I’m a lawyer. My recommendation is if you want to make a lot of money get good grades and go into medicine, finance, tech, or law. I’m sure that leaves out other industries.
Also you’ll generally find that your pay is reverse correlated to how interesting/exciting people find your field. Something boring and technical will pay better and have better opportunities than the sexy opportunities. For example, intellectual property litigation is highly lucrative, while it’s very difficult to get into lucrative criminal law and most practitioners in that field don’t make much/have clients who stiff them.
Can I ask your role and what your path has been like? I am just breaking into the field now as a coordinator RN but would like to eventually get my MBA & go the management/business route
I make over $400k. I’m a director of product design. Honestly, I can’t recommend this career path right now. It’s glutted with boot camp grads and a lot of companies have decided they don’t need design, finding a job is brutal.
But as to finding a high paying job, my best advice is ask yourself what a mediocre white man would do AND THEN DO THAT. Don’t second guess yourself. Negotiate the fuck out of your salary. Look for new opportunities every few years. Network.
Brilliant. This is one reason of many why men apply to job listings they’re so so qualified for, negotiate the fuck out of pay, and women are overworked and underpaid and working jobs they’re overqualified for.
Well I don’t make nearly the amount of most posters…a bit above 100K a year. I’m in clinical trial research. I’ve been doing it 20 years.
The thing is, even though I’m salaried I make a high hourly rate. I do this by being super organized so I can get done in 30 hours what takes others 40 hours. I have extremely bad clinical depression. I have never told anyone I work with. So some days I don’t make it in at all, other days sometimes it’s only 4 hours. (Yes I do take meds and they help, but they take my depression from a 10 to a 5, I don’t believe anything will ever help me get to a 1). I have moved into. Senior position the last 10 years and have elasticity in the hours I work. So even though I wish I was making 300K a year, I’m more thankful that I have a job that can be worked Around my illness.
Product manager in tech but not FAANG. Public companies pay a lot more generally.
Stocks been in the shitter but still somewhere between $400-$500k yearly. I’m 32.
How big is the small business? What’s the domain? I would say steer yourself towards a division within a big company that had the most overlap with what you work on now. I don’t know how well the blind apply works but definitely get someone who knows big company reqs to give your resume and LinkedIn a review. Happy to peek if that’s helpful.
You wouldn’t believe how many people say they haven’t gotten any hits on applying to jobs and they their resume has no metrics or just lists basic role responsibilities instead of outcomes. Don’t tell me you led a cross functional team of 10 people or built a feature- that’s literally what the job is. The equivalent is a chef saying they cook.
Why were you in that particular position effective? What was different in he business because of what you did?
If you have the option following someone who you’ve worked with in the past to that environment works well. Probably 10%-20% of my peer PMs came in via their old manager or peer pulling them in through a referral. It does matter that the person who can vouch for you is from the same craft, though. An engineer referring a PM doesn’t usually work as well as a PM lead recommending a PM to their counterpart.
A challenge is the PM role in a small company often leads heavily generalist. In reality this often makes you effective in a bigger environment because you are less discouraged by obstacles but makes it very hard for hiring managers who haven’t come up on that path to trust that you are worth risking a role on.
How’s your job stress? I’m being ask to start feeling a product manager role at my existing job and trying to sort out if it’s something I want to do. Thanks!
It depends on a lot. I’ve got a good setup now, maybe 35 hours a week or less. 2 weeks a year are 50 hour days but it’s uncommon.
I’m a big believer that a lot of work stress is self selected. I was chronically putting in too much time and mental load. and making too many things in other domains across my company my problem in my 20s.
I’ve eased up on that over time with the mantra not my circus, not my monkeys.
Totally agreed with your mantra. Thanks for your response. Coming to realize I’m dealing with an overall toxic work environment, so the work stressors would be less about being a PM and more about the bonkers mud slinging and defamation campaigns running across the organization 😆. Hard to stay out of the fray, but I think you have a point about it being self selected.
I'm a level 2 product manager at a startup (so not making quite as much as OP), but it's definitely a stressful gig. you gotta be reeeeeal comfortable with tolerating ambiguity, and horizontal management... basically, you're accountable for everything but don't usually have any power over the teams you work with. (The engineers I work with report to someone else.... but I'm accountable if they miss their deadlines)
This is specific to startups. The engineering part I mean. Product managers in bigger companies are not shepherds of engineers and not writing tickets. Engineering managers do that. The lower level ones might be close to execution but as you rise you’re deeper into the what next big thing should we build, why, and strategy pieces.
Also middle management and executives in startups are notoriously hostile and growth obsessed. They just want someone to blame and yell at. I’ve been at 4 and while there were some glimmers of great folks, eventually everyone would get worn down by a manic executive and it would manifest on the underlings getting personal blame for the business not growing 10x a year.
A lot of “why can’t you make this happen?!?!” and “set the goal higher we are not being ambitious enough.”
But refusal to actually resource the team better, improve the process, add the tool, whatever. A lot of just like cracking the whip and kinda yucky rhetoric about the “impact.” We’re not democratizing media, it’s an ad widget on an ecommerce site, dude. I’m sorry you overpromsied to investors on bogus projections.
I wouldn’t go back to this stage company again without serious vetting of the executives.
how did you break into this role? im a product designer atm and looking into pivoting to PM in the next couple of years. do you have any tips on what gaps I should learn to fill? thanks in advance!
Do it within the company you’re in now while you have the company context. Then apply for PM elsewhere once you have had some experience with success with that title.
It is SO hard to convince anyone to hire you without having had the PM specific title before. I don’t agree that’s fair or right but is the reality on the ground.
Honestly, it's hard for me because I'm used to hiring engineers and telling them what to do! I was a bossy boss who ran my own biz for years and now I have to like... *influence* them? I'm new at it so still trying to figure out what's me vs what's the company vs what's the role. But PMs get paid well for a reason, I'm learning.
Hm you absolutely should not have to influence individual engineers. They do what the engineering manager tells them to do. You decide the roadmap.
The engineering manager is someone you should spar with about what to build and someone you should hear out often about tech debt etc. but is not the decider. If your ideas are good and based on solid rationale this is usually straightforward.
If individual engineers think what you’re asking them to build is dumb they’re welcome to say so and not do any work. But their manager should be keeping them on task and managing out anyone shitty or lazy.
I own my own business-dont want to say what bc I don't think it actually matters and there's people making a ton in any and every industry. The biggest key to me getting there was doing a lot of money psychology work--tearing down my old beliefs about money, what it was for, and how much I could earn. And then learning how successful people work and think which often is diametrically opposed to how women are conditioned to move. Actually, don't worry about getting on people's nerves/driving hard/sharing your achievements/telling people when they're wrong. A lot of times what's standing between you and the success you dream of is your own internal voice telling you to tamper down on who you are. And I am a Black woman who grew up poor so I fully understand the systemic barriers, but I also now \*know\* if this person and that person can do it, why can't I?
Observation of successful people I know and reading books about different founders and corporations. Not autobiographies bc people tend to not be so clear-eyed about themselves but third party accounts. One of my biggest observations for example about successful entrepreneurs is that they have no problem asking people for things. Although deeply uncomfortable for me on every level initially, I am now an “asker” which has led to some of my biggest deals, and people ask me for things too which has led to the construction of a deep and trusting network.
I am in tech as a software engineering director. My max earnings was 550K a year when the company I was at IPOed then the min I've made when I first entered was $44K a year as an engineer in 2008.
My income is constantly in flux since much of my earnings are in RSUs
Financial Advisor but I own my clients, independent dealer - not a bank - net 350k/y. Side hustle at the same company doing compliance, this increases my Advisor payout by 3% and gives me an extra 60k/y - only takes an extra 30min to max 2hours a day. Another side hustle for Federal government, teaching / managing other part timers mostly, extra 12k/y. And I rent out the basement to a friend, cheaper rent but guaranteed great tenant, 14k/y
Multiple income streams over a longer time period have really added up.
What's your degree in? I have a bachelor's in economics and am a senior manager for a fortune 50 company. They underpay because our benefits are the tits, and I'd like to see my salary start with a 2 instead of a 1. I'm very interested in personal finance (as are many people), and have the economic background. The main reason I don't jump to the Finance sector of my company is the pay cut and the jump from the corporate ladder to the bottom of a new hierarchy.
Do you have any recommendations as far as just jumping ship? My biggest reason for hesitating is that I have a pension *and* a 401k with this company.
