Jason Mustian
As we all continue buzzing around the Great Resignation and combatting ever-increasing inflation, the temptation to find a different, better-paying job is at an all-time high.
And if you ask me, the whole reason it’s considered “rude” to share how much money you make it’s so someone can underpay you without you getting wise, but that’s just my cynical view of work.
In any event, it’s a curious topic, how much a yoga instructor or farmer makes, so Reddit user BigPlunk recently asked :
And we took good, careful stock of the answers.
I mean, if you could find a new career that paid better, wouldn’t you bounce to it? I would! Let’s see which jobs are on the list and what might appeal, eh?
1. Toddler teacher
Toddler lead teacher. Just got a raise from 9.65 (minimum wage) to 10.50 but not because I’m valued, because we’re so severely understaffed and everyone that walks through walks right back out once they learn how low the wage is. Don’t blame them one bit.
2. Carpenter
Carpenter. $117,000
3. Substitute Teacher
Substitute Teacher, $40.57 an hour
4. Scienctist
I do research with brain cells, HIV, cocaine, and fentanyl. $29,500/year aka ~$14/hr. Yes I’m sad that this is what a Master’s degree got me.
5. Electrician
Nuclear plant electrician 50 an hour, 130-150k a year depending on Ot/bonus. Moving into an operations role in the plant soon
6. Steel Mill
I work in a steel mill that heats steel bars to a certain hardness. I get paid 18$ an hour and so far we haven’t had anyone die for a year (that’s a record)
7. Inspect reactors
Inspect nuclear reactors under contract, ~$100k/yr but only work 10 weeks a year
8. Wendy’s
Wendy’s Crew Member, $9 normal hours, $10 when I close. If I become an ambassador I could make $12 an hour but that’s a lot of work. I work the grill usually and they say I’m the best at it not including the managers and one of the ambassadors.
9. Truck driver
CDL truck driver doing rolloff dumpsters for $20/hr
10. Line cook
I’m a line cook / manager for a busy restaurant, and I get paid $19 an hour +tip share + profit share from two recipes of mine on the menu.
deleted
11. Officer
Officer on a container ship work about 6 months out of the year and make about 120k. For the most part my job is looking out a window at some waves.
12. Warehouse
I do whatever needs to be done around the warehouse that doesn’t require a forklift. $19/hour
13. Private Jet
Private jet captain. Varies with overtime, but this year will be around $360k.
14. Custodian
Master of the custodial arts. $17.50/h.
15. Engineer
Electrical substation design engineer. $126,000/year
16. Recycling Plant
I work at a recycling plant, I get $35 an hour to stand at a conveyer belt picking out glass
17. Coder
Medical Coder – make $31/hr, about 65k annually.
18. Dumpster Driver
NYC roll off dumpster driver under a Teamster union contract. $40 an hour in January + medical and pension paid 100% by my employer. There’s guaranteed overtime too, so gross around $130k + the other perks. We also get a 100k severance payout the day we retire. I have a bachelors in business, but fell in love with being outside all day. I also sell scrap metal if I can collect it and I have a thriving eBay business from other things I find in the dumpsters. Made another 20-25k doing that on the side.
19. Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional at an elementary school in a classroom with students who have autism. I get paid $19.70 an hour plus a $70 monthly stipend for helping the kids with toilet duties.
20. Random stuff
I work at a small tech company doing any random thing they want. I make 90k.
21. Remote personal trainer.
“I build a small app for yoga and other personal training and coaching services. I make betweem $140-$160K net per year, after costs of the app and marketing.
throwaway
22. Exotic dancer
“I’m an exotic dancer in a West Virginia town. I average $300-400/ on an eight-hour shift (3 days a week) and make anywhere from $43,500–$55,000/year.”
23. Freelance writer.
“Freelance writer. Made $201,000 in 2021, but it’s usually lower than that. No benefits, obviously.”