Salary Transparency: Discussing What I Make for the FIRST Time

[@savvysalena]

When I started watching you 8 years ago making $33k working in a call center. You were one of the first black women to share your income and I was so inspired! ✨ Now I make over 5xs my old salary and I feel incredibly blessed and so proud of myself. You, Corrine and Gwen just made me believe I could! ☺️

[@FunandBudget]

Yessssss! You could and you did!

[@TheLeadAttorney]

That's so true. This is the reason why I started sharing how much I made as a KZbinr. Knowledge is power.

[@FunandBudget]

I LOVE how good youtube is to you 🤩

[@sades_travels1749]

@TheLeadAttorney, it's so good to see you in these streets.👏👏

[@jamesleonard4713]

Something an older Engineer told me years ago that stuck with me, was that you have to change jobs at least 3 times to make any real money. Basically, leverage your experience into promotions and higher salaries.

[@thebonnicks]

Loved this video. I grew up with the “factory” mentality, get a job and worked there until you retire. So when I got out of the military, I got a job at the post office. Hated it. When I went back to school I was surprised to learn my classmates were always “job hopping” looking for the next best opportunity. Totally changed my perspective.

[@FunandBudget]

Exactly!

[@phillhill7650]

Thank you for the knowledge. Unfortunately for me it is too late, I am 11 to 35 months from retirement. I hope and pray that your younger audience pays attention to you. Take care.

[@viperviper5]

He is a systems developer in DC making 100,000 a year. Yea he is under paid. I manage a staff of developers from junior to senior level. My senior level positions make 1180,000 a year. My junior positions make 140,00 a year. My project manager position make 220,000 a year.

[@lifeiinkenya]

Yup I was making over 100k in baltimore back in 2015

[@natashaRN824]

This was a GREAT video. I am sooo proud of you. THIS should be the young girls goals and not all that other junk they watching and listening to. You inspire me so much. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@kungfujesus]

10% match god damn, that is more impressive than the salary. That is amazing, sis

[@FunandBudget]

It is nice.

[@tiffanyrebirth]

Salary transparency is so important and I am thrilled that you did this video. It will still go over the heads of some but for those who are receptive, this will change lives. It’s a state of mind ❤

[@pamelamarshall6425]

Good Morning Ms. Tinesha, I love your videos. I'm ALL things money, credit & finances. I, too, am on the fast track to paying off my house, 8 years in my house with 7yrs to go, however, I am projected to pay off my house in 4yrs or less.

[@japeljohnson4206]

And you deserve EVERY BIT of EVERY dime they pay you and then some. I’m so glad to see my sisters winning. I’m in the retail upper management field now after just recently leaving the medical field about 5 ish years ago making ~180K as a travel RN (this includes housing and meal stipends, per diems, on call pay etc) and I’ve worked my way up in the retail industry. I don’t even sit down for an interview if it’s less than 85K to be an Assistant, and I require 8 weeks PTO at minimum, and full company paid benefits. Yes it makes the job market a lot smaller but I know my worth, and with my experience I know where I should sit amongst my peers. I live in southern VA where the cost of living isn’t THAT high, but close enough lol. People tell me I’m “money hungry” and I say no, I just know my worth. I don’t live above my means (I drive a 2012 GMC Terrain with 140K miles on it and have 4 room mates via PadSplit) and I don’t buy much. But when the time comes to rest, and I look back, I know that every single minute I was on the clock I produced enough value to make my salary requirements worth it, AND I brought in enough money to make me worth it. Congrats to you and everyone else who knows their worth is non negotiable and that they add VALUE to these companies. I love US for real. ❤

[@FunandBudget]

I love love love this...now let me look into padsplit...lol

[@kennykaijage5342]

You real for this. I had a convo with a friend on a run about a topic similar to this. I am 26 years old working in Data Analytics space in a healthcare industry and I recently got promoted(Pretty early as well was only in the company for 9 months) for my work and I was disappointed with the new salary based on the effort I've put. It went up from 85k to 95k and I told my friend this. He told me I still make more than majority of people in my age but still felt like I deserved a bit more based on the effort I've put and the data infrastructure and the dashboards we had to build during those 9 months. Still my boss did fight for me heavily and made sure I got that promotion so I am truly grateful to her as she recognized the value that I bring to the team and the organization. P.S. @FunandBudget. 10% match is gold. I get 4-5% match from my company lolllll.

