271c

There's basically no one on property making less than 50k these days. And the vast majority are above 60k if you include per diem (yes, I know we can debate if per diem is income -- but it certainly helps out the paycheck).

We don't do it to get rich, I agree. But the money is well above the median salary in the US. And it doesn't even require a degree. Advanced training? Of course. I hope wages keep going up- supply and demand means they likely will. But we aren't exactly poor nowadays. So I'd argue there are MANY folks who do it "for the money," as it provides a middle class standard of living. I didn't come to the airlines till wages trended higher -- and if they went back down, off I'd go. So I do it for the money AND the awesome flying.