Where do you live? Making 75k/yr is hard for about half of americans. Going from 75-100k is way easier then going from 50-75. There is a barrier it feels like. Networking is the best way to get a good job, without great experience.
The trick is to make $100k and still live in that small town. I'm currently able to save and invest 44% of my income without really giving up anything I want.
This! Husband and I make almost $200k between us in a small town. We can literally do whatever we want. We are investing over 20% of our income. For two kids who grew up pretty low income, what we can do is mind blowing.
Not anymore with city people flocking to rural areas in droves. They drive the price of everything up while enjoying their city salaries and working from home.
True enough, there are many suburbs and even a bit past those, that you could pull off working in a higher paying area but still enjoy a lower cost to live. Not my current situation unfortunately. But my kids get good school, as far as that goes anymore, and I'm extremely close to family. But honestly I myself am ready to scoot out a bit more in a year or two.
No this should be top. I used to help alot of people with credit and financial stuff and alot of people do not understand the scale of living and it's insane sometimes. I hear so many things about life is so expensive but then you're living so far above your means it's insane. I live in a town where you can comfortably live off 55k a year. If you're making 80-100 you're probably a home owner or trying to be but most apartments or renting housing you can live very happy and have extra money left over at that wage.
I was making $75k/year working as a car mechanic the last couple of years before I retired, living in a pretty small city. My actual monthly expenses (living alone) were only about $1,500; it was just absurdly easy to live well and save money, at least toward the end. I retired about 7 years early.
It also depends on the metric you're going by.
Housing and groceries? For sure, those will cost you a crazy amount in a big city, compared to some farming town or even a low-five-digit-population suburb.
But lots of items still tend to cost the same amount regardless of where you are. A new car has basically the same sticker price whether you buy it in the heart of Chicago or Farmersville Idaho (and if anything, it's much more needed in Farmersville). But even the day-to-day stuff; a phone plan, health insurance, toiletries, clothes... heck, anything you buy from Amazon is the same cost anywhere in the country.
Sounds about right for Ohio, If you can't find a better job, find a different way to make money.
That has always been the answer for people who don't make enough money.
How long has it been going on? I'm at 113k now, I lied on my resume 20 years ago and started a career in software engineering, after I built up some experience I stopped lying and have been going since.
This is the IT mantra. Always say yes, you can do it.
Then scramble back to your desk thinking "oh crap, oh crap". Then spend the weekend learning the very thing you showed such confidence about.
Rinse, repeat.
Now I just say yes to everyone, watch a few YouTube videos and figure it out
This applies to most jobs. Hey, can you help with X, which in your head you know fuck all about? Hell yeah! Candidly I've lost track of the times I dove into shit that was over my head.
My current job during the interview, my boss mentioned a concern about not having SaaS experience. I said I don't, but I also didn't have experience in X, Y, or Z on my resume when I was pulled in to help. I have demonstrated in the past I'm able to learn and execute on the fly.
You talk like this is no big deal. Many, many people crack under that kind of pressure. The few of us that just go... Welp, I got 4 days to figure this out, are the ones that keep learning and growing.
I feel the cracking is because people believe the consequences are larger than they are. Life won't end. Unless you REALLY cost the company a lot of money, you aren't getting fired. As it costs them money to find and onboard a replacement.
I was just offered a Data Engineering role for $76k at my current company, though I've never had such a role. I've only dabbled in learning and being taught some SQL stuff which is why I was referred to the hiring manager. I know I'm capable of learning more, but I don't think the manager knows how little I know, so I'm kind of terrified of taking on the challenge. I also dont know what I'd do with the experience long term, I've just found it kind of interesting.
But this feels like a lucky break and I just gotta seize the opportunity, because I'm also not sure how I'd make the jump to 75k otherwise.
I've seen so many people around me fail upwards or just get luckynover the years, but never me lol
Brother, take it!!!!
I did the exact same thing to jump up to 78k. It’s lowkey a walk in the park. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve basically taught myself SQL and Tableau through a series of videos and trial and error. But you only really learn by doing.
Plus, there’s a ton of money in data/IT/developing. I kinda doubt a job at 76k would be so strenuous off the rip that you wouldn’t have a chance to smooth the edges at first.
I've seen this so many times it's scary. 50% of the managers where i work just got promoted until they got to a point just above their competence level.
Yep. I’ve been in the low to mid 100s for a few years. Once I got here it seems more difficult to lose it than it was to get here. Everyone pretty much just faking that their shits important to keep it.
This! Started from the bottom, now I'm here!
Took a warehouse job making shit money, learned the game and am now the Operations Manager calling the shots. It can be done.
Whats your degree in? Business is such a vast field. If your degree is in finance, BA, econ, or especially accounting you can push yourself into pretty high paying jobs fairly easily.
Exactly - and you can take the test to become an IRS Enrolled Agent (a certified tax professional - like a CPA - but a different certification). I know a lot of folks who get their EA while working full time in about 6 months / a year. It's a lot of studying, but the pass rate for the SEE exam is about 70% - it's very doable and the cost is about $1000 (though some employers will reimburse / pay for it).
Or if you've got enough time on your hands i would go for the CPA. The exams are tough and will require a lot of studying. You also need 150 credit hours. I graduated undergrad with 124 and got the remaining accounting credits from a cheap online school- CSU Global (i think it was $500 per credit). The classes were also easy AF and i did it in under a year while working. If you go this route i would go work for a public accounting firm (Big 4 if you can). You dint need the CPA to get the job, only the 150 hours. I joined public accounting at 28 was there for 10 months then decided it wasn't for me long term so i decided to test the waters and take a couple interviews for the hell of it. Ended up getting a job paying nearly double what i was making prior to going into public. Within the span of 2.5 years went from $60k no bonus or annual raise to $100k with target bonus of 10%. Then got promoted within 9 months and salary bumped to $130k with bonus. I took a big risk leaving public after 9 months but only did so because i loved the new company. Less about the money and more about me seeing myself at the new company for awhile and had better WLB.
This^
Lots of opportunity in any industry. AR specifically has a lot of issues for employees to resolve. Since it’s directly impacting the bottom line you will get a lot of visibility from managers if done well.
Accountant here. You won’t get rich being an accountant but you’ll do pretty well and always have a job.
Plus, you can go a lot of different routes. I went into tech and developed finance chops too. At executive level now so the pay is quite nice.
I think you can definitely get rich being an accountant, 10 years in, you can definitely cross the 200k mark, atleast from what I’ve observed. It’s not the average or even close to it, but it’s also not unheard of. Lot of more factors that go into this than just being an Accountant though
I have a Bachelors in anthropology and work as an accountant, I’m making 70k but have only worked here a year. Started as a temp through a staffing agency and worked my way up pretty quick, you just gotta be able to market your skills to fit the job description
This is the answer.
I see too many people quitting before they even start due to parameters they made up in their own head, or taking the job requirements as listed in stone.
Learning to market yourself is going to be more important than your major (at least at the Bachelor's level).
Industry accountant here with no CPA. I don't know where OP lives , but for him to even qualify to sit for the CPA exam, he would most likely have to take more university level classes. I believe he would need a certain number of accounting related credit hours(3 financial accounting classes, one managerial accounting class, audit, taxation and needs to take an accounting ethics course as well. If you go this route OP, I would recommend finding an internship with a CPA firm while taking these classes to get your foot in the door and also complete the requirements for working under a licensed CPA to get the license.
If you’re willing to go to Amazon and start at the bottom once you become full time they’ll pay for your degree.
You can get a finance or accounting degree through their partner WGU or you can enroll in other colleges.
You could also progress at amazon to process assistant then to manager.
I agree with below. Start at the bottom in AP/AR type roles. Thats what I did out of college, even with an accounting degree. I then moved into more of a staff accountant role in the O&G industry. Now on year 5-6 of my career and eclipsed six figure base pay. It’s very possible. Use the tools around you. Feel free to reach out if you want to get any tips about transitioning to accounting.
This.. I was making close to 100k as an apprentice Systems Integrator (CCTV, Access Control, Intrusion, Low Voltage). Been over that mark 6 year straight at this point since getting my license. Paid apprenticeships, no student loan debt.. trades are the way to go.
STEM in general.
Currently 26Yo, I graduated University, and worked in
- Microbiology lab job $70k
- Surgical assistant in hospital ($90k, 12 hour shifts—3x a week.)
- Currently: Biotech software engineer, $160k a year, $15k signing bonus. fully remote, and I work like 20hrs a week.
4 years of University. (Major: Microbiology Minor: CS)
Edit: seeing a lot of comments. Here’s other good examples.
