The salary that no one feels ‘rich’ earning in Australia right now

What was, not to long ago, considered an impressive salary for many Aussies, has now become completely unsustainable in 2025.

A salary that, for a significant portion of the population, would have once been considered a dream has now become completely undesirable for Aussie workers.

Earlier this year, news.com.au launched The Great Aussie Debate, a wide-ranging, 50 question survey that has uncovered what Australians really think about all the hot topics of 2025.

Over two weeks, more than 54,000 Australians took part in the survey, revealing their thoughts on everything from the cost of living and homeownership, to electric vehicles and going shoeless in supermarkets.

As part of the survey, we asked people what salary they would need to earn to consider themselves “rich” in 2025, with the majority of respondents – 56 per cent – putting that figure at over $250,000.

However, the results also revealed the salary that Aussies across all age ranges believe is no longer enough.

Australia’s biggest argument finally settled

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Just 2.6 per cent of people said they would feel rich on a $80,000 to $100,000 income.

Not too long ago, many would have considered a six-figure income be more than enough but, with the ongoing cost of living crisis, people’s pay cheques are no longer stretching as far as they once did.

The typical full-time Australian worker earns $90,416 a year, according to the latest ABS figures.

And it’s clear the typical full-time Aussie employee is not even close to feeling “rich” in 2025.

While the cash rate finally dropped in February to 4.10 per cent, people are still reeling from more than a year of rates being held and, prior to that, a period of prolonged, brutal rises.

Rent prices have also skyrocketed, with the median weekly national rent now sitting above $600.

A $100,000 is no longer enough to make Aussies feel rich. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

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Grocery prices are continuing to soar and wages aren’t rising fast enough, culminating in people being caught in a frustrating cycle of barely making ends meet each week and, as a result, being unable to save.

One Aussie worker recently branded a $100,000 salary the new $60,000.

Luna, a 28-year-old worker living in Sydney and earning $150,000, told news.com.au last year that she doesn’t think the six figure income is enough to live off anymore.

“I truly believe $100,000 is the new $60,000. You can live off $100,000, but you’re penny-pinching,” she said.

“I’m very comfortable with my lifestyle, and I’m happy to keep it up. I can still put money into my savings and afford things that I need, but sometimes I think, and not in a pity way, how are other people doing it?”

The 28-year-old is aware how tough it is for people in Australia right now. Picture: @lunalovekiss_/Instagram

The grim revelation comes as new research from financial comparison site, Finder, revealed one in three Australians surveyed feel pressured to live a lifestyle they can’t afford.

The survey of more than 1000 people found Aussies are feeling the pressure to live beyond their means in order to keep up appearances, such as going on holidays they can’t afford and driving cars beyond their budget.

Housing, clothing and memberships were some of the other top areas where Aussies are spending more than they think they should.

Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder, said giving in to this pressure to keep up can mean many years of debt.

“Draining your savings to keep up appearances is a disaster waiting to happen, but it’s a reality that many people are living,” she said.

“Sometimes it’s one large, flashy purchase, but most of the time it is a pattern of behaviour. You charge little things you can’t really afford to BNPL or whack them on a credit card.

“But over time those debts can compound and can become a significant problem.”

Ms Megginson said that social media has amplified the pressure for people to spend outside of their budget in order to feel like they are keeping up with the lifestyles they are seeing online.

“It’s important to remember that what you see online isn’t always reality – a lot of the flashy lifestyle you’re seeing is built on debt,” she said.

“Try to block out that noise and focus on your own financial goals instead of keeping up with others, and you can build long-term financial security rather than chasing short-term satisfaction.

“Constantly comparing yourself to the possessions and experiences of others is a very slippery slope.”

Originally published as The salary that no one feels ‘rich’ earning in Australia right now