How to move to Dallas and find a decent paying job?

[Backliteyes]

Originally Posted by BongoBungo

Yea, my wife has a so called softish degree and hasn't even cracked $40k yet here in DFW, despite the fact she has 10+ years experience and made almost $80k back in NYC, years ago. DFW salaries seem to be pretty anemic for people who aren't in tech/medicine/finance/law.

This is because there are far, far too many people with softish degrees these days and there was never much money in it anyway. If the OP has a choice of cities between Dallas or Houston if all else is equal they should pick Houston...overall COL is lower.

[Aggielina]

Originally Posted by Prumio

If your debt is student-loan debt, a job with the right kind of non-profit may be able help you with repayment (loan forgiveness programs).

Word to the wise, it takes more than just being with the right kind of non-profit or government employer. Your loan has to be a very specific kind. I just learned that the hard way. Not that I did anything wrong - my loan was taken out and consolidated way before the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program became law. Not that I'm bitter about that.

[Sheepdog1015]

Law Enforcement

Especially in the jails. Your knowledge and background can help you get a good paying steady job that will pay off your bills. Plus when you are ready to move on to the career choice of dreams you will have had first hand experience what these people were doing prior to your meeting.

[OkieSoonerGuy]

Originally Posted by pianote93

I recently graduated college with a bachelors in social work. I want to move to Houston or Dallas to live on my own but I m $30,000 in debt. What kind of job can I get and will employers be willing to hire me when I live out of state?

If it's Stafford student loan debt enroll in an income based repayment plan and based on your salary your payments could be very low.

[lepoisson]

Originally Posted by BongoBungo

Yea, my wife has a so called softish degree and hasn't even cracked $40k yet here in DFW, despite the fact she has 10+ years experience and made almost $80k back in NYC, years ago. DFW salaries seem to be pretty anemic for people who aren't in tech/medicine/finance/law.

This is the same issue I'm facing. Except that I'm not really in a "softish" degree area. I do software technical support work in the higher education setting. I make less than $50K in DFW (at the midpoint salary level for my position), yet I see job postings all the time in places like Akron, OH with a starting salary of $55K. With my experience, I'd probably be able to get at least $60K.

Then I'll see another posting at a public university in Texas and the starting salary will be $40K, so I guess it's the entire higher education system in Texas.

[OkieSoonerGuy]

Originally Posted by lepoisson

This is the same issue I'm facing. Except that I'm not really in a "softish" degree area. I do software technical support work in the higher education setting. I make less than $50K in DFW (at the midpoint salary level for my position), yet I see job postings all the time in places like Akron, OH with a starting salary of $55K. With my experience, I'd probably be able to get at least $60K.

Then I'll see another posting at a public university in Texas and the starting salary will be $40K, so I guess it's the entire higher education system in Texas.

I think you're right. I feel like universities here do not pay that well. I did work for Tarrant County College and they paid reasonably well but that was definintely the exception.