“Low wage workers negotiate nothing. They have to take what the employer offers with no real opportunity to bargain.”
Then it’s up to them to improve what they have to offer to something better. There is no opportunity to bargain for some jobs because there are a lot of other people willing to take the job. Supply and demand: those who earn more have more to offer; if you want more, it’s up to you to offer more.
THIS is why some earn a lot more than others: whatever the situation, they take whatever opportunities they can to edge out the competition - and there are a LOT of opportunities out there.
Want higher pay? Are you spending every spare minute improving your skills, or watching TV?
Only because there are a lot of people that are in a position to have to take that crappy job for low pay through outside circumstances, i.e. medical bills, student bills, etc. If some of that pressure was relieved more people would have the opportunity to better themselves or hold out for better wages.
Supply and demand: those who earn more have more to offer; if you want more, it’s up to you to offer more.
That's not necessarily true. Many times it's connections, not abilities, that allow you to earn the really high wages.