What do you do for work and how much do you make?

19,688 Views | 132 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by EliteZags
Octo Pie
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3:23p, 2/21/23
Saw this on another social media site and thought it might be fun to do here. For all the grief older generations give millennials and Gen Z, their openness about compensation is something I respect, since I never really understood why people are so cagey or ashamed about discussing pay. Be honest, we're (mostly) all anonymous here!

On my end, I'm a data analytics program manager for a big tech company. 11 years experience total, most of it in O&G. Base salary is 150k, with 15% bonus target and RSUs currently valued at ~30k per year. Total comp just north of $200k.

ETA: the intent of this thread is not to showboat or brag about how much money we all make, so much as it is to help people benchmark what certain skills, career paths, and years of experience are worth in today's marketplace. Given most of us are alums of the same school and are likely employed in similar industries, it might provide some helpful insights for people considering career changes, new to the professional world, looking for new jobs or promotions, etc.
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northeastag
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3:33p, 2/21/23
AG
Retired.

Zero!

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BenTheGoodAg
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3:35p, 2/21/23
AG
I know the intent is not to showboat, but I just can't bring myself to post something like this - and I'm sure many others will feel the same.

An anonymous survey with results posted is something I would be interested in, though.
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Octo Pie
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In reply to BenTheGoodAg • 3:46p, 2/21/23
Understandable, I can respect that. If you don't mind me asking, what is it about this topic that makes it feel strange or taboo to share?
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Ag CPA
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4:09p, 2/21/23
AG
This is TexAgs we're all millionaires.
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cjo03
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4:10p, 2/21/23
AG
many folks on B&I forum aren't anonymous.

you could try and reignite this thread... https://texags.com/forums/18/topics/2335407

or there was another thread here on the B&I board a few years back where someone went full-on anonymous census type survey and came back to the class with analysis, visuals, insights, etc.
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Diggity
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4:14p, 2/21/23
AG
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Brian Earl Spilner
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4:26p, 2/21/23
AG
IT, 10 years experience, $106k with great benefits.

Had felt ok about my salary for a while, mainly cause it had been crap for the first 5 years of my career, and I live in a relatively LCOL area, but with how inflation has been I'm hoping for a nice little bump this year above the usual 3%.
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BenTheGoodAg
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In reply to Octo Pie • 4:39p, 2/21/23
AG
This place is only semi-anonymous. Someone put it best a few weeks ago - "Comparison is the thief of joy".

The intent may be good, but there will still be hurt feelings. And comp package doesn't tell you everything. Some people give up a lot of intangibles for their salary.
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htxag09
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4:49p, 2/21/23
AG
Interesting topic in general. My wife works for a major tech company and they encourage their employees to be on the FishBowl app to discuss things like this.

I would assume it's based on the size of their company and some of the wage gap debates/issues that's driving the willingness of the company to be open about it. But also don't think it's a bad thing....
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deadbq03
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In reply to Octo Pie • 5:02p, 2/21/23
AG
texaglurkerguy said:
Understandable, I can respect that. If you don't mind me asking, what is it about this topic that makes it feel strange or taboo to share?
The reason why it's taboo in a workplace is because it destroys job satisfaction. If you have the same job as Bob and Bob accidentally mentions that he makes 15% more than you do, you could have been very satisfied with your job before that interaction, but now I guarantee you aren't. And come to think of it, ever since Bob mentioned it, you realize you don't actually do the same work, because Bob is clearly a slacker and you work much harder. It leads to resentment and dissatisfaction.

I have no problem revealing my salary to family. Nor discussing other finances. I'm pretty much wide-open there. And I usually don't have a problem discussing it with close friends either… but there are a few I absolutely wouldn't because I know that their place in life is such that knowing what I make would make them sad about themselves and their situation and hurt the friendship.

