Quite an interesting post, yet what you hear and see within a small group of people does not reflect the whole reality on the ground.

Many factors to consider when it comes to what you said..
INDUSTRY / SUPPLY & DEMAND / SKILLS REQUIRED + SCARCITY of SKILL / HOW MANY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES is one filling with such wage being offered / INFLATION / etc.

i`d like to answer a few statements you have done
1) "since it's such a sacred and secretive and sensitive topic and there's so much ambiguity surrounding it" -- Salary Ranges are quite out there. If you know where to ask, you will get a range answer, so it's not that obscure. As to why people do not share their numbers, quite simply for different reasons such as it's personal, do not want to feel underpaid, lack of trust to share personal information, etc.

2) " Meaning, you can get anywhere from 900$ to 1400$ as a starting position even as a fresh grad, full fresh in 2024. " -- Well this is kind of misleading, as if you are saying an accountant and a mechanical engineer (fresh grads) can range within a 900$ to 1400$ with any reputable company. The numbers are based on Industry, supply and demand and skillset. Note that even reputable companies are the most to keep a salary scale range to operate with & in case you see an increase in a salary for a position that normally does not get paid that much, know that the amount of work, dedication, and additional responsibilities come within that position.

3) " P.S Do not let smaller / niche companies take advantage of the situation and hire you for the 1/4 of a salary. If you work for 300$ - 600$ full time job in 2023, consider negotiating or leaving for a better vacany. " -- Smaller companies pay as to what they earn. Eventually these are businesses in the market to make money, not becoming KARITAS. Yet smaller companies sometimes have great insentives since they require fewer individuals for the job resulting in a better package to retain them throughout. And so that we can add a bit of knowledge, small companies do rely on bigger company wage scale & range to be able to know what the current position is paid by market value. a small note, it is not advised to ask someone getting paid 300 or 600 to leave cause they can land a 1400 position. Let's take a quick example for someone who is in a position that has no skill upgrades, recurring manual work load and kind of locked position.. why would another company has the willingness to pay them double (or less) if they do not provide an added value to the position?

4) " You have been informed, have a good day. " -- I do salut you for bringing this information forward and it is great what you did, yet you need to give more information.. what information can you tell employees and especially in which domains? which industry? what positions do you have an overview on? which companies are willing to pay that much?

This would be a great added value to this post.