People who make 200k+ - Page 3

Astroag

9:49p, 8/12/24

I think it's also important to clarify the comp package.,,

Base + bonus + stock?
Just base?
Base + bonus?

_______________________________________________________

If ya ain't cheatin, you ain't tryin!!!

500,000ags

11:05p, 8/12/24

I think it's just as important to describe the level of work instead of only the actual work. Meaning, in my field (SaaS analytics) someone isn't getting to $200k until they are a Sr. Manager at least, and that's probably all-in. Director is probably $225k base.

My prior field (corporate banking), I would have hit $200k in cash comp at VP (which for financial services is an IC with 7-9 years experience).

TXAGGIES

5:48a, 8/13/24

In reply to Astroag

Astroag said:
I think it's also important to clarify the comp package.,,

Base + bonus + stock?
Just base?
Base + bonus?

Someone making $250k in base is probably closer to $500k in total comp

Based on my industry
250 base
15 car allowance
15 401k match
100 annual bonus at target (up to $250k)
150 RSU/SAR/PSU
$530,000

Astroag

6:50a, 8/13/24

In reply to TXAGGIES

TXAGGIES said:
Astroag said:
I think it's also important to clarify the comp package.,,

Base + bonus + stock?
Just base?
Base + bonus?

Someone making $250k in base is probably closer to $500k in total comp

Based on my industry
250 base
15 car allowance
15 401k match
100 annual bonus at target (up to $250k)
150 RSU/SAR/PSU
$530,000

That was my point. When someone says they make 200+ that's usually total comp inclusive of rsu/bonus/etc.

Jobs w 200+ base are a lot more rare, imo…

_______________________________________________________

If ya ain't cheatin, you ain't tryin!!!

powerbelly

7:18a, 8/13/24

In reply to Astroag

I am assuming we are just talking base. Maybe base and bonus.

AgOutsideAustin

7:45a, 8/13/24

Never made 200k in my career

210

11:26a, 8/13/24

In reply to MRB10

MRB10 said:
Commercial insurance underwriter
Psychology undergrad.
Work less than 40 hours most weeks.
Total comp was north of 200k for the first time last year.

I'm in my mid-30s.

Edit: I've been doing this for 10+ years, know how to do the job well, am constantly a high performer, and have a good reputation in my region. There was no secret sauce other than keep doing the thing well for a long time.

Curious what carrier/lines?

I am 34 and am right at $200k after bonuses and work as an Underwriting Director at an MGA.

This is making me think I should have stayed on the commercial side of insurance as I'm now in personal lines.

Not complaining as I have a Poli Sci degree and am happy with my pay. I also enjoy working at a small company much more than I was at these Fortune 500s in The Hartford and USAA.

Brian DeSpain

10:53p, 8/13/24

In reply to Hoyt Ag

Do both of you work for a larger upstream companies like Chevron, Exxon, etc? I have not seen that kind of salary at the midstream companies I have worked at. That's including roles in scheduling and commercial development. 175k is closer to the salary for 10 years of experience. "Traders" in the midstream sector can hit 200k plus bonus but those are directors from my experience. Just curious what avenues you took and from what sectors?

MRB10

6:34a, 8/14/24

In reply to 210

Feel free to email. I left it up on the 1st page.

Hoyt Ag

7:16a, 8/14/24

In reply to Brian DeSpain

I started in gas control at the bottom and was a Manager within 5 years, Sr Manager at year 7 and then moved to Director of Operations at year 10. This was at two of the biggest midstream companies in the US. Total comp for the Director role was around $350K(salary, bonus and stock), Sr Manager was right at $230K(salary, bonus, stock). I know my counterparts in Scheduling were making about what I made as a Sr. Manager with similar years and experience that came from the control room background.

I'm in power generation now, so I am not in tune with what they are making now, but those companies always paid well from manager up.. I know the control rooms in Houston at the big boy shops went through a salary survey and they all got a bump because you had newer companies stealing guys for a lot more pay. It was a constant battle of a merry go round of guys moving around shops. I bet a C controller today is making $70K or more, lead guys are over $100k if I had to guess. That's good money for not even requiring a degree.

