Asking whether a salary of $120,000 would be considered 'average' might not be the most politically correct question, particularly when many Australians are grappling with rising living costs.

This was the experience of a single mother who found herself in a situation where she was offered a job with an annual salary of $120,000. She anonymously posted her dilemma on a popular Facebook group, seeking advice by asking whether she should 'aim higher'.

But she was shocked when the Facebook group members received the question negatively, with many calling her 'rude' and 'insensitive'.

'For someone earning $120k, you certainly have zero dollars in common sense to answer your own question,' commented one user on her post.

'What a stupid question. Could you be any more tone deaf?' added another.

Others, though, went for the more humourous approach with comments like: 'You should be earning that in your sleep by 25!' and 'Definitely aim higher. Most people earn about $370k working three days a week for 12 months of the year.'

A single mother was called 'rude' and 'insensitive' for asking if a $120,000 salary is 'average', given the current cost of living crisis. Credit: Unsplash.

But amid the snarky retorts, there was some genuine advice for the mum.

'Try not to worry too much about where it is at relative to the average as the average really means nothing,' wrote one commenter.

'Always aim higher in your next move, be it salary negotiation or moving jobs or roles, so it gives you more buffer, especially as a single parent.'

The mum did not disclose the number of her children.

Based on research conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), it was found that Australia's average weekly full-time salary was $1,838 in May 2023, and the average weekly earnings for full-time workers differed across various regions.

The highest earnings were observed in Western Australia ($2,039) and the Australian Capital Territory ($2,028), while the lowest was recorded in Tasmania ($1,619) and South Australia ($1,678).

In terms of industries, employees in the mining sector earned the highest average weekly wage, amounting to $2,854 for full-time workers. This was followed by individuals working in information media and telecommunications ($2,318) and professional, scientific and technical services ($2,171).

Conversely, the accommodation and food services ($1,347) and other services ($1,383) industries had the lowest average earnings for full-time workers.

Furthermore, the ABS Wage Price Index indicated a notable increase in wage growth, with a rise of 3.6 per cent over a year.

Key Takeaways

• A single mother has been criticised for asking if a $120,000 salary is 'average', with critics accusing her of being 'tone deaf' and insensitive given the current cost of living crisis.
• Her question, posed in an Australian Facebook group, received a backlash, with many stating she lacked common sense or was being rude.
• Despite the criticism, some users provided helpful advice, highlighting that the acceptability of a salary can depend on personal circumstances and aspirations.
• According to ABS, Australia's average weekly full-time salary was $1,838 in May 2023, with significant variances across different states and industries.

Overall, this situation raises a valid question: Is it okay to ask if $120,000 is an 'average' wage in such a time? Is it insensitive to inquire about the average wage in today's landscape?

We are sure there are different opinions on this matter, and we would love to hear what you think, members. Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

 

[Aussie all the Way]

What a thick head, I only know one person on $120k a year and they are highly trained medical professional, the average wage is more likely $90k for the normal everyday worker, don't forget they take Lawyers, doctors and professional people into the equation I think even Politicians which we all know get paid a ridiculous amount of money for what they do. Get off your arse and take the job.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Wow has wages gone up that much since I last worked 3 years ago ?

Is that actually correct figures.

The lowest weekly wage being $1619 in Tasmania.
I thought the average wage was $25 an hour which equals .

8 hours a day $25 X 8 = $200

$200 X 5 days = $1,000

Not sure their figures are based on an average wage

 

[Suzanne rose]

My son inlaw is on $130,000 a year and he is an electrical engineer

 

[Pudpye]

My son earns $175,000.00 as a Traffic controller (stop go sign) on the northern ring road for a 35 hour week with allowances. Great to work on a union site.

 

[Jest]

Asking whether a salary of $120,000 would be considered 'average' might not be the most politically correct question, particularly when many Australians are grappling with rising living costs.

This was the experience of a single mother who found herself in a situation where she was offered a job with an annual salary of $120,000. She anonymously posted her dilemma on a popular Facebook group, seeking advice by asking whether she should 'aim higher'.

But she was shocked when the Facebook group members received the question negatively, with many calling her 'rude' and 'insensitive'.

'For someone earning $120k, you certainly have zero dollars in common sense to answer your own question,' commented one user on her post.

'What a stupid question. Could you be any more tone deaf?' added another.

Others, though, went for the more humourous approach with comments like: 'You should be earning that in your sleep by 25!' and 'Definitely aim higher. Most people earn about $370k working three days a week for 12 months of the year.'

View attachment 28466

A single mother was called 'rude' and 'insensitive' for asking if a $120,000 salary is 'average', given the current cost of living crisis. Credit: Unsplash.

But amid the snarky retorts, there was some genuine advice for the mum.

'Try not to worry too much about where it is at relative to the average as the average really means nothing,' wrote one commenter.

'Always aim higher in your next move, be it salary negotiation or moving jobs or roles, so it gives you more buffer, especially as a single parent.'

The mum did not disclose the number of her children.

