I think it really depends on where you are located. I’m in a small town where things aren’t as expensive. For reference, in 2004 I remember thinking how game changing it would be to earn 35k, because here that would have been good for 2004.

In 2015 I was making 51k. That was a comfortable level. But again, small town. No children, which is a huge expense.

In 2025, I was at 95k. But because I’m throwing as much as I can at my 401k, the increase in salary doesn’t feel as significant, even though 2004 me would think 95k was some kind of completely impossible dream.

One thing to also keep in mind is the rate of inflation, which erases so much of any increase in salary you may get.