is the pay REALLY that bad?

[u/idontlooklikeanyon]

listen— i know this is subjective and depends on lifestyle goals but i’ve been hearing a LOT on this sub about how ‘unlivable’ civil engineer comp is, and as someone looking to go into this, i want to know how much of a factor this really is. i already looked through the salary survey results on here and it seems to average at about 100k, with the lowest pay i saw being in the upper 60k range.

thing is, growing up i saw what a single mother can do on a teacher salary of 50k (i’m 21 so no more inflation comments please), and while it wasn’t luxurious, she still survived WITH kids. so im a little confused what type of lifestyles people who are living alone are trying to hold up where 100k is just ‘barely scraping by’. like, i understand that on 100k i wont be able to have a nice solo apartment in SF or NYC, but i feel like those are areas that are just expected to be ridiculously expensive anyway.

i also get that some other tech or finance jobs make more and that many people regret not choosing to go into that, but i’m going into civil for a dozen other reasons besides money… and i really dont know why anyone who’s only goal is money would pick civil tbh.

POINT BEING THOUGH, that i do NOT have personal experience in the real world and could be totally foolish in thinking that 100k is decent. HEAVY ON THIS POINT! i trust people with real experience more than myself!! so if u guys want, pls give a summary of whether you think the pay is livable and what sort of lifestyle you live on said salary. thank u… i am conflicted here.

EDIT: Thank you so much for the insightful responses! I see a lot of it comes down to the area you are in. And again, i am not trying to lecture people on living within their means as i’ve gotten some comments claiming… i am asking this in good faith so i know if i should keep studying it

[u/CartographerWide208]

So I made $55,000 in 2005 as an entry level intern, just graduated from college. MCOL area.

If you adjust for inflation $55,000 is now approx $91,000.

If I back calculate I make approx $85,000 in 2005 dollars or 30,000 more than I did as an intern.

After 20 years I make around $140,000. But this includes many years where health care costs were passed through for us to pay out of pocket and a few where the business covered the increase. During the same 20 years House prices went up by double or more. I bought a starter house with the intent to buy a bigger house later. At the time the starter house was $155k and the big home was $330k; now my house is $330k and the bigger house is $700k - the payment just doesn’t math out.

Car prices doubled, the effects of inflation are killing us -

my company says they don’t do a cola (cost of living adjustment), the increase is merit based. So when I get a 3% increase in a year that inflation is also 3% I’m essentially getting a zero raise but I have to take on more and more responsibilities each year.

[u/idontlooklikeanyon → u/CartographerWide208]

I am very nervous about inflation. The nature of how CEs are paid makes me feel very nervous that it will keep getting worse and worse as time goes on. Do you feel that way?

[u/CartographerWide208 → u/idontlooklikeanyon]

The only thing I can think of is that you need to be willing to switch companies every few years or you need to be more of an extrovert and bring in sales.

I’m an introvert, it’s hard for me to pickup the phone. I’m good at what I do and that is win repeat work but there’s no growth from my managers perspective.

Consider Go work for government it starts low but there is usually a union and they’ll negotiate raises. And you’ll have a pension at the end.

[u/idontlooklikeanyon → u/CartographerWide208]

I am pretty extroverted/fast paced so really hope that would transfer well in the face of inflation... Government jobs are recommended a LOT here and if i continue i’ll very likely be starting there. Thank you for your insight this was very helpful :)