[@alona724]

I’ve BEEN sharing my salary. I learned early…. Nobody benefits from secrecy except the folks paying. Period

[@FunandBudget]

Period.

[@anonanon1982]

100% agree! I’ve always said the only person who benefits from salary secrecy is the company.

[@loveloyalty563]

Are you a manual or automated qa tester/ analyst? That's an extremely good salary if your manual! ​@@FunandBudget

[@bajanalpha4]

Wow - I'm also a software tester but in Canada and this was eye-opening. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@FunandBudget]

@@bajanalpha4 whats the pay like there?

[@bajanalpha4]

@@FunandBudget in general for whatever salary in the US, it’s going to be less here in Canada. I just looked up the average for a Software Test Engineer on Indeed for Ontario and it’s $74,340.

[@bajanalpha4]

@@FunandBudget for a senior in a techier city in Ontario, it’s $99,356

[@patriciajenkins9458]

Hello Tinesha, sometimes we don’t share our pay because we are underpaid. Especially because the cost of living has increased so much. Thanks for sharing.💜

[@TSones23]

The most common salary range for a software test engineer in Chicago is $110,000-$120,000. Other high-paying cities for software test engineers include San Jose, CA, Milpitas, CA, Seattle, WA, and New York, NY.

[@FunandBudget]

A google search says: The average salary for a Software Test Engineer is $114929 per year in Washington, DC. All I know is me and my peers make way more than that - almost double...so this tells me that even a generic search errs more conservative and may even take into consideration the most basic of qualifications.

[@slroge]

You go girl! I work for the federal government so we talk openly about our salaries….its public information. This video will so helpful to other IT professionals or those willing to switch careers.👍🏾👍🏾

[@iggypopped]

I make close to 1m a year working in software. It’s more than I ever made and it’s a hard thing to share and talk about without having people thinking it’s crazy. I spent many years around the 100k mark.

[@NafissaOumarou-ye5vp]

I’m so proud of you ❤ you are just so inspiring and I really admire not just your transparency but your realness and all of you ! Love it

[@RochelleAdamson]

“I always feel like I should make more” I say this all the time!!!

[@SolH2OYachts]

I need to use that line: The minimum I'm willing to accept, I'm interviewing and only accepting the best offers! YES

[@richleaves]

Thanks for sharing. Your story about having your child and working hard is very inspiring, you should be very proud.

[@realmac3k]

I'm 41, live in a lower cost of living area but once adjusted we're at close to the same salary. My last 3 titles I almost talked myself out of even applying to. First I didn't think my old boss even liked me and I got a really bad cold right before the interview (I went anyway), then I was intimated by someone I'd have to interview with for a promotion, and most recently I thought they were just going to hire someone from the outside and not even consider me. It's hard to overcome that self-defeating programming sometimes.

[@FunandBudget]

It really is...glad you are doing it. 💜

[@TashaTaylorTV]

Thanks for being transparent! I love that for you sis! Edited , lol

[@chrisjones4131]

Great advice, love your content Tanisha! I’ve been watching your channel for a few years and have been very inspired.

[@michelleswanston5882]

I'm all about normalizing salary transparency. I work for the government, and love that our salaries are public. I would have been complacent otherwise. Not only was I able to see that I was the lowest paid person in my office at a small agency, I was also able to see what others in my field were making at other agencies. Once I realized that I was being underpaid, I jumped to a larger agency and increased my salary by 50% in less than 2 years. At my previous agency it took 5 years for me to increase my salary from 44 to 65k, then I started at 75k at the new agency and now at 105k two years later. I wish salary transparency wasn't so taboo, even if my salary wasn't public knowledge, I would be very open, it doesn't take anything from me, and it could potentially help the next person.

[@FunandBudget]

Amen! It always helps the next person

[@Shahyee]

WAY TO GO, WOMAN OF GOD!!!!

[@Nevaeh1]

$75k in 2005 was really good

[@kishasneed585]

Love the video, Really great advice a lot of us need to think about this situation.

