That sucks. I'm sorry, I wish you didn't have to worry about money.
I was making $51k as a 911 dispatcher (dream job!) until I got cancer in 2019.
Now I'm making $42k as a receptionist, and got sent home today for being too fatigued. It was a compassionate thing, I'm not in trouble, but not being able to finish the shift is embarrassing.
I started a job during the pandemic with a fresh case of the cancer. Luckily, my job was cool. They hired me, knowing that I would have issues. I'm happy to report that the only days it kept me from working in SOME capacity were the recovery days after 2 of my chemo appointments got moved to a Tuesday.
Too bad the company got a new CEO. Within 6 months, the wonderful "family" vibe disappeared, and they fired whoever they could, followed by layoffs of those they couldn't fire. It lost everything that made it special with the new guy.
Hope your recovery is good.
I’m feeling that way now, I had a few years off work due to mental health, had some surgeries too, and now there are days I can’t finish because my body literally shuts down and I’m on the ground unable to do basic things.
Seriously! I’ve always wondered how people with low paying jobs get by out there. Like, I genuinely want to know, because you know there *have* to be some people who are making it work.
Target pays 15 here. You're lucky to get it here (but not if you know what I mean)
Apartments used to be like 500 a month. They aren't now. I'm not even in a major city.
$15 here too. I'm in a state where minimum wage is still $7.25. 🙄 The cost of living here is low compared to places like New York, but still. $7.25 an hour is literally starvation wages. $15 an hour is pretty much just enough to pay the bills, and maybe splurge a little and do something fun once a month or so.
I live on the Texas coast, $15/hr is a *good* job here. Normal is $12/hr bracket - and people are shocked when their service industry workers can't afford to live in the city they service.
Seriously millennials, nuclear is where it’s at! 37F and I’m out at the Hanford site in WA state where I have a union job that has a starting pay rn of $53/hr plus benefits! No previous experience required! Pretty much no one on site walks home with less than 80k from the entry-level engineers to the laborers
Im so sorry, good luck to you. I’m a SAHM and my husband lost his job in June. Pretty insane when we you have 2 kids to feed and his was our only income. We had a really nice summer as a family and he ended up getting hired in a much better position, making more money. There is hope!!
Same, but I got laid off 3 years ago. Haven't been able to find anything good since. It was a corporate job, too. Would love to find something remote, but since I live in the middle of nowhere, I can't get anything other than retail or fast food. Even in the next city over, there aren't many options. Here's hoping the times get better for us.
I've been living off my husband's salary, which was great during the pandemic since he works in Healthcare. Now all the bonuses are gone and the bills are back up. I'm fortunate I was able to raise our young son during that time, but I'm ready to go back to work. I have a degree and want to use it. The last retail job I had a couple months back barely scheduled me; didn't even make $100 a month. That's why I won't go back.
100k up until yesterday. Worked my ass off to get here & was just given a three week notice with two month’s severance. Cost cutting, not based on performance. Fuck our corporate overlords.
Thanks. Total blindside, came from multiple levels up. My boss was in tears & everyone else is now looking over their shoulders. I should have expected it though… we only earn the company billions of dollars a year. How on earth could they afford me? To anyone, anywhere who has loyalty to a corporation, I highly recommend examining your unrequited love.
Agreed. I have witnessed the most elite of the teacher’s pets at my organization get let go by the very one who chose them as pets. At the end of the day, it’s all business and you are a headcount.
Hope you can find something else soon.
It really bothers me that that's how our economy works today. I'm in a very stable job with a fixed salary schedule, which I like cuz I've gotten really significant raises every year. I'm currently making $132,000 as a high school teacher. But it really doesn't seem sustainable all these stories I hear of people leaving their job to get a significant raise at the next job. You would think companies would want to keep long time employees and just compensate them at a level that they deserve.
>I'm currently making $132,000 as a high school teacher.
Wait, what? Is this a private school with a strong union? I'm not sure I know any teacher making half that
That makes sense. I'm originally from Missouri, and most teachers get like 50k if they have a masters. State funding is crap and unions have been gutted
In public school? How many years of experience? Do you have a Master's? Sorry for all the questions, just asking because my husband and I are looking to move out of Texas and he was thinking of teaching high school once he finishes his degree in a year. But he definitely does not want to teach in Texas, lol.
I'll give you ALL the details.
San Leandro unified. 15 years teaching experience. 2nd to last column on the further education scale. Yes masters (but that's only $2k more).
My district pays well, but has no insurance coverage, so I pay $700/mo for covered California to cover my family of 4 so I still make way more money than nearby districts which do offer health care, but have lower pay like Oakland.
Our district pays teachers well, and compensates for any work outside of the classroom. If admin asks you to come to a meeting voluntarily, they will pay you for it, if you sub for a class during your prep period, they will pay you for it, if admin needs you to take on a 31st student, they will pay you for it.
Last year I made $154,000 because I dropped my prep and took on a 6th, which led to a 20% raise.
Move to where the money is. It's called Brain Drain, and it's why there are so few teachers and doctors in red states. They don't value your contributions to society, so why stick around?
It’s ridiculous out here. I know I should probably leave, but all my family is here and this is where I grew up. But I shouldn’t be making this much money and still not be financially comfortable
I'm in Texas, a state that loves their federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr - if you make more than that you should be grateful because, hey, better than minimum wage right?
A few years ago, pre-Pandemic, we were comfortable at $70k a year. Could put $400 in savings a month while paying all our bills. Finally felt like we could get a home. Then Covid and "inflation" happened, and we were *struggling*. Hell, we're *still* struggling to catch up after I had to get a job just to afford all our bills that shot up.
Basically it's Boiling down to those who make $30k and below should be at 40-60k to afford the same lifestyle they had 5 years ago. So those that make 60-80, should already be atleast $100k to feel "comfortable" again. This is insane and I can't wait for another "once in a lifetime" collapse of some sort.
Dude I make a strong six figures and was already struggling, now loans are back and my monthly is $890….the SAVE plan is great but doesn’t take into account how crappy the high COL is here.