Post removed:

by user

9:56a, 8/14/24

aggie_wes

10:14a, 8/14/24

In reply to [removed post]

Agree with a lot of this. I am in engineering management, but I was aggressive about increasing my earnings early in my career which made a huge difference over 15+ years. I almost doubled my salary my first 4 years out of school by changing departments and always being open to interview and get other offers to judge my worth. When I got stuck at my first company and couldn't move up anymore due to politics, I quickly left for the promotion I was looking for. Did the same thing a few years later to get another promotion, which turned into a director role.

Basically you have to know what you're worth and advocate for yourself because you can't rely on anyone else to do it.

infinity ag

11:27a, 8/14/24

In reply to 500,000ags

500,000ags said:
I think it's just as important to describe the level of work instead of only the actual work. Meaning, in my field (SaaS analytics) someone isn't getting to $200k until they are a Sr. Manager at least, and that's probably all-in. Director is probably $225k base.

My prior field (corporate banking), I would have hit $200k in cash comp at VP (which for financial services is an IC with 7-9 years experience).

Location is important too.
I am not at 180k and am in Prod Mgmt with a lot of experience and in SaaS, Analytics, AI/ML too. But midwest does not make you money. If I move to the Bay, I think I will get $225k+ base.

I had an offer from Walmart Global Tech 2 months ago for the Sunnyvale office. Offered me 190k and would not negotiate! Yes, they had some stock for about $100k over 4 years or something. Plus bonus.

infinity ag

11:29a, 8/14/24

In reply to aggie_wes

aggie_wes said:
Agree with a lot of this. I am in engineering management, but I was aggressive about increasing my earnings early in my career which made a huge difference over 15+ years. I almost doubled my salary my first 4 years out of school by changing departments and always being open to interview and get other offers to judge my worth. When I got stuck at my first company and couldn't move up anymore due to politics, I quickly left for the promotion I was looking for. Did the same thing a few years later to get another promotion, which turned into a director role.

Basically you have to know what you're worth and advocate for yourself because you can't rely on anyone else to do it.

Absolutely correct.
I have a ton of exp but am stuck at the Sr Manager level for years and years. The companies I join tend to go under so I have had a lot of instability.
I joined this place 2 months ago but I am still "open" on Linkedin and am fixing up my resume. The moment I get a good offer I GTFO. For now a remote Director job is what I am looking for. I can move after 1.5 years (kid in HS).

DRE06

11:37a, 8/14/24

In reply to Brian DeSpain

Brian DeSpain said:
Do both of you work for a larger upstream companies like Chevron, Exxon, etc? I have not seen that kind of salary at the midstream companies I have worked at. That's including roles in scheduling and commercial development. 175k is closer to the salary for 10 years of experience. "Traders" in the midstream sector can hit 200k plus bonus but those are directors from my experience. Just curious what avenues you took and from what sectors?

I started at a large midstream company. It was well known that compensation was low or under market until you got to the manager level, but once you got to manager level and above comp got pretty good. I left the midstream company and now work in the midstream group for a very large global E&P company. My experience is that compensation is higher at these companies (especially for positions lower than manger level), but it also comes with a lot less job security as there tends to be layoffs during low price cycles.

Keep in mind that with $175k salary, your bonus/stock grant is likely well above $100k.

Eliminatus

3:59p, 8/14/24

Oh cool. I seem to have accidentally unwatchlisted this thread. Sorry for the delay for those who directly responded to me.

The law school thing I am pretty on the fence about. I missed the boat timing wise. Vast majority of schools, and especially the good ones, only start in the fall. At an absolute minimum, the closest start date for me would be next fall and I have already been idle for longer than I was planning for. I can't wait a full year at this point and the more I think about another round of multiyear schooling, the more I grimace. Law school is now a plan C more or less.

Midstream gas options is ironic because that was the other path I have been seriously looking at already. Best friend is in it and has been in my ear about it even before I got laid off. As I sit here now, this sounds the most promising and even interesting to me. Thanks for confirming the viability of it.

Thanks for the discussion and assistance everyone. This has been very helpful already believe it or not.

Cromagnum

7:48p, 8/14/24

In reply to TXAGGIES

TXAGGIES said:
Astroag said:
I think it's also important to clarify the comp package.,,

Base + bonus + stock?
Just base?
Base + bonus?

Someone making $250k in base is probably closer to $500k in total comp

Based on my industry
250 base
15 car allowance
15 401k match
100 annual bonus at target (up to $250k)
150 RSU/SAR/PSU
$530,000

Who is getting 100% of their salary as a bonus?