[@harmonyranay07]

This was a whole message I hope people get it

[@peterwilliams1074]

Impressive salary.. dang, I get paid way too low. You definitely did it right by job hoping your way up. Super kudo to you. You deserve what you get by making it happen for you! I am a Senior Program Analyst, manage all EDI in our company and also am a program developer in the our IT department in CA and I only make around $120k. I get a 15% 401K match and other perks but I don't necessarily count them in my salary. I get on-call pay on a rotating basis that adds a couple of thousand more. I max out on my 401K every year with my salary. I appreciate your honesty and openness. We do ourselves a disservice by concealing our salaries. I think that is an American thing that has been taught to us for the benefit of the employer and not the employee. My company has done many rounds of layoffs thru the years and I am happy to survive and maybe my non-competitive salary for my position has something to do with. I like to think that programs I wrote that run throughout the company also have something to do with it and having system knowledge that few others have.

[@prettygirlus9008]

My risk aversion has kept me at my secure job for 20 years and has negatively impacted my salary growth. I have an MBA from a top 20 school, a MS in Finance, and an BS CS. I will finally crack $100K next month. Four weeks vacation, flexible hours, low stress, a lot of autonomy, excellent benefits. Living in a relatively low cost of living mid-size FL city. Eligible for full retirement in one year w/ a $40K annual pension. 😢

[@FunandBudget]

There's definitely pros and cons to everything. I always say that major financial challenges isn't from being underpaid, most times its from gaps in employment. You stayed employed so that is something to congratulate. You are one year away from an annual pension...that is awesome. I would say after securing that you could then decide if you want to change companies for a pay bump.

[@mustafaidris2572]

Are you in government? Is it typical for normal everyday companies to offer pension or is it mostly government contracts?

[@darknlovelyslg]

PREACH! Thank you for the inspiration, transparency and reminder to go for what we deserve!

[@LaToyaPlansLife]

This was an awesome video! Thank you for sharing this. I really need to go back to school for IT because I'm not in the right field. 😢

[@skqq3250]

That is correct. When you asked for the raise and the current company only wanted to give you after an outside company would and they didn’t even know you. Also……..in government the scales are the same.

[@brucebanksshow]

I think I calculated your salary a while ago but with raises every year it was hard to keep track of it. It wasn't difficult if you reviewed all your old content. I think I calculated recently it had to be 210k and before recently that it was around 180k so I'm not surprised. Those benefits you shared sound amazing. I need to be where you are at fr fr. I just don't like NOVA even if they pay more than the rest of the DMV.

[@FunandBudget]

I think the real win for me is that over the years I got my living expenses so low.

[@kimkennedy5522]

Great video. You are such a smart and motivating person.

[@LynnDanielleTreasure]

🎉Congratulations! Keep shining!

[@Deli_88]

This is great information. Its so necessary to talk about salaries because it helps so much. How does it serve me knowing white people or men make more than POC or Black people? It tells me that even my craziest salary/rate requirements are probably not that crazy so I can go for it lol and I've not been afraid to throw out the highest of high numbers since learning that fact.

[@spridlechimchim9958]

This is what needed to be said...i started my job right out of high school at $5.78 an hour in 1988...still employed there but in a different capacity after employee paid schooling...we started talking salary and found we were making less than those in our demographic for the same duties if not more...ended up equating to a 60% increase in salary after cost analysis was done...thank you for sharing this

[@DanteFortson]

$5.78? I made $5.80... those were great times. 😂😂😂

[@FunandBudget]

I started working when minimum wage was $4.25 an hour...lol...lawwwwddd

[@TMKJG24]

​@@FunandBudgetMe 2 😂😂😂

[@spridlechimchim9958]

@@FunandBudget Wow...my very first job, being from DC was $3.35 an hour under Marion Barrys summer youth employment program...we've come along way...

[@FunandBudget]

You know what...i did work a summer job at 14 where we all tried to front like we werent on welfare just to learn that being on welfare is what qualified you 😂 I worked at the welfare office...lol

[@s_pru23]

You Preaching today Tinesha. Be careful what you let in your soul

[@levelup1095]

Wowww!! You go aunty!

