$60k sounds about right, although I know a couple blue collars (not plumbers, but no white-collar track professional development) that get closer than that to w

$60k sounds about right, although I know a couple blue collars (not plumbers, but no white-collar track professional development) that get closer than that to what I make. But on the other hand, my rent is $500/mo, and they have mortgages and families. Media overestimates how good the blue-collar middle class are doing sometimes (and other groups, when/if they're employed) thanks to wonky calculus like you've mentioned.