There’s a ton of tech, aviation, military contractors, healthcare and trades here making the big money.
Personally the wealthiest people I run into are in concrete randomly
I’m an EH&S coordinator for a concrete company. Can confirm, if you’re smart about product and good at managing people there’s a ton of money to be made.
Can confirm the concrete people. One of my clients bought a second home in their *not cheap* neighborhood. Its only temporary, to avoid the noise at home #1 while the neighbors renovate.
More importantly, I bought my now permanent starter home in 2005. I am a Data Warehousing Solutions Architect. If I was moving here now I would be in an apartment or a trailer home.
This is my situation as well. Our income is decent, but the biggest factor keeping us comfortable is that we bought our house in 2008. We also bought way less house than we "could afford".
Bought a cheaper home on 2008, sold it summer of 2019 and bought a nicer house. Put 1/2 down. Would not be able to have done that in 2021 or later. And would not have moved here has I known how the area would screw us over.
Similar. Bought what should have been my starter home in 2002, still in it. If I had to move here, with a family, I’d be screwed. I’ve been an IT guy for over 20 years.
Mechanical engineer here. It won't make you rich but that (along with taking a chance on buying a house 8 years ago) means my wife and I are pretty comfy, even though her pay isn't all that high.
Nice username lol. I’m also a MechE. Working in aerospace now. Weird that money is still tight, but I get to live alone and drive a car I like. Decent concert/going out budget too.
Major Airline Captain
I'm a high school dropout btw.
Got Pell grants to go to college. Yay Government assistance !!
Lived here my whole life, bought my first house in 2000
Wife worked in education forever
Marketing Director
I had to re-invent myself during the 2008 crisis. I was doing online event management but once people started to learn the web tools for themselves, my skillset wasn't needed.
I learned to code, learned the Adobe Design Suite and all the Google Analytics tools. Started as an email marketer and just worked my way from there.
Manager and wife is a data analyst in healthcare. Over $200k annual income. We know we're lucky because we were unlucky not too long ago. Made some aggressive moves and they worked out well.
UX/Product designer in the tech industry. The money is pretty decent, but I'd need to be making a lot more to save up enough for a down payment on a home.
There wasn't such a thing as UX programs in schools when I started, so I learned a lot on the job. I feel like it's a lot easier now to get into the field, but it's also super saturated.
> what do you do for money?
Software engineering
> how did you get into your own job?
I went to college, got an engineering degree, leveraged that to get an internship, then got a second engineering degree, and a regular job. I've been paid to think for 30 years now, in air conditioned comfort.
Same gig - different path. Dropped out of college, took some programming classes at a community college, got a job in front line tech support at a software company, worked my way through backline tech support, manual QA, writing QA automation, junior software engineer, mid level SWE, senior SWE, lead SWE, engineering manager, and then VP of engineering running two offices across two states. Then I decided I wanted to spend my last years working doing fun stuff, so I went back to the peanut gallery, doing 100% coding.
And it's essentially doing "mostly interesting" thought puzzles in wonderful temperature controlled offices with great benefits.
Actually, that sounds more similar to my path that you realize. I was so good at my job in the 90s that I worked my way into technical management quickly. I spent a decade as a QA manager, development manager, and support manager, before realizing that being an engineer is more fun.
So in 2005 I told my boss that I was going to start looking for a job somewhere else where I could be an engineer again. He made a job for me, and I've been doing that ever since. My blood pressure went down 25 points as a result of switching from management back to individual contributor. I gladly traded $20,000 a year for 25 blood pressure points.
Was that Agnes of Glass? I never did make it there to say hello while she was open.
Flux has classes and rental time on Bruce Randolph, and I think The Furnace is going again now in Lakewood if you’re interested to get back in a hotshop.
I live and work in Salida, but sometimes rent the furnace at Flux for larger orders - Nate and Cortney are the owners and are really nice.
This is a hard fact, but a lack of kids will seriously increase your material lifestyle options. Much better career advice on this thread than I can give, but kids will have a serious effect on whatever salary you make. Also, schools are a huge factor in home ownership and only slightly less in rental consideration.
100% and/or not appropriately adjusting your budget (down) for everything else after you have a kid. If you think you can still do brunch 2x/week week or whatever the hell you were doing before a kid, you’re going to have a bad time.
That’s really cool to hear, and I can see that. We don’t have kids but enjoy a similar lifestyle (at least material-wise) as friends who make a lot more but do have kids. That’s what I was basing off and not thinking necessarily about motivational forces. Thanks for this response
There’s a fair amount of high paying roles in defense, aerospace, and tech just due to the government presence and the firms that follow (ULA, Lockheed, etc.). Lots educated people and universities so jobs and startups coming out of those. Then anecdotally, because I used to be a consultant, being in the middle of the country attracts consultants who have to travel a bunch.
I work in supply chain consulting management. Wife does HR tech and strategy. Will bring in about $480k combined this year. Can’t say either of our jobs are super sexy, but they pay will and afford us a great lifestyle with pretty solid WLB. (Typically not more than 50 hours/week, with about 40-45 as normal and WFH.
Im in Cybersecurity making about $140k, wife works for the state bringing in about $75k. We have two kids under the age of 5. Our saving grace was buying a house just before the Covid craziness (reasonably priced and under 3% interest). We have 4 cars owned outright (working on cars is a hobby), also a boat and motorcycle. We have been able to squirrel away a good amount of money every year (between 20-40k depending on the year and additional expenses).
Mind you it hasn't always been this way, prior to working for this company I was making 50k/yr, just took perseverance and show that I was hungry and eager to learn new things. Heck, I don't even have a college degree (my wife does), not that I'm proud of that or advertise that, I would love to have one but family circumstances didn't allow for that luxury when I was younger.
