in our society, there seems a general rule that, the more obviously one’s work benefits other people, the less one is likely to be paid for it.

Fact-checking doesn't get much easier.

  Median wages, 2015
            Occupation
  
  $187,200+ Anesthesiologists
  $187,200+ Internists, General
  $187,200+ Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  $187,200+ Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  $187,200+ Orthodontists
  $187,200+ Physicians and Surgeons, All Other
  $187,200+ Psychiatrists
  $187,200+ Surgeons
  $184,400  Family and General Practitioners
  $175,100  Chief Executives
  $171,000  Dentists, All Other Specialists
  $170,300  Pediatricians, General
  $157,100  Nurse Anesthetists
  $152,700  Dentists, General
  $132,800  Architectural and Engineering Managers
  $131,600  Computer and Information Systems Managers
  $130,000  Petroleum Engineers
  $128,800  Marketing Managers
  $126,900  Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
  $122,900  Air Traffic Controllers
  $121,500  Pharmacists
  $120,200  Natural Sciences Managers
  $119,700  Prosthodontists
  $119,300  Podiatrists
  $118,000  Financial Managers

source