For me, after a while, or rather, as we age ... it's pointless to compare ...
Amongst my close circle of friends, i.e. will catch up one-twice a month, ... amidst the 'excelling ones' ... one is an equity partner in an accounting firm - drawing a 'guaranteed' $750K pa. (yup, I've perused his appointment letter/contract) ... one is in a senior role in a brokerage - average $500K ~ $1mil pa., .. one is in hedge fund - past 4 years average $1.2m pa (total package) ...
.... and I'm doing, on a decent/average year, ... $220K~250K pa.
I'm way past comparing IR8A forms.
When we catch up over prata + teh halia, or single malts, .. or pinot noirs, ... we're all reduced to our silly selves.
I'm in my late 40s, .. and we have known each other more than half of our lives.
Eh-kan or beh-kan, ... each to their own.
We live and lead our own lives. Neither lenders nor borrowers.