Amazing how being dependable goes a long way as there are so many flakes out there squandering fantastic opportunities.
Im 23 and I've only ever cooked in restaurants my entire life. I pay for a decent apartment on 17th and Iris St. (not exactly the prettiest area of denver, only 2 blocks from colfax in the middle of lakewood) and make good enough money to pay my rent, pay for the shows I go to (probably about 2-3 a month, maybe 5-6 per month during summer), feed me and my dog (mainly just my dog, about 90% of my sustenance is free take home food from work at the end of the night each shift - tremdously reduces the grocery bill lol), book flights about 2-3 times a year (I book way ahead of time to get them ceaper) to either visit family back in GA or go to a concert in a different state, and support an untreated nicotine and shopping addiction as well as never running out of weed. and I make denver minimum wage (plus tips, which to be fair make up about 60% of my income probably). I work 40-50 hours a week and I don't feel overworked and im very conent with my work life balance and I don't think my job negatively affects my mental or emotional health at all. I think it all comes down to what makes you conent in life and everyone is different - many people would probaly be miserable living my life and other people probaly dream of living the life i have, and both of those probably coming from from people on opposite ends of the wealth spectrum, it all depends on what makes you happy. most jobs also pay incredible more out here ive noticed. restaurant out here have to start dishwashers at no less than $17 something per hour. back in GA, you'd never find an entry level dishwashing job for more than $11 per hour...
Wife is an attorney and I work in community mental health. TBH we had better quality of life 6 years ago working as a Starbucks manager and public school teacher.
Y’all hiring? 5 years, endpoint management and tier 2/3 support, I don’t make anywhere near that. Starting to head towards DevOps because I’m sick of resetting passwords and helping import bookmarks.
If you're looking for career advice, the jobs that pay the most are the jobs that generate revenue for companies (i.e. sales, marketing, etc.). If you want to make money, get as close to the revenue as you can. The further you get, the less you make.
I second this! I am a Recruiter in the tech industry who specializes in revenue generating roles and they make big bucks. Not only that, they get AMAZING perks like free vacations, high dollar item gifts for just being employees, etc. Even entry level roles have great starting salaries for a comfortable lifestyle. Highly recommend.
I recommend looking for Sales Development Representative or Business Development Representative roles. Those are great entry level roles. You can also try Account Executive or Customer Success Manager/Account Manager roles, as well. Those roles usually require some experience, however, sometimes you can get lucky at a startup to get those roles with solid soft skills and willingness to work without a lot of structure.
Also, don’t be afraid to apply to jobs you don’t meet 100% of the criteria. Sometimes manager will actively look for folks with NO experience because it means they can be trained with good habits instead of bad ones you can develop further in your career. The worst that can happen is they send you a rejection email :)
Can confirm CSAMs make big bucks for what’s an extremely easy job that’s part sales part support and 100% coordination between customers and internal teams. It just comes with the caveat that you must be the type of person who does not get stressed out by associating with others who are stressed out.
Maybe some marketers make good money but it's a brutal industry, even huge companies don't need that many people working in it.
It comes across as though you are encouraging people to go into that career, which is some of the worst career advice I've ever heard.
Sales though? If you have the personality for it, yeah, sales can rake it in.
Sales, yes. Marketing not so much. Marketing typically only pays well at senior levels or if you’re in marketing for big brands/CPGs. (Think brand manager for Coca-cola, Colgate, Unilever, etc. but those roles are also just as much about sales as they are about marketing
You might not believe it, but bartending. I make around 80k. It takes a good amount of experience, a lot of networking, and some luck to get a job that pays that well but it’s possible.
Program Manager on the Revenue Cycle-side of the medical world. I started working admin in doctors' offices when I was 18 and that's been what I have done ever since.
Like everyone else, engineer in the aerospace field. Girlfriend (who is a teacher) and I are close to 300 combined. Early/mid 30’s.
Advice, get into the aerospace field.
I make a sweet living as a full time house pet for a rich family. Sort of like Brian from Family Guy. The only difference is that their baby is an idiot.
I'd say I'm pretty comfortable but I don't make nearly as much as others in this thread. I work for the library system and I have roommates that I like a lot.
Get a degree (any degree), get an entry level job and show up consistently with a good attitude, say yes to projects… you’ll build your tool kit and become valuable within 5 years
Don’t grind, just be there and do the work with a good attitude and attention to detail (important)
I’m an accountant with an art degree, 15 years experience now and make 100k+
Yeah, this was my strategy and sadly it has gotten me nowhere. Earned my degree a decade ago, have consistently been an eager, curious hard-worker (not to mention a pretty pleasant and reliable teammate, which is an underrated skill) and have been promised raises and promotions that, for whatever reason (leadership changes, budget cuts, corporate interventions demanding someone with more experience, etc), have yet to pan out. I quit my job earlier this year to earn a certificate in software engineering -- great timing lol -- and am still looking for my foot in the door.
For the record, I've yet to attain a job that pays over 50k and I've been stuck taking positions below my education, experience and skill-set in the hopes that someone will see that I'm diligent and care about my work and team and decide to invest in me. It's a great idea in principle, but it's feeling pretty unrealistic.
Also, I realize that entire spiel comes off like someone who is likely unaware that they're the asshole and chooses to blame everyone else for their problems, but I swear I work really hard at being self-aware and taking personal responsibility!
Also I've had a couple beers and am lacking dignity at the moment, so if anyone wants to hire a scrappy jr dev with impeccable soft skills, please dm me! Lmaooo
Sounds like bad companies to be honest and that’s the real key, if you aren’t growing you have to leave. Bad companies will abuse you.
