College degrees and Wages

[JuneChickie]

Do you or anyone you know that has a gone to college and finished
with a degree make 50 thousand or less ? **********

While going to college ,,,, we all acknowledge does give us a better
chance at the better paying jobs ,,, it does not guarantee that.

I know several people in "store" management that only make 30 to 45 thousand a year. All have college degrees in "business" mgnt. and yes
I'm sure there are others who make way more. But the point is
there are people with degrees who make less than 50 thou. a year.

I also know Hallmark store owner who just makes right at 45 thousand
a year. He too has a college degree.

I know several Airline flight attendants that have college
degrees and only make 35 thous. a year. some even less than
that.



I thought I would ask this question of others because some one
made the comment that they did not know of any professions where
the person had a degree and made "so little" as they put it .

*************************************

Rephrasing the question "" Anyone gone to college ,,, got the degree ,,
and now with 10 plus years out in the working world making less than
50 thousand a year ????????????????

 

[NookOfTheNorth]

Love my job, but after a Master's degree, 2 extra duties and 10 yrs. of experience, let's just say, I make a great deal less than that Hallmark manager.

Where I live, starting teachers begin at 25,000; that can be a hard pill to swallow if one has spent a great deal on a college education.

 

[lizziepooh]

I can think of lots! Teachers, many government workers including Social workers, Disability Examiners, Childrens protective services workers all come to mind.

 

[CheapMom]

I can think of lots! Teachers, many government workers including Social workers, Disability Examiners, Childrens protective services workers all come to mind.

Don't forget the most underpaid and overworked of them all- Stay At Home Moms!

 

[helens042266]

I also have a Master's degree, 13 years experience and I make $44,000.00 a year. I AM NOT complaining! I love my job and knew going into it that I would never make a lot of money. My brother-in-law is a photo editor at a large newspaper. He has a degree and makes about $40,000 (20 years on the job)

 

[crisi]

I have a friend who is a librarian. Masters degree required. Makes much less than 50k.

Two friends who are teachers who have masters, less than 50k.

Writers (copy writers, technical writers), less than 50k (starting).

Some industries (publishing comes to mind) are notorious for low pay starting.

 

[tfiga]

I have a BA and work at a mortgage co and make less than $50,000.00 and in Metro Detroit that is pretty pitiful.

 

[Desnik]

My DH is college educated. He has a degree in Bussiness and was also getting a degree in early education. This was when we first met. He had an opportunity to get a job with Verizon and this is what he was faced with: continue with student loans to finish his degree(only a semester to go), student teach and then get paid $30,000 a year, or take the job at Verizon and start at a salary of $60,000 WITHOUT overtime which usually doubles his salary!! Which do you think he chose?(I should add that we were getting married and starting a family at the time) It really is a shame that teachers make what they do. The good thing is that DH will be able to retire at an early age and plans on teaching then.

 

[ilovepcot]

I had a family member who had already earned her master's degree and was working toward her *doctorate* while being an associate professor at a major university. She earned far less than $45,000 a year. I also know blue collar workers (with no H.S. diploma) who earn fabulous salaries..... by anyone's standard!

 

[Lyn5]

How about attorneys, engineers , nurses and other professionals where, in some cases, you need to pass governmental exams to get your license/practice. In some cases, a person could work several years building the experinces to qualify or trying to pass the exams.....all the while making under $50,000.

 

[pearlieq]

I think the difference lies in income potential.

Without a college degree, career options are generally pretty limited--you're probably going to be limited to skilled/unskilled labor, retail, and other types of service industry jobs. You may get to a point where you make $60,000 a year, but generally that's the pinnacle.

So, for a while you might be doing better now than that new college-educated teacher at $28,000, by the middle of their career, that teacher is going to be making $70,000+ (at least around here). That kid with the business degree who started at $35,000 is now in corporate management and making $100,000.

Before anyone chimes in, of course there are exceptions. Some people without college degrees start their own businesses and do well. Some become famous actors. Some people with college degrees never make it out of middle management or dedicate their lives to running a Head Start center.

