The number would be a sliding value based on what society has to offer. Your example of the scientist vs the car wash is a great example of what I was also meaning. There must be a reward system based on accomplishment, "NOT because I can". I know many people who make $500+ a day and "work" not nearly as hard as other people I know who "work" harder. Does a security guard who sits at a desk reading a newspaper deserve 4X money then the janitor cleaning around the guard? What about reversed? Since I am a redneck nobody, can you explain why you feel you only deserve what you get paid versus example: Tim Cook? Does he work X many times harder then you?
Of course the security guard deserves 4x the money as the janitor. First of all, the security guard is required to put himself in harm's way. By contrast, dust bunnies have never attacked a janitor. Secondly, more people can sweep floors effectively than can perform effective security. Consequently, when thousands of people apply for jobs, the price is bid down until the other job seekers won't go any lower. For instance: Applicant A demands $10.00/hr to sweep floors. I then show up and agree to do it for $9.00, knowing this is a better proposition for the employer. So on and so forth until the other applicant backs out. The competition is not as fierce for security guards. Consequently, prices aren't bid as low.
I only deserve what I get paid because I make good or poor decisions, as determined by the market. I profit off of the fluctuation in asset prices, or volatility. The net profit at the end of any trading period is directly reflective of how accurate my market analysis was during that period. In short, I get paid on the impact of my decisions for the account. Tim Cook makes vastly more than I do because his decisions are vastly more important. My order flow in the futures markets is 1-5 contracts in markets that trade several million contracts per day. Where or why I do my buying and selling matters to no one. Tim Cook, by contrast, runs a multi-billion dollar global corporation. Where and why he does his buying and selling has consequences for thousands of employees, millions of customers, the millions of workers inside Apple's supply chain, and local governments (taxes, regulatory fees, etc.) to the tune of billions of dollars. I cannot effectively perform Cook's job, as I lack both the experience and expertise. Cook can. Simply put, Tim Cook is far more valuable to the economy than I am. Therefore, he gets paid a whole lot more than I do.