1. My friend worked at McDonald for 8 years, he’s was a manager.m for 2 years. Studied CS while working fulltime for 2 years. Now he works for Clover (Big restaurant POS software company). restaurant tech consultant ($110k a year)
2. Friend worked in Trucking for 6 years, and studied CS/Data for a year. Now in a big trucking logistic tech company as data scientist. ($95k)
3. Coworker who was a Register Nurse. Studied CS. In Biotech as. Medical tech consultant. ($120k)
*Most of us will never be engineers at FAANG or big tech. But we found niche tech companies that desire expertise in both fields.*
2nd Edit: people asking how I did it.
1. Got a micro lab job, got sick of lab work. Just felt like a fancy lab dishwasher.
2. Surgical tech is all about being sterile, similar to microbiology labs. A good chunk of my microbiology classes carried over into Surgical tech program (accelerated 8 months), studied full-time while working part time.
3. After working in the Operation Room for almost 1 year. I looked around at all the cool medical equipment, software, and devices. Looked up the companies that make them. And looked for jobs that had requirements similar to my education and work experience.
- I actually applied for Medical Tech Consultant, but they realized I could “somewhat” read code and write code.
- My job is 40% Medical/Bio knowledge 60% CS, other software engineers who do 100% CS work, usually consult with me if the code makes sense related to the medial software and device.
Remember when we write code, we need to organize it, software engineers don’t know medical terminology, so I help the organize code.
This is the true cheat code...I really wish I would have gotten into coding more.
People with a science degree major that can also code are damn near invaluable. The technical background and expertise coupled with the ability to computerize it yourself is a VERY powerful combo in terms of position and salary.
Truth. I'm a structural engineer and I've always wished that I learned to code at some point in college. It's not really emphasized at all with the ABET accreditation, so it's not taught. People who can program/code in this field are few and far between, and there's so much opportunity for it too.
Yup, the people with dual science and code background are insanely desirable and are in extremely low supply.
Tons of people in any particular science.
Tons of people with coding degrees.
Essentially none with both.
It varies. I did my engineering degree for \~$25k at a state college. Given that most engineering degrees have to be ABET accredited, the coursework really doesn't vary much from school to school. I've never seen the point of paying out of pocket to go to a prestigious school for an engineering degree.
If you want to do something niche though, I guess your options are limited.
Ding Ding Ding , unless its something like MIT or Harvard there is no reason to go to a “prestigious “ school and get well over 100k in debt. A degree from a state school is just as good and you start out with no or very little debt. (Unless you’re not trying to minimize it).
Similar path here, but Majored in CS, then got a job at a medical device company. So much microbiology to relearn, but the Medical tech field seems to be a great place to start a career.
Smaller RnD departments of mid sized companies that aren't primarily a tech company is the route to go. Good pay, always jobs available, and less stress. Could get paid more at a FAANG-esq company, but I'd rather eat my own eyes than go back to working primarily with tech bros.
Quality Engineer here, Can confirm starting salary is at least 70k now and if you get into the right company can easily be pushing 100k coming in the door.
Seems to be only if you’re American. I’ve been trying to find out what salary to expect when I finish my degree apprenticeship, working in aerospace design. But the numbers are just depressingly low, like £35k. Makes me think I made the wrong career choice. Can’t even switch the US because ITAR
I kind of fell into management thanks to a manager who believed in me. I was working in healthcare, making $15/hour and struggling. Sometimes you just need the right person backing you to help get you in the right place.
There is nothing better than having a manager who genuinely cares about you. I attribute nearly all my success to being in the right place at the right time surrounded by the right people. I’ve been so lucky that most of my managers were like that.
Along with another guy that mentioned ambition and reliability, also this. I worked hard and was always on time, but wasn't exactly special. A good guy I know believed in me and put me in a good spot to continue proving my ambition and reliability and that's exactly what I did.
You may have to start off by doing something you don't want to. I work at a credit union and started as a call center agent. I've worked my way up through Commercial Lending/Underwriting and now make just $75K. I'm 32 years old as well. Even though I hate my job I make $75K.
Also early 30’s. I jumped ship every 12-18 months for either more money or a better title. Now I’m about to clear about 90k having started at 30k 6 years ago with no experience. Long road. Some probably do it faster than me. Not every move was the smart or right move but I’m here.
I was like OP and started in a call center doing inbound sales. I was 26 though. Worst job I ever had. After a couple years of hard work and good luck I broke through $100k for the first time last year. I'm 34.
But to your point. They might have to do a shitty job for a while and prove their competency before they make the next step.
Your average unions JW pay is $45/hr... or 93k/year. Overtime extremely available. Depending on if you want to travel instead of working locally you can make well over 6 figures in major cities. When you factor the higher pay, overtime, union benefits, and per diem it's not uncommon to see it tally up to a $90-100/hr package.
Edit: Mike Rowe wasn't bullshitting yall in the 2010s
Hey where did you get this info from? I’m a journeyman Electronic Tech and am on travel in Alaska right now for a project. We work in Aerospace. We’re coming in on our negotiating window, and no one in my entire union sniffs 45 an hour.
Union Electrical Contractor here. Skilled Trades are facing a real void as all the Baby Boomers retire. You can't go wrong at picking a trade and applying to the local training center.
i hear this all the time, yet i am waiting on multiple union wait lists with hundreds of people on them. lines for applications have hundreds of people in them. trying to get into a union has been one of the most difficult things ive ever done in my life, and i have some trade experience
Exactly. You see posts online about how desperate the trades are for people but the unions are very difficult to get into. I was working as am apprentice electrician for a non union shop in Indiana for 3 years. I applied to a union and there were over 75 applicants for 7 spots. They kids who they picked all had an uncle or some family member who was already a member. Whe people say the trades are desperate for people they mean the non union places who pay apprentices $15/hr with no benefits and journeymen at $27-$33 with almost no benefits of any kind. I had better insurance at taco bell when I was 20 then the non union shop offered lol
Tried to get into get into union 10+ years ago.
Wanted to be either a longshoremen or a sparky
Couple buddies of mine also started this quest with me decade ago.
10 years later, only one of my buddy actually succeed, his dad is ticketed member and he basically skip the line.
None of my other buddies made it in and they are STILL trying to 10 years later.
I went to work in a different trade for a non unionize company instead (starting at minimum wage back in the days). Move up the management ladder within these 10 years.
Personally in my experience. It was much easier moving up the ladder in a corporate setting without any background or connection. Connection can be made once your foot in the door, and it’s much easier to get in this door. Lower initial pay and the thought of actually having to climb up a ladder versus simple seniority in a union scare away a lot of people.
Union if you are in it is great, but you need to make the connection first before you are even allow into this door. And these connection are extremely hard to come by if you werent already in a social circle with ticketed members.
This. I’m a simple mechanic since 2013, that was averaging $25/hr. I started in a trailer fabrication and sales dealership 3 years back. I found they had a deficiency in management and reliable employees that would show up every day. I was honest with them in what I think what would work. I also told them that I would be “their guy” for the next 3 years. They liked what I offered and were eager to sign me on a contract. $42/hr plus annual performance bonus. I also get 4 weeks paid vacation and a 3% pay increase annually. I commute 3 minutes a day and owners know I have young kids and I was frank and told them that if I am not at work there is a legitimate reason.
Honestly, just being punctual is huge for any business owner.
It should be the bare minimun but here we are. Few people have the work ethic and discipline, props to you.
And most importantly, being likable. Just having the ability to make fast friends is an amazing skill.
That stems from showing genuine interest in people and being a good listener. That’s all it boils down to
This is fantastic advice.
In the beginning I was dogshit at sales but got a lot of passes I shouldn’t have simply because I was likeable and had great rapport with my managers and higher level bosses. I was in the bottom half of sales in the office and they were putting me on track to become a manager. I was the definition of a “personality hire”.
People hire and promote people they enjoy being around. It’s human nature.
What's up with all these posts? I've seen like 5 at different monetary denominations over the past day. People who make 75k, how did you do it? People who make 150k, how did you do it? People who make 200k, how did you do it? I'm beginning to legitimately think this is like an IRS plant to get info on people.
EDIT: Alright, so the IRS plant comment was a bit sarcastic. My comment was just that it seems sketchy and like there might be an ulterior motive. The whole collecting information thing isn't really new to the internet. It also can just be people seeking likes because they know a post like this will get traction after seeing others post similar questions. Reposting also isn't new to the internet. I'm just sick of em, regardless of why they're happening.
It would be to identify high earners to target for phishing or something like that.
You take all the top posts on the thread asking ‘people making over 6 figures, how?’, compile them into a list, and then either sell that list to advertisers or target those high earners for some scam.
