>most businesses don’t pay most of their employees 6 figures

Neither does the T, or even close to that. It’s the top scale, so the most experienced workers. Most businesses do pay 6 figures to their most experienced employees in roles for careers.

I’m sorry you’re living in a fantasy world if you think you could pay less and hold onto anyone for 5+ years in this economy. 100k a year is enough to buy a very modest house in an area with bad schools now. It’s middle class.