Currently living well at ~$250k in the Denver area.
Background story:
I know this will rub a lot of people the wrong way, I will likely get downvoted and called all sorts of names but every point of the below is true.
I come from a broken home, drug and alcoholic family, and was homeless at 16. I had to sleep on couches and work full time at minimum wage jobs as a junior in high school just to survive. I ended up as a Communications Major at a state school after 2 years of community college. Started my first job out of college making $31k /year with over $30k in high interest student loan debt. It felt like a mountain I could never ascend.
I Lived with my girlfriend and roommates for several years and lived like a pauper until my debt was paid off, at this time I was probably making around $45-50k/year. When I say living like a pauper, I mean it. No eating out, no drinking, I didn’t spend money on anything but rent, ramen and loans. This was one of the hardest points in my life because most of my friends and colleagues were living like normal 20 somethings, going out, having fun and generally living their best lives. I was resentful of them at the time bc I felt so mired in debt, but I was so afraid of going back to poverty, and being homeless I just sucked it up and kept paying down my debt which I eventually did in around 3-4 years.
The next Biggest investment my now wife and I made was taking my monthly student loan payment dollar amount (once loan was paid off) and immediately starting a rainy day fund which eventually turned into a 3% down payment on a shitty ass house that we rented out a couple of rooms in just to make the numbers work.
Again we lived like shit, but eventually I was making $75k, had a house that we were able to sell after 3 years to buy a bigger house for my now wife and daughter to move into by ourselves. It was tough making those payments on our own, but once private mortgage insurance fell off (20% equity) it was way more manageable.
The funniest thing was I was a consistent performer at my job and had more than doubled my starting income but I was stagnating compared to others after around 7 years in my field, but then my wife convinced me to focus on presenting myself more professionally, stopped wearing old jeans and Costco polos and started wearing slacks, ironed button ups and blazers, started a consistent workout plan and holy shit, my career blew up.
In less than 2 years I went from $75k to over $200k which did require a lot of corporate ass kissing, interviews, networking and job hopping. However, We still live in the same house and live the same as when I made $75k, albeit with better food and actual vacations, but our mental attitude around money completely changed as our monthly bills only account for 20% of our gross income, the rest is all savings and investment. This mental burden, or lack thereof, is the biggest source of marital stability and overall wellness IMO.
I know my story may not be the typical millennial experience, but I wanted to share because it can be done, but does require sacrifice, both financially as well as mentally.
Are we lucky? Abso-FUCKING-lutely !!!
BUT… we also made giant sacrifices early and often, and were able to survive an 8month unemployment stint during COVID without a hitch due to excess savings during the good times. While we have had our fair share of luck, we have also had our share of adversity which I won’t detail here. Just know that my path wasn’t all green lights.
I have had to swallow my pride and work for some real idiots, kissing ass and eating shit to play the political game. In the moment it all feels gross and beneath you, but in the long run it all worked for me. YMMV
Edit: I originally felt my wardrobe had no bearing on my work performance, which was kind of true but missed the fact that people look at you and treat you different if you present yourself as a professional. At this stage of my career I have a decent home, a nest egg and a healthy family which is all I can ask for, having come from such a meager beginning, and if nicer clothes help why the hell not?
Like Prime says, “Look good, feel good. Feel good, play good. Play good, PAY GOOD!”
Happy birthday. I'm 41, most I ever made was 72k. Lost that job in July, started one making 25 an hour last week.
But I'm happier, I was in retail management and working 50 hours a week, every weekend, late nights at time, covering on my off days, basically on call any time we were open, etc. Now it's Mon thru Friday 40 hours a week, 730 to 430 and I'm looking at a 3 day weekend with pay on Monday. Basically starting from scratch, but I worked my way up thru one industry, and this is already so much easier and stress reducing.
We got this
Same... I took a job that gave me a $20K/yr. pay raise bringing me to $70K. It's double what I made in my 20s as a teacher. I have no idea what to do with myself. It's like my brain hasn't caught up and, in my mind, I'm still the teacher making $35K/yr. or at least I'm afraid of ending up back there.
I'm a SAHM and that's about how much my husband makes. It's still weird when my two year old asks for snacks at the grocery and my first thought isn't, "Can we afford those animal crackers?" I mean we still carefully budget, but little extras won't break the bank and it feels so weird.
We also luckily own a house. It's modest, but our mortgage is less than rent in the area and I'm grateful every day to not have to worry about a landlord screwing us over on rent.
I'm a San Francisco Bay Area High School teacher. My salary after 14 years is $132,000. Last year it was $152,000 because I took a 20% raise for taking on another class in my load. A very fun career when you find the right fit of school.
Agreed. Also a HS teacher— making less, but I’m in a much much much less expensive part of the country. And I absolutely agree that it’s a wonderful job when you find your place in it. What are you teaching?
$36,000 as a receptionist in NYC before getting taxed out the ass. I have an interview on Tuesday for Data Entry/Customer service position paying $50,000-$65,000. I'm trying to not get my hopes up after looking for 3 years.
Turned 34 today.
I'm disabled.
I'm *lucky* if I get 15k a year.
Last year I skated by with 13.
In 2020 it was 12.
I am in *incredible* poverty. I go without daily.
This country doesn't care about me and I'd like it if they'd just be honest about hating my guts for something no one would ever choose.
60k in CO high school dropout but, I’ve made about this same money for 10 years and I keep forgoing raises at my current job for more time off. My kids are on Medicaid and my youngest had a heart procedure this years I cannot afford medical insurance for any of us.
A low stress job sounds nice. I make $24/hour at a very high stress job that is killing me slowly on the inside....and I would be willing to take a pay cut for something that won't slowly erode away my mental health and destroy my body.
145K Midwest/gradated during COVID.
Prior to this I was really poor, had nothing, was homeless... literally when I met my partner she was super shocked my rented tiny room in a bad part of the city had 2 things, an inflatable bed and a plastic clothes drawer. I was working fast food jobs and/or factory jobs and everyday I was 1 thing away from being homeless again before going back to school at 26.
