Irony!
Its the very low pay associated with freighters that has caused the shortage of freighter pilots. Ironically its this very low pay that will help attract new joiners, especially in the states. When faced with a 12-13 year wait for CX pax command, the low pay and conditions for freighter command make it possible for people to apply and get a slot at the 2-3 year mark as 2 recent examples have proven. So whilst the pay is low it will act as a potential inducement for new joiners as they will assume they can get a command in 2-4 years.