How much money do you make?

[DeGirl]

I posted this here and now it's gone, so I'm posting it again, because I really want to know. And there aren't many people on the other forum.

There are threads that say that TV jobs don't pay very well. What about a host on QVC? How much do they make? How much does someone like Finola Hughes on a show like What Not to Wear make? Do set designers that work behind the scenes make more money? What do you do on TV? What is your salary?

[Lazlo Toth]

More than ever before in my life.

[wxcaster]

I hosted a show on QVC back in the 90s...it paid about 27K a year, but when you calculate all the crap I pocketed when the cameras weren't running it shot up to roughly $300K.

[Produce man]

Nice. You stole from the company?

[Lazlo Toth]

He worked for the CIA?

[trunky]

I've been repeatedly told not to expect a paycheck for the next few years.

[Laughing Angel]

Rule #2: NEVER tell anybody how much money you make.

(Edited to exclude your tax preparer)

[ December 29, 2006, 03:57 PM: Message edited by: Laughing Angel ]

[trunky]

Why is it such a bad thing? (expound please)

[DeGirl]

Originally posted by Laughing Angel:
Rule #2: NEVER tell anybody how much money you make.

(Edited to exclude your tax preparer)Why?

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Now matter how much I make, I still am broke...but not poor.

[s'news]

In the big picture, squat.

And yet I do pretty well.

[Cowboy]

Originally posted by Brit:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Laughing Angel:
Rule #2: NEVER tell anybody how much money you make.

(Edited to exclude your tax preparer)Why?</font>[/QUOTE]Why is it your business what people make? Kind of a rude question to ask someone. Especially people you don't know...

[Laughing Angel]

Originally posted by Brit:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Laughing Angel:
Rule #2: NEVER tell anybody how much money you make.

(Edited to exclude your tax preparer)Why?</font>[/QUOTE]Because certain kinds of information are considered personal and private to individuals. Your salary, your tax situation, your medical records are shared with certain people (accountants, lawyers, health care professionals, a spouse) on a need to know basis only. This information is not for public consumption.

It is also considered nosy and rude in polite society to ask someone how much they make.

[Mom]

Check your employment contract. It probably states somewhere in there that you are prohibited from discussing your salary with anyone else in the same company.

Let's say you're a reporter. Chances are if you line up every reporter at your station and ask them what they make there will be a range of salaries that have nothing to do with who is more experienced or who has worked there the longest. It's more likely that salaries are paid based on what was needed at the time of the hire and getting the person for as little as they could but for as much as they needed at the time. That kind of rationale is bound to set up resentment and that's why your contract probably prohibits you from discussing what you make to your co-workers. Here, of course, there are no boundaries.

[Lazlo Toth]

Originally posted by Cowboy:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Brit:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Laughing Angel:
Rule #2: NEVER tell anybody how much money you make.

(Edited to exclude your tax preparer)Why?</font>[/QUOTE]Why is it your business what people make? Kind of a rude question to ask someone. Especially people you don't know...</font>[/QUOTE]On the other hand, asking rude questions of people you don't know is in the best traditions of journalism.

[DeGirl]

Originally posted by Cowboy:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Brit:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Laughing Angel:
Rule #2: NEVER tell anybody how much money you make.

(Edited to exclude your tax preparer)Why?</font>[/QUOTE]Why is it your business what people make? Kind of a rude question to ask someone. Especially people you don't know...</font>[/QUOTE]Because I want to know what different careers make. I might want to work on a tv show someday, but prolly not, unless I owned the show like Oprah.

[kgsl]

Why is the exact same topic, started by the same poster, on top of both this thread and the J-thread?

[Jerry Mandering]

Originally posted by 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, MOM:
Let's say you're a reporter. Let's not jump to conclusions.

[noodleman]

I might want to work on a tv show someday, but prolly not, unless I owned the show like Oprah. Are you under the impression that Oprah started making big bucks from the get-go? She was probably paid the norm as an anchor in Nashville and Baltimore, then probably made marginally better when she started doing the original Chicago market morning talk show in 1984. Her fortunes increased more so when that show went into national syndication in 1986. Her real climb in income didn't occur until after she "owned" her show in 1988 with the establishment of Harpo Productions.

So, it's not a question of how much you can make *right now* in the broadcast industry. The question is how hard are you willing to work to make your dreams happen?

No one owes you a dime but everyone has to pay their dues. If you have ambition, drive and talent, the sky is the limit wrt how much you can earn. (It also helps to have a smart lawyer reviewing your contracts, too.) If you believe you're owed X dollars because "that's what so-and-so makes in Market #Y," you're going to become disillusioned and bitter. "Stars" make star dollars; the rest of us try to stay solvent and do the best we can with our retirement investments.