TXAGGIES

7:52p, 8/14/24

In reply to Cromagnum

Cromagnum said:
TXAGGIES said:
Astroag said:
I think it's also important to clarify the comp package.,,

Base + bonus + stock?
Just base?
Base + bonus?

Someone making $250k in base is probably closer to $500k in total comp

Based on my industry
250 base
15 car allowance
15 401k match
100 annual bonus at target (up to $250k)
150 RSU/SAR/PSU
$530,000

Who is getting 100% of their salary as a bonus?

More than you think. I am not at the top of my business but my bonus is set at 50% of salary with a max of 112.5% of my salary.
Now we don't max out every year but always over the 50% threshold. I'd say 1 out of every 3 years we get close to maxing out.

well_endowed_ag

9:49a, 8/15/24

In reply to TXAGGIES

TXAGGIES said:
Cromagnum said:
TXAGGIES said:
Astroag said:
I think it's also important to clarify the comp package.,,

Base + bonus + stock?
Just base?
Base + bonus?

Someone making $250k in base is probably closer to $500k in total comp

Based on my industry
250 base
15 car allowance
15 401k match
100 annual bonus at target (up to $250k)
150 RSU/SAR/PSU
$530,000

Who is getting 100% of their salary as a bonus?

More than you think. I am not at the top of my business but my bonus is set at 50% of salary with a max of 112.5% of my salary.
Now we don't max out every year but always over the 50% threshold. I'd say 1 out of every 3 years we get close to maxing out.

It happens, but the number of people getting 100% of their base salary as a bonus (or even 50%+) is comparatively microscopic. That is an extraordinary anomaly in the professional world.

SB IV

9:56a, 8/15/24

I work for a construction company as a Sr PM and have been taken care of very well by my employer, however I have reached a point that based on the size of the company and their upper management structure, there really isn't an opportunity for me to take a next step and I have reached a plateau.

I am at a crossroads in that I really enjoy where I work, but am too ambitious to stay in this role forever. I also have potential opportunities that could play out to do construction consulting as an owner rep for some of my clients I have a great relationship with.

Basically, I am in a similar scenario many have discussed and see my next income advancement is starting my own company through my potential opportunity. Right now I am going through evaluating all risk and expect to take steps forward on this endeavor.

TXAGGIES

10:34a, 8/15/24

In reply to well_endowed_ag

well_endowed_ag said:
TXAGGIES said:
Cromagnum said:
TXAGGIES said:
Astroag said:
I think it's also important to clarify the comp package.,,

Base + bonus + stock?
Just base?
Base + bonus?

Someone making $250k in base is probably closer to $500k in total comp

Based on my industry
250 base
15 car allowance
15 401k match
100 annual bonus at target (up to $250k)
150 RSU/SAR/PSU
$530,000

Who is getting 100% of their salary as a bonus?

More than you think. I am not at the top of my business but my bonus is set at 50% of salary with a max of 112.5% of my salary.
Now we don't max out every year but always over the 50% threshold. I'd say 1 out of every 3 years we get close to maxing out.

It happens, but the number of people getting 100% of their base salary as a bonus (or even 50%+) is comparatively microscopic. That is an extraordinary anomaly in the professional world.

100% its small when you look at the size of an organization, but I would say, in a large public company, anyone within 2 steps of CEO on the org chart are compensated a lot more on performance than salary. Not saying salary isn't great but you are not get 100,000's more as you go up the ladder rather our bonus opportunity goes up by a large multiple.

Astroag

10:56a, 8/15/24

In reply to TXAGGIES

TXAGGIES said:
well_endowed_ag said:
TXAGGIES said:
Cromagnum said:
TXAGGIES said:
Astroag said:
I think it's also important to clarify the comp package.,,

Base + bonus + stock?
Just base?
Base + bonus?

Someone making $250k in base is probably closer to $500k in total comp

Based on my industry
250 base
15 car allowance
15 401k match
100 annual bonus at target (up to $250k)
150 RSU/SAR/PSU
$530,000

Who is getting 100% of their salary as a bonus?

More than you think. I am not at the top of my business but my bonus is set at 50% of salary with a max of 112.5% of my salary.
Now we don't max out every year but always over the 50% threshold. I'd say 1 out of every 3 years we get close to maxing out.

