Does switching from php to java(net) count as career advancement?

Question

Career in IT

There is an opinion among colleagues that if you work in php and switch to python/ruby/node.js, then this is a horizontal career growth. If you move from php to corporate java/net languages, then this is a vertical career growth, as you are doing cooler tasks, developing more complex systems, etc.
How true is this?

Answer 1

Leaving a good project on php in legacy shit on java is not a bad career growth.

Answer 2

If REALLY began to develop complex systems and get cooler tasks (and as a result, they began to pay more) - then yes, this is career growth. True, this does not have to depend on the language.