The difference is that in some fields there is a huge gap between the superstars and everyone else. Someone who almost became a star actor probably has a second

The difference is that in some fields there is a huge gap between the superstars and everyone else. Someone who almost became a star actor probably has a second job as a waiter. Someone who almost became a tenured professor is probably making peanuts as an adjunct. Someone who almost because a superstar programmer is probably still making six figures.