Even more great answers and perspectives the think about.
I guess my original post came across with more envy in it than curiosity, but I intended more the latter. I earn far less than those of you who have reported your incomes, but I've not found a way to bring in serious income as an artist (yet!). I've acclimated myself to that over the years, although it would be tempting to get a high-paying gig if I thought I could qualify! At any rate, I've been living without much for many years, and while I will admit to some envy, mostly it's just confusion/curiosity.
The few people I know with day jobs and I can ask questions about income and debt all seem to earn between $50k to $80k, and all have significant debt (but still buy craft beers, eat out, vacation, etc etc etc). Significant debt meaning they need the jobs they have (and hate) to pay for debt. They couldn't follow a preferred career because they have to have the income level of the despised job.
I earn less than these people, but have been debt-free for 8+ years and have stashed away a relatively decent retirement investment chunk. It confuses me how they couldn't just get out of the debt they claim to want to eliminate. I can only assume they must really be in debt.
From my perspective, making over $100k is "doing quite well", and $250k would easily be considered "very wealthy" from my perspective. Perhaps it's a matter of definition. And yes I am in the US, so I suppose I should have pointed out that my inquiry was relative to that. Without a doubt, US/Canada/Europe are, even at the low end of things, far better off than a good portion of the rest of the planet.