here it refers to https://www.linkedin.com/posts/davidmaslach_i-used-to-earn-below-the-poverty-line-as-activity-7336731766705053697-gLnr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAX8zxoBnYZdJmkhSR5MYhxTOiQkW_U7MGM
How much is being wealthy as he said, "Today, I’m a tenured professor. Statistically, we’re wealthy."
ChatGPT said:
Thank you for the reference. In David Maslach’s LinkedIn post, when he says:
“Today, I’m a tenured professor. Statistically, we’re wealthy.”he’s referring to income and socioeconomic status benchmarks, likely in comparison to national or global data. Let’s unpack what “statistically, we’re wealthy” means in this context:
1. U.S. Perspective (National Stats)
According to recent U.S. Census and Pew Research data:- The median household income in the U.S. (2023): ~$75,000
- Tenured professors typically earn:
- Associate Professors: ~$90,000–$100,000
- Full Professors: $120,000–$180,000 or more at research universities
Thus, professors often fall into the top 20% of earners in the U.S., depending on household income and location.
- Associate Professors: ~$90,000–$100,000
So “statistically wealthy” likely means:
Top 20% or better in income percentile rankings within the U.S.
2. Global Perspective
Globally:- Earning over $60,000 USD/year places someone in the top 1% of income worldwide.
From a global lens, most tenured professors are ultra-wealthy by comparison.
What Maslach is emphasizing:
He contrasts former poverty (when he lived below the poverty line) with his current professional stability, using “statistically” to mean income percentile—not luxury, excess, or emotional fulfillment.Suggested phrasing for your use:
“Statistically, I’m wealthy. As a tenured professor, my income puts me well above the national median—and far beyond the global average. But wealth, I’ve learned, is more than a line on a chart.”
