How the life of the Simpsons became an unattainable American dream.

[Donkees]

Jan 2, 2022

After three decades on air, is the most unrealistic thing about the Simpsons that Homer Simpson supports a family of five and owns a house on the equivalent of $50,000 a year?

We found the real Homer Simpsons of today and took a look at how the life of the Simpsons became an unattainable American dream.

[madville]

1. More like $100k a year

Homer is an operator at a nuclear power plant, those jobs typically pay very well. Just using the natural gas power plant I work at as an example a Journeyman Operator makes $35-45 an hour, journeyman pay tops out after just 4 years so Homer would easily be at the top of the scale. With holiday pay and covering an occasional extra shift, it's easily a $100k+ a year job and great benefits.

We know Mr. Burns is cheap though but actually comparing it to an attainable real life career in that field, compensation is pretty standard and good across the power production/generating industry and raising a family in a modest house on that single income is absolutely attainable.

Our young apprentices start at 50k a year now with zero experience. Senior apprentices with only 3-5 years experience make $75k.

[intrepidity]

2. Yep. Unions, unions, unions. It's not nuclear physics.

Very simple answer, really.

[madville]

3. That certainly helps

Also one can make a nice living in the trades where it's harder and harder to find people willing to learn and work everyday, regardless of if it's union and not.