$80,000 Gross Per Year - What Kind Of Lifestyle In Chicago? (sales, 2013)

[makes no sense at all]

You'd get even more than $150K in SF these days.

[emathias]

"Tech-related" can mean a lot of things, and doesn't necessarily mean he'd be able to command $120k/year.

To answer Jesse's question: I first made >$80k/year when I was about 26 and I've never made less than that since. That was 15 years ago, so $80k went a lot further then than it does now. Using an inflation calculator, I've made the equivalent of or greater than $80k in 2015 dollars since 1998, when I was 25. I was a unix sysadmin, then a software configuration manager, then a software build engineer and am now a senior software release engineer, which requires a mix of technical and managerial skills and which I enjoy a lot, but is a pretty niche role. There are plenty of software developers, though, who do earn at least $80k/year - it's definitely not a hard target to reach if you're a halfway decent developer and want money (as opposed to pension or perks or a strict 9-5 schedule).

[ChiGuy2.5]

Originally Posted by emathias

"Tech-related" can mean a lot of things, and doesn't necessarily mean he'd be able to command $120k/year.

To answer Jesse's question: I first made >$80k/year when I was about 26 and I've never made less than that since. That was 15 years ago, so $80k went a lot further then than it does now. Using an inflation calculator, I've made the equivalent of or greater than $80k in 2015 dollars since 1998, when I was 25. I was a unix sysadmin, then a software configuration manager, then a software build engineer and am now a senior software release engineer, which requires a mix of technical and managerial skills and which I enjoy a lot, but is a pretty niche role. There are plenty of software developers, though, who do earn at least $80k/year - it's definitely not a hard target to reach if you're a halfway decent developer and want money (as opposed to pension or perks or a strict 9-5 schedule).

This ^

I am in a tech related role however I don't program or develop. I deploy e-commerce campaigns which does pay a little less as opposed to being a coder. The fact that I manage so many people while also producing myself is why I think I am underpaid. Overall though I enjoy my job right now. Even if I could make 100K or more I don't think I would leave.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

This ^

I am in a tech related role however I don't program or develop. I deploy e-commerce campaigns which does pay a little less as opposed to being a coder. The fact that I manage so many people while also producing myself is why I think I am underpaid. Overall though I enjoy my job right now. Even if I could make 100K or more I don't think I would leave.

I guess I assumed you were managing something else. Dumb of me since I'm in the tech field too, but you're right..

[jonnynonos]

People be nuts! I know people who live in NY on $30k a year. Would it suck? Yes. Is it possible? Yes.

Once you control your rent and car you can always get everything else under control --restaurants, clothes, etc. -- even in NY, let alone Chicago.

It's not like there aren't more affordable places to shop and spend your time.

[M_Life]

I'd say pretty comfortable living at 80k but probably not easy to save a lot. I'm sure, as others have mentioned, depends what field you and your friends are in and the lifestyles they prefer. I have chosen to work in finance, where everyone with 5+ years of experience clears 200k pretty easily (with bonuses), and starting salaries for college grads is 60-70 (rough hours albeit). At the same time, people tend to spend money like crazy when you're in your mid-late 20's making that kind of money. At the end of the day, neither is right or wrong, just choose to live the life you prefer and enjoy the ride!

[reneeh63]

....set aside 10% (or more) for your 401(k)...you won't regret it.

[jonnynonos]

Originally Posted by M_Life

I'd say pretty comfortable living at 80k but probably not easy to save a lot. I'm sure, as others have mentioned, depends what field you and your friends are in and the lifestyles they prefer. I have chosen to work in finance, where everyone with 5+ years of experience clears 200k pretty easily (with bonuses), and starting salaries for college grads is 60-70 (rough hours albeit). At the same time, people tend to spend money like crazy when you're in your mid-late 20's making that kind of money. At the end of the day, neither is right or wrong, just choose to live the life you prefer and enjoy the ride!

LOL. No it isn't. The average salary for a manager is about $80k.

[M_Life]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

LOL. No it isn't. The average salary for a manager is about $80k.

I could have been more specific, but I'm more speaking about banking & alternative investments.

[jonnynonos]

Originally Posted by M_Life

I could have been more specific, but I'm more speaking about banking & alternative investments.

I suppose if you have the right background and at some firms, until the market crashes again.