4 answers
Camden
Student
Athol, Massachusetts
1
Question
Updated
531 views
What design jobs pay the best in Massachusetts
10th grade,i personally like designing things.
4 answers
Dave Morris
Manager
2
Answers
Oviedo, Florida
Updated
Dave’s Answer
Great question. I love that you are trying to find a job that you will like while also paying you well. Lots of people go to college and are surprised to find out as they approach graduation that there are not many job opportunities in their field or that the earning potential in their field will not allow them the income they need to pursue their other passions and dreams. You asking about how much you will get paid shows a lot of maturity on your part.
Now to your question. Rather than give you a direct answer about design job pay rates I will show you where to find the information for pay rates for all sorts of jobs.
A government organization called the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics collects data on pay rates. You can find their reports on jobs in the state of Massachusetts at this website. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ma.htm That website has data on how many jobs exist in the state as well as what each job gets paid. I recommend you use the median hourly income to get a sense for how much a person can expect to get paid in that job.
Other great websites for learning pay information include salary.com and glassdoor.com
Keep in mind, when choosing a career you should consider other factors in addition to pay when making a decision on what is right for you. For instance, factors such as your passion for the work, employment benefits, work/life balance, educational/experience requirements and long-term career prospects should all weigh into your decision. Good luck!!! You got this!!!
Now to your question. Rather than give you a direct answer about design job pay rates I will show you where to find the information for pay rates for all sorts of jobs.
A government organization called the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics collects data on pay rates. You can find their reports on jobs in the state of Massachusetts at this website. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ma.htm That website has data on how many jobs exist in the state as well as what each job gets paid. I recommend you use the median hourly income to get a sense for how much a person can expect to get paid in that job.
Other great websites for learning pay information include salary.com and glassdoor.com
Keep in mind, when choosing a career you should consider other factors in addition to pay when making a decision on what is right for you. For instance, factors such as your passion for the work, employment benefits, work/life balance, educational/experience requirements and long-term career prospects should all weigh into your decision. Good luck!!! You got this!!!
Christine Corney
NSSS systems and mechanical systems
8
Answers
Hurst, Texas
Updated
Christine’s Answer
I would answer this by latching onto one of things you wrote you like! Designing. What kinds of things do you like to design? Mechanical, architectural, or even agricultural? There's also software engineering where you can design programs.
I would say start with what you love. Every person in my family has chosen a path they loved and make a pretty decent living off it. Architect, Artist, Engineer, Movie design, and then my brother hated college and became a type of engineer designing things with concrete. Myself, loved school, although my gpa didn't reflect that. I became a nuclear physicist. And where your love is, the money will follow.
Also, college is a great way to discover what you love. I thought I was going for engineering physics with the intent on continuing my education further maybe even my PhD. But i realized i just wanted to work after taking a non-paid position in my university. I stink at physics so figured even if I was just cleaning beakers, hearing the professors and graduate students talk about physics might help. It didn't turn out that way. The project I was just helping with ended up me taking a large portion of the project on. I realized then and there I loved metal. I loved machining it, the different properties of metals, and I hated CAD software but loved Solidworks. Those are two designing programs I had to utilize so my ideas could be seen and visualizd by my professor and a professional machine shop.
It was because I did research during my undergraduate time, I was put in for an internship at a nuclear plant. Hated my mentor at first as he thought I was a nuisance being saddled with and didn't give me much engineering work. 3 days in, I approached him and asked for more. It was like trying to drink from an open fire hydrant! But I didn't know. I thought these things were normal. And I not only met his bar but exceeded his bar. He is still my mentor to this day. Although retired, and even though I'm 40, I still ask for his opinion. So long story, but college is a great way to see what you love. And i can't give you exact numbers, but if you do what you love, and excel at what you love, I know my brother and I make or made 6 figures for our salary.
Check out salary figures for jobs in your area
Do not go into it with salary only in mind. You might end up hating it.
I would say start with what you love. Every person in my family has chosen a path they loved and make a pretty decent living off it. Architect, Artist, Engineer, Movie design, and then my brother hated college and became a type of engineer designing things with concrete. Myself, loved school, although my gpa didn't reflect that. I became a nuclear physicist. And where your love is, the money will follow.
Also, college is a great way to discover what you love. I thought I was going for engineering physics with the intent on continuing my education further maybe even my PhD. But i realized i just wanted to work after taking a non-paid position in my university. I stink at physics so figured even if I was just cleaning beakers, hearing the professors and graduate students talk about physics might help. It didn't turn out that way. The project I was just helping with ended up me taking a large portion of the project on. I realized then and there I loved metal. I loved machining it, the different properties of metals, and I hated CAD software but loved Solidworks. Those are two designing programs I had to utilize so my ideas could be seen and visualizd by my professor and a professional machine shop.