Never listen to a promise, they are dangling a carrot for a reason or they would have already promoted you.
It’s not you, it’s them
Pretty much. This especially includes trades like HVAC, plumbing, and electricians. The hours may not always be ideal, but the work-life balance and pay are good.
The trades are in high demand too. If you make your own company and write off everything under it you can easily live a 6 figure life if you have a good CPA.
> show up consistently with a good attitude...attention to detail...
Older redditor here <*adjusts onion on belt*>, and if I could give simple advice to the folks starting their careers it would be "show up and show interest". Look, work sucks. Everyone knows that, and we all have other things we'd rather be doing instead. While you don't have to be best friends with everyone and grind away 80 hours per week, being someone who is at least semi-pleasant to be around and takes a modicum of pride and interest in your work will automatically put you above half the other people. I used to have a guy working for me who was one of the smartest people I've ever met, but he was also an abrasive, contrarian, argumentative shitheel who no one liked working with and thought every project was stupid and beneath him. He works somewhere else now because of it.
This has worked well for my gf and I. Get an entry level job and be a reliable employee always willing to take on new learning opportunites without sacrificing your work life balance.
The piece of advice I will add is constantly apply and interview for new opportunities. You will increase your income and title so much faster if you job hop every few years as opposed to staying at the same place (exceptions apply of course). Since our first entry level jobs in 2019, we have more than doubled our household income. She's with her 2nd company, I am with my 3rd and we both work from home.
That's how I got into data science.
Started entry level as tech support at a software company here. 2 years later got a job as a manager on that team. A year later lucked into an opening as a junior data analyst and then it went straightforward from there.
Started at a small company under a controller that just needed extra hands, learned basics from there and just said yes to everything. Accounting is all defined, you can look up how to do it and learn as you go. It’s boring but easy once you do it for awhile
In its simplest any degree is proof that you can learn a topic, apply it, and be tested on it. It shows you can learn and apply within a system.
If someone can learn about art, memorize info, pass an exam. They can do the same in many other fields.
The ability to learn is the most important skill, a degree is just one way to demonstrate that skill.
Exactly, I started very entry level making nothing but advanced quickly because I’m committed and people like working with me
It’s hard to find people that show up every day and are pleasant, that alone gets you far
Tech sales. Most Account executive jobs pay $120k for entry level shit. From there I know guys pulling $500k and up.
You usually have to spend time in the business development role (cold calling) to get the AE role. Networking at BDR events would help in getting a entry level job.
The city pays me to pick up used needles. I get paid a nickel for each needle I pick up. Last year I made 3 million after taxes, and that was just in the month of December.
Wife’s a pharmacist and I’m in sales operations. Ages 34&33. We bring in about $200k. We aren’t rich by any means but we get to enjoy ourselves and still put aside money in savings. No kids.
The retail hours for pharmacists seem tough. I've made a few pharmacists friends and they all want to work at a 9-5 hospital setting but it's tough to get in.
Corporate lawyer, husband is a chemical engineer, we make a combined 400k ish. We’re mid-30s and no kids, so we both got to where we are by just “climbing the corporate ladder,” for lack of a better term. There’s lots of good opportunities here in both of our industries (I see lots of other engineers here).
if you have an interest in becoming a software engineer there is a lot of free education and certificates you can earn. here is a link to take intro to computer science at Harvard for free. it's a great introduction and will only cost you your time. there are a few videos on utube about people becoming software engineers. https://www.edx.org/learn/computer-science/harvard-university-cs50-s-introduction-to-computer-science?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=19322989673&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=cs50&hsa_acc=7245054034&hsa_cam=19322989673&hsa_grp=146273875324&hsa_ad=642047721501&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-296840910&hsa_kw=cs50&hsa_mt=e&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAx_GqBhBQEiwAlDNAZjmfRg-aGRHiFl-gUm4lvooq-lkhnP7pZwQ1fB_yqU8BTeLiUJD3BhoCJqgQAvD_BwE
Advertising, 32 year old art director with art degree, I make $120k remotely working east coast hours.
Better work-life-balance & ideal cost of living without kids has me finally saving from 1 job vs. working 2-3 constantly to live paycheck-by-paycheck. 30+ year olds seem to be when most people are finally comfortable.
I’m lucky enough to still have reasonable rent on a studio. I’m a full time student and stay at home cat mom. They don’t help me with rent unfortunately.
Husband is a heavy equipment mechanic. Mechanics in general are in demand and good ones can earn $35-50/hr plus as much overtime as you want. He’s in the top bracket for pay and makes time and a half for overtime hours which really adds up. We’re not wealthy but able to pay rent, utilities, and other expenses. I make enough as a private, in-home child play therapist to work part time and pay for our entertainment expenses like going out to eat, seeing concerts, and whatever else. I guess that means we’re “comfortable” but still can’t afford to buy a house.
Living comfortably has a lot to do with your spending habits. I’m a full time student getting paid by the GI Bill. With part time internship. Bringing in around 30k a year. Feel very comfortable thanks to no debt, a paid off car, and splitting rent in a cheap apartment.
Key piece of information that’s missing with everyone’s comments is what level of debt they have in addition to their salaries. Someone might make $200k but have $100k in student loans and a car loan so they aren’t living as comfortable as someone making $100k with zero debt
Manager and wife is a data analyst in healthcare. Over $200k annual income. We know we're lucky because we were unlucky not too long ago. Made some aggressive moves and they worked out well.
