... in all its glory (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Principle): You accept a managerial position only to discover that you either suck at it or are unhappy in it (or both, the former leading to the latter).

Here are a few reasons why it's hard to get a raise once you reach a certain pay grade:
- there is some kind of scale or ceiling that management is very hesitant to break for fear of creating a precedent
- management being perceived as more important or more glamorous, it is difficult to justify higher salaries for managed people than for their manager
- a manager that was promoted from a technical function may feel threatened if you become better at your job than he/she can ever hope to be

Even if your market value is higher, what are you worth where you are? In other words, what is your perceived value in relation to your surroundings?

Often, once your reach the top pay grade, whatever your technical expertise, this is the end of the road. Then, the only solution is to move to another employer. But it's hard to do after 10, 15 or 20 years, when you have accumulated retirement, vacation weeks, and other priviledges.

One more thought: cemeteries are full of indispensable people...