I get what you're saying, but thras's point still stands. You're just using the word "programmer" in two slightly different senses. thras was using it to refer

I get what you're saying, but thras's point still stands. You're just using the word "programmer" in two slightly different senses. thras was using it to refer to a role - a non-management role - and in that sense a programmer does have a lot less ability to influence the people who set pay rates. You're using it to refer to an actual person who can try to change the role he occupies, in your example by starting a company.