US Incomes According to the US Census

[leonie]

Personally, I think that God keeps some of us at a lower income because of couple possible reasons: we’d likely get distracted at a higher income and vocations tend to come from families of limited means.

Anyway my dh had a two year degree in an unrelated field to his employment (skilled trade). He works with several college graduates. They all make the same wage.

Considering how dangerous college is for the soul, I’m not sure I’ll encourage my kids to go. I certainly won’t push them if they aren’t interested.

BTW, St.Therese’s mother Zelie Martin prayed about how she could help her sister make the dowry for her vocation. She was given a locution to pursue lace making. She was so successful at it that eventually, her husband closed his watch shop and joined her business.

God is so good. We have to remember to pray.

 

[Karin]

As a high school graduate and college drop out I make more than national average for college graduates

 

[SeekerJen]

I just learned today that the average American with a high school diploma makes $28,645/year and the average American with a four year degree makes around $51,554/year.

Where do I sit with a four year degree which I attained in three years, triple major, Cum Laude?

$25,700/year.

At least I make more than the average high school dropout!

Any guesses as to what profession I have chosen?
I’ll give you a hint: It starts with “You” and ends with “inistry”
I love my job though, even if I’m too poor to live on my own.

Where does your income sit relative to the census averages? (You don’t have to be specific if you don’t want!)

Me: Bachelor of science in biochemistry, magna cum laude.

First job out of college, research assistant in a tumor immunology lab at a very well known cancer institute. Salary: $22,000/year (although the benefits were first-rate). Got up to $25,000 by the time our grant ran out 3.5 years later. Yours isn’t the only field that doesn’t financially award the newbies. I have no idea why people think scientists are wealthy.

Second job out of college: senior research assistant in a molecular epidemiology lab at a major health system, studying allergy/asthma immunology in local populations. Salary: $35,000/year (decent benefits). Got up to $36,000 by the time I left 18 months later to go back to school.

So now I’m working on a Ph.D. in immunology. And when I’m done, guess how much I can expect to make for the first few years post-doctoral? $35-40,000/year. (sigh) If I didn’t really, really love what I do I would be kicking myself for not going into engineering or finance. Sure, those would both kill my spirit as I have absolutely no interest in either, but I’d be rolling in cash.

Sometimes it’s a trade-off, you can either do what you love or make lots of money. I’m lucky in that I get to do really cool work that I love AND make enough money to live pretty well when combined with hubby’s salary.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

I have a BA and a bunch of computer training certificates. I could make a ton of money. I choose to work in a Catholic school for a lot, lot less. Every time a teacher figures out a way to apply something computized to a class, every time a kid with an LD is helped to be “normal” with something computerized, every time kids smile in recognition of “getting it”- I am paid. I do not have to participate in the rat race of enterprise technology, my boss backs me up, and I get paid to go to Mass. How cool is that?

I know sometimes you’d probably like to chuck the whole thing. Maybe it’s time for you to move on to something else. Consider that maybe the job you once had is no longer the job you have now, even though you are being paid within the same vein. It’s no crime to say, “Gee, this is no longer a good fit for me. I will be going in x number or weeks.” You should not feel guilty, esp. if God is calling you elsewhere. There are Catholics urgently needed in the public sector, and it is a mission.

Before you do that, inventory your skills and see what you can do. You might go over skill inventories for certain jobs that interest you on the Internet, see how close you are to qualfiying for those. You might surprise yourself.

But remember: Those averages by the government and think tanks are averages, medians. To calculate the averages, there needs to be people of all pay scales, some more, some less. And just how many people were used to calculate the average? Where did they get the people, what part of the country or all over? If just one part of the country, how much do people make in that part? Too few people, one part of the country- the average is skewed. No information on how the average was obtained? Could be inaccuracte, or even made up to suit a news writer (hardly a journalist). It pays to find out.

 

[ReginaNova]

The incredibly ironic thing is that I have a big corner office with a window!!!

I graduated from an ELCA Lutheran college where I majored in Youth Minstry, Religion, and German. I was the co-founder of Catholic ministry there and also organized a statewide college Catholic gathering.

My official title is “Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries” and not to sound too self serving but it wasn’t until I started working as a Youth Minister that I really gained a huge respect for those in this line of work, especially those who have been doing it faithfully for many years!

