How Much Do You Really Need to Make to Live Well in Amarillo?

So I was cruising the Amarillo Reddit because I was a bit bored, and came across a very interesting conversation that was happening. People were talking about what is considered a high-paying job in Amarillo.

I thought that was such a good question. See, high-paying jobs are different depending on where you live. What is considered high-paying here isn't the same in Austin. What's high-paying in Austin isn't the same as in, say, L.A. or New York.

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Let's Start With What Is a Low-Paying Job

Before we delve into the conversation of what is considered a high-paying job, we should start at the bottom. What would we consider to be a low-paying job in Amarillo? That answer can vary a bit for sure, and some know how to live on an extreme budget and feel they're making enough money.

The general consensus from the thread was that $20 per hour or less was considered a low-paying job. I mean, that makes sense. That is roughly $1,600-1,700 per two-week period, totaling around $3,400 per month, and that's gross. Once you account for taxes, that's less than $3,000 per month. Rent/mortgage, bills, groceries.

Rent or mortgage alone will eat up at least 1/3 of that paycheck. Your normal bills without extra expenditures will run around $500-800 depending on usage. Groceries rack up quickly as well.

Argument Over What A High Paying Job Is Considered

So now we get into the crux of the question. Figuring out what that number is really seemed to spark conversation about what was considered a high-paying job. Let's start at the lower end of what others mentioned, which was $30 per hour. That number puts us at $5,200 per month gross, closer to $4,200-4,400 take home. That's a pretty solid number and will give you some play money and breathing room after everything essential is paid.

However, most people landed on $40 per hour and above being considered a high-paying job in Amarillo. That's roughly $6,900 per month gross, right around $5,800-6,000 net if you're at that $40 per hour mark. That will allow you a nice place to live, easily cover essentials, and be able to enjoy experiences without feeling so tight financially.

How Many Jobs Pay $40 Per Hour In Amarillo

Part of that depends on what position you are in where you work. Sure, there are places such as Pantex that pay extremely well for entry-level positions, but to make $40 per hour or more, you tend to have to be in at least a management position at a larger corporation, which means those jobs are pretty limited in Amarillo.

The best way to hit that number is if you have a spouse who brings in money as well. Many couples and families can pull down $50 per hour or better together and combined. However, if you're a single person, $40 per hour can be difficult to find. Those jobs are out there; you just have to go hunting. What are your thoughts on this?