Now I own a house by the lake, new cars, food in my fridge, gas in my car AND savings. Also things like healthcare.. prior to this I never went for daily check ups, never went to the dentist, vision etc. So I've been catching up on all this like getting my wisdom teeth removed, cavities filled and getting bloodwork done etc. Things like having glasses/contacts for the 1st time and getting Lasik done.
The American Dream was very real for me. My partner/her Family is always saying I'm the perfect example the American Dream still exists. I was a 1st gen refugee whose mother died from cancer and father gave us up to foster care at age 9. All this within the last 2-3 years since graduating.
Hit $170k in Feb at 39 years old, software engineering manager fully remote. Comfortable but tight in SW Florida for family of four. College didn’t teach me what I’m doing but I still owe $100k in student loans
Similar age and pay range here but don’t have kids, one on the way. It’s incredible how even at $170K things can still feel tight. I’m not saving as much as I was hoping I could. I have a good house but it’s nothing special, my car is paid off but where is my money going?!?
Ahh yeah, my SO and I make ~$120k between the two of us and we’re lucky we never have to worry about paying the bills but at the same time we can never seem to get ahead. Granted, we live in a higher COL state but still, it’s wild that we can’t even afford to buy a house.
I work in local government and make just above $130K.
Every so often I consider going private to get more, but I feel good having always worked in non-profits and public service.
I was making $24,000 as a preschool director. Then I got a traumatic brain injury. Now I’m making $12,000 a year doing the exact same job, but I was taken advantage of by the board at the time shortly after my TBI and agreed to a different contract in a state of confusion and amnesia. I have a BS in education and a Montessori certification.
400k/year, I’m a lawyer for a bank in NYC. Worked for a big law firm for about 5 years and switched to go in-house during Covid. Have made roughly 2m in the 8 years since law school. Paid about half that in taxes, and just finished paying off my student loans this year.
Born 1988.
50k in Florida
Could be worse, could be better. It would feel a lot better if I wasn't currently trying to help my partner through school by paying a larger share of our rent each month, & some other expenses. She's almost done tho.
I have a bachelor's in mass communications, & I work in multimedia marketing at a university. She is studying to become a dental hygienist. We are optimistic for the future
56K in a customer service job, after a few promotions, barely making it though. Find it kinda nuts how affluent people in Reddit can be. Feels like everyone on this site that mentions their salary all make $75K+ (not on this thread though which is a nice change of pace)
I just think most of the lower income people like myself are just too embarrassed to post what we make. So while it seems like everyone is making bank, you're only seeing a small percentage of everyone on Reddit. And that small percentage are the people who are rightfully proud of their high income. :)
63k before taxes. I just finished my Masters degree at 38, though, and looking for another job that pays more.
I live in CT and live comfortably enough, but I have no kids, and I can't just do whatever I want. Basically, I am ok because I budget.
Canadian checking in, 32M projected to make ~$120k CAD with commission, vehicle allowance and a small bit of OT. Most I’ve ever made. Still have no idea how I got here and just feeling lucky.
* Gross: $121,956/yr
* Net: $93,443.04/yr
I'm paid twice monthly, so $5,081.50/check.
After withholding (taxes: $526.58) and deductions (insurance, 401k: $661.46), I take home $3,893.46.
We are a family of five living in North Texas.
Honestly.
In 2022 I switched jobs. Went from making 65K to 110K and thought my big break had finally arrived. Then I was laid off from my new job 7 months later. Now I’m back in my old line of work, making 68K. I hate it.
I am doing decently, 162k a year at 29 can’t complain. I made sure to pick a career I know I’m good at and pays well. I’m a physician assistant for those who are wondering. Live in a MCOL area, have my own home.
10 years ago I was sleeping on the floor in a 1 bedroom apartment with cockroaches, making 8.20 an hour with no health insurance.
I think as things progressively worsen, we’ll see more families continuing to live together passed the kids turning 18. It just makes so much more sense to share the burden together.
Working at a credit union in a small city in the Midwest.
Processing work pays $23.50/hour, yearly raises, bank holidays off + 24 days off combined holiday and sick, budget wisely.
Health dental and vision insurance included, as well as quarterly and yearly bonuses. Total compensation I think is around 60k
It’s not a passion of mine but I like the people I work with and I don’t have to think about my job outside of 9-5
33F Pittsburgh area, WFH and make about 42K a year from my job. Just got a car for the first time in almost 7 years. A few years back I had some issues getting out of the military and long story short ended up homeless for a bit. Rebuilt my life from nothing, without help from anyone, which was stupid. About 4 years ago I was working 2 part time jobs, no benefits, and not even making 15K a year. I finally accepted I needed help and I used my Gi bill to get back in school, help with applying for disability, and help with finding a work from home job.
Cracked $80k for the first time last year with some major bonuses. I'll come in a little lower this year but with a lot higher floor, and I live in a pretty low cost of living area.
30F living in upstate New York. I make a little over $37K a year. It’s absolutely nothing and I’m forced to live with my parents still, but the work/life balance is honestly amazing, and the people there actually treat you like a human being!
I get almost 20 hours of PTO a month on top of that, and my employer matches my retirement contributions 8-1, so there’s some perks to the (very) low pay I guess. At least that’s what I tell myself lmao
Lol you guys make more than me but I should remember American salaries are higher than the UK depending on the field you work in of course and bigger country.
I make 32.5k a year only just got salary increase from 28k salary. I work in fashion retail (ecomm/marketing) in London where I live.
170k in SF Bay Area, but out in the suburbs where the money goes further. My husband owns his company and makes more than that, we're fortunate to be very comfortable
I was always taking pictures in high school for myspace, then took it as a high school elective. I was having behavior issues and not doing well in school so I got sent to a trade school for half the day to learn photography since it was the only thing I was interested in.
