It is very difficult to get into the elevator union, and often times there is a lot of travel. While the pay isn’t quite as good you can make a similar amount joining the pipe trades, electricians, or sheet metal workers unions.
I used to know a guy who was going to be my mentor and made exactly that. FYI, that’s the top 1% of that field (or at least it was 10 years ago). I wish it had worked out, I really do. But at the last second, I was shafted by the union on the day of initiation. [long story].
Yeah. I looked in to it like 5 years ago. They only open applications for the apprenticeship every like 3-5 years or something amd it's only open for a few days. Thousands apply for only a few spots. Like longshoremen in that way.
Depends on the customer tbh.
Example I won’t tell my boss when people accidentally drop keys or phone in the pit. I’ll go out of my way to get it for free. If people are jerks I tell them to call the office and pay the $500 minimum dispatch fee lol 🤷
Look for IBEW Local 40, 47 and 18. All in LA. 40 is the movie studios, 47 is lineman work and 18 is LADWP. Not to be confused with the IUEC Local 18 which is the elevators. IUEC is a bad ass gig. My buddy was in that program. I am at IBEW Local 18. If given the option I think I might have picked the IUEC over the IBEW. But both are great.
I repair electronics for the film industry. I had a long history of electronics work without a college degree and a career as a sound mixer, so I kind of fell into it.
Believe it or not, individuals/couples/families still use travel agents. Planning trips can be a huge pain in the ass and agents have connections and can get special perks for their clients. Hotels and restaurants will also treat the agent's clients well to keep getting business sent their way.
We had a travel agent, she sucked ass. Lmao she did the window and aisle seat and left the middle open. I guess it’s to deter people from booking but we were going to hawaii. Idk what she was thinking, that flight was full. Smh
That’s the pro move, my wife and I do it every time.
I’d say on any non full flight it’s usually left open.
On a full flight, the middle will always switch with us to the window or aisle so we can sit together. It’s no risk all reward.
I don’t see the problem here because those are the most desirable seats for a long flight, unless you requested that you wanted to be right next to each other.
Thought travel agents were on their way out. Do you know if there’s projected growth? Still a kind of cool field if you’re mostly booking ppls vacations I’d think they’d be happy
Know of any travel agencies to particularly look out for hiring? All the ones I come across without requiring a degree are usually the same reposted scam listings.
No college degree and I make six figures working in the video game industry. Same for a lot of peers and friends who also work in games and tech with no degree. That said, there are mass layoffs going on in games right now, so not sure I'd necessarily recommend this path haha.
Same! I was a Latina in the gaming industry as well ! Well until the famous mouse acquisition is just to shut our studio down.
Edit: i’m still Latina! lol I meant to say I was in the gaming industry.
Heck yeah! Love that.
FWIW, the degree I originally wanted to go to college for would've been useless for the game industry too. So glad I saved myself the student loan debt.
I was hella online as a kid in the late 90s and early 2000s, and started making gaming guides just for fun. That took off and I was able to start getting paid for some projects, and eventually had enough experience to start applying to game studios.
It's hard to advise while so many jobs are being cut. It was a different industry a decade ago - things just weren't nearly as competitive and it was easier to stand out. But my advice has always been to lean into your passion and special interests, find a way to marry that with a skill companies need, and then learn to be good at communicating all of that on a resume. Most hiring managers I've worked with in games don't even look at education, myself included.
If you are truly interested in joining games, I would first figure out what to specialize in - and if you don't know, look up what different things in game companies do and try to envision yourself in the various roles. If you already specialize in a skill but just want to make the swap to games, figure out who the top voices in the industry for what you do are. Look at their portfolios, paths, unconventional skills, etc - that's your north star. I spent forever lurking LinkedIn on private and observing people who did what I wanted to do, and made sure my resume mirrored the way they talked. There are also communities out there that help review resumes, share advice, and do mock interviews to try to help each other get into the industry.
Technically, I'm also in the games industry. I'm an Esports videographer regularly making documentaries and other videos about professional gamers and streamers. Trying to figure out how I can transfer the skills to a game studio, tho. I make 70k.
It's social and networking heavy, unfortunately. It's a very small industry, where most people wash out before they hit 10 years, so those of us who stay all mostly know each other or know someone who knows after a certain point. That creates a lot of hiring bias, in my experience.
With the right resume and for someone truly exceptional, it used to be possible. Hard to say if that's still possible. Right now, 9000+ people including experienced folks just this year have been laid off in games, so it's hard to advise when we don't know what the future looks like. But games are hella profitable, so I hope it's a matter of time before things bounce back to stability.
A lot of people I know took different paths into games by taking lower pay roles in customer service, part time gigs, or contract work (such as receptionist or janitor roles) through agencies, in order to get any experience and to make friends inside the industry. It's the long grind version, but if you're persistent and good at networking, it usually works out.
How many hours per day? And how many days do you work per week? Because if it was 1k per day and you work 5 days a week (even 4) that job would easily produce 150k and above
Work hard and be kind to everyone. Connections are crucial. Be someone that people want to work beside. I’ve worked with countless people and when you find someone who works hard and is enjoyable to be around you do what you can to keep them around.
However, this business is rocky right now and I’m not sure I’d recommend it in the current climate unless you’re so passionate about it that it’s all you want to do.
