What does $100,000 really look like?

$100,000 — it sounds like a lot but not much at the same time.

With the help of inflation and taxes, $100,000 can easily disappear into rent, bills, groceries, and everything else in between.

But this isn’t a budgeting article.

This is an article about figuring out what $100,000 looks like — and the different ways $100,000 can come into your possession.

The 9–5 $100,000

The 9–5 is the thing that everyone knows and understands. For many of us, the 9–5 is where we all start.

While hustle culture runs against a traditional 9–5, for some, it gives a sense of cultural security that cannot be found in the beginning days of freelancing and building your own business.

So what kind of jobs pay $100,000?

The most obvious is software development jobs. According to ZDNet, there’s a skills shortage in the industry. Coupled with the rise in demand, the ability to negotiate an easy $100,000 without any formal degree is a very real possibility.

The average junior developer starts off at $71,000 according to Talent.com. Pay progression up the ranks to senior can easily fetch over $110,000 depending on location and company size.