A 27-Year-Old Coordinator Says They Get $85K At A Medical Device Company, Asks What Other 25–30 Year Olds Are Making Outside Of Tech Or Banking
A 27-Year-Old Coordinator Says They Get $85K At A Medical Device Company, Asks What Other 25–30 Year Olds Are Making Outside Of Tech Or Banking
Adrian VolenikSun, March 15, 2026 at 8:01 PM UTC
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A 27-year-old event coordinator working at a medical device company sparked a lively discussion online after sharing their salary and asking others in their late 20s what they earn in more “regular” careers.
“I’m not talking investment bankers or tech gurus,” they posted on Reddit’s r/Salary forum. “I’m talking regular jobs that should pay a regular salary.”
What Early Career Salaries Actually Look Like
The poster explained that their pay has grown quickly in the last few years. They said they earned $43,000 in 2022, then about $50,000 from 2022 through 2025. Toward the end of that job, their salary increased to $60,000 before they landed their current role paying $85,000.
“Looking at a 2% merit increase,” they added, before asking others what they earn and whether they feel satisfied with their income.
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The responses revealed a wide range of salaries among people in their mid-to-late 20s and early 30s. Many commenters reported incomes between $50,000 and $90,000 across various industries.
One employee said they make about $66,000 at age 30 working in athletic training. “Burnt out, but it’s rewarding, fulfilling, and important work,” they wrote. “Not happy with the amount but it’s better than plenty of my peers across the country and my state.”
Another commenter said they earn $55,000 as a therapist after switching careers from sales. “Totally worth the pay cut to not hate myself or my job,” they wrote.
Several others shared similar numbers. A 28-year-old accountant said they make $77,000 in a lower-cost-of-living area, while a financial analyst in Ohio reported earning about $70,000 plus a bonus. A municipal project manager with a bachelor’s degree in an LCOL area said they make about $75,000.
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Some people reported higher earnings, especially in specialized roles. A 27-year-old air traffic controller in Arizona said they earn about $125,000 a year without a degree after serving in the military. Another commenter said they make about $120,000 as an engineer in Florida, while a physician assistant reported earnings of around $140,000 at age 25.
On the other side of the spectrum were those earning less than $50,000 despite having degrees. One person said they make about $43,000 working in state government while finishing a bachelor’s degree.
Another said they earn $45,000 doing grants accounting for a university despite holding a biology degree and a graduate certificate in biostatistics and one shared that their projected income at a current job is about $40,000 without overtime.
Why Reddit Salary Threads Often Look Inflated
Despite the wide range of answers, many participants said salary threads on Reddit can create a distorted picture of reality.
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“Love that you said, ‘not talking about bankers and tech gurus,'” the commenter wrote. “This sub is mostly just a circle jerk for people making upper-middle-class incomes.”
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Still, many said income doesn’t tell the whole story. Some said they accept lower pay in exchange for better work-life balance, flexibility, or meaningful work.
For readers looking to make sense of their salaries and plan for the future, services like AdviserMatch can connect early-career professionals with financial advisors who provide personalized guidance on budgeting, saving, and investing — even for those in non-tech or non-finance careers.
One California wildlife biologist said they earn about $58,000 but don’t regret the choice. “I love my job and the diverse opportunities and exciting projects and species I get to encounter,” they wrote.
Another 25-year-old earning about $52,000 processing medical claims said benefits make the job worthwhile.
“Pay may not be the highest,” the commenter wrote, “but I have insurance, a 401(k), I work remote except for 1 day in office every 3 months.”
The discussion ultimately showed how widely earnings can vary for people in their late 20s, depending on industry, location, and career path. While some reported six-figure salaries, many said the more typical range for early-career professionals appears to fall somewhere between about $60,000 and $80,000.
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Source: “AOL Money”
