People who make $300,000 a year reveal what they do for a living

Workers are sharing the careers that have landed them a salary of $300,000 AUD or more a year – but some say the money isn’t worth the stress. 

From pilots to crane operators and even video game designers, employees have spilled on the jobs that have provided them with a comfortable living. 

However, some said while they earn a decent income, they ‘regret’ spending countless, stressful hours at work rather than enjoying time with family and friends. 

A Reddit user asked those who earn more than $300,000 what they do for work and thousands were happy to share anonymously.

One said they make over $360,000 as a Michelin-starred private chef. 

‘Left the industry for this one family. They are no one important. No NDAs. They just have a cyber security company in the Bay Area. 25-40 hours a week,’ they explained. 

Another said they make up to $330,000 as a crane operator while another brings in an impressive salary as a ‘salmon sperm dealer’.  

Salmon sperm facials and injections are popular beauty treatments as it is said to have anti-ageing properties.  

The video gaming industry appeared to be a lucrative one with designers and marketing associates raking in big bucks. 

Many said they make six-figure salaries working in law but warned others against entering the industry.      

‘Divorce lawyer. Every day is another soap opera,’ one person replied.

Another said: ‘Lawyer at a big law firm. Wouldn’t recommend it’.

‘Lawyer. But I’ve sacrificed a ton of family and personal time to make the dough. Looking back, I regret the time lost,’ a third wrote. 

Working as a pilot was another common answer with captains from private jets and commercial airlines saying they earn big money.  

‘Airline pilot here, it’s good pay, but I do it because I love it. You’d be amazed how many miserable people making $400,000-plus there are in this industry and still have financial problems,’ one man said. 

‘Airline Captain. Worked for dirt and ramen noodles for years though,’ another replied. 

It’s not just corporate desk jobs that pay well – many tradies and physical jobs can also rake in cash. 

‘Roofer. Dirty roofer. Pulled in $486,000 last year with just a brother on payroll making $120,000 himself,’ one man wrote. 

‘No leaks. No advertising, only word of mouth. It pays to be the best roofer in the state. Suck it unlicensed shinglers, and thanks Dad for showing us the ways of the hammer.’ 

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‘I might clear $300,000 this year depending on my bonus. I’m a senior-level construction manager,’ a second said.  

‘Paintless dent repair. Fixing door dings and hail damage on cars,’ someone else replied. 

‘Construction project manager. It’s really a hybrid role of sales, estimating, and project management. That’s the only reason that I can make that much in my area without travel. There are not many people that can effectively do all three,’ another added. 

Someone said they do AI research for a big technology company while one user revealed they are a cancer research scientist for a major pharmaceutical business.  

‘Software Engineer at a FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Alphabet/Google) company. Don’t really feel qualified but I don’t plan on leaving until they fire me,’ one user responded. 

‘Software engineer. High school dropout. Went to a six-month coding boot camp. First job out of boot camp was $158,000. Eight years later my total comp is $422,000. I work from home. I average less than 40 hours per week,’ another commented.