Is Gen Z Living On A Different Planet? Annual Salary Expectations Are Other Worldly.
I couldn’t believe what I had just read. There had to be a mistake. Was it possible I was just overtired, fresh off a whirlwind speaking tour in Europe, and finally succumbing to the fog of jet lag?
Did I actually just read that Gen Z places their ideal salary expectation at $600,000 a year? Six. Hundred. Thousand. Dollars. Is this because they just caught a rerun of The Beverly Hillbillies and think you can strike oil by randomly shooting at the ground?
Or is it thanks to the IQ-draining parade of reality TV, where America’s loudest airheads flaunt Lambos and spend their days gossiping in overpriced, vibey L.A. coffee shops?
Whatever it is, I’m left wanting to sit every last one of them down and deliver the ultimate dad lecture.
From Bloomberg:
Those figures vastly exceed the average U.S. salary, which was $67,000 in 2023, according to Social Security data. The survey respondents also identified the state of the economy as the biggest barrier to success.
Let me get this straight: Gen Zers expect to make $600,000 per year, yet they also believe the economy is holding them back? Last time I checked, people earning that kind of money have a few key traits in common. Let’s break it down:
1) Abundance mindset
People in America earning over $250K a year tend to operate with an abundance mindset. They recognize that opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed are everywhere—if they’re willing to put in the work. They understand that success isn’t handed out and that staying curious and adaptable is essential. They don’t let gloomy economic forecasts dictate their ambition or drive.
2) Gratitude
Closely tied to an abundance mindset, successful people actively practice gratitude. They start their day focusing on what they have rather than what they lack. This perspective isn’t just feel-good fluff—it sharpens their ability to spot and act on opportunities. Gratitude reframes challenges as stepping stones rather than roadblocks.
3) Ownership
The most successful individuals embrace ownership. They don’t wallow in victimhood—they’re students of their own lives, constantly learning and adapting. They take responsibility for their wins and their losses, and they understand that growth often comes through embracing the messy process. They own their journey, mistakes and all.
4) Money is money
Here’s a hard truth: high earners aren’t picky about where their opportunities come from—as long as they’re legal and ethical. They hustle. Meanwhile, some Gen Zers seem to want only the perfect high-paying job while (and I’ll say this in their lingo) like literally like not having the experience or whatever to earn it. The path to $600K isn’t paved with “dream jobs” fresh out of college. It’s about doing the work wherever it’s available.
5)Focus
We’ve heard people like Gary Vaynerchuk talk about how they worked while their peers partied. The takeaway? Focus and delayed gratification are non-negotiable for long-term success. Instead of fixating on what they think they should earn, Gen Z could benefit from focusing on their daily actions and taking intentional steps toward growth. Success is a byproduct of consistent effort, not entitlement.
Final Thoughts
Maybe the best path forward for these Gen Zers would be to start at a car dealership, work their way up to General Manager, and build from there. Then again, if they start now, it might still take them until their 40s or 50s to hit the income they envisioned in their 20s. Reality isn’t a rerun of Shark Tank. It’s time to roll up the sleeves and put in the work.