Based on research conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), it was found that Australia's average weekly full-time salary was $1,838 in May 2023, and the average weekly earnings for full-time workers differed across various regions.

The highest earnings were observed in Western Australia ($2,039) and the Australian Capital Territory ($2,028), while the lowest was recorded in Tasmania ($1,619) and South Australia ($1,678).

In terms of industries, employees in the mining sector earned the highest average weekly wage, amounting to $2,854 for full-time workers. This was followed by individuals working in information media and telecommunications ($2,318) and professional, scientific and technical services ($2,171).

Conversely, the accommodation and food services ($1,347) and other services ($1,383) industries had the lowest average earnings for full-time workers.

Furthermore, the ABS Wage Price Index indicated a notable increase in wage growth, with a rise of 3.6 per cent over a year.

Key Takeaways

• A single mother has been criticised for asking if a $120,000 salary is 'average', with critics accusing her of being 'tone deaf' and insensitive given the current cost of living crisis.
• Her question, posed in an Australian Facebook group, received a backlash, with many stating she lacked common sense or was being rude.
• Despite the criticism, some users provided helpful advice, highlighting that the acceptability of a salary can depend on personal circumstances and aspirations.
• According to ABS, Australia's average weekly full-time salary was $1,838 in May 2023, with significant variances across different states and industries.

Overall, this situation raises a valid question: Is it okay to ask if $120,000 is an 'average' wage in such a time? Is it insensitive to inquire about the average wage in today's landscape?

We are sure there are different opinions on this matter, and we would love to hear what you think, members. Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

many many years ago when i was working, while haveing smoko, a female said i am going to get an extra job and one of the males replied you are sitting on a gold mine.

 

[Jest]

Asking whether a salary of $120,000 would be considered 'average' might not be the most politically correct question, particularly when many Australians are grappling with rising living costs.

This was the experience of a single mother who found herself in a situation where she was offered a job with an annual salary of $120,000. She anonymously posted her dilemma on a popular Facebook group, seeking advice by asking whether she should 'aim higher'.

But she was shocked when the Facebook group members received the question negatively, with many calling her 'rude' and 'insensitive'.

'For someone earning $120k, you certainly have zero dollars in common sense to answer your own question,' commented one user on her post.

'What a stupid question. Could you be any more tone deaf?' added another.

Others, though, went for the more humourous approach with comments like: 'You should be earning that in your sleep by 25!' and 'Definitely aim higher. Most people earn about $370k working three days a week for 12 months of the year.'

View attachment 28466

A single mother was called 'rude' and 'insensitive' for asking if a $120,000 salary is 'average', given the current cost of living crisis. Credit: Unsplash.

But amid the snarky retorts, there was some genuine advice for the mum.

'Try not to worry too much about where it is at relative to the average as the average really means nothing,' wrote one commenter.

'Always aim higher in your next move, be it salary negotiation or moving jobs or roles, so it gives you more buffer, especially as a single parent.'

The mum did not disclose the number of her children.

Based on research conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), it was found that Australia's average weekly full-time salary was $1,838 in May 2023, and the average weekly earnings for full-time workers differed across various regions.

The highest earnings were observed in Western Australia ($2,039) and the Australian Capital Territory ($2,028), while the lowest was recorded in Tasmania ($1,619) and South Australia ($1,678).

In terms of industries, employees in the mining sector earned the highest average weekly wage, amounting to $2,854 for full-time workers. This was followed by individuals working in information media and telecommunications ($2,318) and professional, scientific and technical services ($2,171).

Conversely, the accommodation and food services ($1,347) and other services ($1,383) industries had the lowest average earnings for full-time workers.

Furthermore, the ABS Wage Price Index indicated a notable increase in wage growth, with a rise of 3.6 per cent over a year.

Key Takeaways

• A single mother has been criticised for asking if a $120,000 salary is 'average', with critics accusing her of being 'tone deaf' and insensitive given the current cost of living crisis.
• Her question, posed in an Australian Facebook group, received a backlash, with many stating she lacked common sense or was being rude.
• Despite the criticism, some users provided helpful advice, highlighting that the acceptability of a salary can depend on personal circumstances and aspirations.
• According to ABS, Australia's average weekly full-time salary was $1,838 in May 2023, with significant variances across different states and industries.

Overall, this situation raises a valid question: Is it okay to ask if $120,000 is an 'average' wage in such a time? Is it insensitive to inquire about the average wage in today's landscape?

We are sure there are different opinions on this matter, and we would love to hear what you think, members. Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

another barbie bimbo.

 

[Jill57]

My son earns $175,000.00 as a Traffic controller (stop go sign) on the northern ring road for a 35 hour week with allowances. Great to work on a union site.

more than a GP or a teacher

 

[MariaG]

If a person has to ask such a stupid question, he/she probably is not the right person for the job.
Being a single mother is not a passport for a $200,000 salary.
Maybe this lady needs to get a taste of living on the streets for a week to figure out what all the fuss is about.
I can only move my head from side to side for this one.

 

[Trudi]

A lot of whether this is a reasonable salary depends on the type of work and the skills she offers.

