6 Figures

If you pay close attention, you’ll often hear native speakers
talk about earning “6 figures“.   This means a salary of 
between $100 000 to $999 999 per year.

If you earn $100 000 per year or more, it’s usually considered to be a pretty good salary and you are in the “upper middle class”.

The idea is that there are 6 digits (or figures) in those numbers.  If you talk about a (6 figure salary) you are talking about a salary that is very good.  You aren’t telling the other person exactly what you are earning, you are just saying that it’s a “well paying job”

Here are some useful examples:

1.  She’s done really well in her career lately.  Only 2 years ago she was washing dishes in a restaurant.  Now she’s got a 6 figure job she loves.

2.  I’m not sure how much money he’s making at his new job in New York, but I’m 99% sure he’s making at least 6 figures.