If you find & implement tools that bring in more revenue or demonstrate significant cost savings, you demonstrate your value to the company, and can justify a salary increase--whether or not you're in a CXO role.

Now, if your employer is unwilling/unable to pay you what you're worth, then you always have other options.

Believing you have to stay at a job or company--or even in a particular industry or field--limits your options, and doesn't necessarily reflect reality. Compare & test your assumptions to find out what's possible.

I'm not saying it's always easy. But, the world is filled with opportunity once you start looking. If one door doesn't open when you knock, try a different door, or make your own door.