fuzzy

CMO (Chief Meme Officer)

Do you divulge your salary to friends and family?

Personally, I don't give a shit and have been pretty open and honest to anyone and everyone who's asked, but, I'd like to hear the community's thoughts on holding that number to your chest.

Professionally, I think it's a-ok to discuss salary. If someone in my same role at my company would make more than me, I'd size them up and determine if they are better than me. If they aren't, I'd go to the boss and show how I am and ask for a match.

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65 comments

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buckets1

Politicker

The social taboo against sharing salary hurts sellers and benefits the company. I share any time I’m asked. Especially if you are job hunting it’s great to know what others with comparable experience are making.

SaaSsy

Politicker

Completely agree, I’m always open to sharing with people that ask for a reason, whether it be switching fields completely, or moving companies. I do find it odd when people ask as a “who makes more” scenario.

buckets1

Politicker

Yup. “Who makes more scenarios are odd.” Like I’m not gonna ask my finance friend what he makes. Zero interest in that career path. But in this market of I’ve been asking all my sales friends what they make to get a pulse for my own market value.

hh456

Celebrated Contributor

sales

Yeah - knowledge is power. Girls always make less so I always share my income with my work friends who are my equal so they can push back during their reviews. For my family I say I work in sales and am the assistant front desk lady and I sit by the copy machine. They normally don’t ask anything after that. Edit: I’m not a girl.

Incognito

WR Officer

Master of Disaster

Get this man a Coors pronto

hh456

Celebrated Contributor

sales

Seltzer.

BamPeesly

Good Citizen

Sales Director

Yesss 👏🏽

QueenSoopers

Opinionated

Account Executive

THIS is how you help your fellow female co-workers!

Kinonez

Celebrated Contributor

War Room Enthusiast

I don't go screaming it at their faces, but if they ask I will tell them, Most of them don't though.

Chep

WR Officer

Bitcoin Adoption Specialist

Saw something that mentioned finances are only taboo to poor people and since seeing that I've always been as open and honest about my finances as possible. Reason being that wealthy people discuss finances with their friends and family because they want insights into if they are making a good or bad investment. Makes perfect sense why hide your finances with people you know to care about you. A good way to get a gauge if you are making a smart or dumb investment. The only time I'll keep my salary close to my chest is if a company wants to know so they can lowball their offer.

fuzzy

Notable Contributor

CMO (Chief Meme Officer)

That's basically how I feel. If a friend hates me over my salary, then how good of a friend are they? I'd rather learn how to improve my salary. I notice many people stay low simply because they're too prideful to demand more; from themselves or others.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I keep it to myself bc friends/family outside of sales don't understand what I do anyway so it's a lost cause. 😆

mami

Tycoon

Account Executive

I'm a high-earning woman and share my salary ALL the time. It helps encourage other women to consider sales roles and ensures that I'm being paid a fair wage compared to any counterparts I have. I don't hesitate to share my salary or commission structure when asked. As others have mentioned, it's a benefit to companies that employees don't discuss pay.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

I don't feel comfortable to either divulge or know anyone's salary (least interested)

Avon

Politicker

Senior Account Executive

Im pretty open about money with my immediate family and close friends. Outside of that, its not something I'd share.

Do.it.for.the.checks

Politicker

Account Executive

I do but my family is all relatively successful so its not really braggy. It comes up when we discuss career moves or investments

Do.it.for.the.checks

Politicker

Account Executive

And my friends know because I tend to pick up tabs and things

Incognito

WR Officer

Master of Disaster

I have no shame, so basically I share everything if someone asks. Hell, I overshare tbh.

privateryan

Politicker

Director of Sales

I don’t with friends or family because none of the above are in my field of work. Also, my dad is a brilliant man who worked incredibly hard his entire life…and I made more in my 2nd year out of school than he did likely in any given year of his career. I don’t want the smoke…so I stay clear

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

I sure do! And it's helped friends of mine earn more because then they know what to ask for at their next gig.

friendlyginge

Politicker

Account Executive

I think it’s tacky to brag about salary if it’s unsolicited. I also would never ask about someone’s salary. That said, I would never judge someone for asking, it doesn’t make me uncomfortable at all! It’s just my preference not to ask. And if someone asks me, I’m totally open to talking about it. However…I don’t really have a salary worth bragging about yet!

fuzzy

Notable Contributor

CMO (Chief Meme Officer)

Oh yeah, if someone brags about their salary, I’ve replied, “That’s it?” and laugh. They get big mad

friendlyginge

Politicker

Account Executive

Lol I’m gonna steal this comeback!

