Individual contributor (IC) is a role in industry for a person who contributes individually and does not manage other person. This type of individual is hired by skills and willing to dig deep on those skills, not the ability or willingness to manage people.

What does it mean individual contributor?

Individual contributors are employees who are not on a management track within an organization, but instead, manage their one-person team on projects and tasks. If you want to get hired as an individual contributor, it's important to develop useful skills in the workplace.

Is it better to be a manager or an individual contributor?

Generally speaking, individual contributors are more tactical while managers are more strategic. Rather than focusing on how to do things, managers focus on defining what things to do. Consequently, if you want to transition to management, you need to start thinking at this strategic level.