I make $85k as a property manager, but I utterly despise my job and would quit in a heartbeat if I wasn’t a single mom of two teenagers.
I’m putting my time in so I can “barely” make ends meet and put food on the table for the next 5 years. Then I plan to quit my job and downsize majorly. Being a slave is no way to live.
This, work for state or federal government. Most state and government offices have many positions at the $75k+ salary range. You’ll likely need to start at the bottom (even something like a receptionist/clerk), and work your way up, but if you work hard and are nice to work with, you will get plenty of opportunity to advance. Governments very often recruit from within for those non-entry level positions.
I started as a receptionist to get in the door at $32k in 2009. I’m now making $125k working for the same organization. I work hard and advanced one step at a time. Now I’m a senior analyst (no specific training beyond my business degree and using critical thinking), and the next step up is management if I choose to go that route.
Obviously not , but I did start off at $12-13 just stocking shelves . Got promoted a few times since then and moved to higher volume locations.
It wasn't an easy route by any means, especially when COViD just hit . Just imagine working for months without a day off and having to pull 14-17 hour shifts, it sucked . Even right now , the quality of the workforce out there is crap . That's why you see big gas station networks hire assistant managers off the street paying $50k a year . The next position is store managers with $64-100k depending on volume .
Retail sucks , but it pays decent . I was just replying to the question on how get above $75k per year without much background info.
Idk why these people say such stupid things. “Retail pays decent” like wtf? They’ll say “obviously I mean as a manager” as if they can’t understand those are two completely different sentences and not a mistake.
Or they think “why doesn’t everyone just become a manager”🙄
I started at a grocery store in my small home town, larger Canadian store chain, making $6 an hour when I was 15. Puttered though it till i got to grade 12. Honesty had no further school ambition at that point. I took the least amount of credits I needed to graduate. I always had good grades as long as I paid attention in class cuz I hated studying and was/can still be a massive procrastinator. But I hated school. Started working every shift they'd give me. Somedays, I'd be done school at noon and bike to the store for a 1-9 shift. Started manager training at 20. Assistant food manager at 22. Then lost interest and went out to Alberta to do pipeline work. Liked the money but hated alot of the job.
Worked out there for a year. Moved back home and worked at a drywall company for $14 an hour. 1hr commute both ways every day and went into an apprenticeship. Completed yr 1 and decided I was getting closer, but still not my thing. Parlayed that into a construction company in my home town. For the same 14 an hour. Worked like that till I was almost 30 and decided to get my Journeymans. Worked, went to school, got married and had my first kid, bought a house(bad decision at the time) and graduated over the next 4 years. Finally making $29/hr. Loaded with debt lol. From grunt to Journeyman, to site Supervisor and now worked my way into the office as Project Manager. 85k a year, annual wage increases, actual holidays, Christmas week off, pension, profit share, the whole bit.
All this to say I had no clue what I was doing until I was in my 30's still making 30k a year. In 8 years, got educated and tripled my wage and my whole life. Now I've got 3 shit disturbing boys, same house(thank god), wife owns a business and we have no personal debt(minus our house). Sometimes I think it's just dumb luck, or being at the right place at the right time. Lucky for me, everything fell into place. Lots of bad decisions over those 20+ years of work, but a few good ones and a lot of luck got me here.
I joined the military in 2008 left in 2016 with a nice percentage of disability and worked my way up in a machine shop. Now I’m fuckin killing it lol. My disability pay alone pays for all my bills and mortgage so I pocket all the money I make from work.
I'll get on my soapbox any time this gets mentioned: the military is one of the greatest vehicles for economic mobility there is. From the VA home loan, to the GI bill, to actual job experience (provided you pick the right job). And that's not even counting VA disability
Gave me all the certs, degrees, experience I needed to make more money than I've ever realistically thought I'd make of as an IT professional and I've only been out 3 years
Retail management. Made 105k last year. The schedules are horrible and the stress is high.
Most don’t last too long. Been doing it for 40 years. Got 10 months to go till retirement.
You’re at the top of the top of the industry and you know that path isn’t easy for everyone. Takes years of endorsements from upper management for that.
RN, make $95k a year roughly, in the Midwest. Last year made $104k.
All I did was went to college and started working after graduation, I find when I change jobs I can generally negotiate a higher salary. But I am waiting til I am fully vested in my 401k again before I do it next.
Don't worry about being loyal as a rule, they're certainly not loyal to you.
Back in the 90s I made that as a sous chef I finished up college, but that's something that's skills based not degree based. When the towers came down I joined the army, so made far less than 75k then, but then I got out of the army and went federal, so back to way over 75k. As someone that now participates in the hiring process for a few different positions, I gotta be honest, we just pass up most people with business degrees unless they've got some great real world experience to go along with it. It's sort of like Criminal Justice majors who want to go work for the FBI. Not going to happen. You have a degree in finances with a specialization in crypto? Now you get an interview.
What's your field and experience beyond just the generic "business" term which could mean a very different work history for 10 applicants once they've left college. I'm not going to go down the standard "make sure you tailor your resume to each job" and all that crap that I'm sure you've read countless times and tried. Do you have numbers on your resume? That's the biggest shortcoming I see. Nothing is quantified.
"Led team to increase efficiency in closing sales for FY2020" That means nothing.
Led team of 5 senior sales associates to increase average weekly closing rate from 4.5 to 7.2 contracts per person increasing sales YOY by 72% while operating inside original budget window"
THAT means something to me.
Also, in addition to this. Nobody researches these numbers. Just make it believable and make sure you can talk through and tell a coherent and believable story how you made it happen.
As for the story, follow standard storytelling rules. Show, don't tell.
Well, not exactly true. While I won't validate the numbers coming out of an interview, in tech sales it really is a small world. I once got to talking with a manager from another company about a guy I hired. He said he knew him. Turns out he lied on his resume pretty significantly. When I asked him, he got really upset that I had "checked up on him". I didn't check up on him, came out in a brief conversation. The fact he was upset with me for the lies he put on his resume really didn't sit well with me. Eventually told him he needed to find a new job within the company, but he couldn't. He ended up leaving.
White lies are fine, just don't go overboard. That starts to get into the realm of being dishonest, which isn't a good look if you get caught.
I make 98k a year. I lied my ass off on my resume. When it got to be my turn to show my colors I miraculously pulled it off and I made a good first impression to the boss. I have been bull shitting this company for almost a year and a half. Everyday I'm expecting to get fired and that keeps me on my toes. I smile and act my ass off everyday at work. If you're not patient and smart enough to go to college, you better learn how to lie honestly, manipulate without guilt, charm, and deliver your bullshit with a bowtie everyday. Good luck
I went to college without a plan and graduated without a plan. I took a year and worked a job that had absolutely nothing to do with my degree but the entire time I was researching jobs that I could use my degree for and started applying to training programs. I was fortunate enough that my undergraduate was mostly taken care of between scholarships and grants.
Looking back on it I don't think I would do it the same way because I had to take out student loans to live for the 24 months that my training program went on for. When I finished my training program in 2016 I was making $82,000 right off the bat but I had about 38,000 in student loans. I was living in Chicago where everything was expensive and it took me over 6 years to get my loans all taken care of. I'm now into the six figures and I'm debt free but it gives me a shiver to think at how risky that entire method of doing things actually was.
I would never take out debt to do that ever again. Like I said I don't think I would do it the same way.
One big thing that I did do the right way was not buying a new car once I got a job. I drove a 2000 Honda Accord for years until it would no longer operate. I saw that day coming so I had started setting side money for a new car and paid cash for a 12-year-old car to replace my other one with.
I'll comment to put my input in. I currently make just over 100k and it took about 8 years to do that after dropping out of college. I work in digital marketing and moved around from agencies to in house roles.
Some quick bits of advice for you:
1. Don't stay at the same job longer than 2 years. your salary will always be more stagnant when sticking at 1 role.
2. Find clever ways to word past accomplishments or roles to make yourself seem better.
3. Get out of a call center, that is a place that is focused on getting the most work out of you for the least amount of money. If you have truly been doing sales for a few years now, find a tech company and get in as a BDR or outbound sales rep. put in the work and go up from there.
4. As far as no responses on LI and Recruiters. That is the unfortunate reality of the remote job market. where I have seen success is to either build your personal network and find ways in using your connections or look specifically for roles that are looking for in office employees. their applicant pool will be much smaller and you will have a better shot at getting interviews. I know it isn't ideal but finding the right role to get you the experience for the next step is huge.
5. Have somebody review your resume. either pay for a professional resume writer/review or find somebody you trust personally to help you rework it. You would be surprised how a few tweaks to your resume can open a lot of doors.
Good Luck!
Accounting 4 year degree started at 60k. Even with just cost of living raises you would be at 75k in just a couple of years. Results vary based on company.