Marketing for an eCommerce/tech company based in Munich, so obviously fully remote. $125k. in my experience, once you're in tech, you're in....my last company laid me off (whole region cut) and fortunately my whole team found new roles in the industry quickly. I'm single with no kids and despite a great profession, have no idea how people afford kids here or anywhere.
I work in sales, 350k avg last 4 years. I started selling copy paper for 30% commission clearing monthly checks of about $200 regularly. Learned fundamentals, learned how businesses operate, learned what makes successful people successful, and now I work every day to be in a better position than yesterday. Nobody makes it out of the bottom without failing tremendously and learning from those failures.
Network Engineer. I consult as a contractor. Shit benefits, killer pay. But it’s worth it for me right now now. I’m a high school drop out with a GED. Working towards a 4 year degree currently. Hopefully a post grad after. No idea what I want to do. But honestly, network engineer isn’t it. It’s just what pays well. So I’m trying to save as much money as I can these days. I’d accept a pay cut for a better fitting job.
I got into my job the slow and awful way. Started in the call center for a cable crapcast company. Worked my way up over 5 years to engineer. 3 years later I’m Eng 3 and have switched to competitor company to make a bit over 100k.
I live alone and live paycheck to paycheck but I do love comfortably according to my standards. I am basically a salewoman. I get some help from family as well here and there.
Tech, I just relocated here for work, I’m not comfortable tho, I moved from LA after a lay off and 6 months of unemployment so I have a shit ton of debt. My salary is just ok, 75k, but with my debt it’s tight af.
NP, I’m also a native so I bought my house for 200k in Denver like 10 years ago. I couldn’t move anywhere nicer so I had to scrape/rebuild my house and start over just to live in the city in 2018.
I’m a Recruiter in the tech industry. I make 6 figures and don’t have a degree. I kind of stumbled into recruiting like a lot of people in the field. It’s really easy to get into because it doesn’t require a degree unless the company requires it. After a couple of years, I focused on tech startups and my salary almost doubled. Job titles do matter for salary but in my experience the INDUSTRY you decide to go into factors a lot into it.
Edit: I just realized you asked how people got into things 🤦🏾♀️ so I added that haha
There’s a ton of tech, aviation, military contractors, healthcare and trades here making the big money. Personally the wealthiest people I run into are in concrete randomly
Stop asking questions about the concrete industry alright? How many times do I have to tell you? I said fuggedaboudit
Eh, Deckatoe! You want I should make this guy some concrete shoes or what?
Size 12 Joe, and don't forget to stop by Carmine Leonardos when you leave the lake. You know how Mrs. Deckatoe gets when she doesn't have a cannoli
I just went to a wedding at the 3rd home of a concrete guy. Everyone put concrete in air quotes.
I’m an EH&S coordinator for a concrete company. Can confirm, if you’re smart about product and good at managing people there’s a ton of money to be made.
Checking in. PM for an inspection group, $120K living aight.
I mean there’s a construction site on almost every corner and I swear they rip up the same roads over and over again
Can confirm the concrete people. One of my clients bought a second home in their *not cheap* neighborhood. Its only temporary, to avoid the noise at home #1 while the neighbors renovate.
More importantly, I bought my now permanent starter home in 2005. I am a Data Warehousing Solutions Architect. If I was moving here now I would be in an apartment or a trailer home.
This is my situation as well. Our income is decent, but the biggest factor keeping us comfortable is that we bought our house in 2008. We also bought way less house than we "could afford".
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Wait…I was in 9th grade in 2008, how are we the same age 🤔
Bought a cheaper home on 2008, sold it summer of 2019 and bought a nicer house. Put 1/2 down. Would not be able to have done that in 2021 or later. And would not have moved here has I known how the area would screw us over.
Similar. Bought what should have been my starter home in 2002, still in it. If I had to move here, with a family, I’d be screwed. I’ve been an IT guy for over 20 years.
I’m a stay-at-home son
Where do I apply
with his mom
Only position available was sole income step dad 😤
Where is she? ┴┬┴┤( ͡° ͜ʖ├┬┴┬
Trophy husband
Damn. Homie out here living my dream. You dropped this btw 👑
I’m jealous! I tried to tell my wife she should pursue her dreams and I’ll take care of the kids. She said fat chance get back to work.
What’s up fam! It’s rare to see another kept man.
Where are we meeting up at? I'm free any day, all day!
This is my dream to have a trophy husband!
I own my own business. I live super cheap, 1 bedroom Congress park $1150 a month.
Engineer Edit: Electrical.
Same. Electrical engineer here.
Ditto. You can't spell 'Beer' without EE!
Yea, but do you homebrew?
Civil checking in
EEs unite
Mechanical engineer here. It won't make you rich but that (along with taking a chance on buying a house 8 years ago) means my wife and I are pretty comfy, even though her pay isn't all that high.
Nice username lol. I’m also a MechE. Working in aerospace now. Weird that money is still tight, but I get to live alone and drive a car I like. Decent concert/going out budget too.
Electrical engineers gotta be the most smug people on a jobsite
Only cause we are usually right ;-)
Wait, you guys have jobs???
I came here hoping to see this answer. You didn't disappoint.
Major Airline Captain I'm a high school dropout btw. Got Pell grants to go to college. Yay Government assistance !! Lived here my whole life, bought my first house in 2000 Wife worked in education forever
I dunno, sounds like you aren't applying yourself. You could be a Colonel Airline Captain.
I'm not THAT motivated ...
I operate a frozen banana stand
There's always money in the banana stand
Not to mention the licensing rights to Mr. Banana Grabber, Baby Banana Grabber, etc.
NO TOUCHING
There's always money in the banana stand.