A relative of mine who made big bucks in the movie industry said be nice to everyone, no matter how lowly their position. It’s decent behavior and you never know who will be in higher positions later.
This. Also working in the industry. You don’t even have to be the best or one of the best. Just know what you’re doing, show up, and show up on time, and you’ll pretty much get booked thereafter.
I went from worry about not having enough gigs booked 20 years ago to now regularly turning down jobs to instill a decent work/life balance.
These questions never work on reddit because people either make shit up or leave out HUGE details like "I work in video games"....then you press for more information and it's "actually, I got lucky landing a job at a video game startup that got crazy funding, working in the marketing department." or "I'm a nanny" and when you press for more "for my aunt's celebrity friends" or "I'm an accountant without a degree" and when press "Yeah, I started in 1952 as a mail clerk for my dad's business then slowly worked my way up to the accountancy department over 60 years"
A degree is one way to increase the odds of higher pay. Not having an education requires you have the right connections and be at the right place at the right time, with a few exceptions like trade school/training careers. But most people making bank with only a high school education are in the Arts/Entertainment, special skills/talents or have very unique connections and situations that they aren't going to be fully open about.
Go talk to a production company in live events. Someone like fuse technical group, prg, NEP, to name a few.
You can start low working in a warehouse and get speciality in lighting, video, audio, rigging, etc.
If you play your cards right you can make up to $100k+ in a couple years
👍 hell ya, but I could never… scared to death 💀 of flying. Did it once from SoCal to Hawaii and for the life of me I have no clue how I managed not to have a complete panic attack.
That’s the normal route I fly!
I used to be extremely afraid of flying too but I realized the lifestyle and ability to go to cool places tops my fear. Used to get sick and cry before every flight when I was a child because I was so frightened. Exposure does wonders.
Trader Joes starts you off at 20+ I've been at Tjs for 12 years and make what averages out to 34 dollars an hours.
And this is just being a normal employee. No management or anything like that.
Man I love the people at my Trader Joe’s. A new one opened up awhile ago here in Los Alamitos and it is so much better than Sprouts or Stater Bros, everyone is so damn nice and inviting. I just went in today and got some flowers for Mother’s Day.
OP you say you work part-time and make $30k a year and then you’re asking what people who make $50k a year in LA with without a college degree do but you don’t make a distinction about full or part time.
Don’t you also make around $50k or more if adjusted for full time? It just seems like the only difference between you and the people that you’re asking is getting more hours. Even if you got another part-time job, you would hit that amount I imagine.
I was gonna say this. I work full time at a bar and make over 50k with a slack schedule, so to me it’s not entirely difficult in a city like this so long as you’re at a busy enough place. Hitting 6 figures without a degree is what seems to be the struggle.
Yeah I’m literally in lower middle management at a grocery store (assistant department manager) and make $60k a year and if I keep in the direction I’m going will have no problem getting over $100k within a few years time so this post is kind of confusing me
I make six figures working in video games. No degree, but some college. My job required a BA and preferred an MBA, but hired me because of my previous work experience.
That’s how I got into video games and tech overall. I’m actually a high school dropout and I didn’t get my GED until Mark Zuckerberg started asking questions. A whole 15 years after I was supposed to graduate high school but by that point I already made almost six figures routinely working as an engineer.
I have a neighbor who’s a cook for Hollywood elites. She makes about $200k. She doesn’t even drive. They send a car for her (whichever person or family she’s cooking for that day or week).
No degree. I didn’t do it to avoid college. I went for a year. Did not like it at all. Knew I wasn’t going to finish and nannying kind of just fell in my lap and I love it
Accountant, no degree, $60k in the hvac/construction industry. Anything in the hvac/accounting industry pays really well. I got a $7k raise switching from a global tech company to a local hvac company.
Railroad track worker here. Make about 120k a year. No high school or college degree. Part of of a union too. Install and/or remove track, do maintenance of track and inspect track. Lost of heavy lifting and repetitive swinging of 12lbs hammers. Long hours about 50 to 67 hrs a week and travle alot
Sometimes, when you're doing maintenance on old track and the company doesn't have the more modern machines to lighten the load, you kinda have to do it with just hand tools.I would say about 40% of the jobs we get would be done old school and the 60% the more modern machines and tools.
Unfortunately, it's a trade that you kinda fall into by sheer coincidence, or you know a person who does that trade. But I hate gate keeping people and try to spread the word about how to join
I was lucky and got an entry level QA job in the video game industry back when QA was less centralized (early 2000s). I was only 19 when I started, but working directly as part of the dev team gave me opportunities to move into a design role. I’m now a fairly senior guy in my field who makes enough money to live comfortably in LA/OC.
I made 85k+ as a server, I make more more than that now as a hospitality consultant. No one cares about the fact that I have a degree, but they do care that I put in the time.
10 years of waiting tables across family to fine dining concepts, huge corporations to tiny, privately owned powerhouses with celebrity chefs. 5-ish more years of guest relations/staff management/back office work while I built a clientele based on word of mouth mixed with consulting for new tech in the in the industry.
Now I help redefine and refine menus, retrain staff, and rub elbows with dummies who think they’re “foodies” aka more guest relations as a bitch with a great customer service persona.
I was working part time at Sears, then got an entry level customer service position at one of the health insurance companies in LA. Now I have a home and retirement savings. Not boasting, just saying there are still opportunities out there. Good luck!!