I'm in radio, and have been for over 30 years. I started working for minimum wage in a very small market. My first salaried position in 1982 (at minimum + $50/wk) resulted when I was promoted into program management. The most I ever made in radio happened when I worked overseas in the early '90s for two years on a contract basis. I've been working radio part-time for the past 15 years (by choice, not circumstance) and, working 1-3 days per week on average, make slightly more than the poverty level ... but that's not the only work I do, either, these days. However, because of the AFTRA contract I work under, I make a decent hourly wage, have full health benefits, 15 paid vacation days (that I can use anyhow and any way), and I can contribute into the company 401(k). I'm proud not so much by the pay and work circumstances but, rather, by my ability, in just six years, of accumulating over 25k in my 401. Less than half that amount represents contributions and company matching; just goes to show the power of investment compounding.

You'll make whatever management thinks you're worth, regardless of what is being in your market or others. When you've *earned* your leverage -- by performance or with perceived value -- that is the time you can start making more than the average Joe or Jill. Until then, you're going to have to prove your value and pay your dues like the rest have had to do.

[TVShootist.]

I made my millions through racketeering.. you should try it. There's nothing like bootlegging, illegal casinos, squeezing politicians, and killing your rivals. It's a fantastic lifestyle compared to that QVC bull****. Of course once the government catches on to you, kill the snitches, and make sure your henchmen are loyal. That way, you'll only get deported instead of having to do some time in the joint.

[rawhead rex]

You have to realize there are two business whose practitioners are working when there is a red light operating. Not much separates them.
One has pimps, the other has agents. Neither takes a lot of earned skill or talent; naturals do the best in both and the best of show really don't have to work at all, just fake it. The peripheral people in both cases don't make much, regardless of how hard they work, but for some reason, they spend ungodly amounts of money to earn the cheapest, easiest to earn college degree for which they will repay sinful amounts of money. Some of them even earn a graduate degree. This is known as the second condom.

[Speechwriter1]

The roots of this "privacy" thing surrounding salary probably stems from the fact that many people judge their self-worth by their salary, and therefore, invest all sorts of energy and money on displays (like choice of cars, clothes, accesories, etc.) specifically designed to suggest that they make a lot more than they do.

When you ask someone who's busy trying to pretend he's wealthier than he is what he makes, he's "offended" only because answering requires lying to maintain the illusion that required the Lexus and outlet-bought (or counterfeit) designer clothes in the first place.

People who are comfortable with themselves and don't equate salary with self worth usually don't mind the salary question for the exact same reason that females who know they look young and thin don't consider it particularly "rude" to ask their age or weight.

My salary's publicly available for anybody who cares enough to look up my federal pay grade 12-3 in federal region 2. I also drive a 1998 RAV4, and buy most of my clothes at Target or Ebay. That's probably why I'm not "offended" by the salary question in the least.

[s'news]

Upon further review, I make a boatload of dough. But the boat is only so big.

[+SN]

Originally posted by Speechwriter:
The roots of this "privacy" thing surrounding salary probably stems from the fact that many people judge their self-worth by their salary, and therefore, invest all sorts of energy and money on displays (like choice of cars, clothes, accesories, etc.) specifically designed to suggest that they make a lot more than they do.

When you ask someone who's busy trying to pretend he's wealthier than he is what he makes, he's "offended" only because answering requires lying to maintain the illusion that required the Lexus and outlet-bought (or counterfeit) designer clothes in the first place.Unfortunately there are plenty of troubled people(both men and women) who fall into this 'trap' in America.

A losing proposition long term and even worse you're living a lie.

+SN

[ December 30, 2006, 11:29 PM: Message edited by: +SN ]

[gdiamante]

I'll tell you the same thing I told you over on the J Forum. I've done work with "regular" shows as well as news. And there's one lesson I've learned.

TV should be practiced by those who cannot help themselves. If money matters, find another job.

[product of communism]

I think anyone who uses a saccharine word like "prolly" shouldn't be allowed to work in TV.

[Michigan J. Frog]

Originally posted by Speechwriter:
My salary's publicly available for anybody who cares enough to look up my federal pay grade 12-3 in federal region 2. I also drive a 1998 RAV4, and buy most of my clothes at Target or Ebay. That's probably why I'm not "offended" by the salary question in the least.But you still failed to actually tell us (on this board) what you make, which leads me to believe you're more concerned about it than you say in this post.