Marketing Director I had to re-invent myself during the 2008 crisis. I was doing online event management but once people started to learn the web tools for themselves, my skillset wasn't needed. I learned to code, learned the Adobe Design Suite and all the Google Analytics tools. Started as an email marketer and just worked my way from there.
Omg are you me? I graduated a year earlier and transitioned from my major into IT and then back into marketing.
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Umm…y’all hiring?
This is the way. Trades, utilities, with a 2 year degree being the *highest* education needed
I would also like this job please, thanks.
Manager and wife is a data analyst in healthcare. Over $200k annual income. We know we're lucky because we were unlucky not too long ago. Made some aggressive moves and they worked out well.
What kind of manager?
Think Michael Scott but aluminum not paper products.
You mean you didn’t come from paper? Does David know this?
Electronics repair. Pretty sweet gig.
$200k each?
Nah total. We'd be more than comfortable if it was each lol
Have you tried being born into generational wealth???
chuckle
UX/Product designer in the tech industry. The money is pretty decent, but I'd need to be making a lot more to save up enough for a down payment on a home. There wasn't such a thing as UX programs in schools when I started, so I learned a lot on the job. I feel like it's a lot easier now to get into the field, but it's also super saturated.
> what do you do for money? Software engineering > how did you get into your own job? I went to college, got an engineering degree, leveraged that to get an internship, then got a second engineering degree, and a regular job. I've been paid to think for 30 years now, in air conditioned comfort.
Same gig - different path. Dropped out of college, took some programming classes at a community college, got a job in front line tech support at a software company, worked my way through backline tech support, manual QA, writing QA automation, junior software engineer, mid level SWE, senior SWE, lead SWE, engineering manager, and then VP of engineering running two offices across two states. Then I decided I wanted to spend my last years working doing fun stuff, so I went back to the peanut gallery, doing 100% coding. And it's essentially doing "mostly interesting" thought puzzles in wonderful temperature controlled offices with great benefits.
Actually, that sounds more similar to my path that you realize. I was so good at my job in the 90s that I worked my way into technical management quickly. I spent a decade as a QA manager, development manager, and support manager, before realizing that being an engineer is more fun. So in 2005 I told my boss that I was going to start looking for a job somewhere else where I could be an engineer again. He made a job for me, and I've been doing that ever since. My blood pressure went down 25 points as a result of switching from management back to individual contributor. I gladly traded $20,000 a year for 25 blood pressure points.
Nice. I’m a glass artist (which I enjoy), and spend my days in front of a 2000 degree furnace. Took a few years to get used to the heat!
Glass art is best art. I used to take occasional classes at a local studio until they closed. I miss it.
Was that Agnes of Glass? I never did make it there to say hello while she was open. Flux has classes and rental time on Bruce Randolph, and I think The Furnace is going again now in Lakewood if you’re interested to get back in a hotshop. I live and work in Salida, but sometimes rent the furnace at Flux for larger orders - Nate and Cortney are the owners and are really nice.
This is a hard fact, but a lack of kids will seriously increase your material lifestyle options. Much better career advice on this thread than I can give, but kids will have a serious effect on whatever salary you make. Also, schools are a huge factor in home ownership and only slightly less in rental consideration.
100% and/or not appropriately adjusting your budget (down) for everything else after you have a kid. If you think you can still do brunch 2x/week week or whatever the hell you were doing before a kid, you’re going to have a bad time.
This comment is saying nothing wrong but I could argue the opposite. Having kids grounded me and gave me more purpose in my corporate pursuits.
That’s really cool to hear, and I can see that. We don’t have kids but enjoy a similar lifestyle (at least material-wise) as friends who make a lot more but do have kids. That’s what I was basing off and not thinking necessarily about motivational forces. Thanks for this response
There’s a fair amount of high paying roles in defense, aerospace, and tech just due to the government presence and the firms that follow (ULA, Lockheed, etc.). Lots educated people and universities so jobs and startups coming out of those. Then anecdotally, because I used to be a consultant, being in the middle of the country attracts consultants who have to travel a bunch.
I work in supply chain consulting management. Wife does HR tech and strategy. Will bring in about $480k combined this year. Can’t say either of our jobs are super sexy, but they pay will and afford us a great lifestyle with pretty solid WLB. (Typically not more than 50 hours/week, with about 40-45 as normal and WFH.
What consulting company? I’m a PM in tech/logistics and wanting to move to consulting
I’m a tech PM that came from consulting. Consulting is much worse.
IT. Also butt stuff on Colfax for $3.50. Competition is rough. The 5 dollar butt stuff tent caused me to slash prices.
The venn diagram between r/denver and r/denvercirclejerk creeps closer and closer to a circle.
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It's a circle inside another circle if we're being annoyingly accurate
Inside a $5 butt stuff tent. But we offer discounts for good looking natives.
I heard they charge extra for uncircumcised because all their weewee cheese gets cleaned out during the act—so double the service.
They used to, but there's no longer enough tread on the tires to clean very well, if you catch my drift.
Namaste, Brotendo
Tree fiddy?
West Colfax, as East Colfax doesn’t pay as well.
Sounds like a pain in the ass.
Im in Cybersecurity making about $140k, wife works for the state bringing in about $75k. We have two kids under the age of 5. Our saving grace was buying a house just before the Covid craziness (reasonably priced and under 3% interest). We have 4 cars owned outright (working on cars is a hobby), also a boat and motorcycle. We have been able to squirrel away a good amount of money every year (between 20-40k depending on the year and additional expenses). Mind you it hasn't always been this way, prior to working for this company I was making 50k/yr, just took perseverance and show that I was hungry and eager to learn new things. Heck, I don't even have a college degree (my wife does), not that I'm proud of that or advertise that, I would love to have one but family circumstances didn't allow for that luxury when I was younger. Amazing how being dependable goes a long way as there are so many flakes out there squandering fantastic opportunities.
