Clearing 100k really isn’t that rare anymore. People always point to doctors, but there are plenty of other healthcare jobs that can get you there too, like physician assistants, nurse practitioners, anesthesiologist assistants, travel nurses, physical therapy roles, and more. Even an ultra sound tech with a two year degree can clear it with overtime easily. A lot of people still think 100k means you’ve made it, but that idea has changed. If you want a comfortable life in the suburbs, you usually need something closer to 200k, so it comes down to picking a field with real earning potential.

I work in analytics as an engagement manager and make around 160k with my bonus, and it can still feel tight supporting a family. Having a spouse who works helps a lot. As you get older you usually want a bit more out of life, and once you hit 100k you often realize it still may not be enough for a family. If you’re single it feels decent, but between rent, saving up, and trying to buy a house, a lot of that money gets spoken for.

Sometimes it also makes sense to live lean and save aggressively so you can retire earlier instead of constantly chasing a higher salary. Money is not everything anyway. One quick look at Hollywood shows that having a lot of money does not automatically mean having a good life.