My number one son (57), was earning this nearly 20 years ago as a business loans officer for a bank. He has since left that job and is self-employed as a mortgage broker now.

My number two son (33) has a degree in software engineering and earns more than this.

 

[CBennett]

Wow has wages gone up that much since I last worked 3 years ago ?

Is that actually correct figures.

The lowest weekly wage being $1619 in Tasmania.
I thought the average wage was $25 an hour which equals .

8 hours a day $25 X 8 = $200

$200 X 5 days = $1,000

Not sure their figures are based on an average wage

Exactly. I'd love to be making nearly $1900 per week. On $36ph that really doesn't add up. What really peeves me is that on ~$70k I'm earned in 21/22 I ended up having to pay the government $250, there was no tax return for me because the government in their wisdom removed low and middle income tax offset. The rich get richer and us less well off her kicked in the guts. The rich politicians obviously don't care at all about those on lower incomes as long as they line their own pockets, who cares? Three government doesn't that's for sure.

 

[Jennylolo]

more than a GP or a teacher

or even a principal who doesn't get 170k managing schools over 1000 kids with heaps of qualifications.

 

[Veggiepatch]

What a thick head, I only know one person on $120k a year and they are highly trained medical professional, the average wage is more likely $90k for the normal everyday worker, don't forget they take Lawyers, doctors and professional people into the equation I think even Politicians which we all know get paid a ridiculous amount of money for what they do. Get off your arse and take the job.

Politicians really get paid SFA when they have about 26 million people to be responsible for. Albanese will get almost $590,000 annually after the latest rise. Compare that to the CBA's boss Matt Comyn gets a tasty $10.4 million for having just having 45,000 in his workforce, 800,000 shareholders and 15.6 million Aussies with financial interests in the CBA.

So Mr Comyn gets $2.50 per CBA customer while Albo struggles on just over 2 cents per Australian. So, whinging about politicians' salaries is a crock of shit when you look at the corporate high flyers.

The average Australian earns $95,576 per annum, so our bimbo is quite a bit better off on $120,000.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Wow has wages gone up that much since I last worked 3 years ago ?

Is that actually correct figures.

The lowest weekly wage being $1619 in Tasmania.
I thought the average wage was $25 an hour which equals .

8 hours a day $25 X 8 = $200

$200 X 5 days = $1,000

Not sure their figures are based on an average wage

The Australian average hourly rate works out at $48.37 based on the above figures. You're probably thinking the minimum hourly rate which is $23.23.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Politicians really get paid SFA when they have about 26 million people to be responsible for. Albanese will get almost $590,000 annually after the latest rise. Compare that to the CBA's boss Matt Comyn gets a tasty $10.4 million for having just having 45,000 in his workforce, 800,000 shareholders and 15.6 million Aussies with financial interests in the CBA.

So Mr Comyn gets $2.50 per CBA customer while Albo struggles on just over 2 cents per Australian. So, whinging about politicians' salaries is a crock of shit when you look at the corporate high flyers.

The average Australian earns $95,576 per annum, so our bimbo is quite a bit better off on $120,000.

As Veggiepatch says and despite what people think, wages for politicians are not that great compared to the private sector.
That's our main problem, the old saying "if you pay peanuts you get monkeys"
The people with the brainpower are in the private sector, so we are left with the dregs to run the country.
To be honest though I wouldn't have their jobs for all the money in the world, you can never please everybody, even when you're right you're wrong to half the population.

 

[Trudi]

Exactly. I'd love to be making nearly $1900 per week. On $36ph that really doesn't add up. What really peeves me is that on ~$70k I'm earned in 21/22 I ended up having to pay the government $250, there was no tax return for me because the government in their wisdom removed low and middle income tax offset. The rich get richer and us less well off her kicked in the guts. The rich politicians obviously don't care at all about those on lower incomes as long as they line their own pockets, who cares? Three government doesn't that's for sure.

The Low Income Tax Offset is still in place for incomes up to $66,667. What has been stopped by the previous government was the Middle Income Tax Offset. It was introduced in 2018/19 and was scheduled to end on 30/6/21, but was extended by one year to 30/6/22.

 

[CBennett]

As Veggiepatch says and despite what people think, wages for politicians are not that great compared to the private sector.
That's our main problem, the old saying "if you pay peanuts you get monkeys"
The people with the brainpower are in the private sector, so we are left with the dregs to run the country.
To be honest though I wouldn't have their jobs for all the money in the world, you can never please everybody, even when you're right you're wrong to half the population.

To say politicians get paid sfa for a job involving looking out for 26 million people is a bit misleading. If we didn't have federal, state and local governments, making for an incredibly top heavy system of governing that is bogged down with red tape and self serving politicians, (looking at you Daniel Andrews, blowing $380,000,000 of taxpayers money for nothing. It's become quite the theme over the years), down ould agree, but having so many lower levels of government takes a substantial load off.

 

[Pudpye]

more than a GP or a teacher

Danny boy keeps his people happy.