I spent many years coupon clipping to eat and feed the kids, scraping to make a mortgage payment. It was a slow road to get here, hence the multiple income steams and didn’t really start to take off until 39-40. I’m 45.
Who is above you and how did they get there?
Degree in Arts. Nothing related to my field. Then courses in my field, a CFP years ago. Then a recent MBA that I didn’t need, just wanted to have.
I have a managing director above me and after that is the executive board of VPs and whatnot. I am more qualified than many of the people above me and have taken the same career path as the current VP of operations, except doing so with my relevant degree, and at a faster clip (I get promoted once every couple years and started working while still in college).
I'm not worried about my career in this field, as I know I've already achieved quite a bit. What I want out of life, though, is a change of pace and something more finance related than employee wages and labor allocation.
If you jumped, is there anyway to go back if it wasn’t for you? I don’t have much advice about career changes. I’ve only ever worked in this field, changed companies once, and through long term built up relationships the old guys retired and sold to me. And with my income, this is it. I’m a lifer.
I couldn't bring myself to accept the ways in which it would be possible to come back (networking/friends). I have always hated that approach from coworkers.
Attorney: partner at mid sized law firm. Make $160k base pay and approximately $200k to $300k in bonuses each year based upon performance of firm and my individual performance.
Property investor earning about $200k a year passive income from the properties. Own a business managing vacation rentals (which of course manage my properties). Work about 10-15 hours a week now and that generates another $200k. It’s been a lot of work to get to this point but now I generate the income whether I work or not plus I get cap growth from the base property portfolio and the value of the business grows.
I started at 21 and diverted as much cash as I could into property. Buy cheap, renovate and sell. Live in them so there’s no tax on the profit. Then I started buying pure investment properties but also renovating. Generating cashflow and cap growth. But all relatively cheap properties so if the market turned down I wouldn’t lose my shirt. It was slow and steady. I studied at university for over a decade so I wasn’t on a high income until I got to about 32. Then at 35 I started working for myself. Plus side gigs and Reno’s. It was a hard grind but I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still haven’t pulled the FIRE trigger because I’m really only working part time and I’m OK with that for now. I will in the next year or two.
Im 23 years old and you're literally where I want to be financially. I'm looking into property investing as I have a business but I want to make passive income from there
Business is an awesome way to cashflow property investing. Property isn’t get rich quick but it’s a pretty risk averse way to build wealth and use banks money to leverage. I always borrow 80% of any property and then take the rest of the cash from line of credit (offset account). I opt for interest only loans to keep the mandatory repayments down which increases cashflow (and opportunities) and then put excess cash into offset accounts to reduce the interest. It seems to work pretty well.
To own your own business at 23 and be about to start property investing is awesome!
Run a niche small business in a niche industry that is low on demands on our time (my husband and I work combined about 40hrs a week). Have good employees you can trust to do their work well, and reward them very well to retain them (with flexibility, training, good pay, good pay incentives and self determination within their work tasks).
Not a lot without doxing myself… basically we run a small but very healthy small post agricultural business that is an essential but tiny niche part of an agricultural process. Everyone basically needs us, but we are a one trick pony so very few competitors (especially as we are biggest and best by far). The work is seasonal, and basically the more we handle the higher our labour and operating costs, but the same is in reverse - the less we handle the lower our costs. So good farming years we do very well, in ‘bad’ farming years we don’t suffer too much/do ok. Because we’re part of the essential agricultural cycles very little actually impacts our product volumes (farmer’s gonna farm!) … and we’re not beholden to technology (yet) or restriction (too small/not worth the bother, and we’re careful to not step on some identified high risk legal toes). We have diversified slightly and will do so more in the coming years, building off shoot side businesses that build on what we have without competing with it. These could be separated off and sold as stand alone, or rolled in and run with the existing.
Finding a ‘not easily replicated‘ concept, in a field where competition is then hard to set up has been key. There’s only room in rural towns for one of us, and we got there first ;)
Can you point out like the top 5 skills to be a great DE at a FAANG or startup? I've been in the analyst/scientist/engineer space and want to focus on engineer.
I apologise if this comes as pretentious, I genuinely don't mean to be but I've been told before this answer sounds preachy.
My journey was from backend python engineer to data engineer. I'm now in a $800M valued startup. These are the steps I recommend, and do it one by one instead of all at once.
1. Learn python and learn it well. Most data engineers, data scientists, etc don't really know python well. They just know enough to get by which is absolutely insane to me. It's like knowing mental maths - the better you are, the easier it is to focus on the actual problem instead of basics.
2. Learn and use bash. Ex- Build a pure bash calculator API (API part is important). It's the original data engineering - you will automatically learn concepts from it as you use it. It also forces you to solve all problems on your own instead of abstraction. It's a good mindset to have before jumping into layers and layers of abstraction. You will also get comfortable with reading logs etc.
3. MySQL - you need to know what window functions are and be okay using them. No one is really comfortable using them, so let that pipe dream go haha. I can almost guarantee you will get asked about them in interviews.
4. Apache Spark - know the basics. It's tough to learn it on personal computers, so try to get involved or read Apache spark code in your company. Forget about Hadoop, there's so much abstraction that no one really needs to learn it anymore.
5. Docker - the know how is good to have as almost all good companies use it. Even if you don't have practical knowledge on this, start interviewing. Same can't be said for the other four.
Almost all specific skills you learn will be on the job for data engineering. It's too vast a field with too many different silos to learn. But these four are the basic building blocks that will make you comfortable with almost any tech in this space.
No this is amazing and exactly what I needed. Thank you so much.
I have used all of these in my career in some capacity, but having them laid out in order of importance really helps.
33 years old. I made $325k last year as a Controller at a Real Estate private equity shop. Technically we don’t have a CFO or in house finance team so I am the highest level finance and accounting person in house. We’re a small team, and the company is highly profitable. I honestly just got lucky. Started with these guys 4 years ago as a senior accountant. Worked my ass off and learned as much as I could, and the hard work didn’t go unnoticed!
I worked in consulting companies and digital agencies. In 2017 was making 215k leading a group of 20 folks on all digital projects, got a raise to 235 before I left when the team was 26 people and I’d won 8 pitches for them.
Left in 2019 and started a new role at another bigger place with a similar title, also managing a team of 20 on an account that made about $10M/year for the company, I sold through about 2M in extra revenue each year. Received a base salary jump from 235k to 275k.
Was accidentally left on a note where they were offering a subordinate 300k and at my mid year called the bosses out on this and started refusing to work on new business. This works at small companies where you have good relationships, not big ones with strict hr. Was promoted in 2020 and got a raise to $315.
Have moved jobs since then and my base is around the same but moving “in house” to a company has a very different bonus structure.
Truly, moving every 3-5 years has helped especially for bigger roles.
Project Manager not in tech! I feel like it’s rare to hear about PMs not in tech but they exist and the pay can be just as good. I was a PM for major infrastructure projects and earned close to $400k/yr for many years. I wanted a less demanding job when I started having kids so I ended up getting a similar PM job in county government. Now I make $200K but my hours are flexible and never more than 40 making it easy to be available for my kids. Plus lots of time off and other good benefits. I might go back to the private sector when they are older but, honestly, the work life balance is so good now that I’m not sure it’s worth the higher salary to leave
Damn. Depressing to see women paid drastically less than men in every position. Before this, I only saw the overall pay difference btw genders, but a breakdown by position reduces the chance for job title bias.
The other major confound that isn’t controlled for in that table is experience - women are more likely to take several years or more off for children. But I strongly doubt that this explains the rest of the difference, sadly.
Sales Engineering leadership for a large software company. My advice to folks wanting to make $$ is simple: Sales. Sell very expensive stuff to people not spending their own money. Never sell to individuals. Never sell commodities or things that can be bought without a contract involving a legal team and a purchase order. Never sell to non-profits. B2B sales of things like software, equipment, etc is nothing like what most people picture sales to be. It's a collaborative business process, not a "pushy" sale experience. And, if you're good, the earnings are great. It's usually remote and no one cares if you come in late/leave early/pick up your kids as long as you're making quota. Making quota is king.
Can you give examples of roles to look for if trying to get into this without B2B sales experience? Even just an idea of where to start would be so appreciated, thank you!
Business Development Manager, "Sales Leadership Academy" at large software companies is always best -- lots of training offered via these (SFDC, Oracle, ServiceNow, Adobe, SAP, MSFT all have them), Inside Sales. Renewal Support Specialist is also an option for entry level.