So you are a Catholic Youth Minister at a Catholic parish, right? Then God bless you and my family thanks you. Unfortunately, not enough other Catholic parents probably appreciate you or support you. But some of us do. Ministering to our Catholic youth is right up there with Religious Education instructors–absolutely critical and second only to the priests. So my thanks and prayers to you and to all Catholic youth ministers. I hope that you will be able to parlay this experience to jobs with better pay in the future.

 

[TobyLue]

Are some Pro-athletes who do not have a degree, going pro right out of High School, can’t read better than an 8th grader and are getting $12 million a year included in the “average”?

 

[CollegeCatholic]

Besides you should look on the bright side-when you dont make much people are far less likely to try and steal your identity!

For how much I lose my wallet, that’s a good thing! Of course, it seems that any time I put over $100 in my wallet, it’s pretty much guaranteed to get lost.

Considering how dangerous college is for the soul, I’m not sure I’ll encourage my kids to go. I certainly won’t push them if they aren’t interested.

At the same time, if they are equipped enough, it’s an opportunity for unprecedented growth. If anything, I think it’s not so much a matter of whether they should go to college or not, but which college they should go to. Does it have a strong Newman Center? Does it have FOCUS? (Notice that I didn’t ask whether it is Catholic or not? ) Honestly, I would much rather send my kids to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln (with an AMAZING Newman Center and FOCUS) than certain Jesuit Schools, for example)

So you are a Catholic Youth Minister at a Catholic parish, right? Then God bless you and my family thanks you. Unfortunately, not enough other Catholic parents probably appreciate you or support you. But some of us do. Ministering to our Catholic youth is right up there with Religious Education instructors–absolutely critical and second only to the priests. So my thanks and prayers to you and to all Catholic youth ministers. I hope that you will be able to parlay this experience to jobs with better pay in the future.

Yes indeed! Thank you! Honestly, I’m not really that worried about the money right now. I just see it becoming a real issue over the next year as I feel like God might be nudging me to ask my grilfriend to marry me. Then as a faithful Catholic couple, babies are an immediate concern.

Are some Pro-athletes who do not have a degree, going pro right out of High School, can’t read better than an 8th grader and are getting $12 million a year included in the “average”?

Good question.

 

[tequilamac]

I just learned today that the average American with a high school diploma makes $28,645/year and the average American with a four year degree makes around $51,554/year.

Where do I sit with a four year degree which I attained in three years, triple major, Cum Laude?

$25,700/year.

At least I make more than the average high school dropout!

Any guesses as to what profession I have chosen?
I’ll give you a hint: It starts with “You” and ends with “inistry”
I love my job though, even if I’m too poor to live on my own.

Where does your income sit relative to the census averages? (You don’t have to be specific if you don’t want!)

This is a good point. I have one kid who majored in public relations. He creates commercials for banks. He makes over 102,000.00 a year. His brother, one year younger, teaches high school chem. He makes 25,000.00 and he has a master’s degree. I don’t follow the government ratings. They simply are not particularly accurate.

 

[CollegeCatholic]

This is a good point. I have one kid who majored in public relations. He creates commercials for banks. He makes over 102,000.00 a year. His brother, one year younger, teaches high school chem. He makes 25,000.00 and he has a master’s degree. I don’t follow the government ratings. They simply are not particularly accurate.

That’s weird that the younger one makes so little with a Master’s. Normally teaching ramps up the pay based on education and experience so I’m kinda’ confused as to how he could be getting payed the same as if he were fresh out of College (which is still mighty low for how much education and work is involved.)

 

[tequilamac]

That’s weird that the younger one makes so little with a Master’s. Normally teaching ramps up the pay based on education and experience so I’m kinda’ confused as to how he could be getting payed the same as if he were fresh out of College (which is still mighty low for how much education and work is involved.)

How is it wierd? Have you checked the starting pay for new teachers in your area? Barely above poverty line.
He just began. Starting salary for teachers when he took the job was 25,700.00 and he was freshe out of college. Several years from now when his points for higher ed are added he might make it to 42,000.00. But doubtful. But he will never make 102,000.00 teaching high school chem. LMAO.
The other one went from college to an ad agency in SF. a year later he joined the corporate world at Wells Fargo. Presto-102,000.00 a year. And only a BA.

