Tech People Making $100k a Year On the Rise, Again 193
Nerval's Lobster (2598977) writes "Last month, a report suggested that Austin has the highest salaries for tech workers (after factoring in the cost of living), followed by Atlanta, Denver, Boston, and Silicon Valley. Now, a new report (yes, from Dice, because it gathers this sort of data from tech workers) suggests that more tech people are earning six figures a year than ever. Some 32 percent of full-time tech pros took home more than $100,000 in 2013, according to the findings, up from 30 percent in 2012 and 26 percent in 2011. For contractors, the data is even better: In 2013, a staggering 54 percent of them earned more than $100,000 a year, up from 51 percent the previous year and 50 percent in 2011. How far that money goes depends on where you live, of course, but it does seem like a growing number of the world's tech workers are earning a significant amount of cash."
In 1970... (Score:2, Interesting)
Now, roughly equivalent cars cost* 3 month salary and similar homes are 5-10 years of my income - even well north of 100k.
* on-the-road price post taxes/fees etc
I'm doing OK, but I have MUCH less disposable income that he did AND I'm working 25% longer hours in a far higher stress environment.
Re:Austin, great but not my kind of town... (Score:3, Interesting)
LOL ... so, it's not unlike the rest of the world, but entirely unlike Texas?
I've never been to Texas, but this sounds like the rest of Texas is quite boring, and not someplace most of the rest of the world would enjoy.
Kind of like Deliverance or something.
Re:Austin, great but not my kind of town... (Score:2, Interesting)
LOL ... so, it's not unlike the rest of the world, but entirely unlike Texas?
Well, I've lived in Texas nearly 20 years in three different places, Austin was one of them. And to answer your question, yes, Austin is vastly different than just about any other place I've been in Texas. In fact, it reminds me more of the west coast (where I've lived too) than Texas. I'd warn you, that Austin has it's own special kind of weirdness, mostly because of the University that sits right next to the capital building, but some folks like it.
Austin has some really unique things in it, starting with the pinkish marble capital building all the way down to the people that wonder around on South Congress watching the bats and beyond. It's something to experience, to be sure, but it wasn't my cup of tea.
Re:$100k today the equivalent of $80k in 2004 (Score:5, Interesting)
Oddly, I seem to exemplify this. I was on track up until the financial crisis then chaos ensued. But if we look at where I was in 2004 making ~$80k, then went higher, then back down at the crisis, and comparing my standard of living to now, it's completely the same. I have the same small house, paid-off car (but not the same paid off car) and the same or worse lifestyle. The only real difference is the economy is shakier and anyone can lose their job at any time. I know, it happened to me twice last year, despite stellar reviews. I spend way less money at the bar and I hardly eat out. The only positive is I am 10 years more into a mortgage. But I did get a dog.
Treading water, I'm doing it right.
This is all despite a very energetic attitude, high work ethic, and high work drive. I'm trying to get ahead. Even my dog has a higher work ethic than most people. But I'm still delightfully average. And even less secure than ever.
Re:$100K is not "living the life" (Score:4, Interesting)
As said, it depends on the location. Making 100K in Silicon Valley will not get you a nice house and good schools unless you commute an hour to work and another hour home.
6 figures has always been misleading, but today I fear it's more misleading. Those that live in middle class are in 6 figures even if barely. The low end of 6 figures is generally a 2 family income now, which means that a parent could be a stay at home parent. You are not out buying houses and boats on that (at least not without accumulating lots of debt) and not really living the "good life". You are going to be "middle class" with the trimmings of 'middle class'.
That same 6 figure bracket holds the guys making 990K. The difference a middle class 2 person family income and being just shy of a millionaire is huge!