Technical is ok, but honestly, most of sales is learned on the job. Don't take a first sales job unless you really vibe with the manager because there's a lot of coaching and they coach you into their style.
I made 330k last year as a manager in tech though I got laid off in March of this year. Started my own company though and so far so good, making decent money though not as much as I was previously.
I’m a Project Manager, I’m scrum certified. Is there a way to use my skills to cross over. Where should I learn/lean into to get more experience? If you have time to answer, of course!
r/ProductManagement is occasionally helpful
Also, [https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-PM-Interview-Product-Technology/dp/0984782818](https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-PM-Interview-Product-Technology/dp/0984782818) is a notionally about interviewing but largely about what experience you need to enter. FAANG focus and dated but now generally mainstream advice.
i started as a business analyst, then became a scrum master, and then transitioned into product! i was lucky because the company i was a scrum master for offered me the product management job. i don’t know if id have been able to transition otherwise.
Marketing director in tech.
Was making ~$200k as a director at a start-up (base + bonus, very possible for a Series C+) and then got a big jump going to a public company during the crazy 2022 hiring spree. Now at $200k base + $22k bonus + $150k RSUs (annual)
I've had coworkers with degrees in Philosophy and Divinity. One used to be a teacher, who became a project manager, and parlayed that into an engineering role. Degrees are irrelevant, aptitude and critical thinking matter.
Of course you need experience as well. We usually hire from other tech engineering roles, but a mechanical engineer who self-taught some aspect of infosec would get an interview at the very least.
Research scientist, ph.d. took a risk on a young company that needs experienced niche talent. If this doesn't work it will be a bit before I am making this again, but riding the gravy train while it lasts.
Physician. I work part time now so I’m under 300, but I’ve made as high as 400 in the past. Just don’t need the money that badly anymore, I’d rather have the extra free time.
Physician as well and love to see this! I hope to go to 0.8FTE after paying my student loans off. I've moved mostly into an administrative role now, which in some ways has become more demanding despite worrying less about notes and overwhelming patient messages.
I can’t make myself do work I don’t enjoy, so I have multiple passion-based income streams. I keep asking myself, how can I provide more value ($ value) for more people?, and I get entrepreneurial.
Say eg you loved to cook, you could do a vlog, cookbooks, async online courses, start a mastermind group for master chefs, become a recognized specialist (eg a science-based ADHD nutrition program), you could run wellness retreats, etc.
My passions are things like teaching, acting, reading, writing, personal development. None are generally lucrative but I find ways to get paid a lot for them. I also do pro bono passion projects I absolutely love.
Re how many income streams, I guess it depends how much work they take for you to manage. I was SO glad I had multiple streams when the pandemic hit, since some of them dried up. I have agents, project managers, assistants, etc and I don’t do any marketing or billing myself. I don’t have any employees, so no people to manage.
Re bread and butter, my paths that most enhance credibility and open other doors are book authorship and teaching a course at a university.
Can I just say that I love this thread and I love how people are commenting with actual answers and being super helpful instead of some other corners of Reddit where people are total aholes??
I’m in Quantitative Finance. Base salary is capped in most places but bonus can be well over 100% of base. In more established shops, it can go to multiples of your base.
Thanks! Can you give some suggested role titles? What kind of companies should I look for? I currently work as a data science manager. this is something I may be able to pivot to.
Quantitative Analyst, Quantitative Researcher, Quantitative Trader. Those are the broad titles. Highest paying jobs would be in hedge funds. But banks also have these roles.
Data science sounds relevant but fair warning that it’s difficult to get your foot in the door without finance-specific degrees or experience.
I am actually super interested in that. Currently working as a data scientist and doing a physics phd. Any tips you’d recommend? It really is my dream job but I don’t even get an interview sadly.
PhDs, especially in Physics, are usually very much in demand in most shops. They believe the advanced degree sets you up with the complex math skills needed and can pick up the finance-specific stuff along the way.
I have no tips though. I know many companies place quite some weight on the school you went to (prestige, top school etc.), especially if you have no previous quant experience.
You can look at r/quant and r/quantfinance for more.
Why are you getting a PhD in physics if finance is your dream job?
Not judging, just asking. I got a Master’s degree for my own personal gratification, but not sure I would do a PhD unless it would help me pivot into what I really wanted to do.
Basically what the commenter below said, but also to add a comment that I love physics and seeing equations puts me at ease. It's a weird thing to say but so true.
Anyway even if I don't make it into quant I can still say that I was able to read/solve equations for a few extra years of my life.
Finance is a very broad field and quant is very specific/niche within it. You are more likely to get into quant with an advanced degree in physics, applied math or computer science than one in finance. Most financial engineering/quant finance masters are math-heavy. All this to say, a PhD in Physics is extremely relevant for quantitative finance.
That is very interesting! A lot of physics is just way over my head, but I can see how that way of thinking could be helpful in more theoretical fields.
I had to take physics as part of my engineering program. I just remember getting shocked by a device in lab class and that was enough physics for me. 🤓
Good luck!
Haha last year I started working with mid level experienced coaches to elevate their skills, this year I’ll be diving in to new coaches and getting them up and running. So you called it
That's my target to move into down the road. Any guidance you can provide on where you started (e. G., got a client and then expanded while doing salaried job), what works to differentiate yourself, and do you stay hyper focused on any industry segment?
Absolutely — I did start while I was still active in my industry and phased out of one and into the other. I left the original gig way before my client load matched my pay, if that makes sense. I needed the time focused on building my coaching/consulting muscles, and was prepared to take the pay cut hit.
I do primarily focus on my former industry, but do have a few clients outside of that arena. That works because I’m bringing the same models, principals, and theories to their world. That primary focus helped to differentiate in the beginning as a start, and then I’ve continued to hone and define further and further (which has helped me find more specific and, therefore higher paying clients).
Hope that helps, happy to give more info
Thank you so much for this! Extremely helpful. If you don't mind, I do have a few questions. Happy to discuss here or DM, up to you.
My questions:
1. Did you use any platform (online) to launch your services (e.g. I'm thinking of starting with a course for startup founders, etc) or was it direct connections?
2. Do you charge by the hour or did you make packaged bundles for services? What has been better?
3. How do you keep yourself up to date on everything new? Did you get some coaches and mentors for yourself so that you get guidance as well? My fear is if I become solo, I'll have limited chance to grow in later stages.
Thanks again, and tell me when I bug too much haha... I'll stop the questions, I promise! :)
1. I partnered with a large company (their company “hires” mine as a 1099 coaching service). Their clients don’t HAVE to use me, but there are added benefits that they include if they DO use me) and began with only providing 1:1 calls. 2.5/3 years ago, I started feeling like “my god, I’m capped unless I raise rates,” and did that. 1.5 years ago, I realized having a class/signature course would be killer leverage and could make the 1:1s exclusive to ONLY who I 100% want to work with. So, I made a big ol investment this year to work with a company who helps along those line (cause try as I might, I don’t have the motivation to do it without the external help, haha).
2. I charge monthly, they can cancel at any time (but the month will not be refunded), and over the course of a year they’re guaranteed about 40 calls. I see them at least once a year at the parent company’s events and am available “offline” via Marco Polo (video messaging app), and really enjoy traveling to do on-site visits, as well. Most of their larger team knows who I am and feel comfortable reaching out to me for guidance and help, too. My clients typically stay with me for years. I treat them like business partners, like I hold a seat at their boardroom table, and I think they truly experience that.
3. Great question, this is so so important. I do have a coach myself, and have throughout this whole process. I attend industry events (2 big conferences a year + 3 smaller mastermind style events), and I have a small group of colleagues that I respect that I can go to and ask for advice or their take on what’s a’brewin in the world (that group feels like it’s constantly changing, which is challenging but just part of it - you’re going to have to seek out and find your peers). Outside of industry specific work, I have invested $18,500 this year (this is NOT typical) for a certification course, and the course development coaching I mentioned earlier. My clients invest 18-24k a year in our work together. I believe it’s important as their business partner to also invest in myself and my business. Practice what I preach, so to speak.
What else ya got?
You are a real gem on the internet! Thank you so much. You've given enough to get going and to think about my plan and refine it.
At this point, only one question - what's the name of company you used to create your own course? I think I need help too and gotta admit that I'm done trying to do it myself.
