Reddit consumer u/spicy_tuna_maki posed the question, “These making $100,000+, what do you do?” Although we are able to all agree that $100k does not go so far as it used to, it is nonetheless very attention-grabbing to study totally different profession paths and the way they pay. The thread promptly full of 1000’s of individuals sharing their numerous jobs, and in some circumstances, how they bought there. Here is what individuals revealed:
1.“Mineral exploration geologist making $125K. I am away six or seven months of the 12 months although, which is difficult.”
2.“I’m a doorman for a luxurious residential constructing in NYC. I make $110K to $120K a 12 months. It is the simplest and greatest job I’ve ever had.”
3.“I am a security coordinator for a mid-sized metropolis. Mainly, I am answerable for ensuring all of the departments (public works, police, hearth, and so on.) are following OSHA and different security legal guidelines and laws. I coordinate their coaching wants and full audits to offer to our board of trustees. I am additionally answerable for town’s insurance coverage points, that means if one in all our automobiles is in an accident, an worker will get harm on the job, or a member of the group will get harm on metropolis property, I am the one dealing with all of the paperwork, submitting the claims, and ensuring individuals are being paid. It was a headache after I began, however when you fall into your groove, it is not a foul gig. I additionally get a take-home automobile, as I’ve to reply to incidents from residence, even on my off time.”
4.“I’m an workplace supervisor. I order provides, pay payments, prepare safety playing cards, put issues away, ensure that we’ve got sufficient espresso, and maintain monitor of all our distributors. I make $125K.”
5.“I design, construct, and personal escape rooms.”
6.“Monetary advisor. When you’re established with a roster of purchasers, the job is comparatively simple. I work three days per week, 15–20 hours, and make about $150K. It’s taken 10 years of grinding to get right here although.”
7.“Astronomer making about $100K (three years post-PhD). I may in all probability make $50K extra if I went to tech or one thing else, however man do I like astronomy.”
8.“It’s taken practically 10 years, however I’m a flight attendant for a significant US provider. Final 12 months I used to be shy of $100K, however this 12 months I ought to break it. The longer you keep, the extra you make. It is tremendous seniority-driven, so the primary few years are a tough begin, however the longer you keep, the extra you make and the simpler it will get. At my specific airline, we aren’t restricted to what number of hours we work both. I common about 15 days off a month. If I labored extra, I may have undoubtedly damaged $100K. However, it may be a taxing job coping with so many personalities between passengers, crew, gate brokers, pilots, and so on., so I normally simply maintain my days off for my very own sanity. It can be a lonely job, however thankfully, I’m fairly strong being by myself in random cities.”
9.“I work in product operations in tech. Center supervisor kind. It’s a nice sufficient job, however I’m undoubtedly overpaid. Acquired a level in theater, then entered tech as a CS agent 10 years in the past.”
10.“I personal a donut store. I had a pal who had one other pal who’s household was promoting their donut store. I had nothing to lose and gave it a strive. I did not even know how you can make donuts after I purchased the store, however fortunately I used to be taught a bit bit earlier than they let me go by myself, plus the bakers that have been with the store stayed for some time. Now I am fairly good at making them, nevertheless it took longer than I anticipated.”
11.“Excessive up within the info safety house, $200K+. It is a lot stress, I really feel sick on a regular basis.”
12.“I’m a professor at a junior school.”
13.“Most cancers scientist, $140K. My aunty handed away from a mind tumor after I was a toddler, and she or he was like a mother to me. Seeing this example tear my household aside woke one thing in me. Now, I am attempting to be part of the answer. To make clear about my profession and the way I (31M) bought right here: I went to a four-year college and bought my diploma in Mobile and Molecular Biology. I bought my Grasp’s diploma quickly after, and began on the backside at a biotech firm. I began out making $12 an hour after school. I used to be undoubtedly a bit distraught on the time (about 9 years in the past), however I held in there and remembered why I used to be doing what I used to be doing.”
“I used to be really in a position to climb the ladder by being a genuinely nice particular person to everybody I met, and by taking the work, learning, and tasks very critically. I requested a variety of questions and tried to be a optimistic affect on everybody. I’ve to say, being good and respectful will get you farther than you suppose. Be the individual that everybody smiles at once they see. I switched corporations a number of instances, taking big pay will increase every time, as my expertise and data elevated. Then, I landed at my dream location. Generally it’s about placing your ego to the aspect and beginning on the freaking backside. You are able to do it.
Shedding my aunty shattered my total world. She was my every little thing on the time. I used to be solely 6 years previous. My household was tremendous tight-knit and liked each other a lot, so this had lasting results on everybody. I developed a extreme nervousness dysfunction, and sitting round and never doing something about it simply sort of ate away at me at a younger age. That ‘optimistic’ anger has gotten me by way of school and past.
