I just finished my Associates last May and started working in field last December. I started my first contract position at $18/hr, was let go for questionable reasons (all I was told was I was “too artistic”), and started another position at the same rate. Within my first two weeks I got a call from one of the other places I had interviewed at. They offered me $20/hr and I was 100% willing to walk out of the dumpster fire that was that job. At my 90 day review I was let go for attendance issues related to illness. I asked for $20/hr at my next interview, but was offered $22/hr the next day (there is also a near $3k hiring bonus, day one insurance, the works). I was fired twice, but recruiters encouraged me to indicated short term jobs were contract or that I was laid off. I was also homeless for a portion of this year so its been a roller-coaster.