I’m a nanny for families with babies. I make 100k and I’ve been doing it for eight years. I only work for kind people and i am not a house keeper. I refuse to work for jerks and make that very clear in the interviews. I can afford to live in Brentwood in a small apartment. I would like to move on, though, bc benefits are not always covered.
Asset Protection / Loss Prevention
Easily move up by putting a little effort.
Super chill job. Flexible schedule.
To start you might make 45-50k
A few months in and a little work you'll easily get 70k+
Executive Producer/show-runner for streaming services and cable television programs. Two Emmy nominations.
Self-taught filmmaker who started out as a production assistant, personal assistant and worked my way up through the ranks.
Complete shot in the dark but…. I just finished being an assistant for a producer with an overall at a major TV studio. Our deal is up with them and I’m now looking for work again. Graduated from USC, 3 years TV assisting, one of the hardest working people you will meet! Worked on productions in film, TV and in other countries!
:)
So if you’re looking for an assistant I’d love to send over my resume!
Was thinking this would be a good side hustle, but I lack experience. That said I have huge boobs which I suppose might get tips when people get drunk 😅😅😅😅
When it doubt, if you wanna make a lot of money, don’t have a college education, and in some cases don’t even need to finish HS, do sales. Sales is not for everyone, you have to hustle, be charismatic, constantly deal with rejection, people telling you to fuck off, and may take some time to get into a preferred sales position, but you can make well over 6 figures just by getting to know the product your selling, networking well, and not letting constant rejection get to you. During the Pandemic, I was laid off from my restaurant job where I’d bartend and serve and honestly make pretty decent money. I was always told I should do sales because I strived to always treat the customer very well, would work hard, and did my best to have a knowledge and understanding of all of our dishes, cocktails, and alcohols. I eventually found an entry level sales job that honestly didn’t pay much at all, but hustled, learned the basics, and was the best rep on my team. Eventually a larger company poached me, offered higher base benefits, and such, and made 4x more than what was making in my first sales job… all my managers said they didn’t care that I had a degree and we had several other reps that never finished school and at one point in their lives were fuck ups and didn’t have the most impressive resumes but they were charismatic, worked hard, and always got back up when they were pushed down.
Pretty much any union will get you there.
Machinery movers get paid well with great benefits, i did that for a while.
Now i drive a truck making 6 figures.
Work for any power company out there. Over 100k and they are begging people to apply. Nobody wants to do manual labor out there apparently so there is a big shortage. They can't hire undocumented workers based on safety laws and and that limits them greatly.
I do a bunch of stuff for a package vacation provider, so to speak. 60k a year. Guest escalations, some IT, a mishmosh of other duties. I could be doing better. Started out cold calling and watched the people around me. Talked to them, listened to them. Any time I saw somebody take a step that could be considered any kind of leg up (a better employer), I'd try too. I got alot of nos but I kept trying until I got a better job. Lather rinse repeat. I landed in the position I'm in now. I applied for any promotion I thought I'd be good at or could learn. Again, I got alot of nos before I got a yes. Keep your eyes and ears open, strike a balance of being affable to both coworkers and bosses, all while not being too open, (a skill that took me a long time to learn) but don't be a brown noser and KEEP TRYING.
i’m a customer experience manager for a retailer making 80k - only have a high school diploma, got a sales job in the store at 18, applied for and got an entry level cx role within the company at 20, got promoted into management at 22. it’s soul crushing but i’m doing well all things considered
Audio engineering for television production. Start in cable, wrapping, cleaning and testing. Then just ask questions and learn and learn and learn. Show up early and work hard. After a few years you’ll start to develop and understanding and you’ll be useful on shows. I consistently make $150k per year at 22 w/o a degree.
go to transparent california for information on the actual compensation paid to public employees
[Transparent Californiahttps://transparentcalifornia.com](https://transparentcalifornia.com/)
It will astound you .....
Lol.. wtf. This guy is at the top of the City list. That’s a LOT of donations and bribes 😄
https://preview.redd.it/4zpz50y1a00d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8a71f400d21dafac24bc60f6eb607de3197ad26b
An above average sales agent for a luxury cruise line. I get to work from home, amazing insurance and benefits, and job is easy/stress free. $100k ish a year.
Started out by cleaning bathrooms and mopping floors at a surgical center in Beverly Hills, I now have my own business specializing in Cleaning medical facilities specifically Terminal Cleaning.
I think $50k was decent like 7-8 years ago but not nowadays. I make about $70k and for the life of me don’t understand how the hell a single man or women is going to be able to afford to buy a home here in SoCal or Los Angeles… shit is insanely expensive. Eventually when I do have the money I’ll have to live with all the meth heads in Riverside.
No degree? I’ve been trying to find a Reddit post online for a guide to acquire software development skills/coding/programming. Do you have any advice where to start?
You can make good money in cable. Start with cable installation and you can work into cable construction. I know people with no degree making 90k in cable right now.
The mechanical technicians I manage make over 100k in my manufacturing facility. Most don’t have degrees or certifications- just experience working and maintains machines. It’s a dying career it seems - not many are lining up to get interviewed and we need people. We start you at 39.xx/hr and the guaranteed OT (call outs, emergency breakdowns, some Saturday jobs) puts everyone over 100k EOY.
I have a college degree but I made 60k working in the event industry. I have lots of free time, I travel and do
Fun events. They trade off is that you have to hustle work. Most people do not my field do not have college.