A bit of recommendation that I give to individuals now who undergo trauma is to only let your self get offended. I began getting mad, and I discovered how you can channel that vitality into one thing she’d be happy with. It is why I get up within the morning now. I implore everybody who has a ardour and who has motivation to seek out some option to implement it into your lives. It does not all the time need to be your profession both. ALSO, remember to have time on your hobbies and associates. I undoubtedly have developed an obsession for video video games as a result of it helps me escape from actuality. A quick paced life wants steadiness.”
14.“Paramedic. Simply tipped over $100K this 12 months, with subsequent to no OT. I am in Canada, thoughts you. I consider the pay is trash in America.”
“My husband is a paramedic right here within the US. The pay completely sucks for the issues they see and need to cope with. He works 60 hours per week simply to maintain meals on the desk.”
15.“Provide chain director for a big meals distributor. It is onerous work and disturbing, however I feel it is silly and pointless. My spouse is a nurse, and she or he additionally makes over $100K. She really saves lives, and I make more cash than her. I feel it is wild.”
16.“Bodily therapist, sports activities/orthopedics. About $120K practically 10 years in.”
17.“I work in a union as a heavy tools operator. There’s a variety of journey, nevertheless it’s enjoyable and have a great steadiness. At the moment working a pc science/cybersecurity Bachelor’s diploma too.”
18.“I personal a journey company. Greatest enterprise ever. I get to journey the world and make first rate cash. All people who works for me travels for pleasure and enterprise a number of months out of the 12 months with their partner. It’s a dream.”
19.“I’m a civil engineer. I do land improvement design. I have been doing it for about 9 years, and I make slightly below $130K. When a developer desires to construct one thing, say an residence advanced, they are going to normally discover themselves a bit of a land for his or her undertaking, then rent an architect to design the buildings. Then, I get employed to determine how these buildings match on the property given the prevailing topography, together with the parking heaps, drives, utilities, and so on. We make development plans {that a} contractor will use to construct the undertaking, and we submit the plans to any allow authorities who must assessment issues with the intention to approve the tasks.”
20.“Drone pilot for characteristic movies/TV.”
21.“I personal a tech firm and a consulting firm on the aspect. I even have an eBay retailer the place I promote used electronics. All collectively, I pull $150K to $200K yearly. No children, not married, by no means went to school, dropped out of highschool, former runaway/foster child, former stripper.”
22.“Luxurious marriage ceremony planner. My purchasers are largely celebrities, politicians, and folks in transport and actual property. I earn silly cash, however I’ve to be ‘on’ just about 24/7 for 3 months of the 12 months. However, I like the flexibleness the remainder of the time, and I get to go to a few of the coolest locations on the planet and meet some actually attention-grabbing individuals.”
23.“I make $200K as an IT (cloud) architect. It is taken a few years of expertise to get right here, nevertheless it’s now my blissful place.”
24.“Plane mechanic for a significant US airline. I make about $65/hour equating to about $135K a 12 months. However, with time beyond regulation, I cleared simply over $200K final 12 months. I did work fairly a little bit of OT, however didn’t overwork myself. Plus, OT is totally voluntary.”
25.“Manufacturing unit course of analyst. I bought employed at $60K and simply handed six figures nearly six years later. I bought employed just about based mostly on having a level and background in an analytical discipline (economics) and a few first rate Excel expertise. A lot of the day-to-day is spent attempting to determine how you can recuperate from the mess that’s our provide chain, and digging into the place we’ve got inner deficiencies.”
26.“Litigation lawyer. Truthfully, it’s not for everybody, each by way of the talents required and the truth that you must cope with paid professionals employed to let you know that you simply’re not solely mistaken, however absurdly so. And, you must have the arrogance and talent to inform them they’re stuffed with it. My spouse shudders on the considered doing my job, and I’ve seen many an lawyer burn out or keep away from all of it collectively.”
27.“Supervisor of technical help at an organization that makes {hardware} and software program for emergency capabilities at police stations. $125K a 12 months, however $138K after a regular bonus. I’ve no school diploma, however I’ve over a decade of expertise being a senior discipline engineer who’s labored on the tools, plus I’ve individuals expertise, so that they requested me to run the inner help employees. I like being within the discipline higher, however 100% WFH matches my way of life a bit higher.”
28.“Digital media. Particularly, I run the social media advertisements for a financial institution. It’s a ache within the butt a variety of the time, however I work at home about 32 hours per week. My household of 4 is a single-income family, so I’m not likely complaining, particularly for somebody who didn’t end school.”
