Has your income kept up with inflation

[DawnM]

Dh has been promoted several times and makes double what he did in 2006.

I stayed at home for 11 years and just went back to work. I make less now than I did in 2006. UGH.

 

[Mrs.Reese]

Nope. We make less and now any salary increases I get are based on if 6 year olds can fill the bubbles correctly.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

We have well outpaced inflation, but back in 2006 we were somewhat recently out of grad school and working through entry level (for our field) type jobs. Now we're established. DH recently got a job that has automatic wage increases for the next 5 years or so (then he'll max out). I've got unlimited potential growth, and just got a hefty raise myself.

 

[goofytinkerbell]

1

 

[MillauFr]

If IT jobs are lousy in your city consider moving.

Everytime I ride past the Amazon campus on hiring day there are lines of people snaking out the door. They are opening 3 new 40 story skyscrapers this year in order to fit in all of their employees. Google and Facebook are also hiring like crazy here. Many of those new hires are making $100k+.

 

[cruiser21]

In a word. NO. Were going back to WDW after a 5 years. We used to pay about 220.00 a night at the Beach club. This year I'm paying 340.00. My salary has not gone up 50%.

 

[MillauFr]

In a word. NO. Were going back to WDW after a 5 years. We used to pay about 220.00 a night at the Beach club. This year I'm paying 340.00. My salary has not gone up 50%.

If you can adjust when you go the travel agent that sells rooms for massive discounts is still offering the Beach Club for the low $200s per night.

 

[tvguy]

Dh has been promoted several times and makes double what he did in 2006.

I stayed at home for 11 years and just went back to work. I make less now than I did in 2006. UGH.

Wow, that is amazing given the huge recession in that time period. Our corporate owner "reset" wages in 2011 because of the recession. 5% pay cut across the board for everyone making over $30,000.
DW and I both hit top pay scale after 5 years in our jobs, that would be 1984. Since then, about 5 years with no raises, most years a 2% raise, and a few years a 3% raise, except for 2011 for me.

 

[superme80]

I'll also chime in that IT jobs aren't doing well. My company has capped raises at 1% for years now (not that we actually get that). We've been bought out, and have been told there will be no raises this year. We're also on a complete hiring freeze, not replacing people who leave. That's a long way of saying no, my wages haven't kept up. Unfortunately, there's no one else hiring either, so changing jobs isn't an option. I picked up a second job a couple years ago to try and make ends meet.

That is exactly what just happened at my husband's company. They just got bought out and no raises or any hope for one. For those who say just move, unfortunately it isn't that simple. I know we won't move as long as my MIL is alive. DH does not want to leave her. I completely support him. Also having to come up with the funds to move. There are so many variables when considering a new job and a possible move.

 

[DawnM]

Wow, that is amazing given the huge recession in that time period. Our corporate owner "reset" wages in 2011 because of the recession. 5% pay cut across the board for everyone making over $30,000.
DW and I both hit top pay scale after 5 years in our jobs, that would be 1984. Since then, about 5 years with no raises, most years a 2% raise, and a few years a 3% raise, except for 2011 for me.

Not really. People hired in the position he had when he was first hired don't make a lot more than what he made in 2006, but in his job there are a lot of ladders to climb and he has been doing just that.

My job, not many ladders.

 

[tvguy]

Not really. People hired in the position he had when he was first hired don't make a lot more than what he made in 2006, but in his job there are a lot of ladders to climb and he has been doing just that.

My job, not many ladders.

Good description. Not many ladders in my industry. Worker, middle manager or manager. Generally, to make more money you have to move to a larger city. Although in the last few years my bosses have discovered that some TV stations in smaller cities have boosted salaries to try and keep people from leaving to the point that we are paying less.

 

[cruiser21]

If you can adjust when you go the travel agent that sells rooms for massive discounts is still offering the Beach Club for the low $200s per night.

