careers and salaries

[bedazzled]

Hi all,

This is my first post and I hope that the question I have is ok to post in this forum...

 

I'm in a rut at work and am exploring different career options. I am a 911 dispatcher and have been for 10 yrs. I live in CA and make roughly 55k/yr w/o overtime. I have an AA in Admin. of Justice and am thinking of pursuing a BA in possibly Human Resources, haven't quite decided.

 

Is anyone willing to share their career and salary info? Also, what kind of degree do you have and what's good/bad about your chosen profession? Thanks in advance!

[Good ole Boy]

I was actually thinking of starting a thread like this, but you beat me to it.

 

I'm an E-3 in the Air Force. I also live overseas which allows me to make more than were I to live stateside.

 

Currently, I make around 34K a year. If I lived stateside, it would be around 28K.

 

I'm working on my BA in History and an AA in Managemant. My enlistment is up in 2 yrs 11 mos, and I hope to get a good job after I get out.

[kissinger99]

If you are already in dispatch, why not try out for police or fire. Your pension might stay the same and they are damn rewarding jobs.

[hesiden]

I was actually thinking of starting a thread like this, but you beat me to it.

 

I'm an E-3 in the Air Force.  I also live overseas which allows me to make more than were I to live stateside.

 

Currently, I make around 34K a year.  If I lived stateside, it would be around 28K.

 

I'm working on my BA in History and an AA in Managemant.  My enlistment is up in 2 yrs 11 mos, and I hope to get a good job after I get out.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That's with housing allowance added in?

[shop_free]

I was actually thinking of starting a thread like this, but you beat me to it.

 

I'm an E-3 in the Air Force.  I also live overseas which allows me to make more than were I to live stateside.

 

Currently, I make around 34K a year.  If I lived stateside, it would be around 28K.

 

I'm working on my BA in History and an AA in Managemant.  My enlistment is up in 2 yrs 11 mos, and I hope to get a good job after I get out.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That's with housing allowance added in?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'll answer for Good Ole Boy..

Yes that's with housing allowance added in, and as he said it's because he's overseas that he's making that much...

I miss COLA ..

[Good ole Boy]

I was actually thinking of starting a thread like this, but you beat me to it.

 

I'm an E-3 in the Air Force.  I also live overseas which allows me to make more than were I to live stateside.

 

Currently, I make around 34K a year.  If I lived stateside, it would be around 28K.

 

I'm working on my BA in History and an AA in Managemant.  My enlistment is up in 2 yrs 11 mos, and I hope to get a good job after I get out.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That's with housing allowance added in?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'll answer for Good Ole Boy..

Yes that's with housing allowance added in, and as he said it's because he's overseas that he's making that much...

I miss COLA ..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thanks. We live on base, so technically we don't receive hard cash for housing. However, I factored in about $750 a month because that's what I got at my last base.

 

And, yes, COLA is good.

[Cxshortie]

I work in HR and have access to market pricing software in case you want to know what the market pays for any job you are considering.

 

Anyway back to the question you asked, Systems Analyst in HR, mid 40's, eligible for overtime, but havent worked any this year. Live in NJ, am paid about 14K behind market for the work I do. I have a BS in HR. I really enjoy my career, some companies combine systems and compensation as one unit so you would do both of these functions at your job, however my department is very large and specialized for the size of the company, which keeps a lot of people in there bored with their job unfortunately.

[bedazzled]

Thx for the replies. I've looked at career explorer, etc, I just need to chose a path and follow it. I'd like to get out of the current field I'm in but it's all I know. I started at 18 and now want a change. I'm interested in the real estate field, not being an agent per se, but maybe escrow or something. I don't believe I would need a degree for that but maybe some type of on line course or something. Anyone know?

[BrwnEyedGirl]

I kinda miss my active duty days. My DH is active duty, just made 16 yrs. We were stationed overseas, both of us active duty, for 8 yrs. COLA was the best!!

 

I have a MBA. But I no longer work in my degree field, got tired of corp. world.

 

I decided to go into the healing arts field. I am a holistic health practitioner, 40-50k/yr.

Edited August 10, 2005 by SDMuse

[Cosmos Human]

What is the cost of living like in CA? Does it really depend on the area. I have a friend in SF..and the housing is way out of line..a one bedroom...over 1k?

[bedazzled]

The cost of living is pretty crazy here in Ca. I live on the outskirts of San Jose and bought a house two yrs ago for $465. It appraised last month at $675. Apts in this area are over 1k per month, for a 2 bdrm. Some places in the central valley are still reasonable but nothing around where I am.

[DHK]

I work as an assistant to a financial advisor. I'm paid hourly at $15.63 plus a bonus depending on the volume of revenue the advisor (and myself) generate for the month. I will soon be a commission-only advisor as well. This year, I will definitely clear $50k, and when I become an advisor myself, I will be clearing a minimum of $100k per year.

 

Education required: none really. I don't have a degree. I do have insurance and securities licenses that I had to study for and pass in a short period of time. I am also taking courses from The American College to give me more education in financial planning. http://www.theamericancollege.edu

 

Gotta love sales and people to be successful in this line of work.