29.“Plant controller. Basically, I am the lead accountant, monetary analyst, and operations analyst for a producing operation.”
30.“Airline pilot within the US. It took a very long time to make good cash. My first 12 months as an airline pilot flying common airline passengers in America, I made $19K, and there was a fairly well-known airline title on the aspect of my airplane on the time. It wasn’t a tiny constitution firm. I went from flight teacher to first officer on turboprops, to first officer on regional jets, to captain on regional jets, to first officer on the 737, to now captain of a 737. It took me about 15 years after I began flying to have my first 12 months over $100K, and I bought fairly fortunate with timing. Not everyone seems to be that fortunate.”
31.“Heavy industrial diesel mechanic. I am pulling about $105K base, however repeatedly do 60-hour weeks as a result of the time beyond regulation is simply too tempting whereas I am nonetheless younger. I simply work on vans 5 days per week and chortle my butt off all day with some good workmates. Get your self a commerce and a great crew, and work turns into a second residence.”
32.“I set up barcode scanners.”
33.“Enlisted army (US), 10 years, $105K. Pay can fluctuate vastly based mostly on location. If I transferred to someplace within the US with a low value of residing, I may simply get knocked all the way down to $75k or so. A bonus is that a variety of my pay isn’t taxed, and relying in your responsibility station, it may all be tax-free.”
34.“Lead software program engineer at a Fortune 50 firm. Our crew owns the extra vital companies for the bigger engineering group. I labored my means up from name middle contractor.”
35.“Movement image and tv mechanical particular results. $220K a 12 months with a further $140K a 12 months from rental properties.”
36.“Climber. Oh, for work? We shouldn’t let that outline who we’re. However, I am a producer/digicam operator for journey actuality TV exhibits. Activate Discovery if you’re not doing something and maintain me employed! Watch all of the Alaska exhibits. Fairly please?”
37.“Industrial upkeep technician for a well-liked car producer. Final 12 months, I made $136K, and this 12 months the purpose is over $150K.”
38.“I am a hospital pharmacist, and make near $130K. I’ve come to understand that this isn’t some huge cash anymore for a single-person family, even residing beneath modest means. I assumed I used to be going to need to resolve between a yacht and a personal jet finally, however right here I’m 20 years later with about $2,500 in my checking account and hoping that PERS will honor my retirement bundle. I make greater than each of my dad and mom put collectively ever did, however I really feel like they have been residing higher than I’m.”
39.“That is the primary 12 months I revamped $100K. I am a community engineer engaged on authorities contracts. It is taken me 10+ years to maneuver up from barely understanding something and troubleshooting T1s to now monitoring vital fiber networks.”
40.“I’m a bartender. I get requested what my actual job is nearly nightly.”
41.“Media gross sales at an AdTech firm. I have been in gross sales about 18 months, however making $100K+ for perhaps eight or 9 years. I used to be in consumer companies/ops for many of my profession. Moving into gross sales skyrocketed my revenue. I like the business. It has nice cash, nice perks and advantages, and is extraordinarily fulfilling and largely enjoyable.”
42.“I drive a rubbish truck.”
43.“Electrical engineer. I work at home. My take-home is $185K (wage), however my different advantages (healthcare, inventory, bonuses) roughly double my whole compensation.”
44.“Optometrist. For essentially the most half, I’ve a fantastic job at a personal observe. I’ve a few five-minute commute to work. I can go residence for lunch. My sufferers embrace associates and neighbors. I am a part of a group right here. I assist individuals see higher and refer those I can not.”
45.“I function a industrial nuclear reactor.”
46.“I nepotism’ed my means into proudly owning a restaurant, and now expanded into 4 extra areas.”
47.“Lawyer (nevertheless it sucks, do not do it).”
“I am a contented lawyer, however I selected to work for myself and settle for that the work-life steadiness I want will imply making lower than $250K a 12 months, which I am completely nice with. I see my children lots and spend a variety of time engaged on my home. I’ve limitless unpaid holidays. I really like what I do and getting the chance to assist individuals, so it actually is not dangerous.”
48.“Highschool instructor with a Grasp’s diploma within the Yukon Territory, Canada. I’ve over seven years of expertise and earn $105K/12 months. Wage grid right here tops out after 10 years at $126K. It’s good cash, however I undoubtedly really feel like I earn it. Summers off are in lieu of all of the time beyond regulation. A lot of intrinsic rewards too, not in contrast to between a father or mother, however for different individuals’s children.”
49.“I am an implementation specialist at a software program firm making $110K. It’s extremely low-stress, however requires an engineering diploma and makes a speciality of oil and fuel operations (I’ve a petroleum engineering diploma). I used to work in a way more intense atmosphere for lots extra money, however I took a step again. By no means been happier.”