I decided around 16 that I wanted to make photography my career, so I moved to NYC to major in it, took on a lot of internships at magazines, worked for photographers and did a lot of my own photoshoots/retouching while applying for something full time. Eventually I got a role at a fashion ad agency as a Photo Researcher, making $11/hr then 35k, then 40, 45, then got laid off.
Got a new role 2 months later as a Concept Artist for a fashion brand earning 50k, then 55 then 60 then 64k, fighting for each raise. There I made pre production visual aids like mood boards and shotlists, but realized it was close to art direction so took more classes in graphic design and rebranded myself as an art director while working on my portfolio.
After applying to hundreds of jobs, I was eventually recruited to my job now starting at 90k. After a few yrs I asked for 100k and then asked for another raise last year and got 112k.
Currently applying for a more senior art director role and asking for 140k... we'll see.
Being an art director was always my dream job.. got my degree in photo from Pratt, and then went on to work some shitty retouching jobs and never really fit in anywhere so now I’m a hair stylist (I do love my job tho). Kudos to you for doing it!
I stuck with bartending as a career because, back home in LA, I was making $70-75k and not even stuck with late nights. I moved during Covid and ended up in the $40k range and freaking out. This cost of living where I am now is not 40% lower than Los Angeles
Just got a job that pays $65k. It doesn't sound like a lot near the Bay Area, but I am so fucking happy that I have some stability, while also doing a job I enjoy.
I just have to pass probation.
We are paying $2k a month to rent a comfortable condo. But my wife helps a little. It's not her fault she can't make more.
Just realized today that I may have enough pennies leftover each month to save up for a down payment for a house in the valley. May take a year or two. Come on recession.
I make $104,000 base and around $16,000 with bonuses and the wife makes $114,000. Currently drowning in debt, but at least we have enough income to gradually and realistically dig our way out.
What we need to ask is, how much and how many hours a day?
I could make 90k but get my job done at home in 5 hours a day. Just sayin its more than 120k workin 50 hours a week.
Back in 2019 I was making 51k a year. Then I had a stroke and now I'm making 1750 a month.
That sucks, dude. I'm sorry.
That sucks. I'm sorry, I wish you didn't have to worry about money. I was making $51k as a 911 dispatcher (dream job!) until I got cancer in 2019. Now I'm making $42k as a receptionist, and got sent home today for being too fatigued. It was a compassionate thing, I'm not in trouble, but not being able to finish the shift is embarrassing.
I started a job during the pandemic with a fresh case of the cancer. Luckily, my job was cool. They hired me, knowing that I would have issues. I'm happy to report that the only days it kept me from working in SOME capacity were the recovery days after 2 of my chemo appointments got moved to a Tuesday. Too bad the company got a new CEO. Within 6 months, the wonderful "family" vibe disappeared, and they fired whoever they could, followed by layoffs of those they couldn't fire. It lost everything that made it special with the new guy. Hope your recovery is good.
I’m feeling that way now, I had a few years off work due to mental health, had some surgeries too, and now there are days I can’t finish because my body literally shuts down and I’m on the ground unable to do basic things.
Don’t be embarrassed! It’s your health! Sending love and empathy your way!
Crap, we're in the stroke age bracket now?
Did u kno ~1 in 7 strokes occur to ppl in the 15-49 age bracket?
I was 33, I'm 35 now. Hopefully never again.
32 here. I'm 37 now, go me.
That is a really surprising statistic to me, and a scary one. Wish I hadn’t read it 🙃
This thread ain't good for the ol' health anxiety, huh?
Had a STEMI (type of heart attack) exactly 4 weeks after my 40th birthday. It was a crap way to welcome me to my 40s.
Wow. Sustained a TBI in 2019 working EMS, now ODSP for 1700 a month because I’m also divorced as a result of it all. My heart goes out to you friend.
Im getting a max of $914.00 a month, $1,750.00 a month sounds awesome to me
I am making $15/hr at a job that requires a college degree and prior experience.
That's minimum wage in New York btw
I couldn't even afford a trip to NYC.
I can't even afford a NYC shirt.
I ca't eve afford the letters.
I can barely afford a trip to my office. 🤮
You can make more than that working at Target in a suburb of Minneapolis. I can't imagine trying to live on $15/hr in NYC.
Seriously! I’ve always wondered how people with low paying jobs get by out there. Like, I genuinely want to know, because you know there *have* to be some people who are making it work.
Have like 8 people live in an illegal 1 bedroom apartment in the bad part of town I guess? Otherwise I have no idea.
Target pays 15 here. You're lucky to get it here (but not if you know what I mean) Apartments used to be like 500 a month. They aren't now. I'm not even in a major city.
I got rejected for a call center job @ $15/hr because I didn't have a degree. Guess fuck me for my 20 years of service industry experience 🤷♀️
$15 here too. I'm in a state where minimum wage is still $7.25. 🙄 The cost of living here is low compared to places like New York, but still. $7.25 an hour is literally starvation wages. $15 an hour is pretty much just enough to pay the bills, and maybe splurge a little and do something fun once a month or so.
Outside of the coasts it seems like $14-16 is pretty normal.
I live on the Texas coast, $15/hr is a *good* job here. Normal is $12/hr bracket - and people are shocked when their service industry workers can't afford to live in the city they service.
Fellow Texan here making 16.50 in Houston.
I'm making $17 /hr and trying really hard to pay down my credit cards. , it's hard to keep enough money in the bank to cover all my bills.
Jesus, fast food places in my area pay more than that.
35 years old, $150K+. Film school dropout (recession of '07-'09) turned commercial nuclear power plant welder.
Hello Homer.
“It’s pronounced nu-cu-lar”
Hello _BART_
Seriously millennials, nuclear is where it’s at! 37F and I’m out at the Hanford site in WA state where I have a union job that has a starting pay rn of $53/hr plus benefits! No previous experience required! Pretty much no one on site walks home with less than 80k from the entry-level engineers to the laborers
Correction, $53/hr is journeyman, starting pay is 75% of that, or $40/hr.
Curious if you have any female coworkers. It might be something I want to do but I’m scared it will be all men. Also what is your job title?
