Salaries

[Peter]

I'm an engineer (in training) with 1 year experience working in the Canadian oil sands. Last year I made $123,000 and in 2014 I will make roughly $135,000, plus pension, health benefits, and 7 weeks vacation.

I would highly recommend the move to Alberta for any Canadians who feel they are in a rut or otherwise unsatisfied with their salaries in other parts of the country.

[vlc_seller]

I arrived to the US 5 months ago. Working in a good university as a postdoctoral researcher. I'm making 45k, plus health benefits and 3 weeks vacation. I'm happy where I am, since the project is pretty interesting. However, given my background, Computer Science PhD... maybe I go to a company at some point

[cynthia1848]

I am a lawyer and make $125K, bonus $10-$20K, plus 5% 401k match.  I have 10 years of experience and am at a small firm (thus the lower salary).

[chesebert]

I fail to grasp the point of this thread. I think you can easily look up average salary statics elsewhere on the net. Also, you can make $500k in one year and be out of a job the next in this economy.

[nicknageli]

I find it interesting to learn what other people make. A little mild and voluntary voyeurism is fun, and I find it motivating to increase my own earning power.

I think it's very interesting, too.  Gives me added perspective on career and life.

[rocksinmyhead]

I fail to grasp the point of this thread. I think you can easily look up average salary statics elsewhere on the net. Also, you can make $500k in one year and be out of a job the next in this economy.

I find it interesting to learn what other people make. A little mild and voluntary voyeurism is fun, and I find it motivating to increase my own earning power.

And obviously, a mustachian who has made $500k in one year will have ample resources to see him through a layoff.

did you ever see those annual salary issues of PARADE magazine? (I don't even know if PARADE still exists or if they still do them) they took a random cross section of people in different jobs and different parts of the country (like, several dozen I think) and show what they make. I always thought it was interesting. there were always several jobs where I thought "holy shit, I can't believe they make that little/that much for that job!" it didn't take into account benefits, though.

[mxer54]

I am 39 years old. I have over 19 years serving as a US Marine. I make 82k per year with full benefits for my family of 6.  Once I retire in 19 months, I'll have over 21 years in and I'll be paid a pension of $22,176 a year. My pension will start immediately, it includes health insurance for me and a full health insurance policy for my family for under $500 a year.   

Once retired, I also will have 36 months of college paid for along with a monthly housing allowance paid, which will be just over 2k a month in my case.  Along with a 1k book/supplies payment per year.

I compare my pension as having about 500k in investments before including any of my investments (4% rule)....without including the health benefit or school benefit. My pension also increases yearly to help with inflation.

[brianeboatman]

Justice of the Peace / Municipal Court Judge
$75k per year
2.67% of salary per year in a pension. Example, 10 years equals 26.7% of highest three years of salary (combined and averaged)
Health insurance
I was a police officer before for 10 years and can retire at 55 years old with no reduction in pension
No health benefits after retirement...boo!

[Loud Noises]

I'm definitely on the lowest end of pay here.  I'm a musician and make roughly $30k, with no benefits or job security of any kind.  However, I'm able to save about 40% of my income and living my childhood dream of performing to thousands each night is a benefit that can't be measured monetarily.  I suppose I've always felt semi retired, because I never joined the rat race in the first place.  The downside is that true financial independence is a very long way off.

[expatartist]

@Loud Noises Wow, what do you play, and where? It sounds like you're saving just fine. Are you eligible for subsidized/low-cost healthcare? I too have always put priority on my art and a 'nomadic lifestyle' in front of entering the rat race. I fell into my current position which aligns with my interests and talents, and it sounds like you have too. Congratulations.

[Loud Noises]

@expatartist Thank you.  I play drums in various locations around the Western Hemisphere.  I'm looking forward to some Asia and Australia too in the future.  I'm sure I am eligible for subsidized/low-cost healthcare but due to my objections to the system in the US, I have avoided using it so far.  That's for another thread though. 

Glad to hear that you're able to live your passion as well; it seems that some pursue FI so that they can start living the life they desire, while others pursue FI so that they'll never need to stop. 

[dragoncar]

I fail to grasp the point of this thread. I think you can easily look up average salary statics elsewhere on the net. Also, you can make $500k in one year and be out of a job the next in this economy.

I fail to grasp the point of these (recently more common) posts that essentially say "I think this is a useless thread."  Guess what? 99% of the threads here are useless to at least one member, but we don't all go crapping up the threads with such declarations.

edit:  The point is that people are going to make thread about, and discuss, things that interest them.  It serves no purpose to disparage those threads.  It won't stop people from talking about it, but it could make them defensive.

[hoodedfalcon]

I am an attorney working for a non-profit in a low COL capital city in the South. 7 years out of law school. Salary is $63K, 100% paid health insurance, 3 weeks paid leave, 37.5 hour workweek. Any hour worked over 37.5 I earn 1 hour comp time. 403(b) with 6% match. Roughly 5% raise each year.

My salary isn't the problem. The student loans are. :)

[dragoncar]

I am an attorney working for a non-profit in a low COL capital city in the South. 7 years out of law school. Salary is $63K, 100% paid health insurance, 3 weeks paid leave, 37.5 hour workweek. Any hour worked over 37.5 I earn 1 hour comp time. 403(b) with 6% match. Roughly 5% raise each year.

My salary isn't the problem. The student loans are. :)

Hopefully you qualify for the 10 year forgiveness plan.  I always thought that it's weird you get a tax deduction for monetary charitable donations, but no deduction for the reduced pay you take to work for a non-profit.