50.“Registered nurse. My base is $103K, however I make round $115K after differentials. Could possibly be much more if I ever took OT.”
51.“IT. My title is system specialist II and I do numerous jobs from scripting and programming, to changing a monitor, to instructing individuals how you can use SharePoint. I cap out at $115,500, and I am in California. Even with this wage although, it doesn’t really feel prefer it’s some huge cash. I lose 6% to my pension, plus one other 24% in taxes (decrease as a result of I’m married with children) minus medical, which is like one other 3%.”
52.“Corrections officer, $120K. That is not my wage, however they provide limitless time beyond regulation potential, so you may mainly write your personal paycheck in my division. Some guys make over $200K. I’m on Lengthy Island although, and it prices lots to stay right here. Our base pay tops out at $128K.”
53.“I began as a CPA in 2012 for $50K, and I bought over $100K round 2020, however I took a lateral transfer to enterprise/knowledge analyst in 2018. I’m at round $115K now, however I’ve sort of stagnated. I’ve bought a pair technical ranges which might be greater, however they don’t seem to be very attention-grabbing to me, and shifting into administration looks as if hell. Truthfully, most of my job is automated now or low impression. If I wished to make extra, working a aspect job on the similar time could be the quickest however least moral means. I did do this for a number of months. It wasn’t dangerous, however I had a dying within the household that made me give up.”
54.“I {photograph} luxurious houses, structure, interiors, companies, and so on. I began instructing myself with YouTube and Google sources in 2016. I practiced round my home, then I began emailing brokers and going to open homes. After over two years of hustling, I met some high brokers in my space who preferred me and my work. From there, it was largely word-of-mouth. The toughest half is getting your foot within the door with high brokers, builders, inside designers, and so on. They have already got individuals they know and prefer to work with. It’s not not possible, however networking is certainly king on this business. Doesn’t matter how good you might be if nobody is aware of you exist.”
55.“I’m a service provider marine as a 3rd assistant engineer. I just about simply work on a ship for half the 12 months and make $140K to $170K relying on how a lot time beyond regulation I work and what particular firm I work for. My first full 12 months out of faculty, I made $202K, however that was as a result of I labored much more of the 12 months.”
56.“I am a stay leisure video and LED technician and digicam operator primarily for stay music, but additionally often sports activities and company commerce exhibits after I’m not touring. It may possibly vary wildly although, relying on how lively an artist is or how a lot you need to work. Throughout touring season, I’m away from residence wherever from 5 days at a time, to normally no more than 4 weeks. I’m gone lots throughout the spring and summer time, however many artists don’t tour a lot within the winter, so you must handle your cash. For instance, I labored fairly regular from February by way of October final 12 months. Since then, I’ve largely been residence spending time with the household. If I tour 26 weeks, then I’ll clear about $75K, which I’d think about my base wage or minimal annual purpose. I normally have November and December off, and I’ll cherry-pick my gigs for the opposite 4 months of the 12 months. It’s essential to have a piece/residence steadiness.”
57.“Product supervisor at a distinct segment software program company, $120K plus bonuses and fairness. I counsel purchasers on which expertise/advertising choices are price investing in after which set up and instruct the software program groups on what the undertaking scope will probably be (and assessment their work earlier than going stay). It’s my excellent job in a variety of methods as a result of I’m valued for technique and tender expertise by the tech colleagues, and valued for my technical understanding by the enterprise stakeholders.”
58.“I run and personal an auto physique store. My predominant auto physique techs and painter additionally make $100K per 12 months.”
59.And: “I work for a basic contractor. I began within the grime, and now I construct our 3D fashions, carry out vital development format, practice discipline guys on how you can do different grade checking and format, handle a bunch of kit, and test plans for points earlier than the crews are boots on the bottom. I’ve a GED and make $120K a 12 months, plus I am about to get a elevate. I work a mean of 44 hours per week, besides throughout the busy season, after which a number of weeks of 50-65 hours. No seven-day work weeks, and I am residence each night time. My present title is development surveyor, nevertheless it’s about to change into survey supervisor I feel.”
“For anybody questioning, onerous work for a objective pays off. Discover a firm with an agenda for serving to their staff develop. While you hit the wall, discover one other firm like that. Assist them, they allow you to, get good at your position, make them some cash, and bounce when it is sensible. You’ll find a ‘eternally’ firm if that is what you need. I feel I’ve, until it is sensible to go full-time impartial 3D mannequin builder and advisor. Additionally, you need to get pleasure from what you do for a residing greater than 50% of the time.”
Do you make over $100K a 12 months? What do you do? Inform us within the feedback!
Observe: Submissions have been edited for size and/or readability.
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