That's why there's a "high" and "low" end of the salary survey numbers. Any corporate pilot living in an area with higher than average cost of living should be demanding higher than average pay. Ideally, a GV captain living in LA or NYC shouldn't be making 150k a year, they should be making 180k. I know of Gulfstream guys in California clearing in excess of 200k a year. Not saying it always happens that way but in a perfect world it should. That being said, there's always a short sided wh@re willing to fly your airplane for less than you are to get a type rating or hours. Pilots are our own worst enemies.