[@emoneymoves697]

This was amazing! Thank you for your insight

[@MsRachelRB]

😅what a great video! I have a Master’s degree and as a single parent of five I worked SOOO hard for that thing. Only to be in a field that averages 50-75k 😢😢😢 the encourage you to keep getting letters and more degree for advancement but I now feel like it’s a trap because the field itself is burning me out on top of that barely can pay my bills. I don’t regret it because I feel like God called me to help others however this video confirmed some changes I need to make. It does not make sense for me to sacrifice my mental health for others AND still not earn enough to pay my bills on time. 🤔😮‍💨🙏🏾thank you for your transparency! I’ll have to pray about it but a change definitely has to come

[@budgetwithjenny]

Happy Friday! Luckily, he discovered it and leaving! they clearly did not value him when they refused to give him a raise when it was clearly underpaid. Awesome advice!

[@joannacrowell]

So inspiring and informative! Thank you for sharing!

[@larhondal9610]

Thank you for your transparency and inspiration. ❤

[@yad2917]

I'm an Engineering leader at my company. I've hired a lot of engineers over the years. That's a good salary for a Sr Test Engineer. i.e., unless you're including 401k match, bonuses, benefits and everything else under the sun.

[@FunandBudget]

Im not...this is my base rate and doesnt include overtime and bonuses.

[@LearningAndGlowing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Caramel5749]

Thanks so much for sharing and your transparency. It is definitely taboo to speak on salary within organizations. I personally always am open in sharing salary, finance knowledge, tips, inspiration, etc. because it may help someone else as you have stated. Each one, teach one!! My husband and I paid off our home in 2021 during the middle of the pandemic because i set goals to do so after paying off $45K in student loans in the year of 2016 I believe. God told me then (put in my spirit) to pay off our home after paying off the student loans. However, I waited…..we travelled, etc, saved. When He touched my soul again after the pandemic, I said SAY LESS!!!, and moved accordingly. We’ve been debt free (with exception of vehicle hubby purchased last year) since then…..all Glory to God! I’ve since then been trying to help family members and others by letting them know they can do the same, but many times if someone isn’t “ready” it won’t happen. They have to be ready to put in the work, and make some changes to reach the destination ahead of them ❤. Keep up the great work…..I LOVE TO SEE IT!!!

[@FunandBudget]

Thank you for sharing...love it!!!

[@melaniesmith1928]

Thanks for sharing, as always.

[@kalah6962]

Awesome video!! 🤩

[@ingramanjanette4212]

Great video!

[@Sunshine19975]

I have always shared my salary amount with people who work in the same field. I work in the pharmaceutical industry. It has always been beneficial .

[@cortezmiller1899]

Congratulations on your new job!

[@aspiringnetworkengineer1704]

❤❤❤ this!!! Preach sis!!!

[@parler8698]

Thank you internet research. Everyone should know how much their skills and experience are worth.

[@sweetpb100]

Thanks for the transparency!

[@7SideWays]

Great advice!

[@Uplift3704]

Thanks for sharing. I work with a few white business/data senior analyst and they are underpaid. I'm underpaid too, my base is 93k but total comp is 125k.

[@RobynJohnson-xg1sh]

Great video keep it coming ❤❤❤ Gems

[@TMKJG24]

We were always told not to discuss our pay with our coworkers now that we're all on a even scale. Everybody knows how much everybody gets paid. I am a desk clerk getting paid $20 an hour now. When the original amount for this position I believe is $17 an hour somewhere else. And the assistant manager only makes $2 more than we do. I know that the senior property manager position is sixty thousand minimum

[@chanreka]

You go girl!!!

[@kidmaxima4life]

Lord, have mercy, I wish I had known this when I was working! I could have maximized my salary because I knew after the fact that I was grossly unpaid.

[@blackjoy-gv1df]

Good for you!!

[@dwalker6868]

Thank you for sharing and trying to help everyone level up stay blessed

[@LoveLacedRN]

You are amazing. Inspiring.

[@Dimeintharuff72]

Thank you!

[@TaeeRoseman]

Girrll!! You gave me the motivation I needed!! I just love you, lol!!💚💚💚

[@callynt]

You dropped some gems here that people don't always consider. The public discorse is always that white men make more. If you dig deeper, especially in IT or Banking, while many do quite well, it is not the same for all of them. It also ignores the vast number of minority women in these sectors who do really well.