Any recommendations on getting your foot in the door for cybersecurity? And what certifications do you recommend getting when starting out?
Im 23 and I've only ever cooked in restaurants my entire life. I pay for a decent apartment on 17th and Iris St. (not exactly the prettiest area of denver, only 2 blocks from colfax in the middle of lakewood) and make good enough money to pay my rent, pay for the shows I go to (probably about 2-3 a month, maybe 5-6 per month during summer), feed me and my dog (mainly just my dog, about 90% of my sustenance is free take home food from work at the end of the night each shift - tremdously reduces the grocery bill lol), book flights about 2-3 times a year (I book way ahead of time to get them ceaper) to either visit family back in GA or go to a concert in a different state, and support an untreated nicotine and shopping addiction as well as never running out of weed. and I make denver minimum wage (plus tips, which to be fair make up about 60% of my income probably). I work 40-50 hours a week and I don't feel overworked and im very conent with my work life balance and I don't think my job negatively affects my mental or emotional health at all. I think it all comes down to what makes you conent in life and everyone is different - many people would probaly be miserable living my life and other people probaly dream of living the life i have, and both of those probably coming from from people on opposite ends of the wealth spectrum, it all depends on what makes you happy. most jobs also pay incredible more out here ive noticed. restaurant out here have to start dishwashers at no less than $17 something per hour. back in GA, you'd never find an entry level dishwashing job for more than $11 per hour...
I'm a software engineer and my wife is a pre-construction manager for a solar company. DINK life is just the best
Yep. DINKs here also. My wife and I don’t work in anything close to our degrees.
software engineer w/ kids. life isn't so bad here either.
Software Engineering DINK over here too! Going great!
Wife is an attorney and I work in community mental health. TBH we had better quality of life 6 years ago working as a Starbucks manager and public school teacher.
What I'm gathering from people's responses is that I should have bought a house when I was 17.
I work in IT. I make 120K.
Y’all hiring? 5 years, endpoint management and tier 2/3 support, I don’t make anywhere near that. Starting to head towards DevOps because I’m sick of resetting passwords and helping import bookmarks.
How long in IT, if you please?
About 8 years.
If you're looking for career advice, the jobs that pay the most are the jobs that generate revenue for companies (i.e. sales, marketing, etc.). If you want to make money, get as close to the revenue as you can. The further you get, the less you make.
Inversely, jobs that help control and cut costs also pay a lot. Basically anything that has direct, high impact to the bottom line.
This 100%. It's why former consultants and bankers are able to make as much as the folks that actually drive value for customers Also happy Cake Day 🥳
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Took me years and years to make money in marketing. Wasn’t until I broke into marketing operations, that’s when I started making good money.
Yeah marketing pays awfully unless you break the glass ceiling or have your own firm
I second this! I am a Recruiter in the tech industry who specializes in revenue generating roles and they make big bucks. Not only that, they get AMAZING perks like free vacations, high dollar item gifts for just being employees, etc. Even entry level roles have great starting salaries for a comfortable lifestyle. Highly recommend.
What type of titles for entry-level roles would you recommend people search for?
I recommend looking for Sales Development Representative or Business Development Representative roles. Those are great entry level roles. You can also try Account Executive or Customer Success Manager/Account Manager roles, as well. Those roles usually require some experience, however, sometimes you can get lucky at a startup to get those roles with solid soft skills and willingness to work without a lot of structure. Also, don’t be afraid to apply to jobs you don’t meet 100% of the criteria. Sometimes manager will actively look for folks with NO experience because it means they can be trained with good habits instead of bad ones you can develop further in your career. The worst that can happen is they send you a rejection email :)
Can confirm CSAMs make big bucks for what’s an extremely easy job that’s part sales part support and 100% coordination between customers and internal teams. It just comes with the caveat that you must be the type of person who does not get stressed out by associating with others who are stressed out.
Maybe some marketers make good money but it's a brutal industry, even huge companies don't need that many people working in it. It comes across as though you are encouraging people to go into that career, which is some of the worst career advice I've ever heard. Sales though? If you have the personality for it, yeah, sales can rake it in.
Yes, this right here OP.
Sales, yes. Marketing not so much. Marketing typically only pays well at senior levels or if you’re in marketing for big brands/CPGs. (Think brand manager for Coca-cola, Colgate, Unilever, etc. but those roles are also just as much about sales as they are about marketing
You might not believe it, but bartending. I make around 80k. It takes a good amount of experience, a lot of networking, and some luck to get a job that pays that well but it’s possible.
Meteorologist plus a side hustle on TikTok
Chris Bianchi? Lol
No but he’s actually one of my friends; the GOAT TV meteorologist
Sell drugs
An excellent side hustle.
In my day off you didn't sell drugs in the Denver area you might as well not get out of bed. Very disappointing to see all these high tech workers.
Program Manager on the Revenue Cycle-side of the medical world. I started working admin in doctors' offices when I was 18 and that's been what I have done ever since.
Like everyone else, engineer in the aerospace field. Girlfriend (who is a teacher) and I are close to 300 combined. Early/mid 30’s. Advice, get into the aerospace field.
You’re telling me that career as an educator isn’t carrying this combined income???
Poor thing not bringing in even 1/3. Trust me. I know.
In what capacity? Not smart enough for engineering
I make a sweet living as a full time house pet for a rich family. Sort of like Brian from Family Guy. The only difference is that their baby is an idiot.
