It all comes down to money I think, which business solves the most of people's problems. That's where the money is. How hard or easy it is to build doesn't even matter.

Our field is more of entertainment. Some end-users like it, some don't. Do they require to buy it? not always. This applies to VFX studios for movies. Unlike Google, that even programmers like us now need to search for more solutions using that thing. "Google first before asking" kind of thing, right?

Now, without much money due to target market that is pretty much limited, I don't think we can be paid more than we can expect, even if the managers and/or top executives are saints.

Heck, even many of us make games using tools by the developers from Microsoft.

10 minutes ago, GeneralJist said:

Just because someone loves what they do, and is willing to take a pay cut to continue to work at a job they love doesn't mean they are worth less than another person who hates what they do and is only doing it for the significant pay they are getting.

I agree!
But they will suffer. They are trying to sell nice apples on a fruit market for half the price..... The rest of sellers will just wipe them out.

6 minutes ago, GeneralJist said:

But life isn't fair and often people need to make hard decisions to get what they want. 

Undoubtedly!

If i had a starving family, i would sweep toilets with my drawings in order to bring food home. Fortunately i am a MGTOW.

Pay is what you negotiate. There are some industries and companies where unions and other collective agreements are in place, in which case pay is what they negotiate.

There are many people who are great negotiators in other areas of life who never negotiate their own salary or negotiate it poorly. Many people receive an offer for a job and never make counter-offers, never push for higher salaries, or they never ask for better benefits. (Hint: Always ask for multiple items, even if they can't directly pay more they may be able to give a one-time signing bonus, or stock/equity options, etc.) Companies may balk at long-term payouts but may easily throw in an extra $5K or $8K one-time payment.

Those who are skilled at negotiation and have the ability to negotiate with companies, such as looking for a job while still employed rather than when unemployed, are able to negotiate far better wages than those who don't or can't.

Invest in your negotiating skills. That can be small investments through reading, or bigger investments through training. It is worth it.