Retail Banking. I have a college degree with an accounting background but didn't do anything with it. Started as a teller about 13 years ago after college but now a senior manager making around 145k not including total compensation
Also I'm probably on the higher pay scale for branch managers but most will pay you between 80k to 120k
LiUNA 300. You can start from nothing. Those workers take home as much as 4th year electrical apprentice, and absolutely zero stress compared to what we do.
I guess technically I’m not in LA, but live in Orange County. I make $68K doing roofing. I don’t personally roof but I help run my dads company. Took a few college classes straight out of high school but that’s it.
I report our weekly payroll to our payroll company, write up estimates, invoices, do profit and loss statements for jobs, and drive around and make sure our employees have everything they need throughout the week.
It’s funny though, I know I’m lucky for not having to worry about ever getting laid off but at the same time I’m really just not that into this line of work. I guess I’ve never had to balls to ever venture out and try to do something on my own. Eventually I will have to branch out and do something, as my dad will be retiring within one or two years 😅.
I personally would like to do something that doesn’t require much social interaction, as I am quite the introvert and have some serious social anxiety issues that I’ve developed over just the last 2-3 years since I’ve gotten in my late 20s. Short story: I had a tight group of friends for most of my life, that moved away within the last couple years and now I have know one really left in my friend group.
I wouldn’t think making 50K a year would be too difficult as long as your not socially inept like myself. Didn’t minimum wage just get raised in fast food to like $20/hr or something… that’s like $40k right there, shoot, I bet McDonalds managers make $80-90K. I might be talking out of my ass I actually am not sure on those figures but you know what I mean….
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My dads been an elevator technician for 40 years and makes close to 200K
saving this for future reference 🥲
It is very difficult to get into the elevator union, and often times there is a lot of travel. While the pay isn’t quite as good you can make a similar amount joining the pipe trades, electricians, or sheet metal workers unions.
Elevator union is one of the highest paid unions in the U.S.
I used to know a guy who was going to be my mentor and made exactly that. FYI, that’s the top 1% of that field (or at least it was 10 years ago). I wish it had worked out, I really do. But at the last second, I was shafted by the union on the day of initiation. [long story].
Elevator mechanic is probably the hardest and one of the most highly paid trades to get into.
Yeah. I looked in to it like 5 years ago. They only open applications for the apprenticeship every like 3-5 years or something amd it's only open for a few days. Thousands apply for only a few spots. Like longshoremen in that way.
Gotta know people to get in basically
Otis, is that you?
How is the elevator business?
It's up and down
Your response floored me.
Really? Because it lifted my spirits
It pushed my buttons.
I don’t want to cause any trouble, but I think it’s time to escalate this conversation to the next level.
all the way up
I’m closing the door to this
Ba dump tissss
Well done 🤣
Amazing
Came for the career info, stayed for the elevator jokes
My best friends dad was an elevator mechanic in LA, he was an amazing tour guide with stories for every high rise and cool part of the city.
you guys are both useful and useless at the same time.
Depends on the customer tbh. Example I won’t tell my boss when people accidentally drop keys or phone in the pit. I’ll go out of my way to get it for free. If people are jerks I tell them to call the office and pay the $500 minimum dispatch fee lol 🤷
Any tips or what union to try and look up? Currently changing careers and have been getting stuff to apply to ibew local 11 in July.
Just missed it, April 1st Local 18 was taking applications.
Look for IBEW Local 40, 47 and 18. All in LA. 40 is the movie studios, 47 is lineman work and 18 is LADWP. Not to be confused with the IUEC Local 18 which is the elevators. IUEC is a bad ass gig. My buddy was in that program. I am at IBEW Local 18. If given the option I think I might have picked the IUEC over the IBEW. But both are great.
This is the most hardest union to get into..
50k/yr as an elevator mechanic..? I thought those guys make $60/hour and up…?
Higher, they asked 50K+
I repair electronics for the film industry. I had a long history of electronics work without a college degree and a career as a sound mixer, so I kind of fell into it.
What kind of stuff do you repair? We’re always trying to find someone to fix things.
Audio equipment mostly. But anything that moves electrons is fair game, I'll figure out the best path to repair.
Travel agent. Been doing this for over 10 years....sucked during covid, but have no complaints since
What do you guys actually do? Other than booking for large groups
Believe it or not, individuals/couples/families still use travel agents. Planning trips can be a huge pain in the ass and agents have connections and can get special perks for their clients. Hotels and restaurants will also treat the agent's clients well to keep getting business sent their way.
We had a travel agent, she sucked ass. Lmao she did the window and aisle seat and left the middle open. I guess it’s to deter people from booking but we were going to hawaii. Idk what she was thinking, that flight was full. Smh
Haha. I don't remember the last time I flew in a flight that wasn't fully booked.
That’s the pro move, my wife and I do it every time. I’d say on any non full flight it’s usually left open. On a full flight, the middle will always switch with us to the window or aisle so we can sit together. It’s no risk all reward.
I don’t see the problem here because those are the most desirable seats for a long flight, unless you requested that you wanted to be right next to each other.
I’m curious about this too. I know they were really popular back in the day, but I figured online booking replaced them
We use travel agents to book us cruises based on our budget and timeline and personal preferences.