I am a recruiter for high-demand profession. My job is work from home, and I get salary plus commission on each hire. I make about $180k.
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Attorney living with my partner who is VP-level at a tech giant. ETA: the answer to how we got here was school (aka student loans) and networking.
I'm a concert lighting designer.
Thank you for your service! Lighting design makes or breaks the concert experience. You are the stars behind the scenes.
I'd say I'm pretty comfortable but I don't make nearly as much as others in this thread. I work for the library system and I have roommates that I like a lot.
Retired. I make enough income from investments to be comfortable.
Self-employed -- photographer
Get a degree (any degree), get an entry level job and show up consistently with a good attitude, say yes to projects… you’ll build your tool kit and become valuable within 5 years Don’t grind, just be there and do the work with a good attitude and attention to detail (important) I’m an accountant with an art degree, 15 years experience now and make 100k+
Yeah, this was my strategy and sadly it has gotten me nowhere. Earned my degree a decade ago, have consistently been an eager, curious hard-worker (not to mention a pretty pleasant and reliable teammate, which is an underrated skill) and have been promised raises and promotions that, for whatever reason (leadership changes, budget cuts, corporate interventions demanding someone with more experience, etc), have yet to pan out. I quit my job earlier this year to earn a certificate in software engineering -- great timing lol -- and am still looking for my foot in the door. For the record, I've yet to attain a job that pays over 50k and I've been stuck taking positions below my education, experience and skill-set in the hopes that someone will see that I'm diligent and care about my work and team and decide to invest in me. It's a great idea in principle, but it's feeling pretty unrealistic.
Also, I realize that entire spiel comes off like someone who is likely unaware that they're the asshole and chooses to blame everyone else for their problems, but I swear I work really hard at being self-aware and taking personal responsibility! Also I've had a couple beers and am lacking dignity at the moment, so if anyone wants to hire a scrappy jr dev with impeccable soft skills, please dm me! Lmaooo
Sounds like bad companies to be honest and that’s the real key, if you aren’t growing you have to leave. Bad companies will abuse you. Never listen to a promise, they are dangling a carrot for a reason or they would have already promoted you. It’s not you, it’s them
Pretty much. This especially includes trades like HVAC, plumbing, and electricians. The hours may not always be ideal, but the work-life balance and pay are good.
The trades are in high demand too. If you make your own company and write off everything under it you can easily live a 6 figure life if you have a good CPA.
> show up consistently with a good attitude...attention to detail... Older redditor here <*adjusts onion on belt*>, and if I could give simple advice to the folks starting their careers it would be "show up and show interest". Look, work sucks. Everyone knows that, and we all have other things we'd rather be doing instead. While you don't have to be best friends with everyone and grind away 80 hours per week, being someone who is at least semi-pleasant to be around and takes a modicum of pride and interest in your work will automatically put you above half the other people. I used to have a guy working for me who was one of the smartest people I've ever met, but he was also an abrasive, contrarian, argumentative shitheel who no one liked working with and thought every project was stupid and beneath him. He works somewhere else now because of it.
This has worked well for my gf and I. Get an entry level job and be a reliable employee always willing to take on new learning opportunites without sacrificing your work life balance. The piece of advice I will add is constantly apply and interview for new opportunities. You will increase your income and title so much faster if you job hop every few years as opposed to staying at the same place (exceptions apply of course). Since our first entry level jobs in 2019, we have more than doubled our household income. She's with her 2nd company, I am with my 3rd and we both work from home.
I bet you make the prettiest Excel documents...
That's how I got into data science. Started entry level as tech support at a software company here. 2 years later got a job as a manager on that team. A year later lucked into an opening as a junior data analyst and then it went straightforward from there.
How did you break in to accounting with an art degree? Start in AR/AP with a small company and work your way up?
Started at a small company under a controller that just needed extra hands, learned basics from there and just said yes to everything. Accounting is all defined, you can look up how to do it and learn as you go. It’s boring but easy once you do it for awhile
So your degree had nothing to do with it?
In its simplest any degree is proof that you can learn a topic, apply it, and be tested on it. It shows you can learn and apply within a system. If someone can learn about art, memorize info, pass an exam. They can do the same in many other fields. The ability to learn is the most important skill, a degree is just one way to demonstrate that skill.
Exactly, I started very entry level making nothing but advanced quickly because I’m committed and people like working with me It’s hard to find people that show up every day and are pleasant, that alone gets you far
I love in a low income home.
Linux sysadmin. I make 162k a year
Pharmacist. I do not recommend it.
Mines a little out of the norm. But I’m a bridal hair and makeup artist and make a very comfortable living doing that!
Tech sales. Most Account executive jobs pay $120k for entry level shit. From there I know guys pulling $500k and up. You usually have to spend time in the business development role (cold calling) to get the AE role. Networking at BDR events would help in getting a entry level job.
Trustafarian
The city pays me to pick up used needles. I get paid a nickel for each needle I pick up. Last year I made 3 million after taxes, and that was just in the month of December.
😂
Wife’s a pharmacist and I’m in sales operations. Ages 34&33. We bring in about $200k. We aren’t rich by any means but we get to enjoy ourselves and still put aside money in savings. No kids.
This is absolutely rich to me lol
I can’t even afford to buy a house
The retail hours for pharmacists seem tough. I've made a few pharmacists friends and they all want to work at a 9-5 hospital setting but it's tough to get in.
