Would we be surprised at how much you make?

Driving home last night I heard this topic on the radio. It was on the Conway and Whitman show on 97.1 FM Talk. There were some interesting responses. For example:

In N’ Out Manager makes $120k/year. For those of you who don’t know, In N’ Out is a burger joint, very popular in Southern California.  They are a 50s throwback, privately owned, with a simple menu of burger, cheeseburger, double double (two patties, two slices of cheese), shakes, cokes, and fries. You think managers at McDonald’s and Burger King make six figures?

Strip Club DJ makes $1k/night. You know the guy, “Gentlemen, welcome to the stage, Chastity! Now, don’t move a muscle unless you’re reaching for that wallet!” This guy works Friday and Saturday night, and makes $2k/weekend. That’s six figures on two nights per week!

Dog Groomer, 90k. This is a business owner. I’m sure not all dog groomers make this much.

Bouncer at a popular Hollywood night club makes over $1k per night on the weekend. Much like our Strip Club DJ, he’s pulling in six figures with his Monday through Friday totally free. Somehow, I think this is the more demanding job.

Ambulance Driver, $7.50 per hour. This is barely above minimum wage. At 40 hours per week, and 52 weeks per year (assuming either no vacation, or paid vacation) the folks saving our lives are getting paid $15,600 per year. It takes our Strip Club DJ eight weeks to make that much. Our In N’ Out Manager does this in less than seven weeks.

How about you? Would we be surprised at how much you make? Why do you think jobs that seem to add zero value to our society, such as Hollywood Bouncer makes more than double the national average household income, yet, guys racing around to save our lives are under the poverty line?

Since we’re on the topic, I’ll tell you what I make. I work on a commission basis, much like everyone else in this industry. Last year I made about $125k. Is what I do more important than manning the door of a hot club on the Sunset Strip? I guess it depends on whom you’re asking.

Comments

[FMF]

$125k in LA is like making $60k anywhere else in the U.S., isn't it? ;-)

[lamoneyguy]

Ha! That would be funny if it weren't true. Since it is, it's just kind of sad. Anywhere else in the U.S. except for NYC, San Fran, and maybe Hawaii.

That also explains the part where I don't have a house yet.

[claire]

Well, I'm not anything heroic like an ambulence driver, but I would argue that librarians are contributing to society.

I make about $38,000. This is with a master's degree, with four years of experience. I have to remind myself frequently that I knew this going in, and I'm not doing it for the money.

[anon]

There is more to a job (even in money terms) than how much money you at the the present. You think Mr. In n Out has much upward mobility in how much he will earn going forward? Hell no. Same goes for the bouncer and teh dj. They'll be stuck at 100k for the rest of their lives. Have no clue what you do for a living, but you likely will have a much higher growth rate in your wage, and also a much higher chance of a big jump.

[Jen14221]

Love your blog.
I make $60/hour as an independent but have to pay 42% in taxes....argh. So I try to work more hours to make up for the fact that I'm being raped by the IRS.

[Pink Diva]

For the bouncer, I am sure he is working a 2nd job as well.... I know because I have friends that are bouncers. Bottom line is this... it is what you allow yourself to get paid at. If you want to be a minimum wage earner, that is on you. If you hold a degree, and have several years of experience, don't sell yourself short.... they pay you that amount because you let them.

[Dwight]

Stop complaining about the 1K a night for people making an honest living. What about pro football players and shit? Did that cross your mind? I am a college student that DJs on the weekends and it's hard work. Not just trying to book gigs, but being good at DJing. If you're a DJ that just pushes buttons and doesn't do shit then you don't deserve 1K a night, but a good DJ is priceless.

[bouncer]

i'm a bouncer in NYC and i make 200 per 6 hour shift and $30 per additional hour tho a friend of mine is a bouncer and a gay club and makes 250 for a night and thats only 4 hour shift 12-4 and he never has any fight me on the other i got my hands full every night fight are on regular basis so it all depends on the club location

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