Funny I am booked with that travel agent. I don't want to go in August. I really don't want to go at all. I'm doing it for my son. There are other places I'd prefer to go for that kind of money.

 

[AZMermaid]

Teacher here, 10th year of teaching. I make less than I did in 2006- dollar wise. But, I switched districts in 2008. So- since 2008.... my pay has increased about $1200 a year. I took a class a few years back to get it to jump. The state is giving us a 0.4% cost of living raise this year. In 5 years we will get 2% total from now is the goal. Yes. You read that right. So finally, finally, finally... I might hit the big 40K next year!

 

[kymom99]

Teacher here, 10th year of teaching. I make less than I did in 2006- dollar wise. But, I switched districts in 2008. So- since 2008.... my pay has increased about $1200 a year. I took a class a few years back to get it to jump. The state is giving us a 0.4% cost of living raise this year. In 5 years we will get 2% total from now is the goal. Yes. You read that right. So finally, finally, finally... I might hit the big 40K next year!

That was me. I got my rank 1 do that I would get a raise. Had to basically give myself a raise.

 

[DawnM]

That was me. I got my rank 1 do that I would get a raise. Had to basically give myself a raise.

What does this mean?

 

[kymom99]

What does this mean?

A rank 1 is 30 hours beyond a masters degree. Basically there are 3 levels of pay for a teacher in my state. Bachelors, Masters, and what we call a Rank 1. A masters degree is required to keep certification. A rank 1 is optional but moves you up a level on the pay scale.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Dh has been promoted several times and makes double what he did in 2006.

I stayed at home for 11 years and just went back to work. I make less now than I did in 2006. UGH.

Sounds like my life! DH makes double what he did 20 years ago, and I make less than I made 20 years ago. DH is a 100% commissioned sales rep. He lost a third of his income during the recession but has battled back and then some. I was a banker for 6 years, then a SAHM for 7 years, then a part time substitute teacher for 8 years, now a full time teacher with a Master's Degree. Banking paid about $10,000 more a year 20 years ago than teaching does now. So sad! But teachers at my school did get a 3% raise last year!

 

[DawnM]

A rank 1 is 30 hours beyond a masters degree. Basically there are 3 levels of pay for a teacher in my state. Bachelors, Masters, and what we call a Rank 1. A masters degree is required to keep certification. A rank 1 is optional but moves you up a level on the pay scale.

I see.

In my previous district, they didn't care much about the actual degree, but you needed 100 credits above your BA to get to the top of the salary scale.

I have 106 right now, but I wanted them to count, so I have 2 M.A.s and almost a 3rd, which I plan to finish at some point (in School Psych which will mean a pay raise as well.)

 

[DawnM]

Sounds like my life! DH makes double what he did 20 years ago, and I make less than I made 20 years ago. DH is a 100% commissioned sales rep. He lost a third of his income during the recession but has battled back and then some. I was a banker for 6 years, then a SAHM for 7 years, then a part time substitute teacher for 8 years, now a full time teacher with a Master's Degree. Banking paid about $10,000 more a year 20 years ago than teaching does now. So sad! But teachers at my school did get a 3% raise last year!

Part of my issue is that I moved states. If I were back in CA I would be doing much better in terms of bringing home more $$, but the expenses would go up.

Although, we are still strongly considering moving back.

 

[tvguy]

Sounds like my life! DH makes double what he did 20 years ago, and I make less than I made 20 years ago. DH is a 100% commissioned sales rep. He lost a third of his income during the recession but has battled back and then some. I was a banker for 6 years, then a SAHM for 7 years, then a part time substitute teacher for 8 years, now a full time teacher with a Master's Degree. Banking paid about $10,000 more a year 20 years ago than teaching does now. So sad! But teachers at my school did get a 3% raise last year!

These boards have really opened my eyes to how much teacher salaries vary across the nation. And it is amazing how the cost of living varies across the nation. You'd be making $83,000 a year in the district I live in with a Masters Degree, and that is a very very good income here.