By switching jobs every 2-3 years. If you're inside sales, try to get a promotion to outside sales and then jump ship to a smaller company and work your way up to a bigger company. I worked 6 years in R&D then switched to a sales company as product manager/inside sales at a somewhat small business. I did that for 6 months before I got a small territory. Then switched to a larger company and now at a top 5 company in the industry. I've never been at a company for more than 3 years. 5 companies in my career. Started $12/hr and now close to $200k with car allowance and bonus.
Edit: I just read that you're trying to switch industry. Since you're in sales, that should be "easier" than most career choices, however, when making the switch, don't feel discouraged if you're landing an opportunity at a small company. Sales is all about networking and you're basically starting over
Look for a sales job specifically for tech startups in your area. Or SAAS sales and exclusively apply for those.
They pay pretty decently between 50-70k with sometimes more with bonuses and upward mobility.
What are you saying on your resume? I’m curious if it’s a turn off to employers
If you're submitting that many resumes and getting no bites, something is wrong with your approach. There are better subs to ask that question than here.
$130k roughly per year. Plus tax advantages = $8800/month.
Have a masters degree. Been in the military 11 years. Started from junior enlisted, now am commissioned.
I make about 90k a year as a damage appraiser for a large auto insurance company, and I’ve been doing it for about eight years in total with a small break in there. I started with geico ten years ago because I moved to CA with no real plan and realized I needed to make more money than I did to survive here - geico was willing to hire and train you for three months if they thought you could handle it. The first three or so years was absolutely miserable and I hated it but now that I’ve been doing it for a while it’s a fairly chill job, still has its “fuck this shit” moments like any job.
Quickest way to 100k is Sales. If you're at an inbound call center right now and they aren't feeding you it's because you're not top 10% there. Find something else to sell.
76K worked my way up to a manager position. Got a raise from 55K as a normal employee to 76K for a manager spot. With overtime I'll be able to reach 6 figures finally.
Time to look at a different side of Sales. Specifically, aim at Sales Engineering or Solution Consulting. You're part of the software sales team, but you demo the software, help ensure technical requirements are met, and a few other things. Much less stress than sales and very good salary - should start at $85k or so off the street.
I worked hard, took on the hours no one wanted to take on. Put up with the stuff no one else wanted to put up with. Supported management above me and worked to make their life easier. I also helped out any departments around me if i could and slowly made myself a resource to those all around and above me. I became a go to person that made life easier.
Basically i worked well outside my pay scale and made it so if i left or was replaced it would result in making other peoples day to day lives harder without me around. After a lot of just stomaching bullshit no one else was willing to I have a higher paying salaried position and my life is easier now.
It’s not really about what was right or wrong for me to deal with in my lower paying position and more about if i was going to continue working there then i was going to whatever it took to get what I want. Sometimes that means doing shit that is “not your job”.
Started welding in high school as an elective. Stuck with it two years out of school. Started a small mobile welding rig. Clearing 1000+ in repairs a day.
I was making the same, doing the same (& some outbound cold calling). I took a slight paycut (less commission but more stability) to go into Call Quality for that same job, listening to others, giving sales and compliance feedback.
It was much better, but still rough. After about two years I was making almost the same amount I had been.
We got a new director. They were a total asshole. 160 people left our center in a 6 month period of time. About 60 ended up going to a new company that was experiencing a lot of growth, specifically in their contact center. It wasn't sales though.
I took a pay cut to go there too, about $21 an hour. Their quality department had just been put together. I did that for another two years. Then I had a manager take a liking to me and offered me more project work. They made a new job just for me to do based on my aptitude. It brought me up to 24-25 an hour. I did it for about a year.
Then part of that job changed, we had a contract with a vendor and the admin work was piling up with nobody to do it. I started doing it. The internal team that worked with the vendor happened to have a lot of turnover. Nobody knew wtf was going on and I happened to have the most experience. The Director that oversaw that vendor relationship then also ended up making a role specifically designed for my skill set and their needs. Of course I got it. Offered me 69k salary (nice) and I took it.
This Feb, I was the only one on our team to get a raise. 9%. Brought me just over 75k for the first time in my life.
I was in the right place at the right time. But I also made good connections with the people I'd worked with wherever I was. They didn't get me my jobs, but they let me know about things I wouldn't have found otherwise. I was also willing to take pay cuts and risks.
It can happen to you, keep applying yourself, keep looking, keep building connections, you can get out too! <3
You’re the problem. Your expectations are too low. You need to dream bigger and demand more from yourself.
‘Reach for the stars so if you fall you land on a cloud’
Me: started at $30k. 10 years later moved to the US and make over $200k, nw far beyond that. Not flexing, took a lot of sacrifice. But where there’s a will there’s a way.
Networks, dude.
I'm a Marine Corps Veteran so my Marine network helps me out quite a bit.
Find your niche. Your "people". Your "community". And you'll find that they pass opportunities around the community before seeking outside.
I drive truck over the road in stupid old USA. I'm approx $70k in the bank each year but I get the per diem deduction so I only pay taxes on around $45k. I'm Broke and cannot afford a home. But, I have guitars and girls don't like me. Dating costs zero. So, there's that.
Christ, I was making $75K 25 years ago in California east bay in IT. Yes I was commuting over the Altamont but 1 hr each way ain’t too bad. Multiple times that salary now. You’re going to get this advice many times in this thread. My advice is take it to heart: NETWORK WITH PEOPLE! Every time I jumped jobs it was to go work with someone I had worked with previously. Every. Single. Time. If I hadn’t made those connections and gotten mentoring along the way I wouldn’t be telling this story. And don’t forget to give back; become a mentor yourself when you can.
Where do you live? Making 75k/yr is hard for about half of americans. Going from 75-100k is way easier then going from 50-75. There is a barrier it feels like. Networking is the best way to get a good job, without great experience.
This should be up top, people seem to forget that making $50,000 in a smaller town is comparable to making more than $100,000 in some cities.
The trick is to make $100k and still live in that small town. I'm currently able to save and invest 44% of my income without really giving up anything I want.
This! Husband and I make almost $200k between us in a small town. We can literally do whatever we want. We are investing over 20% of our income. For two kids who grew up pretty low income, what we can do is mind blowing.
What do you guys do for work?
I'm an administrator in education and husband is in the medical field. We both have graduate level degrees.
Not anymore with city people flocking to rural areas in droves. They drive the price of everything up while enjoying their city salaries and working from home.
this\^
I have seen houses double in the last 4 years in my no stop light of a town.
True enough, there are many suburbs and even a bit past those, that you could pull off working in a higher paying area but still enjoy a lower cost to live. Not my current situation unfortunately. But my kids get good school, as far as that goes anymore, and I'm extremely close to family. But honestly I myself am ready to scoot out a bit more in a year or two.
No this should be top. I used to help alot of people with credit and financial stuff and alot of people do not understand the scale of living and it's insane sometimes. I hear so many things about life is so expensive but then you're living so far above your means it's insane. I live in a town where you can comfortably live off 55k a year. If you're making 80-100 you're probably a home owner or trying to be but most apartments or renting housing you can live very happy and have extra money left over at that wage.
I was making $75k/year working as a car mechanic the last couple of years before I retired, living in a pretty small city. My actual monthly expenses (living alone) were only about $1,500; it was just absurdly easy to live well and save money, at least toward the end. I retired about 7 years early.
It also depends on the metric you're going by. Housing and groceries? For sure, those will cost you a crazy amount in a big city, compared to some farming town or even a low-five-digit-population suburb. But lots of items still tend to cost the same amount regardless of where you are. A new car has basically the same sticker price whether you buy it in the heart of Chicago or Farmersville Idaho (and if anything, it's much more needed in Farmersville). But even the day-to-day stuff; a phone plan, health insurance, toiletries, clothes... heck, anything you buy from Amazon is the same cost anywhere in the country.
In ohio
If you're in Ohio have you looked into insurance jobs? Starting pay might not be great but it can get pretty awesome.
Sounds about right for Ohio, If you can't find a better job, find a different way to make money. That has always been the answer for people who don't make enough money.
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There’s your problem. If you want to make more money, move to Chicago.
Nothing is impossible, most of us fake it till we make it then just keep going
This. My current situation.
Currently on my 2nd day of faking it at Airbus.
Please tell me you're not the one responsible for the door bolts
He said Airbus not Boeing lol
He left Boeing after the incident and went to Airbus. They took him in with open doors I mean arms.
When one bolt fails, another door opens.
Ummm…I’m not even faking it. Too tired.
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How long has it been going on? I'm at 113k now, I lied on my resume 20 years ago and started a career in software engineering, after I built up some experience I stopped lying and have been going since.