[kman1011]

I'm 28, and currently am the director of sales and marketing for a mid sized construction company(less than 8 months in the construction business.) I will make approximately $90000 this year not counting perks, travel, season tickets to events etc. and next year with all the changes in place should be be about $110000. I work alot during the spring and summer 60 hours plus a week but during the winter months 25-35 hours a week. Prior job was a general manager in a retail sales environment(10 million dollars a year generated) and made around $80000 not counting other perks. Fortunately to live in a nice area with low cost of living. The money goes fast tho, wife stays at home with our 4 kids.

[hegemony]

Median annual earnings by education level, 2003 U.S. Census Data

 

less than HS equivelent: $21,600

HS diploma/GED: $30,800

Some college: $35,700

Assoc. Degree: $37,600

BA/BS: $49,900

MA/MS/MBA/other masters: $59,500

Doctorate: $79,400

 

these are medians; not averages.

[azdog]

Median annual earnings by education level, 2003 U.S. Census Data

 

less than HS equivelent: $21,600

HS diploma/GED: $30,800

Some college: $35,700

Assoc. Degree: $37,600

BA/BS: $49,900

MA/MS/MBA/other masters: $59,500

Doctorate: $79,400

 

these are medians; not averages.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How sad a good door and window installer- remodel can make 70-100,000 easy 40-50hrs aweek

[cljohnr]

Median annual earnings by education level, 2003 U.S. Census Data

 

less than HS equivelent: $21,600

HS diploma/GED: $30,800

Some college: $35,700

Assoc. Degree: $37,600

BA/BS: $49,900

MA/MS/MBA/other masters: $59,500

Doctorate: $79,400

 

these are medians; not averages.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How sad a good door and window installer- remodel can make 70-100,000 easy 40-50hrs aweek

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you understand what "median" means?

[azdog]

Nope, I guess I don't

[Athena53]

How sad a good door and window installer- remodel can make 70-100,000 easy 40-50hrs aweek

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Not necessarily. A Ph.D. can have tenure at a good university and/or be able to work till they hit 65 in a corporate position, with a nice, comfortable office. A door/window installer has to work in all kinds of weather conditions, in clean houses and dirty, sometimes from ladders. I don't have any friends or relatives who do that work- I'm just aware that sometimes people are compensated for a job that requires heavy physical work or working outdoors regardless of the weather. In some cases, your career is shortened because you just plain can't do it past a certain age.

[cljohnr]

How sad a good door and window installer- remodel can make 70-100,000 easy 40-50hrs aweek

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Not necessarily. A Ph.D. can have tenure at a good university and/or be able to work till they hit 65 in a corporate position, with a nice, comfortable office. A door/window installer has to work in all kinds of weather conditions, in clean houses and dirty, sometimes from ladders. I don't have any friends or relatives who do that work- I'm just aware that sometimes people are compensated for a job that requires heavy physical work or working outdoors regardless of the weather. In some cases, your career is shortened because you just plain can't do it past a certain age.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My marketing teacher was talking about social standards in class one day, it was interesting. He had a PhD and taught at a major university. His friend was a plumber. He was considered a "better person" by society, even though his friend made 3 times the money and you could argue has a more important job. Totally unrelated to your post, it just made me think of it.

[perfesser]

If you want to make money, college teaching is NOT the way to go!

 

It is fullfilling, but not very lucrative.

[tootie357]

How sad a good door and window installer- remodel can make 70-100,000 easy 40-50hrs aweek

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Not necessarily. A Ph.D. can have tenure at a good university and/or be able to work till they hit 65 in a corporate position, with a nice, comfortable office. A door/window installer has to work in all kinds of weather conditions, in clean houses and dirty, sometimes from ladders. I don't have any friends or relatives who do that work- I'm just aware that sometimes people are compensated for a job that requires heavy physical work or working outdoors regardless of the weather. In some cases, your career is shortened because you just plain can't do it past a certain age.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My marketing teacher was talking about social standards in class one day, it was interesting. He had a PhD and taught at a major university. His friend was a plumber. He was considered a "better person" by society, even though his friend made 3 times the money and you could argue has a more important job. Totally unrelated to your post, it just made me think of it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

we discussed (debated) social equity in a sociology class i had.

[hegemony]

If you want to make money, college teaching is NOT the way to go!

 

It is fullfilling, but not very lucrative.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know several making over 100K; of course they are close to retirement but them done ok for themselves.

 

And some I know have gotten patents, done consulting, and written textbooks -- all of which add to their incomes.

[Seraph]

I'm a software engineer specializing in Midrange servers. I live in MN and make about $80k per year. I'm 27 and graduated with a BS in Computer Engineering. Cost of living in MN is pretty fair. My wife is currently in Judicial Reporting school and looking to make a decent career of it once she is done. I guess the average for a court reporter is about $55k, which isn't half bad.

[MisterJ]

I'm making $175K+ in the legal feild, but hate every minute of it. Next year I'm dropping out and moving to a tropical island.

 

J

[Athena53]

I'm in misterj's range; I've been an actuary in the property-casualty field for over 30 years and still love what I do.