The thing is that top-end software engineers in a FAANG company (the equivalent of a master-plumber / master-electriction / etc.) are either pushing towards 7 figures or have already got there - in total comp, not in wages, but still.

I'm an ICT5 at Apple (not the best-paying, but hey, less layoffs) and I reported ~$750k last year. There are ICT levels going up to 9...