you sure, man?? can i land a job right away with that and eat good off of it too? how much hours do you do a week? can i go back to my local community college and get in and out of there?
I work in a high cost high wage area, so you will need to adjust these numbers downwards for your area.
I work in accounting, and I see how much everyone makes because I see payroll records all the time. I am at different companies too. I can tell you starting pay and ending pay for almost all careers
I'll start with my own.
In accounting, you absolutely must start with the big four. If you start next year, you'll start at 55k depending on if you live in a "high cost region" or not. It sounds low because it is. You will get raises based on the firm's economic performance and your own performance rating. I have always been rated a high performer, so I don't know what average person gets. My raises have been from 15-19% annually. 1/10 people perform at my level to be honest, so you probably won't get raises like that. From what I understand average people get 7%-10%. There have been years where the firm didn't give anyone raises because of the economy, and certain years when the firm never gave anyone a higher than average rating because no employee deserved it.
so after a few years you can make around 90-100k in public accounting. Partners make 500k+ depending on their clients, and directors make 400k
Usually people switch to industry after two-to-three busy seasons. When you switch to industry you can usually expect a 20-30% increase in pay plus access to stock options. Options are by far the biggest payoff in an area like mine.
In industry, people make around 80-100k for senior accountant roles. 100-150k for manager roles, and 150-200k for controller positions. CFOs and finance directors make 250-500k for mid-size companies. 1 million plus for big-time firms like google/apple.
About hours:
I have never worked less than 45 hours a week in public accounting. Most often I work 50-60 hours a week. During busy season I can clock in 80-90 hours. The hours don't really bother me.
Even in industry, you can expect to work 50 hour work-weeks. Most people in accounting work secret home shifts as well. I am trying not to do that anymore.
now I can speak on other careers based what I have seen in payroll data at various companies.
Engineers start off very high--- 120k. they don't get significant pay raises throughout their career though. They start to reach a ceiling at around 150-160k. the talented, extroverted guys rise to management and make lots of money. Most engineers don't have masters degrees. But there are certifications and licenses that help your career. Overall, engineering is the best bang for your buck degree. Even guys from the local state school can get paid. They also have very plush work environments ( free food, paid leisure time, etc),and I rarely see them work past 6-7pm.
Scientists get paid well too but..... Don't expect to make much without a phd. I see scientists start off at 70k and eventually get paid 150-200k. However, there are no entry-level scientist positions for people without PhDs. With a Biology degree or "insert science field here" degree. You will be a lab tech and that is about it. Lab techs may have to work graveyard shifts. Lab techs start at 40-50 k and get capped at 70-80k.
so overall this how I see careers in a nutshell.
Accounting/finance. --- Low pay in the beginning, good pay after lots of experience. low education investment (150 semester hours are required for the CPA exam), and classes are very easy. Brutal work hours, and only the strong make it to 150K salaries.
3 stars
Engineering -- low investment in education (only 4 years required) , but the classes are notoriously difficult and made to weed out the mentally weak. Starting pay is great and ending pay is great. Work hours are great, and the work environment is great.
5 stars
Science -- high education cost (PhD required), and the classes can be absolutely brutal depending on the field. Starting pay is so-so, ending pay is great. Plus, being a scientists is probably the most prestigious and respected career.
4.5 stars.
Other careers-- Investment banking and doctors. These are very lucrative careers but access is not granted to everyone like the above fields. most people reach for the stars and fall into the careers above.
Other degrees are basically irrelevant these days, but don't discount HR and sales. Those HR chicks make a lot of money. Quite honestly, being good looking seems to help a lot for HR positions.
Sales is by far the most lucrative field that anyone get into. However, by the time you are 18, you should know if you have the "gifts" for sales or not.
