I would love to be making 135k. And I would be very content. But A) baseline cost of living is different everywhere, B) Some people support big families on one salary, C) Some people have others that they care for with chronic health or developmental issues that are very costly, etc. So not everyone would necessarily be content at that salary. Plus, if you are making 135k and you CAN be making more, there is no reason not to be looking for opportunities to do so. There is no honor in making less than you are worth to someone else just because. Job hopping to get that raise is very much perfectly reasonable. And having more than you need means you can be generous and give to those who don't.