The Standard practice as insult is to compare paychecks to degrade the other person.

it is a low and uncalled for blow... My Dad does it all the time towards anyone he doesn't like. Most of the time it's kept behind closed doors (the comments) but if it does brew out, the first thing a Cantonese person cheap shots is how deep your wallet is compared to his, or a member of his family.
It really pisses me off, because sometimes my parents judge my friends and their families in that manner where there will ALWAYS ask, WHAT SCHOOL DID YOUR FRIEND COME FROM, HOW MUCH or WHAT DOES HIS FAMILY DO...ending with... DON'T HANG OUT WITH THEM! Why not hang out with your friend who is a lawyer---type of thing.