgment over time.

^ thanks quizzical.

I only ask because I am currently working for a real estate firm (not as a agent or a broker) but a consultant for developers who wants in on the luxury condo market. It's a sweet gig, pays well, and learning a lot.

But i often miss designing and I am trying to figure what sort of position I can get myself into with my resume and pay at an equal rate. Right now I have a more robust experience with this real estate firm than in architecture firms. 

after i got licensed a few years back i left a junior position in a large arch firm to work as an in-house design manager for a developer. the base salary was similar, but my bonus for a couple good years was equal to that salary.

when that sub market soured recently, i returned to a similar corporate arch firm at a mid level position with a salary in the normal range for that position, about 60% what i made in my best year with the developer.

the experience with the developer didn't in itself lead to higher pay or a higher position than if i'd stayed with an arch firm the entire time, but it has improved my judgement as a designer and i feel confident will lead towards future development work again.

for me, the decision was both opportunistic and circumstantial - the arch job offered a more stable salary and balanced workload at a time when i needed to focus on life outside work.

I  haven't cycled as many times as quizzical, and I'm not retired, but I have moved from architecture to REDEV and back. I'm currently back on the architect side of the table, where I seem to be poorer but more happy. I know a few other architects who are in the same boat.

interesting, I've looked at several postings by developers, but they seem pretty interested in estimating, something I know little about, so I haven't made any calls.

@batman are you a licensed architect? How did you get that position? I am not a licensed architect I just went to architecture school. I work in construction as a project engineer and I want to transition to real estate.