What Is a Good Salary?

Whether a salary is "good" depends on three things: where you live, what you do, and how much experience you have. A $75,000 salary in Nashville goes much further than the same salary in San Francisco.

General benchmarks by experience

• Entry level (0–2 years): $45,000–$85,000 depending on industry
• Mid-level (3–5 years): $75,000–$130,000
• Senior (6–10 years): $110,000–$200,000+
• Lead/Principal (10+ years): $150,000–$300,000+

These are broad ranges. The best way to benchmark your salary is to look at real data from people in your exact role and location.