Maybe your previous job paid a lot so your current employer started you at the top of the scale. But if your previous employer colluded to keep wages low you might not be so well paid as you say you are now. Fact is, many meritorious employees are paid less than other coworkers with the same job for a variety of bad reasons. One bad reason is because they were paid less on their previous job. Don't believe it? Go to https://nwlc.org/resource/asking- for-salary-history-perpetuates-pay- discrimination-from-job-to-job/ for proof. As for "build a fucking airplane...", independent contractors do everything employees do, they're just more in control of their careers.