Insights From 38 People Who Make $100K+ Annually

36.

“I’m currently a graphic design manager for a major streaming service. I started a little over a year ago, and my entire team works remotely. I was first introduced to graphic design while I attended both a trade school and a traditional high school simultaneously (I initially attended the trade school to learn how to paint cars). After graduating high school, I got my BA in graphic design. A little more than a year after graduating college, I moved to New York City and started working in merchandise and apparel for Broadway shows and bands/musicians, making $40,000/year (I worked on shows like Wicked and with musicians like Linkin Park and Britney Spears during her Vegas residency).”

“I got fired after nearly four years (with no raises) because my boss was severely under-qualified for her job and was constantly afraid she would be replaced. She ended up firing one other designer, myself, and her art director because of her insecurities. The only reason I even stayed for so long was because I genuinely enjoyed the work. Luckily, when I was fired, I was already in the process of interviewing for a new position at another company. I pivoted to a mobile advertising agency for the next four and a half years starting at $50,000/year while working with companies like Disney, Adidas, and Honda, but grew bored of the repetitiveness of the role, and I hated dealing with clients directly and running meetings. 

By the end of my tenure, I was making $79,000/year with a decent bonus at the end of each year (it was a percentage based on the earnings of the entire company, usually resulting in around $8,000 after taxes). But, I eventually ended up quitting with no prospects or leads, but to work on my technique and portfolio as a whole. After six or more months of working on my own, I was able to gain interest from several high-profile companies, and made it to the final round of interviews with multiple companies such as Condé Nast, Rockstar Games, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. 

I was fortunate enough for my gamble to pay off, and I received multiple offers, but ended up accepting the position in streaming because of my love for movies, television, and entertainment in general. I now make $125,000/year plus 10% in bonuses and already received a raise within the first year. At my one year mark, and after 10 years in NYC, I uprooted and moved to LA and love it so far. If there is one thing I have learned, it’s: While it may not always easy, always bet on yourself.”

—Anonymous