# Do guys really care if their wife makes more than them? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 24, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-guys-really-care-if-their-wife-makes-more-than-them/686872 "2014-04-24T16:56:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2014, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-guys-really-care-if-their-wife-makes-more-than-them/686872/101 "2014-05-03T13:03:26Z")
My wife and I are both college educated professionals but in different industries. We both work hard but honestly, she works harder than I do. We are both smart people, but she is much smarter than I am. Yet I earn about 50% more than her. I’m probably at or near my peak earning potential, whereas since she is 10 years younger than me she still has a good upward earnings opportunity. I expect in 10 years time, she’ll be making more than me as my earnings may not remain at the same level and if she pursues some different paths in her field she could substantially raise her income level. I sometimes feel guilty because again, she is smarter than me and works harder than me, but earns less than me. I’d be thrilled if someday she is making the same amount I do or more, she’s earned it. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2014, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-guys-really-care-if-their-wife-makes-more-than-them/686872/102 "2014-05-04T17:55:09Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > My soon to be fiancee (wish me luck) makes more than me and really, I care not a whit. We both do fine. Well, congratulations on your engagement! 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-guys-really-care-if-their-wife-makes-more-than-them/686872.md?page=5)