<prompt> Human: I am starting my first career this january. I am 23M and have a bachelors in nursing and start my job in 1 week. The annual pay is 70K. My question is why should I strive to make more money if I only get taxed more. My goal is to become a NP masters in nursing in 3 years which start at 100k at the hospital im at now. Im doing the calculations and I only end up making a few more dollars than I would make now after taxes. Should i bother going back to school? It is more investment for much less return. Please help me understand how anyone making 6 figures is happy with all these taxes? I am single with no dependents. TLDR: help me understand how making more money is better despite being taxed more.  <response>: Tax rates are marginal. Even if you make more and get taxed more, your net income will still increase with each added dollar. People who say they make less when they earn more or make OT are wrong. This all ignores the contribution to society you are making via your tax dollars. 