Finally making $100K and I'm not happy about it

First World Problems wrote:

Yeah, not the worst problem in the world but I wanted to vent.

My current base salary is $98K.

We were just merged with a new company and my workload increased because of it.

Just found out that I am only getting a 2.1% pay increase.

That will be the worst annual pay increase I have ever had, and my work is increasing.

So, this larger company income and the lower corporate taxes did not trickle down to me at all.

Flame away!

$100,000 a year isn't really all that much depending on your circumstance and where you live.

Live in Iowa with no children, pretty damn good. Live in SF or DC or NYC, not so much.

Live in Ohio like I do with two kids in college, then even a bit more than $100,000 per year isn't really all that much. Still have to be frugal and focused with your money.

No slamming of you here, just making the point that $100,000 a year doesn't just open it up for financial independence.

First World Problems wrote:

Yeah, not the worst problem in the world but I wanted to vent.

My current base salary is $98K.

We were just merged with a new company and my workload increased because of it.

Just found out that I am only getting a 2.1% pay increase.

That will be the worst annual pay increase I have ever had, and my work is increasing.

So, this larger company income and the lower corporate taxes did not trickle down to me at all.

Flame away!

What is your wife / girlfriends 5K PR?

doctorj wrote:

That really sucks. My neighbor is a flight dispatcher for a major airline, Union work, he topped out at around 130k a year, after 19 years of service, and that does not include overtime and premiums. Not bad for a high school diploma only requirement.

Only a high school diploma and 130 smackers a year? Wow! There are so many college grads who will never earn half that amount (like school teachers!). 130 smackers and only HS - who needs college!

Can't Believe What I'm Hearing wrote:

doctorj wrote:

That really sucks. My neighbor is a flight dispatcher for a major airline, Union work, he topped out at around 130k a year, after 19 years of service, and that does not include overtime and premiums. Not bad for a high school diploma only requirement.

Only a high school diploma and 130 smackers a year? Wow! There are so many college grads who will never earn half that amount (like school teachers!). 130 smackers and only HS - who needs college!

I got a 3 percent raise this year to 123,600 and that is with a high school education. I've been programming since I was a teen in the 1980s. It turns out that programming is one of those things that you can be self taught and really good at it. You may not always get an interview, but if you do, then you'll likely do very well. I've interviewed hundreds of programmers as part of my job and the best employees are ALWAYS ones that were self taught (though they may have went to college as well).

My max in this pay grade is 136k. I doubt I make more than that in my life because I don't want to go to the next level in this company (you become a meeting person instead of a "doing" person). I live in Columbus (like Flagpole) and for me, it is plenty of money. My wife also makes close to 90k and our kids are all grown and out of the house. Two cruises per year, one European trip, one trip out west and multiple hiking trips every year. Works for me.

Similar salary but a little more with 401k matching. Living in I believe the cheapest state in terms of real estate. So can't complain.

You must be a real, big, man! You make a big money for no college!

You shouldn't be happy about it. You are making an absurd amount of money while most of the world starves. I have a master's degree from an Ivy League school, and have never made more than $35K/yr. The fact that you are making by yourself twice the median family income should make you feel like a tool.

I know a great thread about how to live on >$17,000

The USD lost 11% of its value over the last 12 months. Are you sure you received a raise?

You should work in state government. 100k is basically a dream unless you are a political appointee. When people leave or retire, you often get their duties without a raise. Your extra contributions are not rewarded and the best way to move up is to be a brown noser. And raises that you do get barely keep up with the cost of living.

And after writing that, I think it's time that I reconsider my career.

Your employer doesn't think you could make more than that elsewhere, or that you don't have the initiative to go look for it. Look in the mirror and watch yourself complain about this.

jpo070 wrote:

I know a great thread about how to live on >$17,000

That's nothing. I know a thread about living on less than $17,000.

Your situation is quite different from the OP's and from mine. You and your wife together make ~$213,000 between you with no kids at home anymore. Excellent for you, but way different than what my situation is for now...~$125,000 total family income with two kids in college (not a ton to pay for either one, but it is something...besides we still pay for all of their expenses).

Anyway, good show, brother! That is pretty serious coin here in the Buckeye State.

vivalarepublica wrote:

You should work in state government. 100k is basically a dream unless you are a political appointee. When people leave or retire, you often get their duties without a raise. Your extra contributions are not rewarded and the best way to move up is to be a brown noser. And raises that you do get barely keep up with the cost of living.

And after writing that, I think it's time that I reconsider my career.

Going to get a pension though, eh?

Chump change. Boris Berian and Clayton Murphey make over double that in shoe sponsorship alone.

Heck, even lesser athletes lime Lolo Jones at her peak popularity probably made more.

I've seen electriticians with 2 year diplomas from trade schools pull double that.

How much money you make big man? $1 mil? Why you so rich?

I am in the same boat as you. 30 years old and will make around $105k this year. I live in a state with no state tax, however that money doesn't go as far as I thought it would. With an increase in pay came an increase in my expenses and cost of living. When all is said and done, I'm only putting away around $900 a month. I made the mistake of buying a new car and renting a place that is $1700 a month. I'm a bit 'house poor'. But hey man, can't take this sh*t with you when you die...and chances are, I'll be a bachelor most of my life. I really can't complain...

Typical letsrunner wrote:

Seems unfair...not that the corporate world is fair. Any way to negotiate for more?

Also $100K is chump change. Get back to us when you’re making 200K minimum

Seriously. At least he ran under 15 in the 5k, so he is in the upper half of LRC posters in that regard.

OP, that's not so bad. The last time I worked for a company that merged, I was laid off.