 

[THutch04]

In my family of 5, my parents work multiple jobs (dad works 2, mom works 4) and make a little over 50,000 a year combined. That’s not a lot for our area. I’m hoping that within the next few years I’ll be a lawyer, and the fact that I could make a nice amount of money right out of school doesn’t bother me at all. I don’t need to be rich (honestly, once the loans got paid off I wouldn’t even know what to do with most of it) but I would like to be comfortable, and not have to take multiple jobs just to make sure the bills get paid. I’m grateful to my parents though. They’ve sacrificed so much to help our family, and this is actually the most money we’ve ever had.

That’s also very awesome that you were able to major in German (I can’t major in it, but it’s going to be my minor)!

 

[T1Catholic]

The other one went from college to an ad agency in SF. a year later he joined the corporate world at Wells Fargo. Presto-102,000.00 a year. And only a BA.

Certain positions in ad agencies and marketing pays very, very well and you just need a BA and sometimes even just a college diploma (in Canada - I guess in the US it would be a junior college diploma). I’m in this field and I earn more than many doctors. It makes no sense but it’s the way the industry is. I didn’t choose to go into the field for the money, more so for the creativity and fun aspect of it. I have family members who have their Masters and and are appalled at what I get paid compared to them. They act like they are so much better than me because they have more education. But if you enjoy what you do, then it money shouldn’t be the driving force.

 

[CollegeCatholic]

How is it wierd? Have you checked the starting pay for new teachers in your area? Barely above poverty line.
He just began. Starting salary for teachers when he took the job was 25,700.00 and he was freshe out of college. Several years from now when his points for higher ed are added he might make it to 42,000.00. But doubtful. But he will never make 102,000.00 teaching high school chem. LMAO.
The other one went from college to an ad agency in SF. a year later he joined the corporate world at Wells Fargo. Presto-102,000.00 a year. And only a BA.

That’s exactly my point. Why is he getting payed base when he has a Master’s?? The most I’ve ever heard of a high school teacher making was 70 odd thousand. He had multiple degrees and a whole lot of years of teaching under his belt.

Certain positions in ad agencies and marketing pays very, very well and you just need a BA and sometimes even just a college diploma (in Canada - I guess in the US it would be a junior college diploma). I’m in this field and I earn more than many doctors. It makes no sense but it’s the way the industry is. I didn’t choose to go into the field for the money, more so for the creativity and fun aspect of it. I have family members who have their Masters and and are appalled at what I get paid compared to them. They act like they are so much better than me because they have more education. But if you enjoy what you do, then it money shouldn’t be the driving force.

[rant]This is not an attack on you as an individual advertiser but I really wonder sometimes why advertisers get payed so much. Honestly, the amount of times that I actually see advertisments that help me not only remember the product but also leave a good, lasting impression in my head is extremely rare. Couple that with the fact that marketing can be, as a whole, so incredibly shallow that I really question whether it takes any education whatsoever. Does it really require a technical degree to figure out that if you put a product in the foreground of a pair of breasts that it will attract attention? Also, I amazed at how big the budgets are for a lot of advertising with really cool, well directed commercials, only for me to go “Wait, what were they selling again???”[/rant]

 

[T1Catholic]

[rant]This is not an attack on you as an individual advertiser but I really wonder sometimes why advertisers get payed so much. Honestly, the amount of times that I actually see advertisments that help me not only remember the product but also leave a good, lasting impression in my head is extremely rare. Couple that with the fact that marketing can be, as a whole, so incredibly shallow that I really question whether it takes any education whatsoever. Does it really require a technical degree to figure out that if you put a product in the foreground of a pair of breasts that it will attract attention? Also, I amazed at how big the budgets are for a lot of advertising with really cool, well directed commercials, only for me to go “Wait, what were they selling again???”[/rant]

No arguement from me on many of your points. The big budgets are ridiculous but it’s about pushing a product to increase sales to make share-holders happy. Vicious circle really. I got out of the agency world and I am now in in a sub-related field so I’m not as enveloped in the “aren’t we just the best and the brightest in the world because we can come up with a beer commercial idea”. And you’re right, it’s not so much about education because you need to be quick on your feet, keep coming up with new ideas and be able to talk a good talk. But why as a society do we allow people in advertising/marketing or let’s say investment banking for example to make $250,000+/year plus bonuses while a paramedic has to make do with $30,000? I’ve argued this with my co-workers when they whine about their jobs and they usually defend themselves by saying that business is what makes jobs for people and keeps the economy going so it’s not really not a trivial industry.

