My dad was a programmer and I'm a programmer. I don't think I'll ever make a salary as high as he did[1], and that's in absolute dollars. Yet, my quality of life is definitely better. I take vacations all over the world. I can look up any fact I want instantly on the internet. I work from home 3 days a week. I've easily cured maladies that were huge nuisances when he was my age.

You're right that macroeconomic indicators don't seem to tell the story, but I can't square my experience with your claim.

1. He has a Master of Physics, I don't have a degree.