It happens, but the number of people getting 100% of their base salary as a bonus (or even 50%+) is comparatively microscopic. That is an extraordinary anomaly in the professional world.
100% its small when you look at the size of an organization, but I would say, in a large public company, anyone within 2 steps of CEO on the org chart are compensated a lot more on performance than salary. Not saying salary isn't great but you are not get 100,000's more as you go up the ladder rather our bonus opportunity goes up by a large multiple.

And stock incentives

_______________________________________________________

If ya ain't cheatin, you ain't tryin!!!

TXAGGIES

11:35a, 8/15/24

In reply to Astroag

Astroag said:
TXAGGIES said:
well_endowed_ag said:
TXAGGIES said:
Cromagnum said:
TXAGGIES said:
Astroag said:
I think it's also important to clarify the comp package.,,

Base + bonus + stock?
Just base?
Base + bonus?

Someone making $250k in base is probably closer to $500k in total comp

Based on my industry
250 base
15 car allowance
15 401k match
100 annual bonus at target (up to $250k)
150 RSU/SAR/PSU
$530,000

Who is getting 100% of their salary as a bonus?

More than you think. I am not at the top of my business but my bonus is set at 50% of salary with a max of 112.5% of my salary.
Now we don't max out every year but always over the 50% threshold. I'd say 1 out of every 3 years we get close to maxing out.

It happens, but the number of people getting 100% of their base salary as a bonus (or even 50%+) is comparatively microscopic. That is an extraordinary anomaly in the professional world.
100% its small when you look at the size of an organization, but I would say, in a large public company, anyone within 2 steps of CEO on the org chart are compensated a lot more on performance than salary. Not saying salary isn't great but you are not get 100,000's more as you go up the ladder rather our bonus opportunity goes up by a large multiple.

And stock incentives

100%, and then they start putting multiples on stock incentives based on the stock price. Example, they award you 250 shares at a price of $500, which vest in 3 years. Now if the stock price goes to $XXX, the 250 shares becomes 2X-5X at the new price. It starts getting silly after a while and I am no where near the top.

Astroag

11:47a, 8/15/24

In reply to TXAGGIES

TXAGGIES said:
Astroag said:
TXAGGIES said:
well_endowed_ag said:
TXAGGIES said:
Cromagnum said:
TXAGGIES said:
Astroag said:
I think it's also important to clarify the comp package.,,

Base + bonus + stock?
Just base?
Base + bonus?

Someone making $250k in base is probably closer to $500k in total comp

Based on my industry
250 base
15 car allowance
15 401k match
100 annual bonus at target (up to $250k)
150 RSU/SAR/PSU
$530,000

Who is getting 100% of their salary as a bonus?

More than you think. I am not at the top of my business but my bonus is set at 50% of salary with a max of 112.5% of my salary.
Now we don't max out every year but always over the 50% threshold. I'd say 1 out of every 3 years we get close to maxing out.

It happens, but the number of people getting 100% of their base salary as a bonus (or even 50%+) is comparatively microscopic. That is an extraordinary anomaly in the professional world.
100% its small when you look at the size of an organization, but I would say, in a large public company, anyone within 2 steps of CEO on the org chart are compensated a lot more on performance than salary. Not saying salary isn't great but you are not get 100,000's more as you go up the ladder rather our bonus opportunity goes up by a large multiple.

And stock incentives
100%, and then they start putting multiples on stock incentives based on the stock price. Example, they award you 250 shares at a price of $500, which vest in 3 years. Now if the stock price goes to $XXX, the 250 shares becomes 2X-5X at the new price. It starts getting silly after a while and I am no where near the top.

Yup…heavy lies the crown but it comes with some big loot if things go well

_______________________________________________________

If ya ain't cheatin, you ain't tryin!!!

well_endowed_ag

11:56a, 8/15/24

In reply to TXAGGIES

TXAGGIES said:
well_endowed_ag said:
TXAGGIES said:
Cromagnum said:
TXAGGIES said:
Astroag said:
I think it's also important to clarify the comp package.,,

Base + bonus + stock?
Just base?
Base + bonus?

Someone making $250k in base is probably closer to $500k in total comp

Based on my industry
250 base
15 car allowance
15 401k match
100 annual bonus at target (up to $250k)
150 RSU/SAR/PSU
$530,000

Who is getting 100% of their salary as a bonus?