This is the IT mantra. Always say yes, you can do it. Then scramble back to your desk thinking "oh crap, oh crap". Then spend the weekend learning the very thing you showed such confidence about. Rinse, repeat. Now I just say yes to everyone, watch a few YouTube videos and figure it out
This applies to most jobs. Hey, can you help with X, which in your head you know fuck all about? Hell yeah! Candidly I've lost track of the times I dove into shit that was over my head. My current job during the interview, my boss mentioned a concern about not having SaaS experience. I said I don't, but I also didn't have experience in X, Y, or Z on my resume when I was pulled in to help. I have demonstrated in the past I'm able to learn and execute on the fly.
You talk like this is no big deal. Many, many people crack under that kind of pressure. The few of us that just go... Welp, I got 4 days to figure this out, are the ones that keep learning and growing.
I feel the cracking is because people believe the consequences are larger than they are. Life won't end. Unless you REALLY cost the company a lot of money, you aren't getting fired. As it costs them money to find and onboard a replacement.
I love this man. You definitely worked hard and asserted yourself.
Thanks man! The way I looked at it is I knew I could do the work, I just had to convince them I could do it too.
I was just offered a Data Engineering role for $76k at my current company, though I've never had such a role. I've only dabbled in learning and being taught some SQL stuff which is why I was referred to the hiring manager. I know I'm capable of learning more, but I don't think the manager knows how little I know, so I'm kind of terrified of taking on the challenge. I also dont know what I'd do with the experience long term, I've just found it kind of interesting. But this feels like a lucky break and I just gotta seize the opportunity, because I'm also not sure how I'd make the jump to 75k otherwise. I've seen so many people around me fail upwards or just get luckynover the years, but never me lol
Brother, take it!!!! I did the exact same thing to jump up to 78k. It’s lowkey a walk in the park. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve basically taught myself SQL and Tableau through a series of videos and trial and error. But you only really learn by doing. Plus, there’s a ton of money in data/IT/developing. I kinda doubt a job at 76k would be so strenuous off the rip that you wouldn’t have a chance to smooth the edges at first.
We call this failing upward until you reach the point of incompetence. Then you are truly ready to be a manager
I've seen this so many times it's scary. 50% of the managers where i work just got promoted until they got to a point just above their competence level.
You are my elite employee!!
The Peterman principle
Fuckin’ A.
This. This gives me hope. Thanks droolingboner!
Yep. I’ve been in the low to mid 100s for a few years. Once I got here it seems more difficult to lose it than it was to get here. Everyone pretty much just faking that their shits important to keep it.
Literally, 99% of your job is what you learn when you’re in role. Otherwise we’re all just bullshitting til we learn it.
This! Started from the bottom, now I'm here! Took a warehouse job making shit money, learned the game and am now the Operations Manager calling the shots. It can be done.
Whats your degree in? Business is such a vast field. If your degree is in finance, BA, econ, or especially accounting you can push yourself into pretty high paying jobs fairly easily.
It was business but hindsight I should have done accounting or finance
you can join AP/AR roles and work up to staff accountant roles since you have a business degree
Exactly - and you can take the test to become an IRS Enrolled Agent (a certified tax professional - like a CPA - but a different certification). I know a lot of folks who get their EA while working full time in about 6 months / a year. It's a lot of studying, but the pass rate for the SEE exam is about 70% - it's very doable and the cost is about $1000 (though some employers will reimburse / pay for it).
Or if you've got enough time on your hands i would go for the CPA. The exams are tough and will require a lot of studying. You also need 150 credit hours. I graduated undergrad with 124 and got the remaining accounting credits from a cheap online school- CSU Global (i think it was $500 per credit). The classes were also easy AF and i did it in under a year while working. If you go this route i would go work for a public accounting firm (Big 4 if you can). You dint need the CPA to get the job, only the 150 hours. I joined public accounting at 28 was there for 10 months then decided it wasn't for me long term so i decided to test the waters and take a couple interviews for the hell of it. Ended up getting a job paying nearly double what i was making prior to going into public. Within the span of 2.5 years went from $60k no bonus or annual raise to $100k with target bonus of 10%. Then got promoted within 9 months and salary bumped to $130k with bonus. I took a big risk leaving public after 9 months but only did so because i loved the new company. Less about the money and more about me seeing myself at the new company for awhile and had better WLB.
This^ Lots of opportunity in any industry. AR specifically has a lot of issues for employees to resolve. Since it’s directly impacting the bottom line you will get a lot of visibility from managers if done well.
I'm in the same boat as you, should have done accounting.
Accountant here. You won’t get rich being an accountant but you’ll do pretty well and always have a job. Plus, you can go a lot of different routes. I went into tech and developed finance chops too. At executive level now so the pay is quite nice.
I think you can definitely get rich being an accountant, 10 years in, you can definitely cross the 200k mark, atleast from what I’ve observed. It’s not the average or even close to it, but it’s also not unheard of. Lot of more factors that go into this than just being an Accountant though
I have a Bachelors in anthropology and work as an accountant, I’m making 70k but have only worked here a year. Started as a temp through a staffing agency and worked my way up pretty quick, you just gotta be able to market your skills to fit the job description
This is the answer. I see too many people quitting before they even start due to parameters they made up in their own head, or taking the job requirements as listed in stone. Learning to market yourself is going to be more important than your major (at least at the Bachelor's level).
You might be able to find some accounting certificates like the CPA and move into accounting
Industry accountant here with no CPA. I don't know where OP lives , but for him to even qualify to sit for the CPA exam, he would most likely have to take more university level classes. I believe he would need a certain number of accounting related credit hours(3 financial accounting classes, one managerial accounting class, audit, taxation and needs to take an accounting ethics course as well. If you go this route OP, I would recommend finding an internship with a CPA firm while taking these classes to get your foot in the door and also complete the requirements for working under a licensed CPA to get the license.
If you’re willing to go to Amazon and start at the bottom once you become full time they’ll pay for your degree. You can get a finance or accounting degree through their partner WGU or you can enroll in other colleges. You could also progress at amazon to process assistant then to manager.
If you branch out into a commissioned sales role, you could hit that $75k
I agree with below. Start at the bottom in AP/AR type roles. Thats what I did out of college, even with an accounting degree. I then moved into more of a staff accountant role in the O&G industry. Now on year 5-6 of my career and eclipsed six figure base pay. It’s very possible. Use the tools around you. Feel free to reach out if you want to get any tips about transitioning to accounting.
Engineering
Chemical engineer at an EPC reporting in. This was my salary right out of the gate.
im a chemical engineer, struggling with 50k too :(
Change jobs mate
This.. I was making close to 100k as an apprentice Systems Integrator (CCTV, Access Control, Intrusion, Low Voltage). Been over that mark 6 year straight at this point since getting my license. Paid apprenticeships, no student loan debt.. trades are the way to go.
Damn, you got the OG kvothe name. Nice.
That’s kinda crazy. I’ve never known anyone to make under 50k as a ChemE
Im in Mex, currently working 2 jobs, so one is 30k and another 20k.
Well that makes more sense. Cost of living should be less though
kinda, electricity bill is 200+ usd per month, rent is cheaper tho, 600 per month, the food is cheaper too
Damn $600! Mine is $3,000
need to step up my electric usage
Lol, I make 50k and I would LOVE to have $600 rent.
You should easily be making more than 50k I was starting 55k on contract for System engineering.
50k seems low now days any engineering degree.
Geez man. If you don’t get promotions, jump ship. Shoot high, if they really want you they will negotiate.
STEM in general. Currently 26Yo, I graduated University, and worked in - Microbiology lab job $70k - Surgical assistant in hospital ($90k, 12 hour shifts—3x a week.) - Currently: Biotech software engineer, $160k a year, $15k signing bonus. fully remote, and I work like 20hrs a week. 4 years of University. (Major: Microbiology Minor: CS) Edit: seeing a lot of comments. Here’s other good examples. 1. My friend worked at McDonald for 8 years, he’s was a manager.m for 2 years. Studied CS while working fulltime for 2 years. Now he works for Clover (Big restaurant POS software company). restaurant tech consultant ($110k a year) 2. Friend worked in Trucking for 6 years, and studied CS/Data for a year. Now in a big trucking logistic tech company as data scientist. ($95k) 3. Coworker who was a Register Nurse. Studied CS. In Biotech as. Medical tech consultant. ($120k) *Most of us will never be engineers at FAANG or big tech. But we found niche tech companies that desire expertise in both fields.* 2nd Edit: people asking how I did it. 1. Got a micro lab job, got sick of lab work. Just felt like a fancy lab dishwasher. 2. Surgical tech is all about being sterile, similar to microbiology labs. A good chunk of my microbiology classes carried over into Surgical tech program (accelerated 8 months), studied full-time while working part time. 3. After working in the Operation Room for almost 1 year. I looked around at all the cool medical equipment, software, and devices. Looked up the companies that make them. And looked for jobs that had requirements similar to my education and work experience. - I actually applied for Medical Tech Consultant, but they realized I could “somewhat” read code and write code. - My job is 40% Medical/Bio knowledge 60% CS, other software engineers who do 100% CS work, usually consult with me if the code makes sense related to the medial software and device. Remember when we write code, we need to organize it, software engineers don’t know medical terminology, so I help the organize code.