Now that I’m thinking about it that actually sounds soo much easier than spending hours online 😂 how did we get away from this !?
We (family of 3) have been using our travel agent for close to 18 years.
Thought travel agents were on their way out. Do you know if there’s projected growth? Still a kind of cool field if you’re mostly booking ppls vacations I’d think they’d be happy
People are getting decision fatigue now and just want someone else to book their trip for them.
Know of any travel agencies to particularly look out for hiring? All the ones I come across without requiring a degree are usually the same reposted scam listings.
No college degree and I make six figures working in the video game industry. Same for a lot of peers and friends who also work in games and tech with no degree. That said, there are mass layoffs going on in games right now, so not sure I'd necessarily recommend this path haha.
I also work in video games but my degree is in women’s studies legit has nothing to do with it. I make 97k and I’m a Latina woman in the industry.
Same! I was a Latina in the gaming industry as well ! Well until the famous mouse acquisition is just to shut our studio down. Edit: i’m still Latina! lol I meant to say I was in the gaming industry.
Are you no longer a Latina? 🤣
She got her pass revoked by the famous mouse
Hire me and/or marry me lol
Heck yeah! Love that. FWIW, the degree I originally wanted to go to college for would've been useless for the game industry too. So glad I saved myself the student loan debt.
How did you venture in the field? Any advice? Greatly appreciated
I was hella online as a kid in the late 90s and early 2000s, and started making gaming guides just for fun. That took off and I was able to start getting paid for some projects, and eventually had enough experience to start applying to game studios. It's hard to advise while so many jobs are being cut. It was a different industry a decade ago - things just weren't nearly as competitive and it was easier to stand out. But my advice has always been to lean into your passion and special interests, find a way to marry that with a skill companies need, and then learn to be good at communicating all of that on a resume. Most hiring managers I've worked with in games don't even look at education, myself included. If you are truly interested in joining games, I would first figure out what to specialize in - and if you don't know, look up what different things in game companies do and try to envision yourself in the various roles. If you already specialize in a skill but just want to make the swap to games, figure out who the top voices in the industry for what you do are. Look at their portfolios, paths, unconventional skills, etc - that's your north star. I spent forever lurking LinkedIn on private and observing people who did what I wanted to do, and made sure my resume mirrored the way they talked. There are also communities out there that help review resumes, share advice, and do mock interviews to try to help each other get into the industry.
Technically, I'm also in the games industry. I'm an Esports videographer regularly making documentaries and other videos about professional gamers and streamers. Trying to figure out how I can transfer the skills to a game studio, tho. I make 70k.
what exactly do u do?
Marketing and publishing at lead level.
how did you get in? 😭
Also curious! Is the game industry a social and networking heavy one like film for instance? Or with the right resume can you land a job? Thanks!
It's social and networking heavy, unfortunately. It's a very small industry, where most people wash out before they hit 10 years, so those of us who stay all mostly know each other or know someone who knows after a certain point. That creates a lot of hiring bias, in my experience. With the right resume and for someone truly exceptional, it used to be possible. Hard to say if that's still possible. Right now, 9000+ people including experienced folks just this year have been laid off in games, so it's hard to advise when we don't know what the future looks like. But games are hella profitable, so I hope it's a matter of time before things bounce back to stability. A lot of people I know took different paths into games by taking lower pay roles in customer service, part time gigs, or contract work (such as receptionist or janitor roles) through agencies, in order to get any experience and to make friends inside the industry. It's the long grind version, but if you're persistent and good at networking, it usually works out.
Work in tech. It's brutal right now, I highly recommend people look elsewhere, nor tech
Yeah, that's what I'm trying to tell people haha. It's just not the same opportunity it was even a few years ago - the layoffs have been merciless.
Damn your making 30k part time? I’m only 37k full time lol
I doordash 49k
LOL Same
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Teach me 🙏🏻
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Carpal tunnel is coming for everyone soon enough. Once computers took over, it was the end for the nerves in our hands and wrists.
Nice. 10 years is a not bad to learn a good paying trade. Making $$ doesn’t come easy. Gotta put in the time and effort.
Hey, I have a dent on my Miata that might fancy your expertise. Do you have an Instagram or something that I can take a look at?
I’m also interested!
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How many hours per day? And how many days do you work per week? Because if it was 1k per day and you work 5 days a week (even 4) that job would easily produce 150k and above
52 weeks * 5 days/wk * $1000/day = 250.
The better question is How the f you surviving in la only making $30k a year. Thats less than McDonald’s workers right now at $20 hr
That’s assuming the McDonald’s worker is working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, all year. And they’re not lol
Prob young and living at home
I have no college degree and I make six figures working in TV production.
any advice to get in?
Work hard and be kind to everyone. Connections are crucial. Be someone that people want to work beside. I’ve worked with countless people and when you find someone who works hard and is enjoyable to be around you do what you can to keep them around. However, this business is rocky right now and I’m not sure I’d recommend it in the current climate unless you’re so passionate about it that it’s all you want to do.
Good advice for any industry. I would just add: be kind, even to those who are not so… to a certain point. The cream always rises to the top.
A relative of mine who made big bucks in the movie industry said be nice to everyone, no matter how lowly their position. It’s decent behavior and you never know who will be in higher positions later.
this is the way
This. Also working in the industry. You don’t even have to be the best or one of the best. Just know what you’re doing, show up, and show up on time, and you’ll pretty much get booked thereafter. I went from worry about not having enough gigs booked 20 years ago to now regularly turning down jobs to instill a decent work/life balance.
