Is an annual salary of $43,000 good for a 29 year old?

[Anonymous]

I dont have kids
I have student loans
I have an apartment
A car I have $1,000 left to pay off

What you think

[MCheetah]

Not really, no. That's average. Technically, 7K above average, but still in the realm of it. I'm 34 and make almost that much here in Korea. I could make as much as you, but would involve hard work and having to rent my own apartment. So I chose a lower paying job that pays for my housing and some days, I only work three hours a week. I'm on salary as full time, but my actual teaching is only three hours on certain low-student days, like Friday. So right now, I'm only earning ₩ 32,192,748 a year ($27,000 a year, in US money), but with much more freedom and flexibility. But plenty of other teachers earn ₩ 50,000,000 a year if they're willing to be HI's (Head Instructors) and basically give up their social life to teach. Which I don't want to do!

So I'd say $43,000 a year is pretty typical for a late 20s/early 30s worker. Just slightly higher than the national median, in the US.

[MCheetah]

*and some weeks, I only work three hours a day.

[Asker]

Wow awesome. Thanks for the info

[normalice]

I suppose it depends on where you live. But not really, overall.

Also, renting is an awful idea. You're just buying someone else's house for them. Save 10k or so for a down payment for a house of your own, in my opinion. 43k is probably enough for that, again depending on where you are.

[Asker]

I wasn't ready to own a house. But after renting for 2 years I think I'm more responsible. I was just nervous. Its going to cost more if something breaks in a house.

[normalice]

It can be expensive but you quickly learn that you don't get in any trouble if you fix things yourself. Or destroy them while trying to fix them.

[exitseven]

It depends where you live. If you live in a high tax state with crazy property values it is not much. If you live somewhere else it may be a good salary.

[ArrowheadSW]

Part of it depends on how much the rent is for your apartment. Also, it is a big plus if you get medical and dental insurance.

[ManHater]

Not really. When I was 29 I made my first $142.534.00 I suppose but it depends on your expenses.

[Redstang88]

Depends where you live, but not really

[Asker]

How much you make?

[Redstang88]

A lot more than 43

[In_Trance]

Depends what's expected of you to earn that money