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Hmmm, for the past 6 years I've basically seen my income go up faster than inflation. Honestly, for a software dev position, entry level is a comfortable level

Hmmm, for the past 6 years I've basically seen my income go up faster than inflation. Honestly, for a software dev position, entry level is a comfortable level of living (50k+) as long as it keeps up with inflation for me which it has. This makes me wonder if we are comparing apples to oranges, which is why I wish there would be studies which were position to position. Or, once software developers become too numerous, I'll be stuck in the same position. I guess I really, really should consider a side business that I can transition into a full time living [that isn't contracting] at where a gatekeeper/employer isn't responsible for my income. Thanks

bane 12y ago
It also depends where you live. In my neck of the woods $50k is probably an okay living for a single person. A couple will want to have more like $70-75k. Throw in some kids and you're pretty quickly north of $100k. I'm not talking fancy living, just decent apartment in a nice area, regular sedan, eat out once in a while and have enough for a road-trip vacation out of state once a year kind of life. People manage to do it on far less, but most of my friends dealing with this dream of renting an apartment at all without a cosigner (most rent out of somebody else's home), drive strings of used cars in bad shape, never take vacation, eat crap food at home 3 meals a day 7 days a week, and have major financial emergencies over any unexpected expense that's over $200. That's a $30k/yr life. The ones in the $40k/yr range usually are true of all the above, but rent a small apartment, have a reliable used car, and have major financial emergencies when the unexpected expense hits $350-500. It hurts that we're in pretty much the most highly educated part of the country statistically, surrounded by six of the ten richest counties in America. The competition here is pretty intense.
- opendais 12y ago
  Maybe I am just hitting the lucky spot in terms of industry, occupation, and location then. I just hope I can maintain it then :)

bane 12y ago

It also depends where you live. In my neck of the woods $50k is probably an okay living for a single person. A couple will want to have more like $70-75k. Throw in some kids and you're pretty quickly north of $100k. I'm not talking fancy living, just decent apartment in a nice area, regular sedan, eat out once in a while and have enough for a road-trip vacation out of state once a year kind of life. People manage to do it on far less, but most of my friends dealing with this dream of renting an apartment at all without a cosigner (most rent out of somebody else's home), drive strings of used cars in bad shape, never take vacation, eat crap food at home 3 meals a day 7 days a week, and have major financial emergencies over any unexpected expense that's over $200. That's a $30k/yr life. The ones in the $40k/yr range usually are true of all the above, but rent a small apartment, have a reliable used car, and have major financial emergencies when the unexpected expense hits $350-500. It hurts that we're in pretty much the most highly educated part of the country statistically, surrounded by six of the ten richest counties in America. The competition here is pretty intense.

opendais 12y ago
Maybe I am just hitting the lucky spot in terms of industry, occupation, and location then. I just hope I can maintain it then :)