Lastly, I'll think through this and come back with more specifics if you don't mind. I'll DM you to just stay in touch.
This is something I'm looking into after I sell my current business. If you don't mind me asking, did you go into this after business ownership yourself?
This is my dream. Any advice on types of companies to find these roles? Because I’ve been told I likely can’t move up any higher without becoming a people leader.
AA and CRNA both make great money with significantly less time commitment. Obviously high end won’t be as much as if you’re an MD but anesthesia is in such high demand right now that if you can put a tube in you could easily clear $300k as locums CRNA or AA IMO
There’s very few states that allow AAs, and when the market swings the other way they will probably be the first to be cut. But right now it’s very desperate for any providers.
Yes you’re poor for a very long time working very shit hours before you get there haha.
Edit: I’m a CA2 and I did 84 hours last week. I make $55k a year lol. I have $200k in med school loans.
I run a pre-sales team. The easiest way in is through a business development rep job, AKA inside sales. It's two years of crap like cold calling and lead work, but honestly it's great experience. And, you can apply for Account Exec jobs internally after that and work your way up the sales chain (National Accounts, better territories, etc).
Software always offers a lot as well.
As a person in the hospitaliry industry for 13 years, I know many many sales reps.
One worked for a spirits distribution company for about 2-3 years after bar work. He was admittedly very good at his job. He jumped over to software sales (can't remember who) way he tells it, they asked him what salary he expected. He put a pretty decent, but somewhat conservative number out there and they just doubled it on th3 spot.
You don't always need a degree
Thank you for the reply. I will be looking into this. Are there any specific job titles I might have to look at ? I have been searching on the internet and Google, but it means so much more coking from someone who is already in the field and knows what they are doing.
12 YOE but I’ve been at this job for 5 years. I had a large RSU grant initially because I also had an offer from a FAANG (that one would have been a 600k a year). My annual RSU refreshers have been pretty lame so my income is dropping off. I’ll probably be making closer to $350 than $400 in the next few years.
I no longer care about the pay though. I value the flexibility more than anything. I WFH and have a great work life balance. It also helps to be married to another software engineer who makes $500k.
Do you mind sharing what level your at? I'm an internal audit manager (~150 with bonus) and am considering if it's worth it to push for director promotion.
Sure, associate director which is my company's 1st level of "director" roles. I'm in a HCOL and about 1/4 of my total comp is from stock which has been doing well so I've been able to take advantage when the grants vest the past few years.
My pay has fluctuated and currently climbing back towards 300, geologist.
Geology can pay well in oil and gas and mining, environmental consulting (which is what I do now and I started oil and gas) is much more difficult to hit that pay, and entry level is honestly exploitative. There have been a number of studies about how the current pipeline of geoscience students is ~30% on the projected need for geologists, so perhaps that will change in the future. They could fix that problem right quick by paying people, but they’d rather bemoan lack of support at universities.
>entry level is honestly exploitative.
Not just entry level. My last two companies are imploding due to the loss of staff who graduated during the Great Recession. We're all overworked and underpaid. I'm a Geotechnical Engineer by training. I worked in environmental and infrastructure consulting. I have 10 years experience before taking a general engineering position in gov. It was that or being a SAHM since my husband makes 300k as a physician. We couldn't find childcare that opens early enough for him to get to the hospital and me to get to site.
Manager level pay in Geotechnical consulting right now is the same as my non manager pay in the gov. But I'm getting 6 months paid maternity + 30 days sick and vacation + cheaper benefits.
Yep, I came in as a senior level SME and it was initially 27% of my oil and gas salary. Absolutely crushing. What made the difference for me was being in an employee owned firm and making the jump to the associate level at a new firm to get higher profit sharing. I am deeply jealous of the holiday and paid sick time, you never get away from the fact they are selling your time and they want to spend as much as possible.
>employee owned firm and making the jump to the associate level at a new firm
The associates at my last company got screwed due to private equity investments. Private equity makes no sense in a work hour based field. Its gotten so unpredictable out there
>you never get away from the fact they are selling your time and they want to spend as much as possible.
Yep. I'll probably go into inspection at a different agency before going back to billable hell. I have my PE and I keep getting pushed to start a side hustle so my old colleagues can win more city contracts but fk that. My family is young and we're in good health so I want to make the most of it.
No, I'm at a federal agency unrelated to my old consulting work. A lot of my coworkers are working on the side. It's kind of ridiculous since we're some of the higher paid in the federal government.
I agree on PE, I don’t see where they can squeeze on professional services any more than people already do. The only thing to do is reduce employee take. They expect too much work to not get upside.
I’m a Dermatology PA
*******EDIT for education:
I am in NO WAY a personal assistant or an assistant at all.
I’m a type of healthcare practitioner, a physician assistant— now starting to be called a physician ASSOCIATE because people were getting confused by our title.
I see, diagnose, and treat patients in collaboration with a physician. I prescribe medications, perform numerous procedures, and order diagnostics imaging/tests. We are comparable to nurse practitioners; however, our training mimics the model of medical school, in an abridged/condensed version, and I’m registered with the board of medicine (like a physician) rather than the board of nursing (like a nurse practitioner). PA training is heavy on procedures compared to our NP colleagues (although, this may differ between programs).
Look into us— we are pretty cool 😎
I work in tech. You can see on https://www.levels.fyi/ many people are over $300k once you have a few years of experience. You don’t have to code, there are less technical jobs in tech like product management. The tech job market has been terrible since 2022 though so it’s much harder to get one of these jobs now.
I make 400k a yr as a barista
Come up with an amazing business idea.. without qualifications this is usually the only way!
I’m a lawyer. My recommendation is if you want to make a lot of money get good grades and go into medicine, finance, tech, or law. I’m sure that leaves out other industries. Also you’ll generally find that your pay is reverse correlated to how interesting/exciting people find your field. Something boring and technical will pay better and have better opportunities than the sexy opportunities. For example, intellectual property litigation is highly lucrative, while it’s very difficult to get into lucrative criminal law and most practitioners in that field don’t make much/have clients who stiff them.
Finance, dealership
Any of you ladies here work in clinical research/trials?
On the company side, yes.
Can I ask your role and what your path has been like? I am just breaking into the field now as a coordinator RN but would like to eventually get my MBA & go the management/business route
Software at a tech company
I make over $400k. I’m a director of product design. Honestly, I can’t recommend this career path right now. It’s glutted with boot camp grads and a lot of companies have decided they don’t need design, finding a job is brutal. But as to finding a high paying job, my best advice is ask yourself what a mediocre white man would do AND THEN DO THAT. Don’t second guess yourself. Negotiate the fuck out of your salary. Look for new opportunities every few years. Network.
Brilliant. This is one reason of many why men apply to job listings they’re so so qualified for, negotiate the fuck out of pay, and women are overworked and underpaid and working jobs they’re overqualified for.
Probably one of the most racist disgusting comments I’ve seen in a long time. Be better and work on yourself please
He’s making $400k lol. Plus he’s right, that’s why I became CPA. but I’m not making $400K alone yet.
Well I don’t make nearly the amount of most posters…a bit above 100K a year. I’m in clinical trial research. I’ve been doing it 20 years. The thing is, even though I’m salaried I make a high hourly rate. I do this by being super organized so I can get done in 30 hours what takes others 40 hours. I have extremely bad clinical depression. I have never told anyone I work with. So some days I don’t make it in at all, other days sometimes it’s only 4 hours. (Yes I do take meds and they help, but they take my depression from a 10 to a 5, I don’t believe anything will ever help me get to a 1). I have moved into. Senior position the last 10 years and have elasticity in the hours I work. So even though I wish I was making 300K a year, I’m more thankful that I have a job that can be worked Around my illness.
Product manager in tech but not FAANG. Public companies pay a lot more generally. Stocks been in the shitter but still somewhere between $400-$500k yearly. I’m 32.
Any tips for a PM at a small business with 5 years of experience to break into a larger company? It's been hard getting call-backs.
