$14/hr as "Quality Control Analyst" Lead (although I work alone... on a CMM). In my position for 2 years but been at my job for 4 years.
Currently I pay all the bills (including the mortgage) except for food (my wife pays for that). I don't think $14/hr is considered rich by american standards. You don't need tons of money for a reef tank.. Just look on craigslist for deals. My wife makes less than me and actually sends a lot of her money to her family who is actually poor (they'd sell their stuff to buy food in the Philippines).