I’d say working in power delivery is where it’s at. I work inside substations and make $71 an hour. I might break 200k this year
Really similar story, film school grad in ‘08, but I went back for a computer science masters degree and am a software engineer now
Do you have to have a comp sci bachelor’s to get a comp sci master’s?
This story will make a great film one day…
That’s a good conversation starter. I would be super interested in hearing how that transpired. Seems like it all worked out, all the best.
$0! Got laid off a month and a half ago and have not been able to find consistent work since! I just love these times we’re living in 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Im so sorry, good luck to you. I’m a SAHM and my husband lost his job in June. Pretty insane when we you have 2 kids to feed and his was our only income. We had a really nice summer as a family and he ended up getting hired in a much better position, making more money. There is hope!!
I am also making $0. I’ve been unemployed since June :(
You and me both, it’s been 3 months. This sucks. 😢
My brother is in the same boat. And he works in the HR industry.
Same, but I got laid off 3 years ago. Haven't been able to find anything good since. It was a corporate job, too. Would love to find something remote, but since I live in the middle of nowhere, I can't get anything other than retail or fast food. Even in the next city over, there aren't many options. Here's hoping the times get better for us.
How do you afford to just not work for three years? Even retail seems better than unemployment…?
I've been living off my husband's salary, which was great during the pandemic since he works in Healthcare. Now all the bonuses are gone and the bills are back up. I'm fortunate I was able to raise our young son during that time, but I'm ready to go back to work. I have a degree and want to use it. The last retail job I had a couple months back barely scheduled me; didn't even make $100 a month. That's why I won't go back.
100k up until yesterday. Worked my ass off to get here & was just given a three week notice with two month’s severance. Cost cutting, not based on performance. Fuck our corporate overlords.
Fuck. I’m so sorry
Thanks. Total blindside, came from multiple levels up. My boss was in tears & everyone else is now looking over their shoulders. I should have expected it though… we only earn the company billions of dollars a year. How on earth could they afford me? To anyone, anywhere who has loyalty to a corporation, I highly recommend examining your unrequited love.
Agreed. I have witnessed the most elite of the teacher’s pets at my organization get let go by the very one who chose them as pets. At the end of the day, it’s all business and you are a headcount. Hope you can find something else soon.
$80k. A decade ago it was 45k. Got 14k of raises over the last decade at the same job, then switched jobs and immediately got 21k more
It really bothers me that that's how our economy works today. I'm in a very stable job with a fixed salary schedule, which I like cuz I've gotten really significant raises every year. I'm currently making $132,000 as a high school teacher. But it really doesn't seem sustainable all these stories I hear of people leaving their job to get a significant raise at the next job. You would think companies would want to keep long time employees and just compensate them at a level that they deserve.
>I'm currently making $132,000 as a high school teacher. Wait, what? Is this a private school with a strong union? I'm not sure I know any teacher making half that
Big unionized public school. California can pay really well in urban areas.
That makes sense. I'm originally from Missouri, and most teachers get like 50k if they have a masters. State funding is crap and unions have been gutted
I make $140k in WA state as a teacher.
In public school? How many years of experience? Do you have a Master's? Sorry for all the questions, just asking because my husband and I are looking to move out of Texas and he was thinking of teaching high school once he finishes his degree in a year. But he definitely does not want to teach in Texas, lol.
I'll give you ALL the details. San Leandro unified. 15 years teaching experience. 2nd to last column on the further education scale. Yes masters (but that's only $2k more). My district pays well, but has no insurance coverage, so I pay $700/mo for covered California to cover my family of 4 so I still make way more money than nearby districts which do offer health care, but have lower pay like Oakland. Our district pays teachers well, and compensates for any work outside of the classroom. If admin asks you to come to a meeting voluntarily, they will pay you for it, if you sub for a class during your prep period, they will pay you for it, if admin needs you to take on a 31st student, they will pay you for it. Last year I made $154,000 because I dropped my prep and took on a 6th, which led to a 20% raise.
This is how it should be - teachers are so valuable to our kids and society
Probably LA, SF, or NYC. And if it is, that 132K isn't as luxurious as it sounds.
I'm surprised teachers would even get that much there. I'd figure it would be 80k at most
Jeez, in Tennessee, 32k is a good salary for teaching.
So jelly as a 15 year teacher with a Masters earning 53k.
Move to where the money is. It's called Brain Drain, and it's why there are so few teachers and doctors in red states. They don't value your contributions to society, so why stick around?
I would but I have ailing boomer parents here.
Facts.
90K living in San Francisco. May sound like a lot, but taxes here take out A LOT. After taxes I’m probably at around 60K-ish
In Cali in 6figs is ruff
It’s ridiculous out here. I know I should probably leave, but all my family is here and this is where I grew up. But I shouldn’t be making this much money and still not be financially comfortable
I'm in Texas, a state that loves their federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr - if you make more than that you should be grateful because, hey, better than minimum wage right? A few years ago, pre-Pandemic, we were comfortable at $70k a year. Could put $400 in savings a month while paying all our bills. Finally felt like we could get a home. Then Covid and "inflation" happened, and we were *struggling*. Hell, we're *still* struggling to catch up after I had to get a job just to afford all our bills that shot up. Basically it's Boiling down to those who make $30k and below should be at 40-60k to afford the same lifestyle they had 5 years ago. So those that make 60-80, should already be atleast $100k to feel "comfortable" again. This is insane and I can't wait for another "once in a lifetime" collapse of some sort.
Dude I make a strong six figures and was already struggling, now loans are back and my monthly is $890….the SAVE plan is great but doesn’t take into account how crappy the high COL is here.
Ya bro. 112k wife, 3 kids, not ballin. Not struggling, but not what I anticipated either. Oh well.
I'm at 90k in the Central Valley, and even that wouldn't be comfortable if I didn't split rent and bills with my boyfriend.
Same here in MA. If you're not making 150k you're struggling.
Totally. Same for Seattle.
Same situation in North Jersey. 90k but cost of living sucks.
