Without a credible threat of losing you, employers will almost always try to keep you complacent with a token carrot. Remember that a fair price for your labor is determined by the market; not just your current employer. It's good practice to assess your alternatives from time to time even if just to keep yourself informed on that price.
Discussion
Yes for sure. Been down this rabbit hole for a while. The funny thing is that I have local options to market my skills but I know from talking to others at those companies that the same ceiling exists. And the jobs themselves at those companies are nowhere near as enjoyable as my current scope of work most days. So I do have that going for me. It’s a fun job with no direct supervision.
Shame on me for ever believing the lie employment would get me anywhere. Go to school, get a six figure job, get a house. It’s a zero sum hamster wheel. I should have gone to trade school. At least I could be earning more sats and keeping things off the books.