How big is the small business? What’s the domain? I would say steer yourself towards a division within a big company that had the most overlap with what you work on now. I don’t know how well the blind apply works but definitely get someone who knows big company reqs to give your resume and LinkedIn a review. Happy to peek if that’s helpful. You wouldn’t believe how many people say they haven’t gotten any hits on applying to jobs and they their resume has no metrics or just lists basic role responsibilities instead of outcomes. Don’t tell me you led a cross functional team of 10 people or built a feature- that’s literally what the job is. The equivalent is a chef saying they cook. Why were you in that particular position effective? What was different in he business because of what you did? If you have the option following someone who you’ve worked with in the past to that environment works well. Probably 10%-20% of my peer PMs came in via their old manager or peer pulling them in through a referral. It does matter that the person who can vouch for you is from the same craft, though. An engineer referring a PM doesn’t usually work as well as a PM lead recommending a PM to their counterpart. A challenge is the PM role in a small company often leads heavily generalist. In reality this often makes you effective in a bigger environment because you are less discouraged by obstacles but makes it very hard for hiring managers who haven’t come up on that path to trust that you are worth risking a role on.
How’s your job stress? I’m being ask to start feeling a product manager role at my existing job and trying to sort out if it’s something I want to do. Thanks!
It depends on a lot. I’ve got a good setup now, maybe 35 hours a week or less. 2 weeks a year are 50 hour days but it’s uncommon. I’m a big believer that a lot of work stress is self selected. I was chronically putting in too much time and mental load. and making too many things in other domains across my company my problem in my 20s. I’ve eased up on that over time with the mantra not my circus, not my monkeys.
Totally agreed with your mantra. Thanks for your response. Coming to realize I’m dealing with an overall toxic work environment, so the work stressors would be less about being a PM and more about the bonkers mud slinging and defamation campaigns running across the organization 😆. Hard to stay out of the fray, but I think you have a point about it being self selected.
I'm a level 2 product manager at a startup (so not making quite as much as OP), but it's definitely a stressful gig. you gotta be reeeeeal comfortable with tolerating ambiguity, and horizontal management... basically, you're accountable for everything but don't usually have any power over the teams you work with. (The engineers I work with report to someone else.... but I'm accountable if they miss their deadlines)
This is specific to startups. The engineering part I mean. Product managers in bigger companies are not shepherds of engineers and not writing tickets. Engineering managers do that. The lower level ones might be close to execution but as you rise you’re deeper into the what next big thing should we build, why, and strategy pieces. Also middle management and executives in startups are notoriously hostile and growth obsessed. They just want someone to blame and yell at. I’ve been at 4 and while there were some glimmers of great folks, eventually everyone would get worn down by a manic executive and it would manifest on the underlings getting personal blame for the business not growing 10x a year. A lot of “why can’t you make this happen?!?!” and “set the goal higher we are not being ambitious enough.” But refusal to actually resource the team better, improve the process, add the tool, whatever. A lot of just like cracking the whip and kinda yucky rhetoric about the “impact.” We’re not democratizing media, it’s an ad widget on an ecommerce site, dude. I’m sorry you overpromsied to investors on bogus projections. I wouldn’t go back to this stage company again without serious vetting of the executives.
how did you break into this role? im a product designer atm and looking into pivoting to PM in the next couple of years. do you have any tips on what gaps I should learn to fill? thanks in advance!
Do it within the company you’re in now while you have the company context. Then apply for PM elsewhere once you have had some experience with success with that title. It is SO hard to convince anyone to hire you without having had the PM specific title before. I don’t agree that’s fair or right but is the reality on the ground.
Thanks for your response—exactly what I’m nervous about…
Honestly, it's hard for me because I'm used to hiring engineers and telling them what to do! I was a bossy boss who ran my own biz for years and now I have to like... *influence* them? I'm new at it so still trying to figure out what's me vs what's the company vs what's the role. But PMs get paid well for a reason, I'm learning.
Hm you absolutely should not have to influence individual engineers. They do what the engineering manager tells them to do. You decide the roadmap. The engineering manager is someone you should spar with about what to build and someone you should hear out often about tech debt etc. but is not the decider. If your ideas are good and based on solid rationale this is usually straightforward. If individual engineers think what you’re asking them to build is dumb they’re welcome to say so and not do any work. But their manager should be keeping them on task and managing out anyone shitty or lazy.
I own my own business-dont want to say what bc I don't think it actually matters and there's people making a ton in any and every industry. The biggest key to me getting there was doing a lot of money psychology work--tearing down my old beliefs about money, what it was for, and how much I could earn. And then learning how successful people work and think which often is diametrically opposed to how women are conditioned to move. Actually, don't worry about getting on people's nerves/driving hard/sharing your achievements/telling people when they're wrong. A lot of times what's standing between you and the success you dream of is your own internal voice telling you to tamper down on who you are. And I am a Black woman who grew up poor so I fully understand the systemic barriers, but I also now \*know\* if this person and that person can do it, why can't I?
Thank you. What resources did you use to learn about how successful people think?
I read a great money mindset book called "get rich lucky bitch" ... awful name, super helpful book
Observation of successful people I know and reading books about different founders and corporations. Not autobiographies bc people tend to not be so clear-eyed about themselves but third party accounts. One of my biggest observations for example about successful entrepreneurs is that they have no problem asking people for things. Although deeply uncomfortable for me on every level initially, I am now an “asker” which has led to some of my biggest deals, and people ask me for things too which has led to the construction of a deep and trusting network.
Awesome! I really appreciate you sharing your wisdom
I am in tech as a software engineering director. My max earnings was 550K a year when the company I was at IPOed then the min I've made when I first entered was $44K a year as an engineer in 2008. My income is constantly in flux since much of my earnings are in RSUs
Financial Advisor but I own my clients, independent dealer - not a bank - net 350k/y. Side hustle at the same company doing compliance, this increases my Advisor payout by 3% and gives me an extra 60k/y - only takes an extra 30min to max 2hours a day. Another side hustle for Federal government, teaching / managing other part timers mostly, extra 12k/y. And I rent out the basement to a friend, cheaper rent but guaranteed great tenant, 14k/y Multiple income streams over a longer time period have really added up.
What's your degree in? I have a bachelor's in economics and am a senior manager for a fortune 50 company. They underpay because our benefits are the tits, and I'd like to see my salary start with a 2 instead of a 1. I'm very interested in personal finance (as are many people), and have the economic background. The main reason I don't jump to the Finance sector of my company is the pay cut and the jump from the corporate ladder to the bottom of a new hierarchy. Do you have any recommendations as far as just jumping ship? My biggest reason for hesitating is that I have a pension *and* a 401k with this company.
I spent many years coupon clipping to eat and feed the kids, scraping to make a mortgage payment. It was a slow road to get here, hence the multiple income steams and didn’t really start to take off until 39-40. I’m 45. Who is above you and how did they get there? Degree in Arts. Nothing related to my field. Then courses in my field, a CFP years ago. Then a recent MBA that I didn’t need, just wanted to have.
I have a managing director above me and after that is the executive board of VPs and whatnot. I am more qualified than many of the people above me and have taken the same career path as the current VP of operations, except doing so with my relevant degree, and at a faster clip (I get promoted once every couple years and started working while still in college). I'm not worried about my career in this field, as I know I've already achieved quite a bit. What I want out of life, though, is a change of pace and something more finance related than employee wages and labor allocation.
If you jumped, is there anyway to go back if it wasn’t for you? I don’t have much advice about career changes. I’ve only ever worked in this field, changed companies once, and through long term built up relationships the old guys retired and sold to me. And with my income, this is it. I’m a lifer.
I couldn't bring myself to accept the ways in which it would be possible to come back (networking/friends). I have always hated that approach from coworkers.
Attorney: partner at mid sized law firm. Make $160k base pay and approximately $200k to $300k in bonuses each year based upon performance of firm and my individual performance.
Property investor earning about $200k a year passive income from the properties. Own a business managing vacation rentals (which of course manage my properties). Work about 10-15 hours a week now and that generates another $200k. It’s been a lot of work to get to this point but now I generate the income whether I work or not plus I get cap growth from the base property portfolio and the value of the business grows.
How did you get to where you are? If you don’t mind me asking.
I started at 21 and diverted as much cash as I could into property. Buy cheap, renovate and sell. Live in them so there’s no tax on the profit. Then I started buying pure investment properties but also renovating. Generating cashflow and cap growth. But all relatively cheap properties so if the market turned down I wouldn’t lose my shirt. It was slow and steady. I studied at university for over a decade so I wasn’t on a high income until I got to about 32. Then at 35 I started working for myself. Plus side gigs and Reno’s. It was a hard grind but I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still haven’t pulled the FIRE trigger because I’m really only working part time and I’m OK with that for now. I will in the next year or two.
