Dean the tipping scene where he gives him like $100

I remember thinking that was a really, really low number both to be bragging about, and for an electrical engineer to be making. But then, according to Glassdoor the average salary for an electrical engineer is just over $74k, which adjusted for inflation would be about $61k in 2005 when this movie came out.

So $43k would still be on the low end, but not completely out of the realm of possibility for an electrical engineer to be making, especially if Waiting took place in a city with lower-than-average salaries (RE: not New York, LA, Chicago, or San Francisco).

Despite all this, still not an amount someone should be bragging about making.

Eh it wasn't terrible back in 05'. I majored in accounting and IT was earned $45K my first year. Depends where he lived. It didn't seem like a major area like California or something either (unless I missed this). If he was living in San Fran and was earning $43K yah, pretty low. Otherwise $43K back in '05 if you were in a good 50% of states could be good money.

Also, if you go through a recruiting agency they will take some of your salary the first year (not directly out of your check but the Company that hires you still has to pay which could affect you a tad if it's a smaller Company).