QA is a function that is distinct from development and both are distinct from operations. SRE and DevOps are merging development and operations. QA is disappearing because of automated testing. It is a separate career track altogether and is usually significantly less lucrative than development.
People have weird feelings about certain markets. Examples include housing, labour, health care, and education. These weird feelings result in irrational behaviour and irrational claims like "there is a tech shortage" when prices aren't rising to compensate.
Comparison to your parents salary or the salary of any other industry is a red herring. The market always clears if participants are willing to pay market price. Your refusal to pay market price might be why you have trouble filling your resume funnel.