# Rude in polite society...ok on SDMB? So, how much do you make? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 7, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603 "2003-08-07T15:41:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hilltopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@hilltopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hilltopper)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/1 "2003-08-07T15:41:13Z")
I was always taught **never** to discuss how much money you make. Don’t ask, don’t tell. So of course, being drawn to that which is taboo, I have always been fascinated by how much people make in their various professions. Since this board is pretty much anonymous, I’ll be rude and ask, **what do you do and how much do you make?** ---
**Author:** ![merge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9f8e36/32.png) [@merge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merge)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/2 "2003-08-07T15:51:03Z")
Not enough… btw… wouldn’t someone who started this post… post their own salary?? ---
**Author:** ![In\_Conceivable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@In\_Conceivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Conceivable)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/3 "2003-08-07T15:51:30Z")
Shouldn’t you answer your own questions first **hilltopper**? ---
**Author:** ![In\_Conceivable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@In\_Conceivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Conceivable)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/4 "2003-08-07T15:53:13Z")
I am glad to know that someone else out there was thinking the exact same thing I was at the exact same time. ---
**Author:** ![hilltopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@hilltopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hilltopper)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/5 "2003-08-07T15:57:31Z")
Was waiting for that…but I have always hated to be the first bird off the wire. investment sales commission based $100k+ ---
**Author:** ![In\_Conceivable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@In\_Conceivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Conceivable)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/6 "2003-08-07T16:08:09Z")
Is investment sales the same thing as a stock broker? Is the 100k before or after commissions? I think that local would be a good thing to know too. After all, $100k in Los Angles or New York is a lot different then $100k in small town South Carolina. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/7 "2003-08-07T16:12:37Z")
I get paid weekly. Very weekly. ---
**Author:** ![hilltopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@hilltopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hilltopper)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/8 "2003-08-07T16:17:46Z")
**In Conceivable** Give a little to get a little. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/9 "2003-08-07T16:26:36Z")
Well, I have no problem with this, seeing as it’s very little. Currently I’m a graduate student with an assistantship the covers tuition and provides a stipend. The stipend is about $6,100 a year, if you want to add in the tuition waiver, that’s another $12k a year, but it’s not really income. I also work as a student assistant in the library and bring home about $140 every other week. So…about $9,700/year before the tuition waiver, as an estimate. ---
**Author:** ![tanookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@tanookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanookie)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/10 "2003-08-07T16:34:47Z")
I’m a SAHM. So I make $0/year 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dumbguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dumbguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dumbguy)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/11 "2003-08-07T16:58:05Z")
I quit my job last week, so I also make $0/year. It’s the best job I’ve ever had, so I’m hoping I can hold onto it for a while. ---
**Author:** ![In\_Conceivable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@In\_Conceivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Conceivable)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/12 "2003-08-07T17:03:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hilltopper \* > \*\ ***In Conceivable** Give a little to get a little. \*\* 🙂 I was just wondering how many questions you would answer. Guess it wasn’t very many. Accountant - $45,000 yearly. But, I work in a fairly small southern town with a low cost of living. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/13 "2003-08-07T17:05:19Z")
Bah. My wife is a SAHM, and she makes 82K. I, on the other hand, am subject to the 100% wife tax and so make $0 (though I do occasionally get an allowance). ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/14 "2003-08-07T17:07:35Z")
Got laid off. Living off my life savings now. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/15 "2003-08-07T17:08:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hilltopper \* > \*\*Since this board is pretty much anonymous, I’ll be rude and ask, **what do you do and how much do you make?** \*\* This board does not seem to be as anon as you think. Looks like a number of people know each other, and quite a few seem to meet in person at dope fests or lunches, etc. I will answer with: I do a lot, and my income varies. Ciao! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/16 "2003-08-07T17:09:25Z")
I have often wondered why it is so taboo to discus wages, as it seems that a good knowledge of relative wages is good for the employee, whilst keeping wages secret is only good for the employer. I am not sure if it might be considered a sackable offence to publish my wages on an open forum though. So I will say \>$70k and \<$100k. ---
**Author:** ![CharlesW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/87869e/32.png) [@CharlesW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CharlesW)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/17 "2003-08-07T17:09:25Z")
Tech Support here 24K a year. Las Vegas is fairly cheap place to live, but not that cheap. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/18 "2003-08-07T17:14:02Z")
Aerospace Structural Engineer for the Dept of the Navy. I’m a GS-12 - you can guess which step. And you can find that pay table with an easy search. The reason I consider such a question rude is because I doubt that it’s ever just idle curiosity. I don’t want anyone judging me by my paycheck. My salary, my mortgage payment, what I paid for my car, and how much I have in savings - all pretty personal and definitely no one’s business. And for the same reason, I don’t particularly care what other people make or spend. We make our choices for our own reasons, and I prefer to keep such things to myself. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/19 "2003-08-07T17:19:45Z")
85k, though much like **Beezelbubba**. It doesn’t bother me to say how much I make, what my house costs, etc., unless it’s a telemarketer or something. ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603/20 "2003-08-07T17:35:06Z")
I’m in the same realm as **Bippy** , give or take, as a VP in charge of HR for a biotech company in NYC. Of course I’m now on an unexpected early maternity leave which pretty much means that I’m done working. My last day of employment was supposed to be the 29th but I don’t think I’m going to be getting back to the office before then. After that, I’ll be a SAHM with an earned income of roughly $18k/year from a couple of regular freelance writing gigs. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-in-polite-society-ok-on-sdmb-so-how-much-do-you-make/193603.md?page=2)