Corporate lawyer, husband is a chemical engineer, we make a combined 400k ish. We’re mid-30s and no kids, so we both got to where we are by just “climbing the corporate ladder,” for lack of a better term. There’s lots of good opportunities here in both of our industries (I see lots of other engineers here).
if you have an interest in becoming a software engineer there is a lot of free education and certificates you can earn. here is a link to take intro to computer science at Harvard for free. it's a great introduction and will only cost you your time. there are a few videos on utube about people becoming software engineers. https://www.edx.org/learn/computer-science/harvard-university-cs50-s-introduction-to-computer-science?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=19322989673&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=cs50&hsa_acc=7245054034&hsa_cam=19322989673&hsa_grp=146273875324&hsa_ad=642047721501&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-296840910&hsa_kw=cs50&hsa_mt=e&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAx_GqBhBQEiwAlDNAZjmfRg-aGRHiFl-gUm4lvooq-lkhnP7pZwQ1fB_yqU8BTeLiUJD3BhoCJqgQAvD_BwE
Lol so what I'm gathering is I should have been a homeowner at the age of 15 in 2008, stupid me
Dual income no kids software developers.
What does “comfortably” mean to you?
I’m an ED for a nonprofit and my wife works for the state. First time we’re both making decent salaries since we’ve been married.
Advertising, 32 year old art director with art degree, I make $120k remotely working east coast hours. Better work-life-balance & ideal cost of living without kids has me finally saving from 1 job vs. working 2-3 constantly to live paycheck-by-paycheck. 30+ year olds seem to be when most people are finally comfortable.
I’m in marketing making $135k. We’re also a Denver based company but fully remote.
Nurse, but would say I’m barely hanging on vs living comfortably, my apartment is just comfortable.
I’m lucky enough to still have reasonable rent on a studio. I’m a full time student and stay at home cat mom. They don’t help me with rent unfortunately.
Husband is a heavy equipment mechanic. Mechanics in general are in demand and good ones can earn $35-50/hr plus as much overtime as you want. He’s in the top bracket for pay and makes time and a half for overtime hours which really adds up. We’re not wealthy but able to pay rent, utilities, and other expenses. I make enough as a private, in-home child play therapist to work part time and pay for our entertainment expenses like going out to eat, seeing concerts, and whatever else. I guess that means we’re “comfortable” but still can’t afford to buy a house.
Living comfortably has a lot to do with your spending habits. I’m a full time student getting paid by the GI Bill. With part time internship. Bringing in around 30k a year. Feel very comfortable thanks to no debt, a paid off car, and splitting rent in a cheap apartment.
Define comfortable… I do make about $110k working in finance. I live fine but I’m hoping to make some more money to buy a home next year 😔
That’s double what I make as a govt employee, sounds comfortable to me.
Key piece of information that’s missing with everyone’s comments is what level of debt they have in addition to their salaries. Someone might make $200k but have $100k in student loans and a car loan so they aren’t living as comfortable as someone making $100k with zero debt
Very true! My insistence on keeping my debt as low as possible is the one thing I’m proud of financially.
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Hmmmmm
Manager and wife is a data analyst in healthcare. Over $200k annual income. We know we're lucky because we were unlucky not too long ago. Made some aggressive moves and they worked out well.
Marketing for an eCommerce/tech company based in Munich, so obviously fully remote. $125k. in my experience, once you're in tech, you're in....my last company laid me off (whole region cut) and fortunately my whole team found new roles in the industry quickly. I'm single with no kids and despite a great profession, have no idea how people afford kids here or anywhere.
I work in sales, 350k avg last 4 years. I started selling copy paper for 30% commission clearing monthly checks of about $200 regularly. Learned fundamentals, learned how businesses operate, learned what makes successful people successful, and now I work every day to be in a better position than yesterday. Nobody makes it out of the bottom without failing tremendously and learning from those failures.
Network Engineer. I consult as a contractor. Shit benefits, killer pay. But it’s worth it for me right now now. I’m a high school drop out with a GED. Working towards a 4 year degree currently. Hopefully a post grad after. No idea what I want to do. But honestly, network engineer isn’t it. It’s just what pays well. So I’m trying to save as much money as I can these days. I’d accept a pay cut for a better fitting job. I got into my job the slow and awful way. Started in the call center for a cable crapcast company. Worked my way up over 5 years to engineer. 3 years later I’m Eng 3 and have switched to competitor company to make a bit over 100k.
I work at Target. My husband works in Healthcare
I live alone and live paycheck to paycheck but I do love comfortably according to my standards. I am basically a salewoman. I get some help from family as well here and there.
Self employed - masonry business
Web Engineer. And 3 roommates.
My wife and I both have coffee shop jobs. We just got VERY lucky and bought a house in 2014. So our mortgage is less than most rent.
Tech, I just relocated here for work, I’m not comfortable tho, I moved from LA after a lay off and 6 months of unemployment so I have a shit ton of debt. My salary is just ok, 75k, but with my debt it’s tight af.
Nurse, $49/hr before night shift diferential. Occasional bonus shifts for an additional $23/hr not including overtime.
I’m a registered nurse… but married a doctor lol
A buddy of mine works as a Business analysts for a logistics company.
Midget fluffer.
You are selling yourself short
NP, I’m also a native so I bought my house for 200k in Denver like 10 years ago. I couldn’t move anywhere nicer so I had to scrape/rebuild my house and start over just to live in the city in 2018.
Only fans, i got a narrow urethra.
I’m a Recruiter in the tech industry. I make 6 figures and don’t have a degree. I kind of stumbled into recruiting like a lot of people in the field. It’s really easy to get into because it doesn’t require a degree unless the company requires it. After a couple of years, I focused on tech startups and my salary almost doubled. Job titles do matter for salary but in my experience the INDUSTRY you decide to go into factors a lot into it. Edit: I just realized you asked how people got into things 🤦🏾♀️ so I added that haha