How long after separation did it take you to equal your pay?

2015-08-15T16:17:16-04:00

I guess I got lucky and it took me 2 years to equal my pay, that's according to the military/civilian pay calculator.

Response by PO1 Kenneth Mangione made Aug 15 at 2015 4:21 PM

2015-08-15T16:21:06-04:00

3 months and tripled my pay.

Response by PO2 Erik Swanson made Aug 15 at 2015 4:26 PM

2015-08-15T16:26:52-04:00

I started working for nns. They matched my pay.

Response by PO1 Matthew Murdock made Aug 15 at 2015 4:31 PM

2015-08-15T16:31:14-04:00

Well you guys are making me see I got screwed... Oh well

Response by PO1 James Mason made Aug 15 at 2015 4:33 PM

2015-08-15T16:33:56-04:00

I had a job paying me 30% more than e-6 with 6 years in 2 weeks before I finished terminal leave. That civilian pay calculator is a accurate as a political rally during election season.

Response by PO1 Mark Filter made Aug 15 at 2015 4:38 PM

2015-08-15T16:38:40-04:00

Unemployed for 18 months...so far.

Response by PO3 Scott Miller made Aug 15 at 2015 5:19 PM

2015-08-15T17:19:31-04:00

When I got out in 1996, I made $1032 a month. I could have got a job at Burger King and made the same paycheck! It didn't take long.

Response by PO1 Alan John made Aug 15 at 2015 6:48 PM

2015-08-15T18:48:07-04:00

Since I went directly for my B.S.E.E it would have been separation + 46 months.

Response by PO2 Angelika Laist made Aug 15 at 2015 10:50 PM

2015-08-15T22:50:54-04:00

going to school, we'll see if it pays off

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 15 at 2015 10:59 PM

2015-08-15T22:59:00-04:00

I started out making almost double my military salary with my first civilian job.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 15 at 2015 11:38 PM

2015-08-15T23:38:09-04:00

I doubled it the first year as a contractor, then lost 30G annually when I decided to switch and become a DA Civilian. I have almost come close to making that back. Also, keep in mind, as a Contractor, you are paying for a lot of things out of pocket that you don't receive as AD or as a DA Civilian.

Response by SSG Ray Strenkowski made Aug 15 at 2015 11:52 PM

2015-08-15T23:52:19-04:00

Made more than my E6 pay for a year in the first 4 months I was out.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 16 at 2015 3:37 AM

2015-08-16T03:37:11-04:00

Between my pension, VA disability, and take home pay from my job, I make more than I did as a First Class.

Response by PO3 Ron Akin made Aug 16 at 2015 7:38 AM

2015-08-16T07:38:06-04:00

I received my B.S. degree 27 months after separation and equaled my pay about 2 years after that.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 16 at 2015 8:05 AM

2015-08-16T08:05:25-04:00

It took about 5 months of wheeling a dealing. It's bittersweet, but sweet in the end(pot of money more than I made in the Army)

Response by PO1 Jason Taylor made Aug 16 at 2015 1:44 PM

2015-08-16T13:44:49-04:00

Hired in at +20k then I was making already!

Response by CPT Jason Mitchell, MBA made Aug 16 at 2015 3:14 PM

2015-08-16T15:14:13-04:00

3 years later and not even close. Hoping the MBA will help with the pay gap. Didn't realize the pay of O-3 with 8+ years was as good as it was; especially if you include BAH and BAS. My best year was OEF 10-11 when I made a killing, mostly tax free! Deployments are certainly a cash-cow of extra pay, free meals, free housing, and tax free status.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 16 at 2015 3:18 PM

2015-08-16T15:18:59-04:00

Minus the deployment bennies, I was always about 10-15% above my base pay in my civilian job. As of the past 2 years I've been forced to take cuts that put me below my pay at retirement. Oh well that's how it goes sometimes. But oh those deployment bennies... :-)

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Aug 16 at 2015 5:45 PM

2015-08-16T17:45:53-04:00

First civilian job.

Response by PO3 Helen Hill made Aug 16 at 2015 7:44 PM

2015-08-16T19:44:33-04:00

it only took me a couple of years but that was back in the 90's

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 8:43 PM

2015-08-16T20:43:43-04:00

Never tried to equal the pay.

Took job that made up difference between retirement and active duty pay.........perfectly happy not having to make decisions anymore.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Aug 16 at 2015 9:45 PM

2015-08-16T21:45:33-04:00

I had no plans to work after retirement due to quality investments...Before I retired was offered a position - I said no, they came back with another offer and I could not refuse...I retired and the very next day started working at a higher pay.