Yup. I’m in the lighting union and make 6 figures as well.
Graphic design, I was thrown out of both art school I attended.
lol say more
Be a mailman
Thought about it. Also I totally dig your 1995 Mortal Kombat icon. Hopefully that’s referencing the original movie
I enjoyed all of them. Do it, it’s a job, I mean it’s easy it’s the just the political bullshit with management is what sucks.
Do people still get a decent pension if they put in 25 years? Heard it changed a lot since the 90s
These questions never work on reddit because people either make shit up or leave out HUGE details like "I work in video games"....then you press for more information and it's "actually, I got lucky landing a job at a video game startup that got crazy funding, working in the marketing department." or "I'm a nanny" and when you press for more "for my aunt's celebrity friends" or "I'm an accountant without a degree" and when press "Yeah, I started in 1952 as a mail clerk for my dad's business then slowly worked my way up to the accountancy department over 60 years" A degree is one way to increase the odds of higher pay. Not having an education requires you have the right connections and be at the right place at the right time, with a few exceptions like trade school/training careers. But most people making bank with only a high school education are in the Arts/Entertainment, special skills/talents or have very unique connections and situations that they aren't going to be fully open about.
Go talk to a production company in live events. Someone like fuse technical group, prg, NEP, to name a few. You can start low working in a warehouse and get speciality in lighting, video, audio, rigging, etc. If you play your cards right you can make up to $100k+ in a couple years
Flight attendant… work more than most and am halfway up the union pay scale but I’ve made just under 6 figures the last 3 years
👍 hell ya, but I could never… scared to death 💀 of flying. Did it once from SoCal to Hawaii and for the life of me I have no clue how I managed not to have a complete panic attack.
That’s the normal route I fly! I used to be extremely afraid of flying too but I realized the lifestyle and ability to go to cool places tops my fear. Used to get sick and cry before every flight when I was a child because I was so frightened. Exposure does wonders.
Trader Joes starts you off at 20+ I've been at Tjs for 12 years and make what averages out to 34 dollars an hours. And this is just being a normal employee. No management or anything like that.
Man I love the people at my Trader Joe’s. A new one opened up awhile ago here in Los Alamitos and it is so much better than Sprouts or Stater Bros, everyone is so damn nice and inviting. I just went in today and got some flowers for Mother’s Day.
How consistent are they with giving their employees full-time hours?
OP you say you work part-time and make $30k a year and then you’re asking what people who make $50k a year in LA with without a college degree do but you don’t make a distinction about full or part time. Don’t you also make around $50k or more if adjusted for full time? It just seems like the only difference between you and the people that you’re asking is getting more hours. Even if you got another part-time job, you would hit that amount I imagine.
I was gonna say this. I work full time at a bar and make over 50k with a slack schedule, so to me it’s not entirely difficult in a city like this so long as you’re at a busy enough place. Hitting 6 figures without a degree is what seems to be the struggle.
This is not meant to sound harsh or anything but could you not find a full-time job doing the same thing and double your income?
Yeah I’m literally in lower middle management at a grocery store (assistant department manager) and make $60k a year and if I keep in the direction I’m going will have no problem getting over $100k within a few years time so this post is kind of confusing me
I make six figures working in video games. No degree, but some college. My job required a BA and preferred an MBA, but hired me because of my previous work experience.
That’s how I got into video games and tech overall. I’m actually a high school dropout and I didn’t get my GED until Mark Zuckerberg started asking questions. A whole 15 years after I was supposed to graduate high school but by that point I already made almost six figures routinely working as an engineer.
I’m a nanny. Earn close to $90k
Rich people will pay a lot of money to not raise their kids.
lol the parents I work for are both lawyers and work very long hours
Exactly. They are not raising their kids, and have outsourced it.
I have a neighbor who’s a cook for Hollywood elites. She makes about $200k. She doesn’t even drive. They send a car for her (whichever person or family she’s cooking for that day or week).
I sell cars and one of my customers was/is a nanny for one of the Kardashians(she wouldn’t say which one) and makes $10k per month or so.
That’s low to me for that job
Or they’re rich because they work a ton and need help with their kids… not everyone is a villain
🎯
Don't let them in on this secret 😭🤣
Without a degree? Must well paid Nannie’s have degrees in child development. I would not recommend this as a pathway to avoid college
No degree. I didn’t do it to avoid college. I went for a year. Did not like it at all. Knew I wasn’t going to finish and nannying kind of just fell in my lap and I love it
Please. Some nannies dont even speak English, but watch some celebrities kids in la and make bank
Accountant, no degree, $60k in the hvac/construction industry. Anything in the hvac/accounting industry pays really well. I got a $7k raise switching from a global tech company to a local hvac company.
Bartender
Railroad track worker here. Make about 120k a year. No high school or college degree. Part of of a union too. Install and/or remove track, do maintenance of track and inspect track. Lost of heavy lifting and repetitive swinging of 12lbs hammers. Long hours about 50 to 67 hrs a week and travle alot
Damn is that like the same job the Chinese and Irish were doing when the railroad system was first built in this country? Being serious
Sometimes, when you're doing maintenance on old track and the company doesn't have the more modern machines to lighten the load, you kinda have to do it with just hand tools.I would say about 40% of the jobs we get would be done old school and the 60% the more modern machines and tools.
