How long did it take you to reach $100k (employee, job openings, profit)

[DorianRo]

Originally Posted by Tzaphkiel

never have, never will
and i am very happy with my life

Very true.. In most cases, sure you nab 6 figures but how any hours a week will you end up putting in?

Work/life balance is priceless today. You can have the headaches and live at work putting in 70/80 hours. I'll take a 40 hour work week and no weekend work crap.

THere is ALWAYS A price when it comes to make more money in corporate america. And generally that price is it consumes all your time. S*** that!!!

[Sunbather]

I'll ignore 401k matches, bonuses, and other benefits. I graduated in 2007. First year of salary + OT pay crossing 100 was 2012 (I think). 2014 was the first year base salary alone surpassed that.

[Suburban_Guy]

First time I hit that 'milestone' was about 9 years ago.

But I only was able to do so by working a lot of overtime, off shifts, and also selling stock options/stock plan.

So while my base salary was nowhere near 100K, a combination of things helped to push it there.

Sadly, I really don't have anything to show for it. I'm still heavily in debt, live paycheck to paycheck, etc.

[notnamed]

14 years out of college is when I finally hit it without bonuses. Working in software development(initially tech support, QA, development, and now architect) in the midwest where the average salary is just $26k. Was living in a nice house on a quiet cul de sac with a big fenced yard that cost less than my annual salary.

Early on there was some overtime working as a contractor. But now that I'm at an architect level it's strictly 40hrs/wk. Work from home whenever I want. Plus 6 weeks PTO. And I'm a year and a half out from earning "unlimited" vacation.

Would be making more in San Francisco or Seattle presumably, but not near enough to have the same standard of living.

[newtovenice]

Completely dependent on the field and geographic region.

Some jobs will never pay that much.

Some areas will never pay that much.

[MLSFan]

Originally Posted by DorianRo

Very true.. In most cases, sure you nab 6 figures but how any hours a week will you end up putting in?

Work/life balance is priceless today. You can have the headaches and live at work putting in 70/80 hours. I'll take a 40 hour work week and no weekend work crap.

THere is ALWAYS A price when it comes to make more money in corporate america. And generally that price is it consumes all your time. S*** that!!!

All your talk about balance, you never sound happy in your posts, always harping on corporate America. Always have to point out something wrong with someone else? If they pick to work, you see a problem with it. But you don't like it when others make more than you either

[emcee squared]

Including bonus, first or second year on the job. In my mid-twenties.

I like my job, which is nice. I think I would gladly take less money if my quality life were to suffer because of work.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

This.

My first salary in 1984 was $11K.

Just to expand on this, $11K is equivalent to $25.5K in today's money.

In 1993, I was earning $60K, which was equivalent to $100K today. So, basically, nine years.

Here's how I calculated it:

Inflation Calculator | Find US Dollar's Value from 1913-2016

[GregW]

Not yet but I did buy a Lottery ticket.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by DorianRo

Very true.. In most cases, sure you nab 6 figures but how any hours a week will you end up putting in?

Work/life balance is priceless today. You can have the headaches and live at work putting in 70/80 hours. I'll take a 40 hour work week and no weekend work crap.

THere is ALWAYS A price when it comes to make more money in corporate america. And generally that price is it consumes all your time. S*** that!!!

I think that's a false dichotomy. What you're saying is that you make that kind of salary, you're going to be chained to the oars. It hints at a kind of a reverse snobbery, where one gets to feel sorry for those who make more because they've obviously sold their soul to corporate America.

Hate to burst your bubble, it's entirely possible to make that kind of salary without being a corporate slave. Do you work a couple of extra hours here and there? No question. But the 70/80 work week is a serious stretch. If you work for a company that values your skills, you figured out how to be productive, and you are helping the company profit, you will be rewarded. In fact, I say it all the time to my clients -- If you or your employees are routinely pulling 45-50 hours week after week, then something is seriously wrong in your company.

Personally, I am well-compensated. After paying my dues my first five years out of school, I always have been. Because I have delivered at work, always improving my skills and figuring out ways to make my employers more money. So, in truth, what you get paid is exactly how much your employer values what you do. If you think you should be making more, find a place that will pay it.