Well, good luck to you if you hope to make the equivalent of over half a million a year in current dollars. I don't know anyone who does, no matter what their level of education (Phd, MD, etc.) or work experience (perhaps an attorney or two?). I realize that some people do make this much, but they are rare even in high cost regions of the country. That is just reality. There is nothing at all wrong with aspiring to being wealthy, but it's disingenuous to suggest that it's necessary for survival or to live a good life.

(I also question how you are calculating equivalence with your father, but I won't get into that here... )