At what salary were you happiest in your career and is that more or less than you're making now?

At what salary were you happiest in your career and is that more or less than you're making now? I'm sure many of you have heard about the study that found people are happier as they make more money, up to $75k, at which point more money doesn't really impact happiness (although there have been a lot of other studies that disprove this to some degree). So I'm curious to know when were you happiest in your career and why? Was it because of your salary/being financially stable or was it because of other things?

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  1. Anonymous

    I'm well into 6 figures and at my happiest. I am comfortably saving as well as funding my retirement. I can pay my bills and once I'm comfortable, I will resume travel. All this makes me happy and content.

    I'm also convinced that if need be I could easily find another great job for even more $ so that adds to my security.

    This wasn't by accident, I've work hard to get here and I feel proud to provide at this level.

  2. Anonymous

    Congrats!

  3. Eva Steortz

    I remember hearing this in Yale's Science of Wellbeing course. When I was at the salary I had recently been promoted and gotten new responsibility. It was amazing. I had more money and was stretching and learning like crazy. Not sure it was my happiest BUT I do remember it as a career highlight.

  4. Anonymous

    Do you think it was your salary or the learning that made you happy? Or a combo of both?

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