Six figures accomplished... sort of

I switched jobs last year, and am currently doing my 2015 taxes. So when I added the two W2s together, I made over 100k. Barely, only like 300 dollars over it, but technically I made over a 100k last year.
It is not quite as sweet, since my old job had a lot of OT, callout pay, and bonuses and that had bumped me over the mark. So it is a little skewed. To me, I will only feel like a major accomplishment when I make a 100k for a standard 40 hour week.
But it is still pretty cool to say "I made a 100k in 2015"
It is not quite as sweet, since my old job had a lot of OT, callout pay, and bonuses and that had bumped me over the mark. So it is a little skewed. To me, I will only feel like a major accomplishment when I make a 100k for a standard 40 hour week.
But it is still pretty cool to say "I made a 100k in 2015"
Currently Working On
CWTS, then WireShark
CWTS, then WireShark
Comments
*Bachelor's of Science: Information Technology - Security, Master's of Science: Information Technology - Management
Matthew 6:33 - "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
Certs/Business Licenses In Progress: AWS Solutions Architect, Series 6, Series 63
Without this board I would have never found WGU, which would never had gotten me so many certs, which certainly got me about 20k to 30k more over the years. TE literally changed my life.
CWTS, then WireShark
Currently Working On: Python, OSCP Prep
Next Up: OSCP
Studying: Code Academy (Python), Bash Scripting, Virtual Hacking Lab Coursework
This! I'm able to live super comfortable over here in Jax on six figures.
Currently Working On: Python, OSCP Prep
Next Up: OSCP
Studying: Code Academy (Python), Bash Scripting, Virtual Hacking Lab Coursework
Now the trick is to never go back down. For me something that has helped push me was to always be the person in the room who made the least.... I made close to that when I was in the army but now that I am a student ....well not so much. Lucky for me The wife makes mid six figures ( I think ) I never had the guts to ask exactly how much she makes.
I hope to break into the 100K range once my MBA is finished in May and I can get this damn CISSP passed. And in Hawaii 100K won't get you to far I think my house note is like 8K a month ( again I don't pay it so I don't really know)
I had one job for 9 years before changing careers. From 2011 until today, I have worked for 5 different companies (6 if you count a merger).
everyone is different, but for me, I have found to get a big bump, like over 10k, you have to change jobs. Raises and promotions get you decent money, but twice I have changed jobs for a 17k bump.
CWTS, then WireShark
I disagree, aim for a work / life balance. Life is no fun if all you do is Live to Work. You should aim high enough to have a comfortable lifestyle, but not so high that you live to work.
Oh i agree. I simply said keep moving forward. That doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice work/life balance to do so. In fact, you may get better work life balance as you continue to learn, grow and progress in your career(and compensation).
CWTS, then WireShark
or... a good payday, a great opportunity, and still a sweet work life balance..
i did switch from that last job, and I'm a sneeze away from a six figure base salary, but easily cracking the six figures with on call and extras
CWTS, then WireShark
Next up: eCPPT, eWDP, eWPT, eMAPT
I have 22 certs total, and a bachelors and masters. Big items that made a difference were the CCNA and degrees, and the number of certs (which can be good or bad), many people comment on the CEH as well
yup, tax time is not fun anymore
CWTS, then WireShark
Much like OP, I now have tons of valuable certificates, a BS, and an MS. As I met my various goals, I always approached it with the feeling that I was near the maximum I would practically be able to attain, and I feel like that now, but it is probably never reality.
$150k/year is a lofty goal, and I think adjusted for inflation is more like the $100k/year mark 10+ years ago. $200k/year... very lofty... probably limited to a few circumstances for the next decade or so (pre-sales engineers w/ good commission structure, VP and executive level IT folks, folks that are independent or have their own company with good revenue, or folks that make very good money in a primary job and have side money).
The more I make the more I'm surprised how high the ceiling cap goes. I think i do pretty good, but I have a boss.. he has a boss.. he has a boss.. and so on...
So the amount of money at the top must be staggering
CWTS, then WireShark