When I quit my last job, I found out one of my direct reports was getting paid the same as me. We both were around the same age, have a bachelor’s degree, and similar work experience.
Then I was replaced by someone who didn’t even interview into the company, whereas I had multiple interviews. She was originally in a contract role, and I was her boss. She expressed interest in wanting to work there full-time, so I let the boss know. I recommended her into a specialist role. She was good at it, but not ready to be the boss. He straight up gave her my job when I quit. And from what I was told, I don’t want to know how much she’s getting paid.
So someone who didn’t even interview into the company is now in charge of a group of people. Since I managed her, I can honestly say she hadn’t even mastered the skills of her job—but now she oversees that entire department.