Anyone taking a startup job on a 50-60% of a normal salary without several percent of the shares is doing themselves a massive disfavour.
Most of my startup jobs have paid market rate. The shares and options have compensated for the risk, not a lower salary.
I'm sure some accept lower salaries, and certainly the salaries won't be comparable with the very top end of the market, but most people don't work in the top end of the market.
A startup that tried talking me into a massive cut without offering me basically founder-level share amounts would be an instant red flag.