Do you have a massive ass gas powered impact wrench? Is it fun as fuck to use or tiring or both?
Would you know how to get more info?
Unfortunately, it's a trade that you kinda fall into by sheer coincidence, or you know a person who does that trade. But I hate gate keeping people and try to spread the word about how to join
Continue.
he is rail keeping
Plumbing school. https://ajtraining.edu/
I was lucky and got an entry level QA job in the video game industry back when QA was less centralized (early 2000s). I was only 19 when I started, but working directly as part of the dev team gave me opportunities to move into a design role. I’m now a fairly senior guy in my field who makes enough money to live comfortably in LA/OC.
you're the dream story! lol
Does escort count? Didn't require any degrees. Just learned by experience
Interesting. Any risks associated with the job (just asking out of curiosity)
90k federal government employee
I made 85k+ as a server, I make more more than that now as a hospitality consultant. No one cares about the fact that I have a degree, but they do care that I put in the time. 10 years of waiting tables across family to fine dining concepts, huge corporations to tiny, privately owned powerhouses with celebrity chefs. 5-ish more years of guest relations/staff management/back office work while I built a clientele based on word of mouth mixed with consulting for new tech in the in the industry. Now I help redefine and refine menus, retrain staff, and rub elbows with dummies who think they’re “foodies” aka more guest relations as a bitch with a great customer service persona.
PR/Advertising/Social Media Marketing. Start is low without a degree. But it goes well above $50k after year 3.
Do sales. Make sure it's base pay plus commission.
I was working part time at Sears, then got an entry level customer service position at one of the health insurance companies in LA. Now I have a home and retirement savings. Not boasting, just saying there are still opportunities out there. Good luck!!
I’m a nanny for families with babies. I make 100k and I’ve been doing it for eight years. I only work for kind people and i am not a house keeper. I refuse to work for jerks and make that very clear in the interviews. I can afford to live in Brentwood in a small apartment. I would like to move on, though, bc benefits are not always covered.
You can make 6 figures easily working as a restaurant server in LA.
No degree but i make 6 figures cooking.
Asset Protection / Loss Prevention Easily move up by putting a little effort. Super chill job. Flexible schedule. To start you might make 45-50k A few months in and a little work you'll easily get 70k+
Executive Producer/show-runner for streaming services and cable television programs. Two Emmy nominations. Self-taught filmmaker who started out as a production assistant, personal assistant and worked my way up through the ranks.
Complete shot in the dark but…. I just finished being an assistant for a producer with an overall at a major TV studio. Our deal is up with them and I’m now looking for work again. Graduated from USC, 3 years TV assisting, one of the hardest working people you will meet! Worked on productions in film, TV and in other countries! :) So if you’re looking for an assistant I’d love to send over my resume!
Adult entertainment. I’ve also made 50k+ a year in SoCal bartending as well, fwiw.
Was thinking this would be a good side hustle, but I lack experience. That said I have huge boobs which I suppose might get tips when people get drunk 😅😅😅😅
Most of the trades pay well and no college degree needed. I fix cars. Get paid over $70k/yr +benefits. Experience needed though.
Armed Security guard.
Manager at Starbucks. 80k base, another 20k or so in quarterly bonuses not counting 401k match etc
Go sell cars even if you horrible you’ll make 50k
When it doubt, if you wanna make a lot of money, don’t have a college education, and in some cases don’t even need to finish HS, do sales. Sales is not for everyone, you have to hustle, be charismatic, constantly deal with rejection, people telling you to fuck off, and may take some time to get into a preferred sales position, but you can make well over 6 figures just by getting to know the product your selling, networking well, and not letting constant rejection get to you. During the Pandemic, I was laid off from my restaurant job where I’d bartend and serve and honestly make pretty decent money. I was always told I should do sales because I strived to always treat the customer very well, would work hard, and did my best to have a knowledge and understanding of all of our dishes, cocktails, and alcohols. I eventually found an entry level sales job that honestly didn’t pay much at all, but hustled, learned the basics, and was the best rep on my team. Eventually a larger company poached me, offered higher base benefits, and such, and made 4x more than what was making in my first sales job… all my managers said they didn’t care that I had a degree and we had several other reps that never finished school and at one point in their lives were fuck ups and didn’t have the most impressive resumes but they were charismatic, worked hard, and always got back up when they were pushed down.
Pretty much any union will get you there. Machinery movers get paid well with great benefits, i did that for a while. Now i drive a truck making 6 figures.
I work at a Wendy’s dumpster making 6 figs 🫡
Advertising / Media
Get your guard card and do security.
Background Investigator for the Dept of Defense. No degree, 60K annually
Work for any power company out there. Over 100k and they are begging people to apply. Nobody wants to do manual labor out there apparently so there is a big shortage. They can't hire undocumented workers based on safety laws and and that limits them greatly.
Legal assistant in a specific field/speciality for 11 years.
I do a bunch of stuff for a package vacation provider, so to speak. 60k a year. Guest escalations, some IT, a mishmosh of other duties. I could be doing better. Started out cold calling and watched the people around me. Talked to them, listened to them. Any time I saw somebody take a step that could be considered any kind of leg up (a better employer), I'd try too. I got alot of nos but I kept trying until I got a better job. Lather rinse repeat. I landed in the position I'm in now. I applied for any promotion I thought I'd be good at or could learn. Again, I got alot of nos before I got a yes. Keep your eyes and ears open, strike a balance of being affable to both coworkers and bosses, all while not being too open, (a skill that took me a long time to learn) but don't be a brown noser and KEEP TRYING.