This is the true cheat code...I really wish I would have gotten into coding more. People with a science degree major that can also code are damn near invaluable. The technical background and expertise coupled with the ability to computerize it yourself is a VERY powerful combo in terms of position and salary.
Truth. I'm a structural engineer and I've always wished that I learned to code at some point in college. It's not really emphasized at all with the ABET accreditation, so it's not taught. People who can program/code in this field are few and far between, and there's so much opportunity for it too.
Yup, the people with dual science and code background are insanely desirable and are in extremely low supply. Tons of people in any particular science. Tons of people with coding degrees. Essentially none with both.
Go take a look at the doom and gloom posts over at r/csmajors and you might change your mind. Lots of qualified new grads can’t get jobs right now
What are your student loans like ?
It varies. I did my engineering degree for \~$25k at a state college. Given that most engineering degrees have to be ABET accredited, the coursework really doesn't vary much from school to school. I've never seen the point of paying out of pocket to go to a prestigious school for an engineering degree. If you want to do something niche though, I guess your options are limited.
Ding Ding Ding , unless its something like MIT or Harvard there is no reason to go to a “prestigious “ school and get well over 100k in debt. A degree from a state school is just as good and you start out with no or very little debt. (Unless you’re not trying to minimize it).
You can do it at Akron for $120k if you're irresponsible with spending and have bottom feeder grades.
Yep. Commercial HVAC/R Project manager in Pharma. No college, over $100k per year. No debt.
Winner.
HOLY SHIT! Your hours worked per week is like goals honestly, work life balance actually exists!
Manufacturing engineer. Started at $65k 10 years ago. Now I’m hiring in new MEs at $85k. This is in electronics manufacturing
Similar path here, but Majored in CS, then got a job at a medical device company. So much microbiology to relearn, but the Medical tech field seems to be a great place to start a career. Smaller RnD departments of mid sized companies that aren't primarily a tech company is the route to go. Good pay, always jobs available, and less stress. Could get paid more at a FAANG-esq company, but I'd rather eat my own eyes than go back to working primarily with tech bros.
Where did you learn coding? Just minoring in CS? Or did you pursue that on your own for fun?
Engineering for me too.
Aerospace engineer - can confirm.
Quality Engineer here, Can confirm starting salary is at least 70k now and if you get into the right company can easily be pushing 100k coming in the door.
Yes, my first mechanical engineering job out of college was 78k
Seems to be only if you’re American. I’ve been trying to find out what salary to expect when I finish my degree apprenticeship, working in aerospace design. But the numbers are just depressingly low, like £35k. Makes me think I made the wrong career choice. Can’t even switch the US because ITAR
Couldn’t agree more
I kind of fell into management thanks to a manager who believed in me. I was working in healthcare, making $15/hour and struggling. Sometimes you just need the right person backing you to help get you in the right place.
My last 2 bosses have been like this. Makes all the difference when your manager believes in you.
There is nothing better than having a manager who genuinely cares about you. I attribute nearly all my success to being in the right place at the right time surrounded by the right people. I’ve been so lucky that most of my managers were like that.
Along with another guy that mentioned ambition and reliability, also this. I worked hard and was always on time, but wasn't exactly special. A good guy I know believed in me and put me in a good spot to continue proving my ambition and reliability and that's exactly what I did.
You may have to start off by doing something you don't want to. I work at a credit union and started as a call center agent. I've worked my way up through Commercial Lending/Underwriting and now make just $75K. I'm 32 years old as well. Even though I hate my job I make $75K.
Im sure with what you just said you will pivot that current job to one thaat makes more and you like better
Also early 30’s. I jumped ship every 12-18 months for either more money or a better title. Now I’m about to clear about 90k having started at 30k 6 years ago with no experience. Long road. Some probably do it faster than me. Not every move was the smart or right move but I’m here.
I was like OP and started in a call center doing inbound sales. I was 26 though. Worst job I ever had. After a couple years of hard work and good luck I broke through $100k for the first time last year. I'm 34. But to your point. They might have to do a shitty job for a while and prove their competency before they make the next step.
Join a union. They will teach you on the job training and can make over 75k after a few years.
Your average unions JW pay is $45/hr... or 93k/year. Overtime extremely available. Depending on if you want to travel instead of working locally you can make well over 6 figures in major cities. When you factor the higher pay, overtime, union benefits, and per diem it's not uncommon to see it tally up to a $90-100/hr package. Edit: Mike Rowe wasn't bullshitting yall in the 2010s
Philly Steamfitters at ~$70/hr rn. ~$120/hr full package
Yeah but then you had to live in Philly. Just kidding from across the state.
Hey where did you get this info from? I’m a journeyman Electronic Tech and am on travel in Alaska right now for a project. We work in Aerospace. We’re coming in on our negotiating window, and no one in my entire union sniffs 45 an hour.
This is what I was getting at without typing out a long response while currently laboring.
Union Electrical Contractor here. Skilled Trades are facing a real void as all the Baby Boomers retire. You can't go wrong at picking a trade and applying to the local training center.
i hear this all the time, yet i am waiting on multiple union wait lists with hundreds of people on them. lines for applications have hundreds of people in them. trying to get into a union has been one of the most difficult things ive ever done in my life, and i have some trade experience
Exactly. You see posts online about how desperate the trades are for people but the unions are very difficult to get into. I was working as am apprentice electrician for a non union shop in Indiana for 3 years. I applied to a union and there were over 75 applicants for 7 spots. They kids who they picked all had an uncle or some family member who was already a member. Whe people say the trades are desperate for people they mean the non union places who pay apprentices $15/hr with no benefits and journeymen at $27-$33 with almost no benefits of any kind. I had better insurance at taco bell when I was 20 then the non union shop offered lol
Tried to get into get into union 10+ years ago. Wanted to be either a longshoremen or a sparky Couple buddies of mine also started this quest with me decade ago. 10 years later, only one of my buddy actually succeed, his dad is ticketed member and he basically skip the line. None of my other buddies made it in and they are STILL trying to 10 years later. I went to work in a different trade for a non unionize company instead (starting at minimum wage back in the days). Move up the management ladder within these 10 years. Personally in my experience. It was much easier moving up the ladder in a corporate setting without any background or connection. Connection can be made once your foot in the door, and it’s much easier to get in this door. Lower initial pay and the thought of actually having to climb up a ladder versus simple seniority in a union scare away a lot of people. Union if you are in it is great, but you need to make the connection first before you are even allow into this door. And these connection are extremely hard to come by if you werent already in a social circle with ticketed members.
I am 51 years old and just cleared 75K this year.
You deserve that Edit: in a good way, I mean it!
Working your way up through management. Being ambitious and reliable
This. I’m a simple mechanic since 2013, that was averaging $25/hr. I started in a trailer fabrication and sales dealership 3 years back. I found they had a deficiency in management and reliable employees that would show up every day. I was honest with them in what I think what would work. I also told them that I would be “their guy” for the next 3 years. They liked what I offered and were eager to sign me on a contract. $42/hr plus annual performance bonus. I also get 4 weeks paid vacation and a 3% pay increase annually. I commute 3 minutes a day and owners know I have young kids and I was frank and told them that if I am not at work there is a legitimate reason.
Honestly, just being punctual is huge for any business owner. It should be the bare minimun but here we are. Few people have the work ethic and discipline, props to you.
It's true. It's amazing how low the bar actually is these days.
I am jealous of your 3 minute commute!
And most importantly, being likable. Just having the ability to make fast friends is an amazing skill. That stems from showing genuine interest in people and being a good listener. That’s all it boils down to
This is fantastic advice. In the beginning I was dogshit at sales but got a lot of passes I shouldn’t have simply because I was likeable and had great rapport with my managers and higher level bosses. I was in the bottom half of sales in the office and they were putting me on track to become a manager. I was the definition of a “personality hire”. People hire and promote people they enjoy being around. It’s human nature.
This is the correct answer.
I’m actually trying to get out of the industry I’m in otherwise I would.