More than you think. I am not at the top of my business but my bonus is set at 50% of salary with a max of 112.5% of my salary.
Now we don't max out every year but always over the 50% threshold. I'd say 1 out of every 3 years we get close to maxing out.

It happens, but the number of people getting 100% of their base salary as a bonus (or even 50%+) is comparatively microscopic. That is an extraordinary anomaly in the professional world.
100% its small when you look at the size of an organization, but I would say, in a large public company, anyone within 2 steps of CEO on the org chart are compensated a lot more on performance than salary. Not saying salary isn't great but you are not get 100,000's more as you go up the ladder rather our bonus opportunity goes up by a large multiple.

Yeah, I don't think anyone here disputes that C-level execs and officers of large public companies get substantial bonuses, often millions of dollars.

So is your advice to the OP to become employed by a large public company within two steps of the CEO? That seems incredibly irrelevant and unhelpful in a thread that was just seeking guidance on how to make $200k.

TXAGGIES

12:13p, 8/15/24

My comment to start was $200k base is different than making $200k. Seemed clarification on what he/she meant by making $200k. Many making $200k base are 2-3 steps below the CEO.

500,000ags

1:40p, 8/15/24

In reply to well_endowed_ag

I don't think it's that crazy. I would say starting at Sr. Manager, non-cash comp (primarily equity) becomes a material % of total comp. By Sr. Director I would anticipate it's getting close to 1:1. VP or higher is largely non-cash comp.

AgLA06

1:41p, 8/15/24

In reply to TXAGGIES

TXAGGIES said:
My comment to start was $200k base is different than making $200k. Seemed clarification on what he/she meant by making $200k. Many making $200k base are 2-3 steps below the CEO.

As with just about everything in life the answer is "that depends". We all understand what you're saying. Many have giving examples to the contrary.

Lavender Gooms

8:00p, 8/15/24

In reply to hedge

hedge said:
What did you do (grad school, career move, job move, new skill, etc...) that pushed you into to that stratosphere of earnings?

Long story short I am not happy with what I make and am willing to do just about anything to move into a career that will put me in that level of income.

Id appreciate any tips or constructive criticism

Finance background

I've written about this before, but I completely left the engineering field after 4.5 years, and made the transition into medicine. The entire switch took a little over 4 years from my last day as an engineer to my first day as a PA. This doesn't include the night classes I took while working full time as an engineer (while renovating a house and with a newborn at home).

I wanted to post at least cliff notes about my switch because 10 years ago I was right where you are and was absolutely willing to do whatever it took to find a better and more fulfilling career for me.

Just accepted a leadership role in my organization that should push my guaranteed pay into that area.

MRB10

6:51a, 8/16/24

In reply to Lavender Gooms

What type of company do you work for?

AndersHolmvik

1:55p, 8/16/24

Software sales

Cyp0111

2:27p, 8/16/24

I work on a sales and trading desk. It's not for everyone but the pay can be outsized as it's pegged off wall street.
$250K base + book cut so it's all over the map.

Lavender Gooms

2:41p, 8/16/24

In reply to MRB10

MRB10 said:
What type of company do you work for?

I work for a large hospital system in an outpatient clinic.

aw08

8:44p, 8/16/24

Get into sales. Period. Start entry level and work like you ever have before. 10-12 hour days 6-7 days a week for 18 months. Master the skill of sales. It will change your life.

Graduated with petroleum engineering masters and worked for chevron making low six figures right out of school in 2013. Got caught in a rif in 2015. Best thing that ever happened to me …

Pivot to real estate in 2016 and made 70-90k for a few years doing fix and flips

Transitioned into high ticket sales (cold calling) and moved half way across the country (Texas to Florida) in 2019 and it's been a game changer.

2019 - 112k
2020 - 180k
2021 - 360k
2022 - 476k
2023 - 543k (promotion to management)
2024 - 750k

I work my @zz off. I'm out the door at 715am and get home around 7pm 5 days a week. I work probably half the weekends of the year as well. Definitely a trade off. Less work life balance now. Financial freedom later. That's the trade.

36, married, 1st kid last year, 2nd kid next year.

I'll be able to retire early and my kids will never have to worry about money.

To reach the higher levels of income it takes 2 things:
1. Hard work
2. Skills
(And a little right place, right time…. But you create your own luck)

TexasAg95

6:37a, 8/17/24

In reply to aw08

What are you selling and who is the ICP you are calling on?