[kingnv]

Originally posted by Michigan J. Frog:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Speechwriter:
My salary's publicly available for anybody who cares enough to look up my federal pay grade 12-3 in federal region 2. I also drive a 1998 RAV4, and buy most of my clothes at Target or Ebay. That's probably why I'm not "offended" by the salary question in the least.But you still failed to actually tell us (on this board) what you make, which leads me to believe you're more concerned about it than you say in this post.</font>[/QUOTE]60,055

[east coast producer]

Originally posted by Lazlo Toth:
He worked for the CIA?Random trivia: I actually interviewed once with the CIA. Didn't get the job, but I got a cool CIA pen and magnet (both of which are probably spying on my to the day, but still, they're cool).

[Ferrycrossthemersey]

At my network bureau, reporters make from 100K to 200K. And that difference, I'm sure, is WHY the powers-that-be don't want you to discuss salaries.

[Lazlo Toth]

Originally posted by eastcoast producer:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Lazlo Toth:
He worked for the CIA?Random trivia: I actually interviewed once with the CIA. Didn't get the job, but I got a cool CIA pen and magnet (both of which are probably spying on my to the day, but still, they're cool).</font>[/QUOTE]I bet you DID get the job but you have to tell us you didn't.

[adam &amp; doctor drew]

why are there 2 threads on this?

[Signature on File]

He didn't hear your answer the first time. By the way, I made more than I did last year.

[DeGirl]

Originally posted by adam & doctor drew:
why are there 2 threads on this?Coz it was moved from the other forum. O well.

[Produce man]

I do allright, salary wise. Fortunately, I've been blessed in that I don't have to worry about money.

[ZuZu's Petals]

There was a time when many topics were off limits.

In polite conversation, at dinner parties and gatherings you don't discuss Sex, Politics or Religion. One is too private, the others, too volatile for polite, refined conversation.

It is rude to ask what a gift cost, how much someone makes, or what they paid for their house.

In the same way, it's rude to ask, "Are those real?" "Are you pregnant?" "When are you going to get married?" "When are you going to have kids?" "When are you going to have your OWN kids?" (if the first children are adopted... They ARE their own kids!)

But that was all back when society was civilized. Alas, that is no longer the case.

I'll refer you to this book again: When Generations Collide (http://www.amazon.com/When-Generations-Collide-Clash-Generational/dp/0066621062) by Lynne C. Lancaster & David Stillman ..
As they discuss the mores and expectations of each generation... They explain that the younger generations just don't accept (or understand) the taboos established by traditionalists and baby boomers.

[ January 05, 2007, 04:36 PM: Message edited by: ZuZu's Petals ]

[LunchPenalty]

More than I probably should. Thanks IBEW! But alas, the end may be near for the gravy train....

[DeGirl]

I don't get what the big deal is talking about money. How are you supposed to know which careers pay the best if no one talks about it? I make $9 an hour. I'm a hostess at a restaurant. It's not rude to talk about it.

[Produce man]

There are so many variables it's hard to determine given a particular market size.

[Michigan J. Frog]

Originally posted by Produce man:
I do allright, salary wise. Fortunately, I've been blessed in that I don't have to worry about money."Allright" is "all wrong."

[ZuZu's Petals]

Originally posted by Brit:
I don't get what the big deal is talking about money. How are you supposed to know which careers pay the best if no one talks about it? I make $9 an hour. I'm a hostess at a restaurant. It's not rude to talk about it.Brit, I think it just has to do with tact.
For an hourly job like yours, the wage is posted in the classified ad. It's not a big deal.

Salaried jobs are based on experience, need and many other variables. You'll notice that the salaries are never listed in the job ad.
I think one part of it is they expect you to be clever enough to look elsewhere to find salary expectations. And you made an effort at that by coming here.

Perhaps you might have been better recieved had you asked, "What can one expect to make at ________ and _________ type jobs?" Or better yet - it would show your ingenuity if you had asked, "Can anyone lead me to a website or resource of salary expectations for the industry?" - because then you are still giving the impression that you are willing to research... a highly regarded trait in this business.

I think a lot of folks here were trying to point out that you came of as an amature - which is understandable... you sound like a young person (high school or college aged) who is exploring a career path.

Hope this helps. Another tip, if there are things you don't know... fake it until you make it. Try to sound professional in your wording and requests - it helps for other people to take you seriously. Then after a while, people ARE taking you seriously and you ARE a professional.

So to help you out - and this may be inaccurate since much has changed since I started out; a reporter in a small television news market (Glendive, Montana Kearney, Nebraska Topeka, Kansas) makes less than $20,000 a year.

With more experience - a reporter in Medium markets (100-170) can make $30,000 to 65,000. Some of the anchors in those markets can earn up to $100,000 to $200,000.

Now your next task is to find out and understand the ranking of news markets.

