Is it true that recruiters will just give you with jobs, without you even applying for anything (USA)?

I got my most recent job by sending out hundreds of applications...

But I was reading about how many people get jobs just by posting their resume on job boards and waiting for recruiters to contact them.

So is that true, that you can just wait for jobs to come to you? Why does everyone say you need to apply to jobs then?

I'm asking because an idea occurred to me: Do mostly poor companies post jobs on job boards, because they can't afford to pay a recruiter?

Like I noticed that most jobs I applied for, never offered more than 30-40K in salary. Even Walmart pays that much in lots of states...

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