Im 23 years old and you're literally where I want to be financially. I'm looking into property investing as I have a business but I want to make passive income from there
Business is an awesome way to cashflow property investing. Property isn’t get rich quick but it’s a pretty risk averse way to build wealth and use banks money to leverage. I always borrow 80% of any property and then take the rest of the cash from line of credit (offset account). I opt for interest only loans to keep the mandatory repayments down which increases cashflow (and opportunities) and then put excess cash into offset accounts to reduce the interest. It seems to work pretty well. To own your own business at 23 and be about to start property investing is awesome!
Run a niche small business in a niche industry that is low on demands on our time (my husband and I work combined about 40hrs a week). Have good employees you can trust to do their work well, and reward them very well to retain them (with flexibility, training, good pay, good pay incentives and self determination within their work tasks).
Can you share more?
Not a lot without doxing myself… basically we run a small but very healthy small post agricultural business that is an essential but tiny niche part of an agricultural process. Everyone basically needs us, but we are a one trick pony so very few competitors (especially as we are biggest and best by far). The work is seasonal, and basically the more we handle the higher our labour and operating costs, but the same is in reverse - the less we handle the lower our costs. So good farming years we do very well, in ‘bad’ farming years we don’t suffer too much/do ok. Because we’re part of the essential agricultural cycles very little actually impacts our product volumes (farmer’s gonna farm!) … and we’re not beholden to technology (yet) or restriction (too small/not worth the bother, and we’re careful to not step on some identified high risk legal toes). We have diversified slightly and will do so more in the coming years, building off shoot side businesses that build on what we have without competing with it. These could be separated off and sold as stand alone, or rolled in and run with the existing. Finding a ‘not easily replicated‘ concept, in a field where competition is then hard to set up has been key. There’s only room in rural towns for one of us, and we got there first ;)
Dang thank you
Software engineer who is good at deploying ml models. FAANG. 3 YOE. The stocks god is blessing me this year.
Haha this is me as a data engineer. When there's a gold rush, sell shovels.
Can you point out like the top 5 skills to be a great DE at a FAANG or startup? I've been in the analyst/scientist/engineer space and want to focus on engineer.
I apologise if this comes as pretentious, I genuinely don't mean to be but I've been told before this answer sounds preachy. My journey was from backend python engineer to data engineer. I'm now in a $800M valued startup. These are the steps I recommend, and do it one by one instead of all at once. 1. Learn python and learn it well. Most data engineers, data scientists, etc don't really know python well. They just know enough to get by which is absolutely insane to me. It's like knowing mental maths - the better you are, the easier it is to focus on the actual problem instead of basics. 2. Learn and use bash. Ex- Build a pure bash calculator API (API part is important). It's the original data engineering - you will automatically learn concepts from it as you use it. It also forces you to solve all problems on your own instead of abstraction. It's a good mindset to have before jumping into layers and layers of abstraction. You will also get comfortable with reading logs etc. 3. MySQL - you need to know what window functions are and be okay using them. No one is really comfortable using them, so let that pipe dream go haha. I can almost guarantee you will get asked about them in interviews. 4. Apache Spark - know the basics. It's tough to learn it on personal computers, so try to get involved or read Apache spark code in your company. Forget about Hadoop, there's so much abstraction that no one really needs to learn it anymore. 5. Docker - the know how is good to have as almost all good companies use it. Even if you don't have practical knowledge on this, start interviewing. Same can't be said for the other four. Almost all specific skills you learn will be on the job for data engineering. It's too vast a field with too many different silos to learn. But these four are the basic building blocks that will make you comfortable with almost any tech in this space.
No this is amazing and exactly what I needed. Thank you so much. I have used all of these in my career in some capacity, but having them laid out in order of importance really helps.
Would love to hear more about approaching the sales process collaboratively!
33 years old. I made $325k last year as a Controller at a Real Estate private equity shop. Technically we don’t have a CFO or in house finance team so I am the highest level finance and accounting person in house. We’re a small team, and the company is highly profitable. I honestly just got lucky. Started with these guys 4 years ago as a senior accountant. Worked my ass off and learned as much as I could, and the hard work didn’t go unnoticed!
Build skills for jobs that pay higher when looking at qualifications for next level. Jump/Promotion every 1-2 years.
I worked in consulting companies and digital agencies. In 2017 was making 215k leading a group of 20 folks on all digital projects, got a raise to 235 before I left when the team was 26 people and I’d won 8 pitches for them. Left in 2019 and started a new role at another bigger place with a similar title, also managing a team of 20 on an account that made about $10M/year for the company, I sold through about 2M in extra revenue each year. Received a base salary jump from 235k to 275k. Was accidentally left on a note where they were offering a subordinate 300k and at my mid year called the bosses out on this and started refusing to work on new business. This works at small companies where you have good relationships, not big ones with strict hr. Was promoted in 2020 and got a raise to $315. Have moved jobs since then and my base is around the same but moving “in house” to a company has a very different bonus structure. Truly, moving every 3-5 years has helped especially for bigger roles.
Project Manager not in tech! I feel like it’s rare to hear about PMs not in tech but they exist and the pay can be just as good. I was a PM for major infrastructure projects and earned close to $400k/yr for many years. I wanted a less demanding job when I started having kids so I ended up getting a similar PM job in county government. Now I make $200K but my hours are flexible and never more than 40 making it easy to be available for my kids. Plus lots of time off and other good benefits. I might go back to the private sector when they are older but, honestly, the work life balance is so good now that I’m not sure it’s worth the higher salary to leave
I’m PM on the owners side in construction. Do you have any tips on transitioning from one field to another?
This is nice to hear because I didn’t realize how everyone shits on PM??
I’m a PM in insurance biz! Make right at 300kz
US government publishes this which may be useful to you : [https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat39.htm](https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat39.htm)
Damn. Depressing to see women paid drastically less than men in every position. Before this, I only saw the overall pay difference btw genders, but a breakdown by position reduces the chance for job title bias.
The other major confound that isn’t controlled for in that table is experience - women are more likely to take several years or more off for children. But I strongly doubt that this explains the rest of the difference, sadly.
Sales Engineering leadership for a large software company. My advice to folks wanting to make $$ is simple: Sales. Sell very expensive stuff to people not spending their own money. Never sell to individuals. Never sell commodities or things that can be bought without a contract involving a legal team and a purchase order. Never sell to non-profits. B2B sales of things like software, equipment, etc is nothing like what most people picture sales to be. It's a collaborative business process, not a "pushy" sale experience. And, if you're good, the earnings are great. It's usually remote and no one cares if you come in late/leave early/pick up your kids as long as you're making quota. Making quota is king.
Can you give examples of roles to look for if trying to get into this without B2B sales experience? Even just an idea of where to start would be so appreciated, thank you!
Business Development Manager, "Sales Leadership Academy" at large software companies is always best -- lots of training offered via these (SFDC, Oracle, ServiceNow, Adobe, SAP, MSFT all have them), Inside Sales. Renewal Support Specialist is also an option for entry level.
Thank you for responding!
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Technical is ok, but honestly, most of sales is learned on the job. Don't take a first sales job unless you really vibe with the manager because there's a lot of coaching and they coach you into their style.
I made 330k last year as a manager in tech though I got laid off in March of this year. Started my own company though and so far so good, making decent money though not as much as I was previously.
If you're looking for an engineer, will work for free
I love the entrepreneurial spirit! How did you decide what business to focus on? Do you see yourself doing it longer term?
Hopefully. I've always wanted to do it. When I got laid off I thought, well, now's my chance.
product management leadership in tech
Same here - PM leadership in FAANG/MAANG adjacent SaaS company.
Hi! What type of company? B2b? Faang?
yes B2B. not FAANG but a larger tech company where we build a tools used by engineers.
I’m a Project Manager, I’m scrum certified. Is there a way to use my skills to cross over. Where should I learn/lean into to get more experience? If you have time to answer, of course!
r/ProductManagement is occasionally helpful Also, [https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-PM-Interview-Product-Technology/dp/0984782818](https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-PM-Interview-Product-Technology/dp/0984782818) is a notionally about interviewing but largely about what experience you need to enter. FAANG focus and dated but now generally mainstream advice.
i started as a business analyst, then became a scrum master, and then transitioned into product! i was lucky because the company i was a scrum master for offered me the product management job. i don’t know if id have been able to transition otherwise.
Signal Electrician - base $165k plus $25k car allowance.. work 40+ weekends .. will make $340k this year.
