4 answers
Lania
Student
Normal, Illinois
3
Questions
Updated
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How long did it take for you to get the pay you felt you deserve?
I want to know how many years it'll take for me to be satisfied and stable with being a LPN. I want my career to be long term, not causing problems financially.
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4 answers
Alicia Delbridge
Human Resources
1
Answer
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Alicia’s Answer
This is a great question that I get a lot.
Honestly, the best thing to do is research salaries in the field of your choice & then research salaries in the AREA that you live or plan to work. Cost of living in various cities, regions, markets will determine your salary. I don't recommend comparing dollar for dollar, but consider the total compensation package. What's the pay rate? Any bonuses? Incentives? Amount of vacation? Paid Holidays? Stock options?- It might not seem very important at the beginning of your career, when your working / earning power is greater, but it becomes more valuable when you have spent a few years in the workforce. And I think I was about 30 when I felt my salary caught up with my self-evaluation of my worth. Best wishes!
Honestly, the best thing to do is research salaries in the field of your choice & then research salaries in the AREA that you live or plan to work. Cost of living in various cities, regions, markets will determine your salary. I don't recommend comparing dollar for dollar, but consider the total compensation package. What's the pay rate? Any bonuses? Incentives? Amount of vacation? Paid Holidays? Stock options?- It might not seem very important at the beginning of your career, when your working / earning power is greater, but it becomes more valuable when you have spent a few years in the workforce. And I think I was about 30 when I felt my salary caught up with my self-evaluation of my worth. Best wishes!
Gabriel Hennsssey
Financial Aid Administrator
69
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Gabriel’s Answer
First off, I saw Normal, Illinois. Go, Reggie! (I was in Wilkins Hall.) I had a former co-worker that lived in Peoria that would smuggle Avanti's bread to Chicago for me when we had meetings. I miss those days...
Please take with a grain of salt...I work in financial aid, majored in accounting...is it your passion? The phrase you used was "satisfied and stable". Okay...on what scale? I would recommend finding LPNs in your area and bluntly asking what they make. The "salary scales" that get published on the web are hit-or-miss, depending on the data and where you live.
The other thing, and again...grain of salt...if you can find a working professional to talk to...ask them about the worst day they had and think how you would handle it. My wife and I make a "decent" income. We would LOVE to make more, but we are both loyal and believe in the institutions we work for, Cost/benefit analysis. I know I could get a job in two weeks making 10k more a year than I do now...but it comes down to what you believe in, and what your goals are. I would love to be paid six figures, but I am content trying to provide a good life for my girls.
If you are comfortable, and have a good relationship - ask your parents about what they do and how they feel about it too. I asked in my youth but it wasn't until I was about 35 that the truth came out. They were trying to "protect" me. I have faith in you. You got this!
Please take with a grain of salt...I work in financial aid, majored in accounting...is it your passion? The phrase you used was "satisfied and stable". Okay...on what scale? I would recommend finding LPNs in your area and bluntly asking what they make. The "salary scales" that get published on the web are hit-or-miss, depending on the data and where you live.
The other thing, and again...grain of salt...if you can find a working professional to talk to...ask them about the worst day they had and think how you would handle it. My wife and I make a "decent" income. We would LOVE to make more, but we are both loyal and believe in the institutions we work for, Cost/benefit analysis. I know I could get a job in two weeks making 10k more a year than I do now...but it comes down to what you believe in, and what your goals are. I would love to be paid six figures, but I am content trying to provide a good life for my girls.
If you are comfortable, and have a good relationship - ask your parents about what they do and how they feel about it too. I asked in my youth but it wasn't until I was about 35 that the truth came out. They were trying to "protect" me. I have faith in you. You got this!
Gabriela Simeonova
Sales Operations
6
Answers
Florham Park, New Jersey
Updated
Gabriela’s Answer
Love the question!
Personally, when I first started I really wasn't thinking too much about the pay and was focused on the experiences I would gain from each position (not that it wasn't an issue at first but with time my performance drove my increases). The way I thought about it was that if I gain valuable and desirable skills I can then gain more with each move, and my value would increase. As I've moved companies I've researched the average pay for my position and have had a baseline for the amount of money I need to live the way I want (take into consideration bonuses, 401K , and benefits, those add up over time). Location does affect pay, if you live in NYC or San Francisco you naturally need to get paid more, so research is key.
With that said, after a couple of years, I really should have pushed for more than what I was making at the time. I think the pay you feel you deserve also changes based on where you are in life. If you are looking at starting a family the pay you feel you deserve/need tends to increase. I would say late 20's (28-29) is really when I started to see my pay be where I thought it should be. It might sound like a long time but don't worry too much about the amount of time. Enjoy the early stages of your career and really see if it is something you see yourself doing (you can always change).
Personally, when I first started I really wasn't thinking too much about the pay and was focused on the experiences I would gain from each position (not that it wasn't an issue at first but with time my performance drove my increases). The way I thought about it was that if I gain valuable and desirable skills I can then gain more with each move, and my value would increase. As I've moved companies I've researched the average pay for my position and have had a baseline for the amount of money I need to live the way I want (take into consideration bonuses, 401K , and benefits, those add up over time). Location does affect pay, if you live in NYC or San Francisco you naturally need to get paid more, so research is key.
With that said, after a couple of years, I really should have pushed for more than what I was making at the time. I think the pay you feel you deserve also changes based on where you are in life. If you are looking at starting a family the pay you feel you deserve/need tends to increase. I would say late 20's (28-29) is really when I started to see my pay be where I thought it should be. It might sound like a long time but don't worry too much about the amount of time. Enjoy the early stages of your career and really see if it is something you see yourself doing (you can always change).
Tyler Font
Equity Compensation
1
Answer
Brick, New Jersey
Updated
Tyler’s Answer
Excellent question!
Being compensated for your work is very important, understanding your value is also important. Using your life experiences and doing your homework on the average salaries is also very important when determining how much you should be making.
It is also important to love what you are doing! If you are going to feel unfulfilled in your career then the money you make will not matter. Do something you love and you will never work a day in your life.
I am still young into my career and working hard and learning the job inside and out. The money will come to those who put in the time and effort. Good luck on all your endeavors!
Being compensated for your work is very important, understanding your value is also important. Using your life experiences and doing your homework on the average salaries is also very important when determining how much you should be making.
It is also important to love what you are doing! If you are going to feel unfulfilled in your career then the money you make will not matter. Do something you love and you will never work a day in your life.
I am still young into my career and working hard and learning the job inside and out. The money will come to those who put in the time and effort. Good luck on all your endeavors!