While it might seem like it doesn't matter on an anonymous message board, the same principle applies. Chances are high that it's going to make someone who's probably already down on life even more dissatisfied with themselves and their situation. You might think that's not our problem, but I think we ought to be a bit more considerate.
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YouBet
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6:11p, 2/21/23
AG
I make whoever posts the highest compensation package plus 10%.
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Octo Pie
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In reply to deadbq03 • 6:32p, 2/21/23
deadbq03 said:
texaglurkerguy said:
Understandable, I can respect that. If you don't mind me asking, what is it about this topic that makes it feel strange or taboo to share?
The reason why it's taboo in a workplace is because it destroys job satisfaction. If you have the same job as Bob and Bob accidentally mentions that he makes 15% more than you do, you could have been very satisfied with your job before that interaction, but now I guarantee you aren't. And come to think of it, ever since Bob mentioned it, you realize you don't actually do the same work, because Bob is clearly a slacker and you work much harder. It leads to resentment and dissatisfaction.
This is mentality I once had toward this subject, and that I imagine many people do. Ultimately, I decided I'd rather know if I was being undercompensated and do something about it than remain unaware for the sake of job satisfaction. The thing that helped me overcome it most was channeling that negative feeling toward positive action.

In this case, it wasn't Bob's fault he made 15% more than me for the same work. It was mine for not advocating for myself in promotion discussions, taking more initiative to evaluate outside opportunities, etc. This led me away from a great job in a great industry to an even better one, IMO. At the end of the day, it's just business.

But I recognize I come from a place of privilege on this topic, I know this can be deeply personal and sensitive for many.
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Old McDonald
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In reply to Octo Pie • 6:40p, 2/21/23
texaglurkerguy said:
Understandable, I can respect that. If you don't mind me asking, what is it about this topic that makes it feel strange or taboo to share?
there's a pretty big generational disparity, i'd imagine most people who frequent this forum are older millennials and gen x types. for my parents (boomers) and their friends, sharing your salary is completely verboten for reasons others have already explained. meanwhile gen z seems to be all about salary transparency, or at least more than us older folk.

i'm a software engineer also in big tech, but for privacy reasons won't say more than that. i'm also pretty open about this stuff with people who ask.
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cjo03
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In reply to Octo Pie • 8:17p, 2/21/23
AG
texaglurkerguy said:
deadbq03 said:
texaglurkerguy said:
Understandable, I can respect that. If you don't mind me asking, what is it about this topic that makes it feel strange or taboo to share?
The reason why it's taboo in a workplace is because it destroys job satisfaction. If you have the same job as Bob and Bob accidentally mentions that he makes 15% more than you do, you could have been very satisfied with your job before that interaction, but now I guarantee you aren't. And come to think of it, ever since Bob mentioned it, you realize you don't actually do the same work, because Bob is clearly a slacker and you work much harder. It leads to resentment and dissatisfaction.
This is mentality I once had toward this subject, and that I imagine many people do. Ultimately, I decided I'd rather know if I was being undercompensated and do something about it than remain unaware for the sake of job satisfaction. The thing that helped me overcome it most was channeling that negative feeling toward positive action.

In this case, it wasn't Bob's fault he made 15% more than me for the same work. It was mine for not advocating for myself in promotion discussions, taking more initiative to evaluate outside opportunities, etc. This led me away from a great job in a great industry to an even better one, IMO. At the end of the day, it's just business.

But I recognize I come from a place of privilege on this topic, I know this can be deeply personal and sensitive for many.


post your LinkedIn profile and we can take a more objective look at your experience and give a slightly more informed opinion of your market value
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JohnLA762
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In reply to YouBet • 8:17p, 2/21/23
AG
YouBet said:
I make whoever posts the highest compensation package plus 10%.


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TwoMarksHand
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8:24p, 2/21/23
AG
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$30,000 Millionaire
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8:27p, 2/21/23
AG
I wouldn't ask questions that you don't really want to know the answer to.
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Keeper of The Spirits
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8:45p, 2/21/23
AG
The reason it's taboo in the workplace is because your employer wants to keep your salary as low as possible. When you find out Bob makes 1.15x it's easier to say pay me like Bob or just start doing .85x the work of Bob.

It also destroys the myth of the meritocracy when you see the bosses favorite pets making more than top contributors

Always and without hesitation discuss salary with your coworkers
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AggieMainland
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8:53p, 2/21/23
I think this tread would have more potential if it wasn't started by someone in O&G making $200k.
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Brian Earl Spilner
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In reply to AggieMainland • 8:57p, 2/21/23
AG
Yeah, a pretty transparent humblebrag, but I actually don't disagree with people being more open about discussing salary.
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MS08
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9:11p, 2/21/23
AG
Pass. Not enough to hang up the hustle and retire. Getting closer with each deal.
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TXTransplant
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9:27p, 2/21/23
My professional organization (AICHE) publishes a salary survey every two years. It's been invaluable to me in my career, and I've used the numbers to negotiate (successfully) several times over the course of my career. Last time it came out, I was right on target for my peer group.