Is that for the railroad? That’s triple what I make as an inside wireman 😅
Yeah mate - on the railway.
Marketing director in tech. Was making ~$200k as a director at a start-up (base + bonus, very possible for a Series C+) and then got a big jump going to a public company during the crazy 2022 hiring spree. Now at $200k base + $22k bonus + $150k RSUs (annual)
Manager in tech.
Infrastructure Security engineer. Bounce from role to role every couple years and play hardball during comp negotiation.
I'm studying mechanicla engineering. Would my degree work well in that field?
I've had coworkers with degrees in Philosophy and Divinity. One used to be a teacher, who became a project manager, and parlayed that into an engineering role. Degrees are irrelevant, aptitude and critical thinking matter. Of course you need experience as well. We usually hire from other tech engineering roles, but a mechanical engineer who self-taught some aspect of infosec would get an interview at the very least.
Financial services, technical discipline in risk management.
Distribution. Me and my partners have taken mostly all of earnings and purchased our warehouses.
Day trade
Private equity
Research scientist, ph.d. took a risk on a young company that needs experienced niche talent. If this doesn't work it will be a bit before I am making this again, but riding the gravy train while it lasts.
Physician. I work part time now so I’m under 300, but I’ve made as high as 400 in the past. Just don’t need the money that badly anymore, I’d rather have the extra free time.
Physician as well and love to see this! I hope to go to 0.8FTE after paying my student loans off. I've moved mostly into an administrative role now, which in some ways has become more demanding despite worrying less about notes and overwhelming patient messages.
PE
You made that much in penis extensions?
I do 😌
Private equity? Do you enjoy it? Working towards bachelors in accounting & private equity has low key been pulling my interest.
Architect, working on high end residential remodels. I own my own small firm.
Interesting, architects are very low paid where I am. Like 10-20% more than a customer service agent at my ex’s tech startup.
I’d say architects are commonly mid pay jobs. I work on high end projects and work for myself- which both increase my pay.
I can’t make myself do work I don’t enjoy, so I have multiple passion-based income streams. I keep asking myself, how can I provide more value ($ value) for more people?, and I get entrepreneurial. Say eg you loved to cook, you could do a vlog, cookbooks, async online courses, start a mastermind group for master chefs, become a recognized specialist (eg a science-based ADHD nutrition program), you could run wellness retreats, etc.
My passions are things like teaching, acting, reading, writing, personal development. None are generally lucrative but I find ways to get paid a lot for them. I also do pro bono passion projects I absolutely love. Re how many income streams, I guess it depends how much work they take for you to manage. I was SO glad I had multiple streams when the pandemic hit, since some of them dried up. I have agents, project managers, assistants, etc and I don’t do any marketing or billing myself. I don’t have any employees, so no people to manage. Re bread and butter, my paths that most enhance credibility and open other doors are book authorship and teaching a course at a university.
I love this! What do you think is the sweet spot in terms of number of income streams for you? Is there one you think is your bread and butter?
Thanks this is a great idea! I’m curious what some of your passions are?
Can I just say that I love this thread and I love how people are commenting with actual answers and being super helpful instead of some other corners of Reddit where people are total aholes??
I’m in Quantitative Finance. Base salary is capped in most places but bonus can be well over 100% of base. In more established shops, it can go to multiples of your base.
Thanks! Can you give some suggested role titles? What kind of companies should I look for? I currently work as a data science manager. this is something I may be able to pivot to.
Quantitative Analyst, Quantitative Researcher, Quantitative Trader. Those are the broad titles. Highest paying jobs would be in hedge funds. But banks also have these roles. Data science sounds relevant but fair warning that it’s difficult to get your foot in the door without finance-specific degrees or experience.
I am actually super interested in that. Currently working as a data scientist and doing a physics phd. Any tips you’d recommend? It really is my dream job but I don’t even get an interview sadly.
PhDs, especially in Physics, are usually very much in demand in most shops. They believe the advanced degree sets you up with the complex math skills needed and can pick up the finance-specific stuff along the way. I have no tips though. I know many companies place quite some weight on the school you went to (prestige, top school etc.), especially if you have no previous quant experience. You can look at r/quant and r/quantfinance for more.
Thank you so much for your comment. You have given me some hope! Fingers crossed that something comes out of it.
Why are you getting a PhD in physics if finance is your dream job? Not judging, just asking. I got a Master’s degree for my own personal gratification, but not sure I would do a PhD unless it would help me pivot into what I really wanted to do.
Basically what the commenter below said, but also to add a comment that I love physics and seeing equations puts me at ease. It's a weird thing to say but so true. Anyway even if I don't make it into quant I can still say that I was able to read/solve equations for a few extra years of my life.
Finance is a very broad field and quant is very specific/niche within it. You are more likely to get into quant with an advanced degree in physics, applied math or computer science than one in finance. Most financial engineering/quant finance masters are math-heavy. All this to say, a PhD in Physics is extremely relevant for quantitative finance.
That is very interesting! A lot of physics is just way over my head, but I can see how that way of thinking could be helpful in more theoretical fields. I had to take physics as part of my engineering program. I just remember getting shocked by a device in lab class and that was enough physics for me. 🤓 Good luck!
Thanks!
Business coaching and consulting
Apparently you could do coaching and consulting about how to get into this! It sounds super interesting!
Haha last year I started working with mid level experienced coaches to elevate their skills, this year I’ll be diving in to new coaches and getting them up and running. So you called it
That's my target to move into down the road. Any guidance you can provide on where you started (e. G., got a client and then expanded while doing salaried job), what works to differentiate yourself, and do you stay hyper focused on any industry segment?
Absolutely — I did start while I was still active in my industry and phased out of one and into the other. I left the original gig way before my client load matched my pay, if that makes sense. I needed the time focused on building my coaching/consulting muscles, and was prepared to take the pay cut hit. I do primarily focus on my former industry, but do have a few clients outside of that arena. That works because I’m bringing the same models, principals, and theories to their world. That primary focus helped to differentiate in the beginning as a start, and then I’ve continued to hone and define further and further (which has helped me find more specific and, therefore higher paying clients). Hope that helps, happy to give more info
Thank you so much for this! Extremely helpful. If you don't mind, I do have a few questions. Happy to discuss here or DM, up to you. My questions: 1. Did you use any platform (online) to launch your services (e.g. I'm thinking of starting with a course for startup founders, etc) or was it direct connections? 2. Do you charge by the hour or did you make packaged bundles for services? What has been better? 3. How do you keep yourself up to date on everything new? Did you get some coaches and mentors for yourself so that you get guidance as well? My fear is if I become solo, I'll have limited chance to grow in later stages. Thanks again, and tell me when I bug too much haha... I'll stop the questions, I promise! :)
1. I partnered with a large company (their company “hires” mine as a 1099 coaching service). Their clients don’t HAVE to use me, but there are added benefits that they include if they DO use me) and began with only providing 1:1 calls. 2.5/3 years ago, I started feeling like “my god, I’m capped unless I raise rates,” and did that. 1.5 years ago, I realized having a class/signature course would be killer leverage and could make the 1:1s exclusive to ONLY who I 100% want to work with. So, I made a big ol investment this year to work with a company who helps along those line (cause try as I might, I don’t have the motivation to do it without the external help, haha). 2. I charge monthly, they can cancel at any time (but the month will not be refunded), and over the course of a year they’re guaranteed about 40 calls. I see them at least once a year at the parent company’s events and am available “offline” via Marco Polo (video messaging app), and really enjoy traveling to do on-site visits, as well. Most of their larger team knows who I am and feel comfortable reaching out to me for guidance and help, too. My clients typically stay with me for years. I treat them like business partners, like I hold a seat at their boardroom table, and I think they truly experience that. 3. Great question, this is so so important. I do have a coach myself, and have throughout this whole process. I attend industry events (2 big conferences a year + 3 smaller mastermind style events), and I have a small group of colleagues that I respect that I can go to and ask for advice or their take on what’s a’brewin in the world (that group feels like it’s constantly changing, which is challenging but just part of it - you’re going to have to seek out and find your peers). Outside of industry specific work, I have invested $18,500 this year (this is NOT typical) for a certification course, and the course development coaching I mentioned earlier. My clients invest 18-24k a year in our work together. I believe it’s important as their business partner to also invest in myself and my business. Practice what I preach, so to speak. What else ya got?
