I deal with peoples credit everyday, and you would be surprised at what people in this city earn.
Using rough estimates, I would say that 50-60% of my customers earn $100k + individually. And 80%+ of family incomes exceed $100k. You know what a 25 year old guy on an oil rig crew can earn? it's scary. I have had house framers and dry wallers in front of me earning well into the six figures for cripes sakes.
$100,000 / year is not in the least bit unusual in this city, it is the nature of the oil business. However I am seeing a lot of engineers and designers falling below that point with the influx of cheap labour coming from abroad, willing to do the same jobs for far less.
Once the oil patch goes belly up again, which it will inevitably, this will all drastically change for the worse. But I don't even raise my eyebrows anymore when I see someone in their late 40's early 50's making $20k month, with a paid off home, and a 7 figure investment portfolio. In fact I would almost say that these numbers are light, as a lot of people won't divulge their personal financial status to anyone. And what I always find most interesting about Calgary's wealthy, is 90% of them, you wouldn't even have a clue. They live in a modest home in Brentwood, drive a very average car, and are probably in front of you at Walmart with their Kirkland Jeans a cart full of Great Value products.
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