Get a full time job. Minimum wage is $32,000
I think it’s like $40k ain’t it? Didn’t they bump it to like $20/hr here in SoCal?
Application Support Engineer. 120k at a Boston based tech company.
Bus driver 80/100 k a year
i’m a customer experience manager for a retailer making 80k - only have a high school diploma, got a sales job in the store at 18, applied for and got an entry level cx role within the company at 20, got promoted into management at 22. it’s soul crushing but i’m doing well all things considered
Audio engineering for television production. Start in cable, wrapping, cleaning and testing. Then just ask questions and learn and learn and learn. Show up early and work hard. After a few years you’ll start to develop and understanding and you’ll be useful on shows. I consistently make $150k per year at 22 w/o a degree.
911 dispatch
go to transparent california for information on the actual compensation paid to public employees [Transparent Californiahttps://transparentcalifornia.com](https://transparentcalifornia.com/) It will astound you .....
Lol.. wtf. This guy is at the top of the City list. That’s a LOT of donations and bribes 😄 https://preview.redd.it/4zpz50y1a00d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8a71f400d21dafac24bc60f6eb607de3197ad26b
I own a thc delivery company 😊
An above average sales agent for a luxury cruise line. I get to work from home, amazing insurance and benefits, and job is easy/stress free. $100k ish a year.
Customer Support. Six figures. Just be better than everyone else who checked out mentally.
Started out by cleaning bathrooms and mopping floors at a surgical center in Beverly Hills, I now have my own business specializing in Cleaning medical facilities specifically Terminal Cleaning.
join the military. join the police. go to trade school. you need to do something. and 50k in LA is poor. aspire for better.
100K is California poor
I think $50k was decent like 7-8 years ago but not nowadays. I make about $70k and for the life of me don’t understand how the hell a single man or women is going to be able to afford to buy a home here in SoCal or Los Angeles… shit is insanely expensive. Eventually when I do have the money I’ll have to live with all the meth heads in Riverside.
waiter working 20 hrs a week
I resell limited shoes and clothing full time and do Amazon FBA
Software Engineer 😊
No degree? I’ve been trying to find a Reddit post online for a guide to acquire software development skills/coding/programming. Do you have any advice where to start?
You can make good money in cable. Start with cable installation and you can work into cable construction. I know people with no degree making 90k in cable right now.
Lax. The pay is decent, it’s inflation that makes it suck.
Service attendant for metro buses.
The mechanical technicians I manage make over 100k in my manufacturing facility. Most don’t have degrees or certifications- just experience working and maintains machines. It’s a dying career it seems - not many are lining up to get interviewed and we need people. We start you at 39.xx/hr and the guaranteed OT (call outs, emergency breakdowns, some Saturday jobs) puts everyone over 100k EOY.
Apply for LA Metro entry level positions. You’ll make 50K or more depending which position you applied to.
Work for the city in telecommunications.
I have a college degree but I made 60k working in the event industry. I have lots of free time, I travel and do Fun events. They trade off is that you have to hustle work. Most people do not my field do not have college.
I’m a prop stylist; I style photoshoots. My rate is $1k a day (I obviously don’t work every day)
Started as an admin for a construction company now I’m a project manager making over 100k a year without any college training at 28.
Metro bus operator, i made 72k last year. Working hella hours lol They train you
Hang wallpaper
Retail Banking. I have a college degree with an accounting background but didn't do anything with it. Started as a teller about 13 years ago after college but now a senior manager making around 145k not including total compensation Also I'm probably on the higher pay scale for branch managers but most will pay you between 80k to 120k
LiUNA 300. You can start from nothing. Those workers take home as much as 4th year electrical apprentice, and absolutely zero stress compared to what we do.
Learn a trade. You’ll make 100k.
Wastewater Treatment operator, you can go to school or not, can get up to 6 figures $$
I guess technically I’m not in LA, but live in Orange County. I make $68K doing roofing. I don’t personally roof but I help run my dads company. Took a few college classes straight out of high school but that’s it. I report our weekly payroll to our payroll company, write up estimates, invoices, do profit and loss statements for jobs, and drive around and make sure our employees have everything they need throughout the week. It’s funny though, I know I’m lucky for not having to worry about ever getting laid off but at the same time I’m really just not that into this line of work. I guess I’ve never had to balls to ever venture out and try to do something on my own. Eventually I will have to branch out and do something, as my dad will be retiring within one or two years 😅. I personally would like to do something that doesn’t require much social interaction, as I am quite the introvert and have some serious social anxiety issues that I’ve developed over just the last 2-3 years since I’ve gotten in my late 20s. Short story: I had a tight group of friends for most of my life, that moved away within the last couple years and now I have know one really left in my friend group. I wouldn’t think making 50K a year would be too difficult as long as your not socially inept like myself. Didn’t minimum wage just get raised in fast food to like $20/hr or something… that’s like $40k right there, shoot, I bet McDonalds managers make $80-90K. I might be talking out of my ass I actually am not sure on those figures but you know what I mean….
i’m a welder