Good luck.

[DeGirl]

I don't know what the different jobs are in TV. I don't want to do news, because it pays so bad. For truth, I wouldn't like looking at dead bodies. No offense.

If I do do TV in the future, it would be for like Style or E! But someone I know said that I could already do a show online by myself. That would be fun and give me some experience to see if I like doing it.

[Big Poppa Pump]

When I was in San DIego the big thing was people being told they'd be paid in sunshine. Does that count? How much sunshine equates to dolars? "I got my mind on my money. Money on my mind. Finger on tha trigga, hand on my 9".-Tupac Shakur

[Another side]

Am I the only one who thinks Brit is putting everyone on ... a "Sally-lite" if you will?

[ January 07, 2007, 08:59 AM: Message edited by: Another side ]

[LunchPenalty]

'Anne-lite' was my thought...regardless, it's all a sham.

[trunky]

Perhaps you might have been better recieved had you asked, "What can one expect to make at ________ and _________ type jobs?" What can one expect to make at a 70s market and web producer/assignment editor type jobs, with 2 years exp?"

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[Sultanosurf]

But how do you FEEL about your salary?

[Laughing Angel]

Originally posted by Another side:
Am I the only one who thinks Brit is putting everyone on ... a "Sally-lite" if you will?You are correct, AS. I think Brit is yanking our (collective) chain.

[Roy Hobbs]

Originally posted by Another side:
Am I the only one who thinks Brit is putting everyone on ... a "Sally-lite" if you will?More like a Sales Guy Obvious.

[gdiamante]

Originally posted by Brit:
I don't know what the different jobs are in TV. I don't want to do news, because it pays so bad. For truth, I wouldn't like looking at dead bodies. No offense.

If I do do TV in the future, it would be for like Style or E! But someone I know said that I could already do a show online by myself. That would be fun and give me some experience to see if I like doing it.Brit, unless you're lucky enough to host a program on Style or E!, you're going to be paid pretty close to what news people are paid.

Again...if you want to do TV, don't expect to be rich. The ones who *do* end up making money never cared whether they would or not.

[LunchPenalty]

Originally posted by Roy Hobbs:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Another side:
Am I the only one who thinks Brit is putting everyone on ... a "Sally-lite" if you will?More like a Sales Guy Obvious.</font>[/QUOTE]Have you seen her blog?

[TVMattNYC]

Originally posted by gdiamante:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Brit:
I don't know what the different jobs are in TV. I don't want to do news, because it pays so bad. For truth, I wouldn't like looking at dead bodies. No offense.

If I do do TV in the future, it would be for like Style or E! But someone I know said that I could already do a show online by myself. That would be fun and give me some experience to see if I like doing it.Brit, unless you're lucky enough to host a program on Style or E!, you're going to be paid pretty close to what news people are paid.</font>[/QUOTE]Try LESS than what news people are paid.

Guess how much the Queer Eye guys got paid? Less than what most news PRODUCERS get paid in the top 20 markets.

[Produce man]

I will definitely take your word on that, Matt. tongue.gif

[ January 08, 2007, 04:59 PM: Message edited by: Produce man ]

[HushHush]

Brit ... I think it is VERY important that you find a career that YOU LOVE more so than a career that has the largest salary. If you're who I think you are ... you are at a good point in life to start wondering what it is you want to do. And I am also sure that others in your life would encourage you to follow your heart - not your pocket book.

I'm not saying that salary isn't important. But no matter what career path you chose you will earn the salary that YOU specifically deserve to make. Starting salaries for any career - with a BA degree are all going to be around the same level regardless of what career you choose. Expect to see $20,000 - $25,000 with a BA degree your first year out of college.

Once you get your feet wet and have a few years experience under your belt - learn the art of negotiation! Because no matter what career you chose, you'll need to pitch yourself to new employers and ask for a salary higher than what is being offered. If the company likes you - they will give you that higher salary. If they just can't offer you more ... then you have to decide if the job is worth taking.

Trust me ... I went from a Marketing Assistant making $18,000 a year all the way up the ladder to Marketing & Membership Sales Director making oodles. But I was never happy - now I'm working at a high school library making $18,000 a year again. I didn't follow my heart when I graduated school - but sort of fell into a Marketing career by default. Now I'm 38 years old and I still have to figure out what it is I want to do when "I grow up."

[Rhuby Tuesday]

Originally posted by LunchPenalty:
More than I probably should. Thanks IBEW! But alas, the end may be near for the gravy train....IBEW actually loses me money! That's why it's on the outs. No one actually read the fine print when they signed the contract before I worked there. If it isn't mentioned in the contract, they don't pay you for it.