It was because I did research during my undergraduate time, I was put in for an internship at a nuclear plant. Hated my mentor at first as he thought I was a nuisance being saddled with and didn't give me much engineering work. 3 days in, I approached him and asked for more. It was like trying to drink from an open fire hydrant! But I didn't know. I thought these things were normal. And I not only met his bar but exceeded his bar. He is still my mentor to this day. Although retired, and even though I'm 40, I still ask for his opinion. So long story, but college is a great way to see what you love. And i can't give you exact numbers, but if you do what you love, and excel at what you love, I know my brother and I make or made 6 figures for our salary.
Christine recommends the following next steps:
David E. Patnaude, CPE
Director of Facilities
15
Answers
Scarsdale, New York
Updated
David E.’s Answer
Hi Camden,
Jobs that "pay" the best in design would most likely be in the mechanical design realm. As Rajeev indicates, industrial design jobs will typically pay the best. However; what is your particular interest? That's what you need to explore. There are jobs everywhere (including in Massachusetts) in all types of design. I was a junior in high school when I became interested in solar energy and this subtle influenced me towards engineering and architecture. Have I made as much in my lifetime as I could've as a mechanical-robotic designer? Who knows - "woulda-coulda-shoulda"!! I say; go to college, study different things and search for something that "tickles your fancy," and if you find something you are passionate about and enjoy AND you're good at -- further your education in that field and then search for design work.
In Massachusetts, you should have quite a bit of opportunity to intern at different design firms: engineering, architecture, game design, robotics, etc. You are in the education capitol of the world!! Try to find a business that offers an internship where you can get some exposure to all kinds of design.
Good luck!!
Find internships
Jobs that "pay" the best in design would most likely be in the mechanical design realm. As Rajeev indicates, industrial design jobs will typically pay the best. However; what is your particular interest? That's what you need to explore. There are jobs everywhere (including in Massachusetts) in all types of design. I was a junior in high school when I became interested in solar energy and this subtle influenced me towards engineering and architecture. Have I made as much in my lifetime as I could've as a mechanical-robotic designer? Who knows - "woulda-coulda-shoulda"!! I say; go to college, study different things and search for something that "tickles your fancy," and if you find something you are passionate about and enjoy AND you're good at -- further your education in that field and then search for design work.
In Massachusetts, you should have quite a bit of opportunity to intern at different design firms: engineering, architecture, game design, robotics, etc. You are in the education capitol of the world!! Try to find a business that offers an internship where you can get some exposure to all kinds of design.
Good luck!!
David E. recommends the following next steps:
Rajeev Parasnis
Retired
12
Answers
Panama City, Florida
Updated
Rajeev’s Answer
Hey Camden,
You are in the 10th grade. Asked a simple question.
Now folks are giving you advice on how to plan life?
But you don't even have a steady boyfriend yet, do you.
Dave and Christine described their life stories, great.
Hope you enjoyed reading them. Did you really care?
I want to focus on what YOU want - design jobs - got it.
Without realizing it, we all want to CREATE something.
Make a difference. Leave a footprint. Be remembered.
How you express the desire in words is immaterial.
First of all (like it or not) go to your school counsellor.
If you strike out there , proceed to a self-assessment.
Don't dwell on pay rates in Massachusetts or Idaho.
You will go to work in Montana if the pay is right, OK?
Wear warm clothes and keep you thermostat at 80 F.
The industrial design jobs that are in demand are with startups.
These are called Type A or B funding's, that invest in new tech.
Namely, lithium extraction. Anything related to environment.
Get a good education beyond the 12th grade, preferably in medicine.
Engineering and technology are good paying fields, but not as much.
Do avoid the legal domain AND information technology. It is a bubble.
You are in the 10th grade. Asked a simple question.
Now folks are giving you advice on how to plan life?
But you don't even have a steady boyfriend yet, do you.
Dave and Christine described their life stories, great.
Hope you enjoyed reading them. Did you really care?
I want to focus on what YOU want - design jobs - got it.
Without realizing it, we all want to CREATE something.
Make a difference. Leave a footprint. Be remembered.
How you express the desire in words is immaterial.
First of all (like it or not) go to your school counsellor.
If you strike out there , proceed to a self-assessment.
Don't dwell on pay rates in Massachusetts or Idaho.
You will go to work in Montana if the pay is right, OK?
Wear warm clothes and keep you thermostat at 80 F.
The industrial design jobs that are in demand are with startups.
These are called Type A or B funding's, that invest in new tech.
Namely, lithium extraction. Anything related to environment.
Get a good education beyond the 12th grade, preferably in medicine.
Engineering and technology are good paying fields, but not as much.
Do avoid the legal domain AND information technology. It is a bubble.
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