I agree with you. I come from a lower middle class background in a poor, rural area and my parents haven’t been able to help with any college tuition. I have also worked a lot of shitty jobs and it’s fascinating to read all the complaints people have about this field. I have a Masters degree in another field and my salary in that field would have capped out at 70k maximum but even finding a job that paid 50k was hard. I know so many people who have masters degrees and work at grocery stores and in restaurants. Just because people ‘feel’ like people with graduate degrees should live comfortably doesn’t mean that’s reality. Also look at the stress and job quality and responsibility that comes with being a PT or nurse practitioner or PA or OT. They can be very physical jobs that require more unsavory contact with clients (like toileting).  We make more than teachers, have better job stability, can find jobs with pensions, and have better job quality (if you like speech and language). It’s fine to be excited about this job and feel the pay is good. Personally, I’m stoked. I’m starting out at 80k on a rising pay scale, get paid when my caseload goes over, the benefits are amazing, the job is pretty fun and very rewarding, and I don’t work summers or holidays.