Response by PO2 Erik Trolenberg made Aug 17 at 2015 1:12 AM

2015-08-17T01:12:34-04:00

2 months an I surpassed it.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Aug 17 at 2015 10:09 AM

2015-08-17T10:09:01-04:00

I hope I never get to equal my pay or less again. I make more than twice I used to make.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 10:18 AM

2015-08-17T10:18:38-04:00

I was hired as a contractor working 60-70 hours a week.
I made more than I did when I was in, and already used to work long hours.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Aug 17 at 2015 12:58 PM

2015-08-17T12:58:12-04:00

that has not happened for me yet.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 1:41 PM

2015-08-17T13:41:18-04:00

Still not there...seven years since active duty :/
Can't beat the galley and berthing at COMNAVHOMEFOR though LOL

Response by PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole made Aug 17 at 2015 2:02 PM

2015-08-17T14:02:36-04:00

6 months. I was a BU (Builder) in the Seabees. Now I'm a construction Estimator/ Project Manager for a drywall/ metal framing construction company

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 2:52 PM

2015-08-17T14:52:20-04:00

Retired last year as an CDR (O5) with 35 years, one month and 21 days. Took a year off, getting ready to decide between two GS 13 jobs, both start at $83K so I am negotiating using OPM guidance for what is called "superior qualifications" as well as established salary history. Current 05 over 34 base pay is $105 so I will ask for a GS 13 Step that comes close. I am 54 years old and at this stage of the game, I am happy to get close, I will be happy back working around Fleet Sailors again and for two great organizations, regardless of which job I choose.

Response by SSG Robert Spina made Aug 17 at 2015 6:19 PM

2015-08-17T18:19:30-04:00

IT ALSO TOOK ME 2 YRS I WAS WORKING AS A CIVILIAN TECH REPAIRING TRUCKS

Response by PO1 Scott Cottrell made Aug 17 at 2015 7:11 PM

2015-08-17T19:11:44-04:00

I took a contract job in Afghanistan a month after retiring, so made 3 times as much. Left there and took another contract job, make a little less than I did in the Navy, but it's tax free. So I saved more.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 17 at 2015 11:44 PM

2015-08-17T23:44:37-04:00

PO1 Matthew Murdock I increased my pay immediately...

Response by PFC Michael Crosswhite made Aug 18 at 2015 8:19 AM

2015-08-18T08:19:40-04:00

I equaled it with my first civilian job. I got hired on by an airline while I was still in the medical board unit. 5 years later, my airline was been "aquired" by another airline and pay got substantially better. 18 months from now, with my VA disability included, I'll be at 6 figures.

Response by LCDR Jeffery Dixon made Aug 18 at 2015 10:51 AM

2015-08-18T10:51:56-04:00

Five months.

Response by SGT Brandon Bergeron made Aug 18 at 2015 12:49 PM

2015-08-18T12:49:35-04:00

depends on the job profession and the skills that you bring to the table man. just gotta see what you bring to table and can offer that sets you apart from the others.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Aug 18 at 2015 1:44 PM

2015-08-18T13:44:58-04:00

Still haven't!

Response by PO2 Jeffrey Sheibels made Aug 18 at 2015 2:01 PM

2015-08-18T14:01:19-04:00

I'm starting at the bottom in a new industry. So it will be about 5 years before I am able to match it again. Unless I get very lucky. And I have been out for 5 already.

Response by PO3 Michael James made Aug 18 at 2015 7:05 PM

2015-08-18T19:05:31-04:00

PO1 Murdock, Sir.. immediately, I was fortunate enough to work in Auto industry, where they paid well, and I first met with a Union.. Which for the most part took care of us, demanding competitive pay and Benefits after 90 days.. also yearly COLA increases.. However, today this is different, Auto workers with unions do not pay as well as the Foreign auto makers with companies in the U.S.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Aug 18 at 2015 7:30 PM

2015-08-18T19:30:32-04:00

The day after I left active duty, I got a pay raise and less hours, and that was for a part time job. In the Army, I was working an average of 189 hours a month for $750 (this was in 1984). When I got out, I got a part time job and worked 96 hours a month for $768. Six months after I got out, I was making $1800 a month. However, when I was activated after 9-11, I took a 75% pay cut. Lucky for me, my civilian employer matched my pay so I was able to pay my bills. Its a good thing that most of us are not in it for the money, as most folks can make much more on the outside (depending on the job and your education).

Response by PO2 Nick Burke made Aug 18 at 2015 11:02 PM

2015-08-18T23:02:11-04:00

I made about $12,000 more my 1st year out. 1993

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 19 at 2015 4:13 PM

2015-08-19T16:13:14-04:00

About 10 years; the '70s were difficult years.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 20 at 2015 11:31 AM

2015-08-20T11:31:54-04:00

I was lucky as I received SSDI while in the military, received my retirement and VA funds instantaneously. I was lucky and have gratitude.

Response by PO1 Charles Kimbril made Aug 20 at 2015 6:26 PM

2015-08-20T18:26:14-04:00

Immediately. I'm confused by the people who took longer to be honest. E-6 pay in 1999/2000 was not hard to beat.

Response by SrA Rigo Contreras made Aug 20 at 2015 7:11 PM

2015-08-20T19:11:49-04:00

I took a step back for about a year and half. Then I got lucky and got a job that was about 50% higher. The past several years I've been better financially then I ever have the whole time I was active duty.

Response by PO2 Sean Baker made Aug 22 at 2015 6:18 AM

2015-08-22T06:18:33-04:00

I equaled my pay after 2 years.

Response by CPO Don Lamb made Aug 27 at 2015 1:13 PM

2015-08-27T13:13:46-04:00

My pay immediately double when I started my 1st job after leaving the service and got 6 times higher than my highest year on active duty.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 2:31 PM

2015-08-27T14:31:24-04:00

I guess I got lucky too it took me one year to surpass what I made in the military.