[hoodedfalcon]

I am an attorney working for a non-profit in a low COL capital city in the South. 7 years out of law school. Salary is $63K, 100% paid health insurance, 3 weeks paid leave, 37.5 hour workweek. Any hour worked over 37.5 I earn 1 hour comp time. 403(b) with 6% match. Roughly 5% raise each year.

My salary isn't the problem. The student loans are. :)

Hopefully you qualify for the 10 year forgiveness plan.  I always thought that it's weird you get a tax deduction for monetary charitable donations, but no deduction for the reduced pay you take to work for a non-profit.

I am counting on the PSLF. Unfortunately, I only have 4 years certified at this point because I stupidly didn't consolidate my loans as soon as the law passed. Just holding steady in the meantime.

[KimPossible]

If I were a doctor, I'd jump off a cliff.

Heh, heh.  I'm a doctor, but my husband is the one who jumps off cliffs.

[Ellen]

I'm enjoying this thread. Sure, you can look up salary ranges elsewhere, but I find it really interesting to hear not only about people's salaries but also some of the interesting benefits and perks of their jobs, including hours per workweek. Some of you have some awesome benefits! That info is very hard to find. I also have learned a lot about the various career options out there from reading everyone's responses.

My info: Public high school teacher (5 1/2 years) in San Jose, 58000 per year (@80% time, though I am at school from 6:30-2:30 or later every day), good health benefits, OK pension (CA's isn't one of the more lucrative teacher pension systems), no 403b match (but some low-cost Vanguard choices), 182 contract days a year (about 37 weeks). I usually attend at least one conference in the summer, unpaid, for the opportunity to learn and grow as a teacher. I also devote 10-15 days per summer to meeting with other teachers at my school, planning lessons, preparing my classroom, etc. I work plenty of evenings and weekends, but less than I did when I first started out.

B.A., English Language and Literature
M.A., Education

[stuckinmn]

16th year as attorney.  In-house at large company.  150 base plus 80 to 90 bonus. 6% 401k match. 

[Kriegsspiel]

I was a captain on a plane that featured the name of a legacy airline on the side.   And if you bought a ticket on say...United to somewhere in W. Virginia there was a good chance I'd be flying the plane.

That's awesome, I might have flown on your plane.

[greaper007]

Ahh, did you ever travel on Colgan? 

[lexie2000]

DH:  33 years with the same Mega-corp
Education:  BS Administration and Economics

Starting Salary (1980): $16K/yr.  (entry level program planner)
Ending Salary (2013):  $170K/yr.  (administration manager)
DBP:  Yes although not offered to new hires after 2006
401k Match:  4%
Vacation:  Sliding scale based on years of service / 4 wks. max
Health, Dental, Vision, etc.:  Over the years, our share of premiums increased and benefits decreased

Was EXTREMELY happy to wear the golden handcuffs until late 2010; retired in 2013.

[nottoolatetostart]

Work for a large bank doing process design work.
Work from home exclusively.
Make $107K plus bonus of $15-18K. This year, I will make $131K total. Employer chips in close to 7% into 401k (or $8600 this year).
Pregnant with #2 so will get 12 weeks off 100% paid mat leave.
Get 4 weeks paid vacation a year + bank holidays off.
Working from home is my favorite benefit of all.

DH makes $130K in brand marketing. His bonus (to be paid next week) is $18K, so close to $150K. Pretty good health insurance. He gets 3 weeks vacation (which we negotiated for an extra week when he was hired there). Employer chips in 3% into his 401k.

We both have MBA's from a top 20 business school (where we met). Paid off the SL's a few years ago. Woo Hoo.

We live in the Midwest and pretty inexpensive here.

[chesebert]

In the spirit of participation and collaborative sharing:

US attorney working overseas. Practiced for 3 years and my salary is $210k with additional discretionary bonus.

Benefits: free housing, free child care/education, trip anywhere in the world ($25k annual cap), income tax equalization, fringe benefit tax gross-up, 4-week paid vacation and the usual free stuff to keep you in the office.

[Serve&Volley88]

25 years old, budget analyst in a State government agency.

-Salary is $48K (2% COLA coming next month, I believe);
-Traded in some vacation days, so I pay about $2 per biweekly paycheck for Cadillac health insurance;
-Free dental/vision;
-All the usual gov't holidays plus a few weeks of vacation mostly in the summer/fall. Do an adjusted work schedule in the summer where I get every other Friday off;
-3% pension contribution; and
-A 457(b).

Not a bad job at the end of the day. I don't love it, but it's certainly tolerable and will hopefully lead to greener pastures.

Part of me wishes I was eligible for a 401(k) and match, as who knows where gov't pensions will be 30 years from now. That's another conversation though.

[Bourbon Belle]

33 years old, Senior Global Compensation Specialist (fancy!!). I have a BS in Psychology and four professional certifications that contributed greatly to my current salary.

- Salary is $90k (high salary for my geographic area, but I came from DC metro and was stubborn about how much of a cut I would take. :)  Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate!!)
- No bonus (I've never worked for a company where anyone below management was eligible for bonus)
- 3% 401(k) match w/ 5 year vesting schedule
- Company pays majority of health/dental/vision insurance premiums and coverage is 80/20; company paid life & AD&D insurance
- 8 standard holidays + 4 weeks vacation (accrued over the course of the year)

As a comparison point: 10 years ago I started my first Human Resources job as a temp in non profit making $25k with no benefits. I worked my ass off, kissed a lot of butts, earned several promotions, made a couple of industry changes and one relocation - now I'm finally at a comfortable spot in my career. I feel very confident about 90% of the work I do and completely clueless about the other 10%. Maybe once I get that 10% figured out, they'll throw more money my way.   :)