I never passed $175k in annual comp as a corporate worker. Rrecently retired, I now earn about $600k annually via various investment returns. With my modest earning, I never imagined I would be so wealthy later in life.

Talk about self selected skew with the posts on this board.

As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Middle Manager in the United States is $81,902 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, a Middle Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range: Top Earners (90th percentile): $104,890.

—Have run my own consulting business for the last 12 years
—Annual compensation ranges from $350-400k
—No travel since COVID, 100% WFH, work 20 hrs/week on average
—Been in this field for 21 years

Anonymous wrote:Small real estate developer with 2 multi unit projects built from scratch. 380k gross taxes close to zero

I want to be like you! Not impressed by any of these rat race, temporary paychecks.

Mid size private pharma company lawyer. 325k base and varying bonuses depending on company performance. This year will be about 625k all in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Small real estate developer with 2 multi unit projects built from scratch. 380k gross taxes close to zero

Bonus depreciation?

lol

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In house lawyer:
Base: $275
Annual bonus: $130
LTI: $125
Retention: $40k

What industry/company size is this? I'm jealous.

Big 5 defense contractor. I’m a manager too.

Anonymous wrote:Role: Data analyst at mid size firm
Years of Experience: 16
Income: 108k

Wow shockingly low. Start looking for a new job TODAY.

Role: Data analyst at mid size firm
Years of Experience: 16
Income: 108k

I lead a talent acquistion team in the govcon space, but it's a very small team and I also pull my weight with soucing/recruiting. I make $170k + ~$15k bonus, + equity + 7 weeks of vacation and company-paid medical benefits.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Director at a tech company one level below FAANG in non tech; non customer facing role.

Base: $200K
Bonus: 20%
RSU: $150K/yr

What is one level below faang in nontech?

How do you match levels between tech and non tech?

Engineering in tech has a completely different pay scale. You could be a technical program manager on a coding team and you'll be compensated as an engineer. You could also be a TPM for in house IT support and you'll be compensated on the non tech scale. Same job title; same general words in the JD except one side makes the product the company needs to sell and the other side is just overhead.

You can't match salaries between tech and non tech.

Anonymous wrote:Director at a tech company one level below FAANG in non tech; non customer facing role.

Base: $200K
Bonus: 20%
RSU: $150K/yr

What is one level below faang in nontech?

How do you match levels between tech and non tech?

Anonymous wrote:Small real estate developer with 2 multi unit projects built from scratch. 380k gross taxes close to zero

Bonus depreciation?

Head of division at midsize privately held company. 25 years of experience.
Base $400k
Bonus $150k

Reasonable hours and little work travel required. Generally satisfied with comp though my role is about one level from what I assume will be my career ceiling. I’m on slightly lower end of average for my title and industry but on the very high end of compensation in my field overall. So at this point I would rather get a nice bonus in a good year than dramatically higher base pay to ensure I continue to look like a good deal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In-house lawyer
$465k (including everything)
expensive coastal location.
Underpaid for what I do.
20 years experience. Inckudes big law.

Very similar except for the expensive coastal location. I don’t think I’m underpaid.

The cost of living factor might be the big difference here. I'd be happier with my $465k if I lived somewhere cheaper. I mean, it is still good, but it would be super great in some mid sized medium cost of living place. My quality of life is not great either. I grind pretty hard in an expensive place.

Oh for the love, get over yourself. I live in NOVA and we earn 200k less and do just fine. Sheesh.

DP here. Are you a lawyer who consistently works more than 40 hours a week at $hitty and often unpredictable times?
Is it common for you to be late for an/or miss dinner and kids activities and weekend events? Do you routinely work on vacation? I’ve been married to a lawyer for 20+ years and the only people who get it are other similar lawyers and their spouses. Don’t let your kids go to law school.

Lawyers are not the only ones. My spouse is a government SES and has many similar schedule issues, all for $200k.

Yep, I do this for the federal government for the low, low price of $210k, no bonus.