There is always someone making shit ton of money but that doesn't make things "not unusual". In a typical mature big tech, I would say less than 5% of employees

There is always someone making shit ton of money but that doesn't make things "not unusual". In a typical mature big tech, I would say less than 5% of employees ever cross 7-digit mark. Often that requires massive hustling for years, personal health+family sacrifices and extraordinary amount of politics and betrayals to many colleagues. Some people are just wired for this and crossing 7-digit barrier is the most important thing in their life to be achieved at any cost. In my experience, there are many better joys to have in life than this hustle.