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> $55k a year

This is actually a LOT. My mother who even has a PHD and works as a teacher only makes 16.8k per year.

it's not, it's slightly lower than the gdp per capita for the US.

Don't confuse mean with median. Someone earning the mean will be well above the median (i.e. earning more than most people) because the mean is skewed by the very well off.

I wasn't arguing that it was the mean, I was arguing that it's not a lot.

$55k is just under the median 'household' income ($59k), so it may not be a lot, but it's more than a lot of people have.

Median household income in the U. S. is $56K. In this case, the point stands...kinda.

But you're right, GDP isn't the way to measure, as GDP has been going up more than income. Which means someone is skimming, but that's a different discussion.

making $55k a year

Median household income in the U. S. is $56K.

So the person is making the same amount as the median 'household'.

if your mother has a PhD and only makes $17k/year, Its because she WANTS to in that She would rather do her job where she is at than move (geographically or career orientation-ally). People working fast food can make more than that.

Moving and finding a job in another country is not something trivial, especially if you get 17k/year.

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