Do we confuse self-worth with salary?

I recently read a book* that mentioned an income gap between professions in Switzerland in 1962. The comparison between a doctor and an office worker surprised me. The difference in pay was relatively small (CHF 500 a month). Nothing like the huge gap we see today.
 
That made me curious.

When did salaries start to grow in such different directions? And why?

This development is fairly recent, most of it took place within the past 150 years. A century ago, a skilled tradesperson earned a living that was not too far from the local doctor. Today, that ratio is often 10, 20 times more. And on the corporate side, we see executives receiving compensation packages that are simply unimaginable and wildly disproportionate.

What happened?

We moved from an industrial economy to a knowledge economy. Fields like medicine, law, and academia became highly credentialed and protected. At the same time, many manual jobs were automated, outsourced, or undervalued. Salaries grew where expertise was scarce, regulated, and tied to formal qualifications.
 
We built a system that rewards credentials and complexity more than essential hands-on work. A surgeon saving lives is invaluable. But so is the carpenter building our home, the people caring for our children or elders, and the electrician keeping our world running. Their contributions matter. Yet their pay rarely reflects that reality.
 
It's complex and there's no easy fix. And with AI changing the landscape, who knows what's next.

How can each one of us make a difference?

To have financial impact is difficult. But here is what comes easy and free of charge to everyone: we can choose how we treat people. How we acknowledge the value they bring. We can honor every role and contribution around us with respect and gratitude.
 
A warm thank you to the cleaner. A please to the waiter. A smile for the nurse. A genuine how are you to the gardener. These gestures matter.
 
My parents taught me early on that every profession contributes to the life we get to enjoy. And they lived by that belief. They showed respect to everyone, regardless of title, status, or income.
 
Later, I realized not everyone grew up with that mindset.
 
We cannot change deeply rooted beliefs overnight. But we can raise awareness. We can question the systems that shape our thinking. And we can choose how we show up every day.
 
What do you value most in a society? And how do you experience the gap between different kinds of work?
 
I would love to hear your thoughts 💬
 
 
*The book that sparked my curiosity is “Seinetwegen” by Swiss author Zora del Buono. It isn't about salaries or status but a moving personal journey exploring death, guilt, and identity. A powerful read!