 

[CollegeCatholic]

No arguement from me on many of your points. The big budgets are ridiculous but it’s about pushing a product to increase sales to make share-holders happy. Vicious circle really. I got out of the agency world and I am now in in a sub-related field so I’m not as enveloped in the “aren’t we just the best and the brightest in the world because we can come up with a beer commercial idea”. And you’re right, it’s not so much about education because you need to be quick on your feet, keep coming up with new ideas and be able to talk a good talk. But why as a society do we allow people in advertising/marketing or let’s say investment banking for example to make $250,000+/year plus bonuses while a paramedic has to make do with $30,000? I’ve argued this with my co-workers when they whine about their jobs and they usually defend themselves by saying that business is what makes jobs for people and keeps the economy going so it’s not really not a trivial industry.

Well, it’s all relative. I wouldn’t label advertising as “trivial” but at the same time, I think that jobs should be more monetarily valued based on their positive effect on society. As such, advertising, for example, would probably take a cut while teachers, for example, would get a raise. Regardless, I hope that God may be glorified in whatever we do! And for those of us with naughty jobs, glorify God by moving on to something else.

 

[movingmom]

I agree with one of the posters who said something like the pay is lower for the important jobs so you can stay focused. I know money blinds a lot of people, so keeping it humble keeps you in touch. My husband makes good money and he is really unfocused on family and very stressed out. He works 80 hours per week, travels and misses many family events. Hardly worth it IMO. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side! God bless you Collegcatholic!

 

[rayne89]

Wow for a couple non-college grads we’re not doing too bad. We’ve had rough spots financially but right now things are pretty good definately quite a bit above average for the high school educated Americans. Hubby has a physically demanding job but not one that takes away from our family time together.

The more I see on this forum on how indebt young people become from student loans compared to their salary the less I’m impressed with the idea that is pushed that everyone should go to college. Obviously we need college educated people. But I see a lot of young couples that have to put off marriage and/or children because of being financially strapped due to loans and the payoff as far as salary doesn’t seem to be there unless your a doctor or lawyer or something similar.

 

[tequilamac]

Well, it’s all relative. I wouldn’t label advertising as “trivial” but at the same time, I think that jobs should be more monetarily valued based on their positive effect on society. As such, advertising, for example, would probably take a cut while teachers, for example, would get a raise. Regardless, I hope that God may be glorified in whatever we do! And for those of us with naughty jobs, glorify God by moving on to something else.

Well, this works for doctors. They have such important jobs, no one can afford to see one. On the other hand, the medical field sports many support fields so hospitals, drug corps etc.
But I took my dog to the vet the other day for a fox tail in the foot- cost me a months pay, I tell you. I will have to work a month to cover my dog’s one time treatment.
Last year, my youngest son was fielding ball in little league and ran backwards into the porta potty. Thought he broke his arm. Off to emergency we go as the doctor etc is not in. They took one x-ray- gave him ONE tylenol and told us to rest his sprained wrist.
We are still disputing the bill. After blue cross paid it’s portion we still owe 2,700.00. I know the tylenol and xray materials didn’t cost that much so it has to be nurses salaries and doctors fees. I told the kid that in the future if he thought he broke his wrist- put it on ice til Monday.

 

[hasikelee]

I know the tylenol and xray materials didn’t cost that much so it has to be nurses salaries and doctors fees. I told the kid that in the future if he thought he broke his wrist- put it on ice til Monday.

Can’t be the nurses salaries, lol! They make min. wage out here in the midwest.

I was looking into nursing until I realized I would have to go to 1-3 years of school at about 8K a year, to take almost a 30% paycut from the job I have!

 

[spacecadet]

I just learned today that the average American with a high school diploma makes $28,645/year and the average American with a four year degree makes around $51,554/year.

Where do I sit with a four year degree which I attained in three years, triple major, Cum Laude?

$25,700/year.

At least I make more than the average high school dropout!

Any guesses as to what profession I have chosen?
I’ll give you a hint: It starts with “You” and ends with “inistry”
I love my job though, even if I’m too poor to live on my own.

Where does your income sit relative to the census averages? (You don’t have to be specific if you don’t want!)

my 1sr yr out i made 17,500 as a Catholic school teacher, i always used to say that God wasn’t giving me much money so I wouldn’t have to worry about not wasting it.