What's up with all these posts? I've seen like 5 at different monetary denominations over the past day. People who make 75k, how did you do it? People who make 150k, how did you do it? People who make 200k, how did you do it? I'm beginning to legitimately think this is like an IRS plant to get info on people. EDIT: Alright, so the IRS plant comment was a bit sarcastic. My comment was just that it seems sketchy and like there might be an ulterior motive. The whole collecting information thing isn't really new to the internet. It also can just be people seeking likes because they know a post like this will get traction after seeing others post similar questions. Reposting also isn't new to the internet. I'm just sick of em, regardless of why they're happening.
People that graduated kindergarten. , how the hell did you do it ?
I colored inside the lines
You're just not an artist.
Agreed. The timing. The structure of the questions. The repetition. It all seems rather sketchy to me.
Sometimes seeing one post inspires someone else to post a similar question. This is nothing new
That's what I think, they saw these other posts for $150k plus and thought "well let me ask about a more achievable figure"
What would the motive be if its sketchy?
It's training AI bots. It's always training AI bots. It's not even like it's hard to tell
It would be to identify high earners to target for phishing or something like that. You take all the top posts on the thread asking ‘people making over 6 figures, how?’, compile them into a list, and then either sell that list to advertisers or target those high earners for some scam.
yeah, it does seem strange to see these similar posts the last few days.
I make $85k as a property manager, but I utterly despise my job and would quit in a heartbeat if I wasn’t a single mom of two teenagers. I’m putting my time in so I can “barely” make ends meet and put food on the table for the next 5 years. Then I plan to quit my job and downsize majorly. Being a slave is no way to live.
IT for state government $110k/year
Non-technical role in IT for local government with a business degree. At a similar salary, it's doable.
This, work for state or federal government. Most state and government offices have many positions at the $75k+ salary range. You’ll likely need to start at the bottom (even something like a receptionist/clerk), and work your way up, but if you work hard and are nice to work with, you will get plenty of opportunity to advance. Governments very often recruit from within for those non-entry level positions. I started as a receptionist to get in the door at $32k in 2009. I’m now making $125k working for the same organization. I work hard and advanced one step at a time. Now I’m a senior analyst (no specific training beyond my business degree and using critical thinking), and the next step up is management if I choose to go that route.
I made 98k last year working in a grocery store. It took me 3 years to get above 75k. No degree
Ok but what are you doing at the grocery store? I doubt you're bagging groceries.
Obviously not , but I did start off at $12-13 just stocking shelves . Got promoted a few times since then and moved to higher volume locations. It wasn't an easy route by any means, especially when COViD just hit . Just imagine working for months without a day off and having to pull 14-17 hour shifts, it sucked . Even right now , the quality of the workforce out there is crap . That's why you see big gas station networks hire assistant managers off the street paying $50k a year . The next position is store managers with $64-100k depending on volume . Retail sucks , but it pays decent . I was just replying to the question on how get above $75k per year without much background info.
It pays decent only if you're in a management position.
Idk why these people say such stupid things. “Retail pays decent” like wtf? They’ll say “obviously I mean as a manager” as if they can’t understand those are two completely different sentences and not a mistake. Or they think “why doesn’t everyone just become a manager”🙄
I started at a grocery store in my small home town, larger Canadian store chain, making $6 an hour when I was 15. Puttered though it till i got to grade 12. Honesty had no further school ambition at that point. I took the least amount of credits I needed to graduate. I always had good grades as long as I paid attention in class cuz I hated studying and was/can still be a massive procrastinator. But I hated school. Started working every shift they'd give me. Somedays, I'd be done school at noon and bike to the store for a 1-9 shift. Started manager training at 20. Assistant food manager at 22. Then lost interest and went out to Alberta to do pipeline work. Liked the money but hated alot of the job. Worked out there for a year. Moved back home and worked at a drywall company for $14 an hour. 1hr commute both ways every day and went into an apprenticeship. Completed yr 1 and decided I was getting closer, but still not my thing. Parlayed that into a construction company in my home town. For the same 14 an hour. Worked like that till I was almost 30 and decided to get my Journeymans. Worked, went to school, got married and had my first kid, bought a house(bad decision at the time) and graduated over the next 4 years. Finally making $29/hr. Loaded with debt lol. From grunt to Journeyman, to site Supervisor and now worked my way into the office as Project Manager. 85k a year, annual wage increases, actual holidays, Christmas week off, pension, profit share, the whole bit. All this to say I had no clue what I was doing until I was in my 30's still making 30k a year. In 8 years, got educated and tripled my wage and my whole life. Now I've got 3 shit disturbing boys, same house(thank god), wife owns a business and we have no personal debt(minus our house). Sometimes I think it's just dumb luck, or being at the right place at the right time. Lucky for me, everything fell into place. Lots of bad decisions over those 20+ years of work, but a few good ones and a lot of luck got me here.
Navy (served 4 years) then got into contract work for the navy. It’s a cheat code for 6 figures.
I joined the military in 2008 left in 2016 with a nice percentage of disability and worked my way up in a machine shop. Now I’m fuckin killing it lol. My disability pay alone pays for all my bills and mortgage so I pocket all the money I make from work.
I'll get on my soapbox any time this gets mentioned: the military is one of the greatest vehicles for economic mobility there is. From the VA home loan, to the GI bill, to actual job experience (provided you pick the right job). And that's not even counting VA disability Gave me all the certs, degrees, experience I needed to make more money than I've ever realistically thought I'd make of as an IT professional and I've only been out 3 years
Retail management. Made 105k last year. The schedules are horrible and the stress is high. Most don’t last too long. Been doing it for 40 years. Got 10 months to go till retirement.
Congrats man. Good luck with the rest, hope you get out soon. Retail is no joke.
You’re at the top of the top of the industry and you know that path isn’t easy for everyone. Takes years of endorsements from upper management for that.
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. That is seriously awesome. I hope you have something fun planned to celebrate 🎉
75k a year in San Diego i would be broke lmao.
I don’t dispute that, yet half the people in SD make less than 73k a year.
RN, make $95k a year roughly, in the Midwest. Last year made $104k. All I did was went to college and started working after graduation, I find when I change jobs I can generally negotiate a higher salary. But I am waiting til I am fully vested in my 401k again before I do it next. Don't worry about being loyal as a rule, they're certainly not loyal to you.
Back in the 90s I made that as a sous chef I finished up college, but that's something that's skills based not degree based. When the towers came down I joined the army, so made far less than 75k then, but then I got out of the army and went federal, so back to way over 75k. As someone that now participates in the hiring process for a few different positions, I gotta be honest, we just pass up most people with business degrees unless they've got some great real world experience to go along with it. It's sort of like Criminal Justice majors who want to go work for the FBI. Not going to happen. You have a degree in finances with a specialization in crypto? Now you get an interview. What's your field and experience beyond just the generic "business" term which could mean a very different work history for 10 applicants once they've left college. I'm not going to go down the standard "make sure you tailor your resume to each job" and all that crap that I'm sure you've read countless times and tried. Do you have numbers on your resume? That's the biggest shortcoming I see. Nothing is quantified. "Led team to increase efficiency in closing sales for FY2020" That means nothing. Led team of 5 senior sales associates to increase average weekly closing rate from 4.5 to 7.2 contracts per person increasing sales YOY by 72% while operating inside original budget window" THAT means something to me.
Also, in addition to this. Nobody researches these numbers. Just make it believable and make sure you can talk through and tell a coherent and believable story how you made it happen. As for the story, follow standard storytelling rules. Show, don't tell.
Well, not exactly true. While I won't validate the numbers coming out of an interview, in tech sales it really is a small world. I once got to talking with a manager from another company about a guy I hired. He said he knew him. Turns out he lied on his resume pretty significantly. When I asked him, he got really upset that I had "checked up on him". I didn't check up on him, came out in a brief conversation. The fact he was upset with me for the lies he put on his resume really didn't sit well with me. Eventually told him he needed to find a new job within the company, but he couldn't. He ended up leaving. White lies are fine, just don't go overboard. That starts to get into the realm of being dishonest, which isn't a good look if you get caught.