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

I’m pretty open about it

DealDonkey

Acclaimed Answer

Director of Business

No. My OTE of $176K is 3X the average compensation in my area across all jobs so people would get jealous real quick and think I am rich (I am not). That same OTE is peanuts compared to top reps at leading SaaS companies though so in some circles I might be "poor". Best to keep it to yourself in order to prevent jealously or resentment.

highlyinadvisable

Opinionated

SaLeS dEvELoPmEnT rEpReSeNtAtiVe

grew up house poor. know the feel. made me really strong as a person, though.

fuzzy

Notable Contributor

CMO (Chief Meme Officer)

oh you fancy huh

ColdCallHotCoffee

Politicker

TSR

oh you fancy huh

Craggus

Opinionated

Key Account Manager

You should never be ashamed to tell people what you earn. It is totally subjective - every households needs are different. I know persons who earn more than I do, but due to higher monthly demands they actually have less disposable income to enjoy than I do.

justatopproducer

Politicker

VP OF SALES -US

Yes, because i honestly don’t understand how they make $60k a year and i make double and they live in a $400k+ home, nicr car, luxurious vacations, etc. I hear “they live on credit” but don’t believe that. Are they not saving for retirement? Do they have a money tree somewhere or a trust fund???

SADNES5

Politicker

down voters are marketing spies

I live in Canada. A 400k house is for poor people. 😓

ppg

Catalyst

All around good guy

Agreed. I’m in Montréal and you can’t get $hit for that price.

SaaSam

Politicker

Account Executive

I'm completely open about what I make. I don't bring it up but if it is brought up I have no problem sharing

UltimateMango

Opinionated

Chief of Nothing

When I figured out that I was making more than both my parents combined I learned to shut the fuck up.
Also, if you are a recruiter or do you in any way want me to come work for you? Fuck no, I'm not divulging anything and if you ask? I will tell you with a straight face that I expect a seven figure W-2 and that I will 100% earn it.

The only reason why it is 'taboo' to discuss salaries is that it makes it easier for 'the man' to PAY YOU LESS THAN YOU ARE WORTH.

SADNES5

Politicker

down voters are marketing spies

Yes. Always. Can't raise the ship's without a tide.

The more people understand what others are making the better off we all are.

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

If they ask yeah, I don't there is anything wrong with talking numbers. I am not walking around offering the information though, that is over the line IMO

LordBusiness

Politicker

Chief Revenue Officer

Negative

SaaSData

Catalyst

VP of SaaS & Unit Economics 🏴‍☠️

Never.

TheOverTaker

Politicker

Senior Account Executive

I keep it to myself unless someone has a real reason to ask. I am not overly concerned about other people's salaries either. Not afraid to ask if I have a real reason (upcoming interview/review etc.)

Plus we work in sales...a better question would be, "What is your OTE?" Some people are high salary but low comm%, others are the opposite.

Same same but different

ChumpChange

Politicker

Channel Manager

I ALWAYS share what I'm earning with anyone that's in sales. I don't outright solicit this but if it's brought up... why not!?! Anyone outside of sales... "I make a living."

cw95

Politicker

Sales Development Lead

Pretty open to it, I tend not to trust friends that aren’t open - I find when they do say it’s usually over the top knowing there role etc. If they are family or a good mate they wouldn’t care what you earn so why not. Equally yes, if someone’s in the same role doing less work than you then I would also approach the big man!

torontowarroomrep

Politicker

Account Executive

I don't see why not. If not family and friends, who else? As long as you're not a dick about it.

sellingsellssold

Politicker

SDR

I am pretty open about mine also but when it comes to talking about it with other people at my company I feel weird doing that.

Cothrock

Catalyst

Account Executive

If someone I like asks me, I will tell them. I am not cagey about it at all. My parents are boomers and they NEVER talked about money. Let's just say I had to teach myself money habits. To this day I don't know even a range of what my folks made professionaly.

dwightyouignorantsale

Politicker

Account Executive

I talk about it with my close friends and family when general salary conversations get brought up. Not something I’ll necessarily talk about to non-coworkers out the blue as it can be a bit tacky. Not talking about it is just a way for companies to continue pay inequality which is bullshit.

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fuzzy

Do you divulge your salary to friends and family?

65 comments

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