Well duh, its only cognitive dissonance if you accept the premise of the argument. I am challenging the premise itself ! The claim that unless you are paid a certain amount you cannot derive enjoyment from your work is silly.

Obtaining financial security while giving up the additional value of your work to your employer is the basis of every single company under a capitalist model. Also keep in mind that this is all theory. I doubt anyone can accurately quantify the value their individual work brings to the company. This value will fluctuate from month to month, week to week, year to year. And if the company briefly goes into loss you might be adding negative value ! So does that mean one week you love your job, next week you hate it? I mean.. seriously.. the argument as it stands does not pass the smell test.