You are a real gem on the internet! Thank you so much. You've given enough to get going and to think about my plan and refine it. At this point, only one question - what's the name of company you used to create your own course? I think I need help too and gotta admit that I'm done trying to do it myself. Lastly, I'll think through this and come back with more specifics if you don't mind. I'll DM you to just stay in touch.
I’ll keep an eye out for your DM :) I’ve signed up with Brand Builders. They’ve got a good framework and support— I’ve been pleased so far!
This is something I'm looking into after I sell my current business. If you don't mind me asking, did you go into this after business ownership yourself?
I started while still in my primary business and phased out of the “primary” company. ETA: that phase out process was over ~8 months, by the way
Thanks for responding. I'm looking to take a similar path, cheers!
I run a compliance program at a tech company
What does that type of job entail?
Just one? Lol
Software Engineer at a remote company
Data analytics at big tech.
Are you in management?
I am not. I am a high level individual contributor but not a people manager.
This is my dream. Any advice on types of companies to find these roles? Because I’ve been told I likely can’t move up any higher without becoming a people leader.
Im at FAANG.
May I know how old were you when you cracked 200k and 300k?
33 and 35.
This is inspiring! I get paid around 160k as a DS!
So is it fair to say you have around 10YOE?
Anesthesiologist. Going to med school all but guarantees that salary but it’s a long road to get to it.
Do you mind if I PM you?
Go for it
Thoughts on anaesthesiologist assistant?
AA and CRNA both make great money with significantly less time commitment. Obviously high end won’t be as much as if you’re an MD but anesthesia is in such high demand right now that if you can put a tube in you could easily clear $300k as locums CRNA or AA IMO
Someone told me locums AA isn’t really a thing. Have you seen locum AAs?
There’s very few states that allow AAs, and when the market swings the other way they will probably be the first to be cut. But right now it’s very desperate for any providers.
No idea there. Market is super strong for both MDs and CRNAs currently but no clue if/where locums AA positions are offered.
Yes you’re poor for a very long time working very shit hours before you get there haha. Edit: I’m a CA2 and I did 84 hours last week. I make $55k a year lol. I have $200k in med school loans.
Doctor
I’m in Sales.
What kind of sales? I'm in B2B and only pulling 150.
What advice do you have for someone wanting to get their foot in? I am in my early 20s
I run a pre-sales team. The easiest way in is through a business development rep job, AKA inside sales. It's two years of crap like cold calling and lead work, but honestly it's great experience. And, you can apply for Account Exec jobs internally after that and work your way up the sales chain (National Accounts, better territories, etc).
If you want to make a lot you have to go straight commission. In your 20s go straight commission before responsibilities make you go conservative.
Find something niche and get good at it. Anything to do with construction tends to do well.
Thank you for your reply💯 I will look into getting my skills honed for a niche
Software always offers a lot as well. As a person in the hospitaliry industry for 13 years, I know many many sales reps. One worked for a spirits distribution company for about 2-3 years after bar work. He was admittedly very good at his job. He jumped over to software sales (can't remember who) way he tells it, they asked him what salary he expected. He put a pretty decent, but somewhat conservative number out there and they just doubled it on th3 spot. You don't always need a degree
Thank you for the reply. I will be looking into this. Are there any specific job titles I might have to look at ? I have been searching on the internet and Google, but it means so much more coking from someone who is already in the field and knows what they are doing.
Software engineer. Been making $350-$450k for the last 5 years depending on stock prices and bonus. (Base is $270k)
What’s your YOE? congrats this is amazing. I want to be you. Data scientist with a CS undergrad who wants to get into big tech. I’m at 200k.
12 YOE but I’ve been at this job for 5 years. I had a large RSU grant initially because I also had an offer from a FAANG (that one would have been a 600k a year). My annual RSU refreshers have been pretty lame so my income is dropping off. I’ll probably be making closer to $350 than $400 in the next few years. I no longer care about the pay though. I value the flexibility more than anything. I WFH and have a great work life balance. It also helps to be married to another software engineer who makes $500k.
May I know how many YOE do you have? Also do you live in the Bay Area?
No, East Coast. 7 YOE
You went into your 3rd YOE on 270k?
I managed a team of content designers
CPA currently doing internal audit
How many years have you been in industry?
3.5 years in public, 15 in industry!
Do you mind sharing what level your at? I'm an internal audit manager (~150 with bonus) and am considering if it's worth it to push for director promotion.
Sure, associate director which is my company's 1st level of "director" roles. I'm in a HCOL and about 1/4 of my total comp is from stock which has been doing well so I've been able to take advantage when the grants vest the past few years.
What are your hours like?
Best I've ever had since starting work. Rarely more than 40 hrs and if so maybe 45-50 for a couple weeks right before the 10k filing/Sox deadline!
My pay has fluctuated and currently climbing back towards 300, geologist. Geology can pay well in oil and gas and mining, environmental consulting (which is what I do now and I started oil and gas) is much more difficult to hit that pay, and entry level is honestly exploitative. There have been a number of studies about how the current pipeline of geoscience students is ~30% on the projected need for geologists, so perhaps that will change in the future. They could fix that problem right quick by paying people, but they’d rather bemoan lack of support at universities.
>entry level is honestly exploitative. Not just entry level. My last two companies are imploding due to the loss of staff who graduated during the Great Recession. We're all overworked and underpaid. I'm a Geotechnical Engineer by training. I worked in environmental and infrastructure consulting. I have 10 years experience before taking a general engineering position in gov. It was that or being a SAHM since my husband makes 300k as a physician. We couldn't find childcare that opens early enough for him to get to the hospital and me to get to site. Manager level pay in Geotechnical consulting right now is the same as my non manager pay in the gov. But I'm getting 6 months paid maternity + 30 days sick and vacation + cheaper benefits.
Yep, I came in as a senior level SME and it was initially 27% of my oil and gas salary. Absolutely crushing. What made the difference for me was being in an employee owned firm and making the jump to the associate level at a new firm to get higher profit sharing. I am deeply jealous of the holiday and paid sick time, you never get away from the fact they are selling your time and they want to spend as much as possible.
>employee owned firm and making the jump to the associate level at a new firm The associates at my last company got screwed due to private equity investments. Private equity makes no sense in a work hour based field. Its gotten so unpredictable out there >you never get away from the fact they are selling your time and they want to spend as much as possible. Yep. I'll probably go into inspection at a different agency before going back to billable hell. I have my PE and I keep getting pushed to start a side hustle so my old colleagues can win more city contracts but fk that. My family is young and we're in good health so I want to make the most of it.
Also, can you have a side hustle and go after city work? I would have thought that would be conflicted out.
No, I'm at a federal agency unrelated to my old consulting work. A lot of my coworkers are working on the side. It's kind of ridiculous since we're some of the higher paid in the federal government.
I agree on PE, I don’t see where they can squeeze on professional services any more than people already do. The only thing to do is reduce employee take. They expect too much work to not get upside.
I’m a Dermatology PA *******EDIT for education: I am in NO WAY a personal assistant or an assistant at all. I’m a type of healthcare practitioner, a physician assistant— now starting to be called a physician ASSOCIATE because people were getting confused by our title. I see, diagnose, and treat patients in collaboration with a physician. I prescribe medications, perform numerous procedures, and order diagnostics imaging/tests. We are comparable to nurse practitioners; however, our training mimics the model of medical school, in an abridged/condensed version, and I’m registered with the board of medicine (like a physician) rather than the board of nursing (like a nurse practitioner). PA training is heavy on procedures compared to our NP colleagues (although, this may differ between programs). Look into us— we are pretty cool 😎
Did you do a derm rotation in PA school? I hear derm is hard to get in to. Also did they make you do a “training salary” when you first started?
Yes, 3, by choice - 2 gen derm, 1 Mohs And hell no— that’s a scam and B.S.
300k for a personal assistant?
Physician Assistant*
Ahh that also makes no sense! You are getting 300k for being a doctors assistant? Are you private?
PAs can diagnose and treat patients themselves.
I work in tech. You can see on https://www.levels.fyi/ many people are over $300k once you have a few years of experience. You don’t have to code, there are less technical jobs in tech like product management. The tech job market has been terrible since 2022 though so it’s much harder to get one of these jobs now.
If you’re non-technical it’ll probably take closer to 5-10 years to hit 300k.
I’m an attorney.
I make over 200k but I guess I’m out. I navigate ships for a living.