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Strategy Director Salary / LA / 8-10 years exp?
How much do senior UX designers make nyc?
I’m making 55k in Chicago. Am I underpaid?
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Hey, you're surviving and learning a lot, so there's that. Obviously, step one is getting beyond the entry level salary. And, if it's possible, you could try to take on extra work on the side. That's tricky, however, as that can get you in trouble with your "real" job.
I have been working three jobs for years now, haha. I have my full-time job, I do some freelance work, and I DoorDash. That is the only way I have found that I can actually afford life and my own place.
Mentor
Hotchie Motchie!!! It’s rough a starting out these days. I think obvious answer is the same to many posts - get promoted or leave for better pay.
Mentor
Are you anywhere close to a down payment on your own place? Build equity pays off in the long run?
Most 401ks allow you to borrow for your primary residence. And there are a lot of programs for first time home buyers.
I think budgeting is huge here. Being mindful of money while also pursuing opportunities that could bring in money on the side.
Mentor
Honest answer: for a lot of people, you don't — not comfortably anyway. Entry-level agency salaries in HCOL cities haven't kept up with rent in years. The roommate math is brutal but usually unavoidable until you hit that first real jump, which typically comes from leaving, not waiting. The faster play is treating year one or two as a launchpad — skills, network, exit — rather than a livable wage. Are you in a market where remote hybrid roles are accessible, or are you locked into office?
It is tough. The short term strategy is to find a better paying job. In the interim explore ways to cut down variable expenses.