A New Survey Has Found the "Perfect Salary" for the Average American
These days, getting ANY job is a win. But imagine that three companies offered you three different salaries for basically the exact same job. They are: A.) $55,000 . . . B.) $74,000 . . . and C.) $215,000.
I bet I know which one you'd accept: B.) $74,000. (???)
According to a report, the average American says the perfect salary is $74,000.
It's unclear why the "perfect" amount isn't higher . . . especially with how expensive everything is right now . . . but it's possible they were just asking for the sweet spot where you'd be able to make ends meet comfortably.
That said, 19% of people say they'd need to make at least $100K. And about HALF of employed Americans say they should be making MORE to support their lifestyle. 24% of people say they're "unhappy" with their current salary.
69% of Americans are looking for ways to make extra money . . . and 32% of people are interested in starting a side hustle. And 29% of those in the survey already have a side hustle.
(Obviously, $74,000 stretches further in some places than others, and it's also highly dependent on age, family dynamics, and lifestyle. What would YOUR "perfect" salary be?)
(Speaking of the economy, an advertisement from 1996 is going viral, for predicting today's prices.)
(It says, "They say in 30 years a burger and fries could cost $16 . . . a vacation, $12,500 . . . and a basic car, $65,000." Which is NOT FAR OFF.)
(It was an ad for TIAA, a financial planning company serving teachers.)
Originally posted on August 21st, 2025