How much was your first salary when you first came to America?

[luv2teach77 41]

I started on $36K as a contractor with no paid vacation or holidays. After 3 months I was made permanent and my salary was raised to $40k with 2 weeks paid vacation and 9 public holidays. I also have my cellphone paid for by the company which save me about $50 a month and was provided with a top of the line laptop that is mine to use out of hours too. I'm pretty much making what I was back in the UK but have none of the unsocial hours and MUCH better prospects.

Mark

[wong_watkins 1]

My first job in the US...$7.00/hr at a gas station..sucked a$$..

[Ephesia 0]

Now in my 4th month at my first job in the US, which is a temp one. $11/hour.

As each month passes, I grow increasingly convinced I will not be hired because of how people and jobs are generally managed at this company. Just this afternoon the sales director quit on the spot after being told she has to shut the f*** up and take whatever ####### that comes her way. The sad thing? She was great at her job. After she left, I looked around and realized there was no one left in the sales department. Made me wonder who is going to bring in the revenue for the company now.

She's the third person to leave in as many months that I have been here.

[dalegg 143]

Going from teaching at an international school in Italy, to teaching here in the U.S., my salary more than doubled.

(I'm not a teacher anymore, BTW... not enough money! )

Yes, it is widely known that teachers in the U.S. are grossly overpaid!

Me- When I got out of the Army 18 years ago this month I made $6.75/hour for the very same company I work for today. Just enough to pay 1/3 of the rent on a townhouse in Huntington Beach, CA, 1/3 of the bills, and a 6-Pack of beer. This was before wife #1 of course.

Ahh, to be 21 with enough money to buy a 6 pack of beer again though...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Ahh, to be 21 with enough money to buy a 6 pack of beer again though...

Wouldn't that be something... B)

[CarolineM 0]

S. makes 11.61 an hour as a pharmacy technician

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I am a lucky one. I was born 'Rich' and I'll die 'Rich'.

i started off with nothing and i still have most of it

that too!

[silvanski 1]

I started out as a temp, did that for apx 4 months, making between 5.50 and 7 an hour, depending on the job.

Now I'm making considerably more B)

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I started out as a temp, did that for apx 4 months, making between 5.50 and 7 an hour, depending on the job.

Now I'm making considerably more B)

That's 'cause you know how to kick some serious azz!

[silvanski 1]

I started out as a temp, did that for apx 4 months, making between 5.50 and 7 an hour, depending on the job.

Now I'm making considerably more B)

That's 'cause you know how to kick some serious azz!

Yup? Err I guess so... I told'em "Pay me lots or kiss my jazz!"

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I started out as a temp, did that for apx 4 months, making between 5.50 and 7 an hour, depending on the job.

Now I'm making considerably more B)

That's 'cause you know how to kick some serious azz!

Yup? Err I guess so... I told'em "Pay me lots or kiss my jazz!"

I recognize your negotating skills.

[silvanski 1]

I started out as a temp, did that for apx 4 months, making between 5.50 and 7 an hour, depending on the job.

Now I'm making considerably more B)

That's 'cause you know how to kick some serious azz!

Yup? Err I guess so... I told'em "Pay me lots or kiss my jazz!"

I recognize your negotating skills.

Diplomatic as ever

[radacos 0]

My example is probably not typical of the new immigrant, since I have a degree from a US university... First job, on campus, $9.10/hr. Current job, preschool teacher, $12/hr, which will probably increase to the mid-to-high 20s once it becomes a full-time, salaried position.

[nyc 0]

My example is very unusual as well.

Well I have been in the US legally for 8 years on a student visa.

I got my BS and my MS here in business.

Lots of money and energy spent on it.

Work permits on and off.

My first job here was on a work/study visa - at a cafe $6/h

then a project manager position for $34K

now I own a company and will make about $100K.

A lot of it will be reinvested back into the company but I would say I'm happy.

How did I get there?

I constantly learn new skills, take classes and read about business/trends.

"Entrepreneur" is the key

[maria_b84 0]

ZERO for me (well for us lol)

Maria