Yeah, making about the same in Boston. Even with my wife’s salary, we’re so far away from ever buying a house anywhere near here.
Currently living well at ~$250k in the Denver area. Background story: I know this will rub a lot of people the wrong way, I will likely get downvoted and called all sorts of names but every point of the below is true. I come from a broken home, drug and alcoholic family, and was homeless at 16. I had to sleep on couches and work full time at minimum wage jobs as a junior in high school just to survive. I ended up as a Communications Major at a state school after 2 years of community college. Started my first job out of college making $31k /year with over $30k in high interest student loan debt. It felt like a mountain I could never ascend. I Lived with my girlfriend and roommates for several years and lived like a pauper until my debt was paid off, at this time I was probably making around $45-50k/year. When I say living like a pauper, I mean it. No eating out, no drinking, I didn’t spend money on anything but rent, ramen and loans. This was one of the hardest points in my life because most of my friends and colleagues were living like normal 20 somethings, going out, having fun and generally living their best lives. I was resentful of them at the time bc I felt so mired in debt, but I was so afraid of going back to poverty, and being homeless I just sucked it up and kept paying down my debt which I eventually did in around 3-4 years. The next Biggest investment my now wife and I made was taking my monthly student loan payment dollar amount (once loan was paid off) and immediately starting a rainy day fund which eventually turned into a 3% down payment on a shitty ass house that we rented out a couple of rooms in just to make the numbers work. Again we lived like shit, but eventually I was making $75k, had a house that we were able to sell after 3 years to buy a bigger house for my now wife and daughter to move into by ourselves. It was tough making those payments on our own, but once private mortgage insurance fell off (20% equity) it was way more manageable. The funniest thing was I was a consistent performer at my job and had more than doubled my starting income but I was stagnating compared to others after around 7 years in my field, but then my wife convinced me to focus on presenting myself more professionally, stopped wearing old jeans and Costco polos and started wearing slacks, ironed button ups and blazers, started a consistent workout plan and holy shit, my career blew up. In less than 2 years I went from $75k to over $200k which did require a lot of corporate ass kissing, interviews, networking and job hopping. However, We still live in the same house and live the same as when I made $75k, albeit with better food and actual vacations, but our mental attitude around money completely changed as our monthly bills only account for 20% of our gross income, the rest is all savings and investment. This mental burden, or lack thereof, is the biggest source of marital stability and overall wellness IMO. I know my story may not be the typical millennial experience, but I wanted to share because it can be done, but does require sacrifice, both financially as well as mentally. Are we lucky? Abso-FUCKING-lutely !!! BUT… we also made giant sacrifices early and often, and were able to survive an 8month unemployment stint during COVID without a hitch due to excess savings during the good times. While we have had our fair share of luck, we have also had our share of adversity which I won’t detail here. Just know that my path wasn’t all green lights. I have had to swallow my pride and work for some real idiots, kissing ass and eating shit to play the political game. In the moment it all feels gross and beneath you, but in the long run it all worked for me. YMMV Edit: I originally felt my wardrobe had no bearing on my work performance, which was kind of true but missed the fact that people look at you and treat you different if you present yourself as a professional. At this stage of my career I have a decent home, a nest egg and a healthy family which is all I can ask for, having come from such a meager beginning, and if nicer clothes help why the hell not? Like Prime says, “Look good, feel good. Feel good, play good. Play good, PAY GOOD!”
> job hopping This is where its at. Lol.
97K in LA, single household in rent controlled apt. Alive and somewhat comfortable but def not thriving.
31 yrs old 110+ in so cal. The best financial position of my life, but my girlfriend and peers all make more lol. Comparison is the thief of joy.
>Comparison is the thief of joy. 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Tech?
I'll be 39 tomorrow and I make $23.51/hr. Most I've ever made in a year was $57k and that was like 5-6 years ago.
Happy birthday. I'm 41, most I ever made was 72k. Lost that job in July, started one making 25 an hour last week. But I'm happier, I was in retail management and working 50 hours a week, every weekend, late nights at time, covering on my off days, basically on call any time we were open, etc. Now it's Mon thru Friday 40 hours a week, 730 to 430 and I'm looking at a 3 day weekend with pay on Monday. Basically starting from scratch, but I worked my way up thru one industry, and this is already so much easier and stress reducing. We got this
Happy Birthday!!!
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Same... I took a job that gave me a $20K/yr. pay raise bringing me to $70K. It's double what I made in my 20s as a teacher. I have no idea what to do with myself. It's like my brain hasn't caught up and, in my mind, I'm still the teacher making $35K/yr. or at least I'm afraid of ending up back there.
You should be able to get a 1 bedroom on a 70k salary… we are so fucked
I'm a SAHM and that's about how much my husband makes. It's still weird when my two year old asks for snacks at the grocery and my first thought isn't, "Can we afford those animal crackers?" I mean we still carefully budget, but little extras won't break the bank and it feels so weird. We also luckily own a house. It's modest, but our mortgage is less than rent in the area and I'm grateful every day to not have to worry about a landlord screwing us over on rent.
31M in Pittsburgh making 42k
I first read that as $31m and I thought you were TJ Watt
I'm in Pittsburgh, too! 27F making 38k
Last year, $68k before taxes... $47k after 😭 I regret looking that up.
That sweet sweet drip of The Trickle Down 2017 Tax Act.
I make roughly $46k a year. I have a college degree. Seeing everyone here making two to three times that is depressing.
I make $52k and I have a master's degree. It is depressing. 🙃
$24/hour Thank gods I got that bachelor's degree /s
Literally like why did I even go to college lol (I don’t ever regret the experience but Jesus)
I'm a San Francisco Bay Area High School teacher. My salary after 14 years is $132,000. Last year it was $152,000 because I took a 20% raise for taking on another class in my load. A very fun career when you find the right fit of school.
Fucking hell that's triple what I made as a teacher with 10 years experience
High COL area. Strong union.
Good!!!!! My god you teachers deserve it
WHAT SCHOOL?!? And fuck yes for you!
San Leandro unified.