I actually wasn't suprised by the question in the other thread the OP is referring to. I don't know any one with a degree in a professional field who is making less than 50k (aside from those just starting out).

 

[KarenAylwood]

I had no real concept of salaries until I started looking for a job.

I have a Masters in Chemistry and am making $35,000 on paper- with overtime it will be more like 38-40K since every other week has 10 overtime hours built into it and there are many opportunities to pick up an extra 12 hours here and there. I work hourly though which is good. I also know that I'm making more than others in my same position- there are 4 others with bachelors and they are all making approx 32-33K.

I am, however overqualified and will move up within a year or so, and will probably be making about 50-60K. I don't feel bad starting at the bottom though- gives me an opportunity to learn, get involved in a great company, and when getting a Masters or PhD in Chemistry, your school pays tuition and living expenses so it wasn't like I took a huge financial blow- I have no loans to pay back.

I know TONS of people graduating from college now definitely making less than 50- in fact, most make less than 40. My three friends living and working in DC started at 35K- which is nothing for that area- hardly enough to save anything.

Another friend will finish her masters in accounting in May- she's got a job lined up making $42K right near me- but still has $85,000 in loans to pay back.

I know of only two people that graduated from college w/ a bachelors and went on to make over 50K. Those that are going to make more went on to become doctors and lawyers.

Once you get the degree and start looking for a job- things are definitely put in prospective.

 

[RadioNate]

Both DH and I have college degrees, in fact I have 2. Both of us started in professional positions that required college degrees that paid less than 30K.

 

[momrek06]

I was at an Open House for a business in our town last week and ran into a good friend who I have not seen in 2 years...her son is graduating UCONN with a pharmacy degree (6 years in school) and his starting salary is $99,000 with the SHAWS SUPERMARKETS in their pharmacy(location yet to be made) and also received a $20,000 early signing bonus with SHAWS....

IS THAT LIKE AWESOME OR WHAT!!!! He is 23yo and starting at $99,000!!!!

I was blown away!!!! His mom is too!!!!

 

[holden]

I have a BA in English, an MA in Education, 30+ credits beyond my masters and 7 years experience in teaching. I make less than 50,000 as a high school teacher and work aprrox. 65 hours a week.

 

[JuneChickie]

I guess I should rephrase the question ,,,

Anyone gone to college,,, got the degree ,, ,, and now after 10 plus years in the
working world making less than 50 thousand ???????

 

[crazelion]

BS in Information Systems makes less 12,000 year if I'm lucky.

I have not be offer job in my field. College was unless to me. Good thing I went college for free.

 

[disneysteve]

I guess I should rephrase the question ,,,

Anyone gone to college,,, got the degree ,, ,, and now after 10 plus years in the
working world making less than 50 thousand ???????

I responded on the other thread but let me do so here also. You made it sound like you and your husband together earn 50K and both have college degrees. That's why the question came up, I think. If only one of you is working and making 50K, that's completely different. There are lots of fields where that could be the case but I can't think of any where 2 college grads working for 10+ years would still be making less than 50K total.

 

[JuneChickie]

WEll that ones easy disney steve ,,,, The airlines and car plants ,,, with all the layoffs and cuts ,,,, and those are only two that come to mind,, I'm sure others can name more.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I responded on the other thread but let me do so here also. You made it sound like you and your husband together earn 50K and both have college degrees. That's why the question came up, I think. If only one of you is working and making 50K, that's completely different. There are lots of fields where that could be the case but I can't think of any where 2 college grads working for 10+ years would still be making less than 50K total.

This explanation would make a lot more sense as to why the topic came up.

All the experience I have is knowing those starting out from college. My parents are a little different in that my mom got in with the state of NY when the getting was good and is making over 60K (with her qualifications she probably couldn't do that now starting out) while dad owns his own business and depending on the year can make a lot more than that.

DBF's mom has an associates degree in occupational therapy and makes 44K or so.