I make it a point to complete the survey, and I look forward to reading it. It's the main reason I've kept my membership all these years.

It breaks the numbers down by highest degree obtained, years since graduation, geographic location, industry, and quite a few other factors. I would say the first three in that list are most important, though.

It's always surprises me how many of my ChE peers don't even know about this survey.
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Sock for BI board
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10:07p, 2/21/23
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ktownag08
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10:09p, 2/21/23
AG
I've learned over the years that OP's 200k/yr humble brag is really just entry level on this board.

Be better...jeez!
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YouBet
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10:17p, 2/21/23
AG
$200k is my per diem for food.

Getting a little tiresome carrying the water for this board.
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cjo03
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10:32p, 2/21/23
AG
sad that I missed it.
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ATM9000
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In reply to Octo Pie • 11:32p, 2/21/23
AG
texaglurkerguy said:
For all the grief older generations give millennials and Gen Z, their openness about compensation is something I respect,
This changes in every generation as they age. I think you'd really struggle to even find a lot of older millennials who let this sort of information about themselves fly openly… in fact, I'd venture to say the majority of the responders to this thread aren't older generations and is proof that this statement really isn't very accurate.
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Philip J Fry
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11:50p, 2/21/23
AG
Mechanical Engineer in aerospace. Around 200K
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Frok
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In reply to Keeper of The Spirits • 7:57a, 2/22/23
AG
Keeper of The Spirits said:
The reason it's taboo in the workplace is because your employer wants to keep your salary as low as possible. When you find out Bob makes 1.15x it's easier to say pay me like Bob or just start doing .85x the work of Bob.

It also destroys the myth of the meritocracy when you see the bosses favorite pets making more than top contributors

Always and without hesitation discuss salary with your coworkers


I'd rather not live my life pissed off that I don't make as much as the person next to me. Ignorance is bliss and I just want to do my job. I already know life isn't fair.
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Saltwater Assassin
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8:22a, 2/22/23
AG
Self employed (I own a construction company). We build custom homes.

I am the lowest paid person on the payroll; and I'm perfectly happy with that.
Do right and bear the consequences. -Sam Houston
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Definitely Not A Cop
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In reply to Keeper of The Spirits • 8:27a, 2/22/23
AG
Keeper of The Spirits said:
The reason it's taboo in the workplace is because your employer wants to keep your salary as low as possible. When you find out Bob makes 1.15x it's easier to say pay me like Bob or just start doing .85x the work of Bob.

It also destroys the myth of the meritocracy when you see the bosses favorite pets making more than top contributors

Always and without hesitation discuss salary with your coworkers


Your boss doesn't want to keep your salary as low as possible. He wants to keep everyone's salary low as possible. But he's having to have that conversation with every single person in the company, while you are having it with one. So the odds are always on your side to negotiate higher.

Bosses usually don't pay people more because they like them better. They pay them more because they can negotiate better. Whether you consider that to be part of a meritocracy (I would argue your ability to negotiate better than others DOES make you a more valuable employee), is up to you.
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Charismatic Megafauna
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In reply to AggieMainland • 8:59a, 2/22/23
AG
AggieMainland said:
I think this tread would have more potential if it wasn't started by someone in O&G making $200k.

Posted under a sock
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anonyag
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9:05a, 2/22/23
Senior IT executive - around 750-800K TC per year. This year might hit 7 figures from sign-on bonuses etc.

The last few years have been very kind to our family and we hope the blessings continue. Give away quite a bit of it anonymously and very conscious of the "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality. Only debt is our house due to low mortgage rate. Trying to be good stewards.

There are always only two people who know my compensation - my boss and my wife. I don't talk about it with anyone, hence the sock post. Think it's a cultural thing, but I do believe people look at you differently.


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Premium
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In reply to Saltwater Assassin • 9:09a, 2/22/23
AG
Saltwater Assassin said:
Self employed (I own a construction company). We build custom homes.

I am the lowest paid person on the payroll; and I'm perfectly happy with that.
Nice tax strategy
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