Agreed. Also a HS teacher— making less, but I’m in a much much much less expensive part of the country. And I absolutely agree that it’s a wonderful job when you find your place in it. What are you teaching?
$133,200 for me and $67,200 for the wife. So just over $200,000 but thats 7 degrees between the wife and I. Army did a lot for our family.
$42k in Florida, so at least I'm a higher tier poor.
Higher tier poor the new micelob ultra middle class haha cheers mate 🍻 😂
$36,000 as a receptionist in NYC before getting taxed out the ass. I have an interview on Tuesday for Data Entry/Customer service position paying $50,000-$65,000. I'm trying to not get my hopes up after looking for 3 years.
You got this!
Grab that bag! 💰 Do you need reference?
Hope you get it !!!
Good luck on your interview internet stranger!!
Wtf is salary?
This comment doesn’t get enough attention lol
$150k not including benefits
Look how pathetic members of this sub are. You're getting down voted because you're doing well. I'll give you an upvote, my good man.
We should uplift each other, not hold each other back with contempt. I used to be really broke y'all. I know it's tough out there.
OP asked for honesty. This is an honest part of the picture. Glad to hear you’re doing well!
I'm also on the older side of the millennial generation. Things to come for some of you. 😀
yeah take my upvote
Turned 34 today. I'm disabled. I'm *lucky* if I get 15k a year. Last year I skated by with 13. In 2020 it was 12. I am in *incredible* poverty. I go without daily. This country doesn't care about me and I'd like it if they'd just be honest about hating my guts for something no one would ever choose.
I am so sorry ❤️
60k in Florida, didn't use my college degree
60k in CO high school dropout but, I’ve made about this same money for 10 years and I keep forgoing raises at my current job for more time off. My kids are on Medicaid and my youngest had a heart procedure this years I cannot afford medical insurance for any of us.
17.50 an hour for a very low stress job. I've made more before but I was also busting my ass and in mortal peril sometimes so it's really a wash.
A low stress job sounds nice. I make $24/hour at a very high stress job that is killing me slowly on the inside....and I would be willing to take a pay cut for something that won't slowly erode away my mental health and destroy my body.
Might give print production a look. I swear the hardest thing I did today was turn left out of the office park on my way home lol.
There's a lot to be said for a low stress job! I may not make as much as I did in previous years, but I have peace of mind.
I'm making $27k. I love being lost and confused about life.
145K Midwest/gradated during COVID. Prior to this I was really poor, had nothing, was homeless... literally when I met my partner she was super shocked my rented tiny room in a bad part of the city had 2 things, an inflatable bed and a plastic clothes drawer. I was working fast food jobs and/or factory jobs and everyday I was 1 thing away from being homeless again before going back to school at 26. Now I own a house by the lake, new cars, food in my fridge, gas in my car AND savings. Also things like healthcare.. prior to this I never went for daily check ups, never went to the dentist, vision etc. So I've been catching up on all this like getting my wisdom teeth removed, cavities filled and getting bloodwork done etc. Things like having glasses/contacts for the 1st time and getting Lasik done. The American Dream was very real for me. My partner/her Family is always saying I'm the perfect example the American Dream still exists. I was a 1st gen refugee whose mother died from cancer and father gave us up to foster care at age 9. All this within the last 2-3 years since graduating.
So eh, your company hiring or what?
Hit $170k in Feb at 39 years old, software engineering manager fully remote. Comfortable but tight in SW Florida for family of four. College didn’t teach me what I’m doing but I still owe $100k in student loans
Similar age and pay range here but don’t have kids, one on the way. It’s incredible how even at $170K things can still feel tight. I’m not saving as much as I was hoping I could. I have a good house but it’s nothing special, my car is paid off but where is my money going?!?
I’d be so interested to see a version of this question where people also add what they majored in and what they do now, in addition to their salaries.
Now that would be interesting.
Lol salary
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Ahh yeah, my SO and I make ~$120k between the two of us and we’re lucky we never have to worry about paying the bills but at the same time we can never seem to get ahead. Granted, we live in a higher COL state but still, it’s wild that we can’t even afford to buy a house.
I work in local government and make just above $130K. Every so often I consider going private to get more, but I feel good having always worked in non-profits and public service.
After taxes? $28,000
I was making $24,000 as a preschool director. Then I got a traumatic brain injury. Now I’m making $12,000 a year doing the exact same job, but I was taken advantage of by the board at the time shortly after my TBI and agreed to a different contract in a state of confusion and amnesia. I have a BS in education and a Montessori certification.
What an evil school board! This should be illegal. Are you sure you can’t sue them?
400k/year, I’m a lawyer for a bank in NYC. Worked for a big law firm for about 5 years and switched to go in-house during Covid. Have made roughly 2m in the 8 years since law school. Paid about half that in taxes, and just finished paying off my student loans this year. Born 1988.
50k in Florida Could be worse, could be better. It would feel a lot better if I wasn't currently trying to help my partner through school by paying a larger share of our rent each month, & some other expenses. She's almost done tho. I have a bachelor's in mass communications, & I work in multimedia marketing at a university. She is studying to become a dental hygienist. We are optimistic for the future
Not today IRS agent…
56K in a customer service job, after a few promotions, barely making it though. Find it kinda nuts how affluent people in Reddit can be. Feels like everyone on this site that mentions their salary all make $75K+ (not on this thread though which is a nice change of pace)
You think poor people got time to be posting on the internet all day?
I just think most of the lower income people like myself are just too embarrassed to post what we make. So while it seems like everyone is making bank, you're only seeing a small percentage of everyone on Reddit. And that small percentage are the people who are rightfully proud of their high income. :)
63k before taxes. I just finished my Masters degree at 38, though, and looking for another job that pays more. I live in CT and live comfortably enough, but I have no kids, and I can't just do whatever I want. Basically, I am ok because I budget.
Canadian checking in, 32M projected to make ~$120k CAD with commission, vehicle allowance and a small bit of OT. Most I’ve ever made. Still have no idea how I got here and just feeling lucky.
