[user5994461]

To add a third perspective where you're both wrong and unlucky.

People on HN do better jobs because many live in the major tech cities, where there are more and better jobs. In big part linked to the big companies and the high cost of living.

In most cases of raises, the employee could have got much better by moving to somewhere else. It's easier to give a few percent raise per year or one time than it is to match the 50-100% raise that high performer could get.

If you change jobs often enough, you will eventually end up in a good company with a good pay, where you can stay.