[@resilientlife7680]

WOW!!!! Get it Girl 👏

[@rbraxton00]

OMG a developer that’s crazy. In the DC area. Wow yeah they are wrong for that.

[@CourtneyBonner5818]

Great video

[@blueblack4035]

Thanks for sharing

[@cortezmiller1899]

The love the conv!

[@simplybeautyfull]

Thank you!!!!!!

[@gurrrrlish]

this is disguising - i am in IT... our firm -(fortune 500) would not do this because HR controls the salaries based on title & (region of the county) - there is a minimum... there is nobody in our IT department - not even interns earning 100k... our interns earn 55$/ hour minimum. poor guy - - hope he recovers from this robbery... hope he is young.' our developers all earn 200K+ + Bonuses these are employees - with a lot of PTO - - free health insurance - 6% 401K match - pension plan. lots of freedom - work from home or go to office - completely up to the individual.. 20% bonus pool +.

[@Nevaeh1]

I’ve been looking for internships since I have 18 credits left for my cybersecurity bachelors, but there aren’t many opportunities near me.

[@gurrrrlish]

@@Nevaeh1 many of our interns in IT come from Northeastern University - - it is a trimester school so they are with us for longer. for next summer you should broaden your search outside your area. typically in financial services there are great internships . NYC - Boston - DC area are probably good places to look

[@smilesnluvd6526]

​@Nevaeh1 If nothing's close, be willing to travel. Someone will give you a reasonable wage. They should also help you find housing and other necessities for the duration of the internship.

[@tam6011]

its time to leave. you should go in government contracting. In most of the positions on the infrastructure side its rare to find jobs under 150k

[@goldguilder9554]

There’s a lot of Indian IT guys which will undercut. How do you compete with that?

[@FunandBudget]

I don't know anything about that

[@TheFirstRealChewy]

Keep in mind that the CEO and Owner are two different things, but both can be the same.

[@mhodge0890]

I started at 55k back in 2013 with a Bachelors Degree

[@Jhakgrl25]

Damn 7 weeks of vacation!

[@amycolucci6769]

Im a registered dietitian school for 6.5 years….. expensive we make crap not even 6 figures cant wait to to leave the field!

[@ZoSkiLuv]

Salary transparency will lead you down a path where you're comparing yourself to others. Not good. You deserve what you negotiate for in this work world. There will always be someone making less or more than you. Make a way with the resources you've been given.

[@FunandBudget]

If this is true, what it means is you are the type to compare everything in your life to the next persons life. Its bigger than just salary. So if thats true do the work to heal yourself of that character trait.

[@leefr76]

A software tester shouldn’t be paid more than a developer, but good luck to you. An average salary in the UK for a software test engineer is £45k, roughly $60k. Maybe US companies should outsource these roles internationally to save payroll costs!

[@FunandBudget]

@@leefr76 why do you want to block our blessings. I earn what i earn even if YOU think I shouldnt. And what i do us American based...someone in another country could never

[@jessenovak7113]

Don’t matter your race or gender you get paid what you settle for

[@cm88__ny]

I needed to hear this. I am also a Software tester and my salary is terrible. I will be revising my resume and applying for all the jobs. Including the ones I feel like I may not be qualified for. I'm looking to skill up. With all of the different tools associated with testing, do you have any suggestions? I'd like to position myself to earn 100,000 or more.

[@FunandBudget]

I would say look at beefing up your automated testing skills - I have a video coming out speaking to this tomorrow.

[@smilesnluvd6526]

I don't think of "white men make more money" as a belief system. Statistics aren't about beliefs, they're just facts. As to what purpose it serves, these statistics are generally studied and used by people who have taken on the task of creating a more equitable society. It gives metrics to show what's positively affecting their goals and what isn't. I don't think that it's necessarily "useful" for the public, but the media wants the attention-grabbing story. Having said that, knowing it hasn't affected me nor my expectations.

[@FunandBudget]

Where have You seen these "statistics" and how'd they get your numbers to throw into these "statistics"...and why cant you and your life rise above these so called statistics? My point is, choose when you want to open your mouth to the bullsh** they intentionally spoon feed us.

[@FunandBudget]

And when I say you...Im talking the proverbial you.

