3 answers
Ava Lillian
Student
Alameda, California
1
Question
Asked
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What will my salary be for my first job after graduation? #Spring25
I'm a current high school senior and I will be graduating this June. I am going to attend a UC school. What salary range can I strive to have after I graduate?
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3 answers
Danille Jager
Global Talent Leader
6
Answers
Mount Kisco, New York
Updated
Danille’s Answer
Hi Ava - Salaries vary vastly depending on what field of work you are in. From there, starting salaries are typically lower and then they grow as you grow with experience and years with a company.
When thinking of a salary - people often think of a salary and a job title. There is more to it than that... a way to measure could include salary, job title, free time, liking what you do, mental health and physical health.
Being able to pay bills (rent, car, food, etc.) is a measure for salary. If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life!
To that end, there are people who make a lot of money and are not happy, and people who work really hard and don't have the highest salary, and need to work more than one job to make ends meet. You'll find a balance.
Wishing you the best in college and beyond!
When thinking of a salary - people often think of a salary and a job title. There is more to it than that... a way to measure could include salary, job title, free time, liking what you do, mental health and physical health.
Being able to pay bills (rent, car, food, etc.) is a measure for salary. If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life!
To that end, there are people who make a lot of money and are not happy, and people who work really hard and don't have the highest salary, and need to work more than one job to make ends meet. You'll find a balance.
Wishing you the best in college and beyond!
Jamie Northcutt
Senior Forensic Auditor
40
Answers
Selmer, Tennessee
Updated
Jamie’s Answer
Hi Ava! It is great that you are thinking ahead. As others have mentioned, salary ranges vary significantly. Factors that come into play are career field, level you start at, location of job, cost of living in your area, how many hours you work or on salary, etc. However, it is likely not going to be your goal salary starting right after college. Everyone has to start somewhere, and just know, many companies give annual raises and/or bonuses. So, there are opportunities for your salary to increase over time as you grow in your career and "move up the ladder."
It is also important to factor in outside factors when selecting a career field and specific job. How much debt will you be in from student loans if you choose a particular field? Will you be working long hours, or will the job provide a balance of time to enjoy your personal life? Will you enjoy what you do every single day? Do you work with people who you like and respect? Do you have a long commute or work from home? What benefits does the job offer? Etc. There are many factors that are as important as how much money you make and play a huge role in if you enjoy your job or not.
You will be just fine after graduating! You may have to live in an apartment that you don't absolutely love or maybe eat out only once a day instead of 3 meals, but those sacrifices will be worth it if you love your job. Focus on finding something you love to do, and I promise everything will work out financially! The job you start out with may not be your forever job and more than likely, your salary will only grow over time.
Good luck!
It is also important to factor in outside factors when selecting a career field and specific job. How much debt will you be in from student loans if you choose a particular field? Will you be working long hours, or will the job provide a balance of time to enjoy your personal life? Will you enjoy what you do every single day? Do you work with people who you like and respect? Do you have a long commute or work from home? What benefits does the job offer? Etc. There are many factors that are as important as how much money you make and play a huge role in if you enjoy your job or not.
You will be just fine after graduating! You may have to live in an apartment that you don't absolutely love or maybe eat out only once a day instead of 3 meals, but those sacrifices will be worth it if you love your job. Focus on finding something you love to do, and I promise everything will work out financially! The job you start out with may not be your forever job and more than likely, your salary will only grow over time.
Good luck!
Alexander Martin
Accounting
3
Answers
Cupertino, California
Updated
Alexander’s Answer
Hey Ava!
I had this question which my entire college career so I get where you're coming from. The minimum wage in Cali right now is 16.50$ an hour so you'll be making $24,024 annually at that rate. $16.50an hour X 40 hours a week X 52 Weeks a year = $34,320 Pre tax. Generally for us in California, I use a general 30% tax rate and we can multiply our remaining amount by the reminder after tax rate (1-Tax Rate) -> (1 - .3= .7).
34,320 X .70 = 24,024 after tax.
I definitely saw this when I was discouraged but this is only the starting amount and you can grow over time. In college you can build specialized skills that people will pay for such as Accounting in my case. My first job for a regular company was a clerk was 25 dollars an hour back in 2024 (this was while I worked on my master degree and graduated with my bachelors). I think our 20's are our growing years and our 30's are our earning years, but that is my philosophy. I use this equation for my goals and comparing opportunities, but also take into account your physical health and your social well being. No salary is worth dying for early. Quantifying stuff has always eased my anxiety because the numbers never lie and are clearer than just a range. I hope you achieve your goals and I hope you have fun earning journey!
I had this question which my entire college career so I get where you're coming from. The minimum wage in Cali right now is 16.50$ an hour so you'll be making $24,024 annually at that rate. $16.50an hour X 40 hours a week X 52 Weeks a year = $34,320 Pre tax. Generally for us in California, I use a general 30% tax rate and we can multiply our remaining amount by the reminder after tax rate (1-Tax Rate) -> (1 - .3= .7).
34,320 X .70 = 24,024 after tax.
I definitely saw this when I was discouraged but this is only the starting amount and you can grow over time. In college you can build specialized skills that people will pay for such as Accounting in my case. My first job for a regular company was a clerk was 25 dollars an hour back in 2024 (this was while I worked on my master degree and graduated with my bachelors). I think our 20's are our growing years and our 30's are our earning years, but that is my philosophy. I use this equation for my goals and comparing opportunities, but also take into account your physical health and your social well being. No salary is worth dying for early. Quantifying stuff has always eased my anxiety because the numbers never lie and are clearer than just a range. I hope you achieve your goals and I hope you have fun earning journey!