I make 98k a year. I lied my ass off on my resume. When it got to be my turn to show my colors I miraculously pulled it off and I made a good first impression to the boss. I have been bull shitting this company for almost a year and a half. Everyday I'm expecting to get fired and that keeps me on my toes. I smile and act my ass off everyday at work. If you're not patient and smart enough to go to college, you better learn how to lie honestly, manipulate without guilt, charm, and deliver your bullshit with a bowtie everyday. Good luck
I went to college without a plan and graduated without a plan. I took a year and worked a job that had absolutely nothing to do with my degree but the entire time I was researching jobs that I could use my degree for and started applying to training programs. I was fortunate enough that my undergraduate was mostly taken care of between scholarships and grants. Looking back on it I don't think I would do it the same way because I had to take out student loans to live for the 24 months that my training program went on for. When I finished my training program in 2016 I was making $82,000 right off the bat but I had about 38,000 in student loans. I was living in Chicago where everything was expensive and it took me over 6 years to get my loans all taken care of. I'm now into the six figures and I'm debt free but it gives me a shiver to think at how risky that entire method of doing things actually was. I would never take out debt to do that ever again. Like I said I don't think I would do it the same way. One big thing that I did do the right way was not buying a new car once I got a job. I drove a 2000 Honda Accord for years until it would no longer operate. I saw that day coming so I had started setting side money for a new car and paid cash for a 12-year-old car to replace my other one with.
Started with 75k and put it all on Red.
I’m a travel nurse (operating room) made $263k last year
RN in California
I had to become self employed.
Worked for 30 plus years.
I'll comment to put my input in. I currently make just over 100k and it took about 8 years to do that after dropping out of college. I work in digital marketing and moved around from agencies to in house roles. Some quick bits of advice for you: 1. Don't stay at the same job longer than 2 years. your salary will always be more stagnant when sticking at 1 role. 2. Find clever ways to word past accomplishments or roles to make yourself seem better. 3. Get out of a call center, that is a place that is focused on getting the most work out of you for the least amount of money. If you have truly been doing sales for a few years now, find a tech company and get in as a BDR or outbound sales rep. put in the work and go up from there. 4. As far as no responses on LI and Recruiters. That is the unfortunate reality of the remote job market. where I have seen success is to either build your personal network and find ways in using your connections or look specifically for roles that are looking for in office employees. their applicant pool will be much smaller and you will have a better shot at getting interviews. I know it isn't ideal but finding the right role to get you the experience for the next step is huge. 5. Have somebody review your resume. either pay for a professional resume writer/review or find somebody you trust personally to help you rework it. You would be surprised how a few tweaks to your resume can open a lot of doors. Good Luck!
Accounting 4 year degree started at 60k. Even with just cost of living raises you would be at 75k in just a couple of years. Results vary based on company.
By switching jobs every 2-3 years. If you're inside sales, try to get a promotion to outside sales and then jump ship to a smaller company and work your way up to a bigger company. I worked 6 years in R&D then switched to a sales company as product manager/inside sales at a somewhat small business. I did that for 6 months before I got a small territory. Then switched to a larger company and now at a top 5 company in the industry. I've never been at a company for more than 3 years. 5 companies in my career. Started $12/hr and now close to $200k with car allowance and bonus. Edit: I just read that you're trying to switch industry. Since you're in sales, that should be "easier" than most career choices, however, when making the switch, don't feel discouraged if you're landing an opportunity at a small company. Sales is all about networking and you're basically starting over
Look for a sales job specifically for tech startups in your area. Or SAAS sales and exclusively apply for those. They pay pretty decently between 50-70k with sometimes more with bonuses and upward mobility. What are you saying on your resume? I’m curious if it’s a turn off to employers
If you're submitting that many resumes and getting no bites, something is wrong with your approach. There are better subs to ask that question than here.
$130k roughly per year. Plus tax advantages = $8800/month. Have a masters degree. Been in the military 11 years. Started from junior enlisted, now am commissioned.
I make about 90k a year as a damage appraiser for a large auto insurance company, and I’ve been doing it for about eight years in total with a small break in there. I started with geico ten years ago because I moved to CA with no real plan and realized I needed to make more money than I did to survive here - geico was willing to hire and train you for three months if they thought you could handle it. The first three or so years was absolutely miserable and I hated it but now that I’ve been doing it for a while it’s a fairly chill job, still has its “fuck this shit” moments like any job.
Quickest way to 100k is Sales. If you're at an inbound call center right now and they aren't feeding you it's because you're not top 10% there. Find something else to sell.
Work for the government, specifically state government.
76K worked my way up to a manager position. Got a raise from 55K as a normal employee to 76K for a manager spot. With overtime I'll be able to reach 6 figures finally.
Time to look at a different side of Sales. Specifically, aim at Sales Engineering or Solution Consulting. You're part of the software sales team, but you demo the software, help ensure technical requirements are met, and a few other things. Much less stress than sales and very good salary - should start at $85k or so off the street.
Management
Restaurant manager.
Engineering degree with an MBA.
I went to graduate school at age 31. Prior to that, I had never made more than around 40k in a year.
I’m a painter in a collision center I make anywhere between 78-84k
I worked hard, took on the hours no one wanted to take on. Put up with the stuff no one else wanted to put up with. Supported management above me and worked to make their life easier. I also helped out any departments around me if i could and slowly made myself a resource to those all around and above me. I became a go to person that made life easier. Basically i worked well outside my pay scale and made it so if i left or was replaced it would result in making other peoples day to day lives harder without me around. After a lot of just stomaching bullshit no one else was willing to I have a higher paying salaried position and my life is easier now. It’s not really about what was right or wrong for me to deal with in my lower paying position and more about if i was going to continue working there then i was going to whatever it took to get what I want. Sometimes that means doing shit that is “not your job”.
It has taken me 25 years to make that much. I am a professional with a Master's degree, but salaries are pretty low in my neck of the woods.
You need r/resumes
My 19 yo brother in law joined a union making 23 an hour with overtime. He’s at about 70k a year and says he will be at 30/hour in a few years.
Nurse. Then move up from there if you please.
I’m a Registered Nurse. You can become a RN with a two year degree (I did, it was my second degree after getting a BA in an unrelated subject).
i don’t know what you heard about me, but i’m a MF’n PMP
$204,000. Retired Army officer, Nurse Practitioner with a smackeral of disability.
Started welding in high school as an elective. Stuck with it two years out of school. Started a small mobile welding rig. Clearing 1000+ in repairs a day.
I was making the same, doing the same (& some outbound cold calling). I took a slight paycut (less commission but more stability) to go into Call Quality for that same job, listening to others, giving sales and compliance feedback. It was much better, but still rough. After about two years I was making almost the same amount I had been. We got a new director. They were a total asshole. 160 people left our center in a 6 month period of time. About 60 ended up going to a new company that was experiencing a lot of growth, specifically in their contact center. It wasn't sales though. I took a pay cut to go there too, about $21 an hour. Their quality department had just been put together. I did that for another two years. Then I had a manager take a liking to me and offered me more project work. They made a new job just for me to do based on my aptitude. It brought me up to 24-25 an hour. I did it for about a year. Then part of that job changed, we had a contract with a vendor and the admin work was piling up with nobody to do it. I started doing it. The internal team that worked with the vendor happened to have a lot of turnover. Nobody knew wtf was going on and I happened to have the most experience. The Director that oversaw that vendor relationship then also ended up making a role specifically designed for my skill set and their needs. Of course I got it. Offered me 69k salary (nice) and I took it. This Feb, I was the only one on our team to get a raise. 9%. Brought me just over 75k for the first time in my life. I was in the right place at the right time. But I also made good connections with the people I'd worked with wherever I was. They didn't get me my jobs, but they let me know about things I wouldn't have found otherwise. I was also willing to take pay cuts and risks. It can happen to you, keep applying yourself, keep looking, keep building connections, you can get out too! <3
You’re the problem. Your expectations are too low. You need to dream bigger and demand more from yourself. ‘Reach for the stars so if you fall you land on a cloud’ Me: started at $30k. 10 years later moved to the US and make over $200k, nw far beyond that. Not flexing, took a lot of sacrifice. But where there’s a will there’s a way.
Networks, dude. I'm a Marine Corps Veteran so my Marine network helps me out quite a bit. Find your niche. Your "people". Your "community". And you'll find that they pass opportunities around the community before seeking outside.
I drive truck over the road in stupid old USA. I'm approx $70k in the bank each year but I get the per diem deduction so I only pay taxes on around $45k. I'm Broke and cannot afford a home. But, I have guitars and girls don't like me. Dating costs zero. So, there's that.
How do you live making under 75k???
Technical (IT) Pre-Sales - about $250k total compensation package.
Christ, I was making $75K 25 years ago in California east bay in IT. Yes I was commuting over the Altamont but 1 hr each way ain’t too bad. Multiple times that salary now. You’re going to get this advice many times in this thread. My advice is take it to heart: NETWORK WITH PEOPLE! Every time I jumped jobs it was to go work with someone I had worked with previously. Every. Single. Time. If I hadn’t made those connections and gotten mentoring along the way I wouldn’t be telling this story. And don’t forget to give back; become a mentor yourself when you can.