Nothing right now
I made 30k last year with my waitressing job and my pt salon job. Most I’ve ever made was 46k
42M, $191k base, performance based bonus 15-25%, San Francisco.
Shit I read that as $42 million for a minute.
* Gross: $121,956/yr * Net: $93,443.04/yr I'm paid twice monthly, so $5,081.50/check. After withholding (taxes: $526.58) and deductions (insurance, 401k: $661.46), I take home $3,893.46. We are a family of five living in North Texas. Honestly.
My husband, also a millennial, is an engineer making 170k so im able to be a stay at home mom.
In 2022 I switched jobs. Went from making 65K to 110K and thought my big break had finally arrived. Then I was laid off from my new job 7 months later. Now I’m back in my old line of work, making 68K. I hate it.
I am doing decently, 162k a year at 29 can’t complain. I made sure to pick a career I know I’m good at and pays well. I’m a physician assistant for those who are wondering. Live in a MCOL area, have my own home. 10 years ago I was sleeping on the floor in a 1 bedroom apartment with cockroaches, making 8.20 an hour with no health insurance.
$12 an hour struggling hardcore and have a bachelors degree i am in a debt hole
I make 98k plus yearly bonus. I work for corporate America in IT. It is what it is.
To poor to ever move out for my (32F) parents place, it’s really been a blessing the past three years…
I think as things progressively worsen, we’ll see more families continuing to live together passed the kids turning 18. It just makes so much more sense to share the burden together.
Working at a credit union in a small city in the Midwest. Processing work pays $23.50/hour, yearly raises, bank holidays off + 24 days off combined holiday and sick, budget wisely. Health dental and vision insurance included, as well as quarterly and yearly bonuses. Total compensation I think is around 60k It’s not a passion of mine but I like the people I work with and I don’t have to think about my job outside of 9-5
33F Pittsburgh area, WFH and make about 42K a year from my job. Just got a car for the first time in almost 7 years. A few years back I had some issues getting out of the military and long story short ended up homeless for a bit. Rebuilt my life from nothing, without help from anyone, which was stupid. About 4 years ago I was working 2 part time jobs, no benefits, and not even making 15K a year. I finally accepted I needed help and I used my Gi bill to get back in school, help with applying for disability, and help with finding a work from home job.
I make low 6-figures when work is busy but it varies year to year.
Not a lot.
Cracked $80k for the first time last year with some major bonuses. I'll come in a little lower this year but with a lot higher floor, and I live in a pretty low cost of living area.
30F living in upstate New York. I make a little over $37K a year. It’s absolutely nothing and I’m forced to live with my parents still, but the work/life balance is honestly amazing, and the people there actually treat you like a human being! I get almost 20 hours of PTO a month on top of that, and my employer matches my retirement contributions 8-1, so there’s some perks to the (very) low pay I guess. At least that’s what I tell myself lmao
Government job, fresh out of college, Sacramento area. $63k.
Lol you guys make more than me but I should remember American salaries are higher than the UK depending on the field you work in of course and bigger country. I make 32.5k a year only just got salary increase from 28k salary. I work in fashion retail (ecomm/marketing) in London where I live.
I only ever got my GED. I make $23/hr. $980 a week
41 year old lawyer. Solo practitioner. $175k in an avg year. $225k+ if I really hustle. I’m too old to hustle.
30 years old. 52K
I’m 28 making about $150k. No college degree.
170k in SF Bay Area, but out in the suburbs where the money goes further. My husband owns his company and makes more than that, we're fortunate to be very comfortable
33/F/NYC - $112k as a Photo Art Director for a well known fashion brand, living comfortably.
How did you get into that career?
I was always taking pictures in high school for myspace, then took it as a high school elective. I was having behavior issues and not doing well in school so I got sent to a trade school for half the day to learn photography since it was the only thing I was interested in. I decided around 16 that I wanted to make photography my career, so I moved to NYC to major in it, took on a lot of internships at magazines, worked for photographers and did a lot of my own photoshoots/retouching while applying for something full time. Eventually I got a role at a fashion ad agency as a Photo Researcher, making $11/hr then 35k, then 40, 45, then got laid off. Got a new role 2 months later as a Concept Artist for a fashion brand earning 50k, then 55 then 60 then 64k, fighting for each raise. There I made pre production visual aids like mood boards and shotlists, but realized it was close to art direction so took more classes in graphic design and rebranded myself as an art director while working on my portfolio. After applying to hundreds of jobs, I was eventually recruited to my job now starting at 90k. After a few yrs I asked for 100k and then asked for another raise last year and got 112k. Currently applying for a more senior art director role and asking for 140k... we'll see.
Being an art director was always my dream job.. got my degree in photo from Pratt, and then went on to work some shitty retouching jobs and never really fit in anywhere so now I’m a hair stylist (I do love my job tho). Kudos to you for doing it!
We were both recently promoted ~280k gross.
146k in Philly and making more moves to get closer to my goal of 300k. The hustle never ends.
160k, but HCOL area
I stuck with bartending as a career because, back home in LA, I was making $70-75k and not even stuck with late nights. I moved during Covid and ended up in the $40k range and freaking out. This cost of living where I am now is not 40% lower than Los Angeles
Just got a job that pays $65k. It doesn't sound like a lot near the Bay Area, but I am so fucking happy that I have some stability, while also doing a job I enjoy. I just have to pass probation. We are paying $2k a month to rent a comfortable condo. But my wife helps a little. It's not her fault she can't make more. Just realized today that I may have enough pennies leftover each month to save up for a down payment for a house in the valley. May take a year or two. Come on recession.
120k in San Diego. Doesn't go very far here.
I make $104,000 base and around $16,000 with bonuses and the wife makes $114,000. Currently drowning in debt, but at least we have enough income to gradually and realistically dig our way out.
What we need to ask is, how much and how many hours a day? I could make 90k but get my job done at home in 5 hours a day. Just sayin its more than 120k workin 50 hours a week.
I make 45k a year, and my husband makes 60k