[@smilesnluvd6526]

@FunandBudget Yes, I've seen some statistics from some government agencies. They have everyone's tax information, it's usually based on that. Combine taxes with the census surveys, and you get a reasonable picture economically. I agree with your point. My life has risen above the statistics. I think anyone has that potential and what you feed yourself matters. I try to make sure what I feed myself with the truth of who God created me to be.

[@FunandBudget]

And thats my point. They intentionally try to imprint our minds with beliefs that we are less than. You know who earns less? Those who fell into the trap of believing their isms and schisms

[@Kinsale101]

I am in Arlington making $97k base plus $20k bonus and I'm in Auditing IT controls. Thats insane he only made that much.

[@FunandBudget]

Very much so..and if you would have seen the audacity and head games they put him through in his last 2 weeks. Smh

[@Kinsale101]

@@FunandBudget oh. I am not surprised at all.

[@swilliams9511]

This is such a great and encouraging conversation, thank you😊 how would we go about finding these higher paying tech opportunities? I find most tech roles want to higher the “cheapest” candidate in this economy

[@FunandBudget]

I didn't start off with a higher paying tech job..I started off by getting my foot in the door first.

[@swilliams9511]

@@FunandBudget ​​⁠same here! 8 years ago I started in tech at 49k fresh out of college and worked my way up but salaried positions over 100k have been challenging to find

[@FunandBudget]

Hmmm not sure why that is. Could it be demographic?

[@mhodge0890]

Wow making that much back in 2005 I know was great

[@tymontana3864]

Know Your Worth Ppl, On Big God!!..

[@christinab9133]

❤❤❤

[@angier2289]

People who change jobs every 2-3 years out earn their counterparts who stay with the same employer. Is it hard to put yourself out there? Sure but the result is your bottom line is considerably better than your former coffee buddy still working for the same employer 15 years later. Remember folks, you are selling your TIME to the highest bidder. Get what you are worth. Otherwise, you’re taking food, vacations, college tuition right out of the mouths of your own children.

[@AG-so4gl]

Companies expect to see your past pay stubs, then work up from there, there not stupid. Generally up to max 30% uplift is achieveable...

[@FunandBudget]

Ive never ever ever gave a company a pay stub from an employer...a company may not be stupid but anyone who does this is

[@AG-so4gl]

In Europe and Asia you have to provide them... ​@@FunandBudget

[@tam6011]

then that company is lying about their pay. You should never provide that. Your worth is based on skillsets not what I last made

[@FunandBudget]

Ok...well, clearly Im not speaking about practices outside of the USA.

[@goldguilder9554]

Were you enlisted or commissioned officer in the military?

[@FunandBudget]

Enlisted

[@wdc4560]

God is good!

[@MillennialSouthernBelle]

Hey hun! This video is definitely one of my favorite uploads from you. First reason is due to your transparency and vulnerability to discuss these topics. Second reason is if you noticed from minutes 17-19, your mindset is more conservative than you may think. A lot of us in the minority community held on to beliefs from the mass media or old sayings that our race/gender/background is holding us back. But in America, everyone has the opportunity to try and succeed in anything we want to gain our own verson of success! You're right; we aren't meant to have a 'fair' life (that's socialism). We can break through any obstacles that come our way if we work hard enough and stop making excuses by holding on to a victim mentality. Lastly, I love the fact that you are a software tester. I was a software tester for a financial company in 2020 for 3 years and it's a great field (I have a hunch that you are in Gov-Tech). Please continue to share more conservative perspectives for our people! -Britt

[@FunandBudget]

Oh wow..thank you for your comment...I never thought of myself as conservative...food for thought.

[@Shahyee]

If anyone here is an IT Project Manager, can you share your salary?

[@AG-so4gl]

Your biggest pay rise is when you join a firm

[@TheFirstRealChewy]

3:24 $100K as a developer in DC? That's cap.

[@FunandBudget]

Oh so now im just making ish up?

[@tam6011]

thats being underpaid in DC. I have lived in the area 3 times. The first time I made 115, then moved 240k, and after that 300k. I wont take anything under 300k base. My total comp which includes 25 percent into 401k well over 350k. I have friends that dont work for nothing less than 1 million.

[@FunandBudget]

Oooh...I need you to mentor me...lol

[@chechi0]

🎯🎯🎯