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This 24-year-old made $162K online in 2 just years, but decided to get a corporate tech job anyway — here’s why

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While in high school, Sharon Kim started a YouTube channel. At first, her content centered around how she got into Parsons, one of the top design schools in the U.S., and then why she pivoted from a career in fashion to one in tech. Her channel was a huge success, and in just two years, she earned about $162,000 — a sum that allowed her to purchase a $750,000 home with her brother last year.

Despite this success, she eventually chose to take a 9-to-5 corporate job as a UX designer in New York City, with an annual salary of $94,000. Why? The reality of making a living on social media was far less glamorous than the idea of it, she says, so she chose the stability of full-time work instead.

“I made six figures from social media, but at the same time, income can be very inconsistent, and in the long run, it may or may not be worth it,” the 24-year-old recently told CNBC Make It. “Just because I had one really good year, I don’t want to assume that the next year will be just as good.” She still maintains her channel on the side, focusing on lifestyle and tutorials.

Stability is just one of the advantages of a corporate gig. An office job typically comes with benefits such as health, disability and life insurance, and the option to contribute to a 401(k). Plus, most jobs offer paid vacation time.

When you get group health insurance from an employer, it comes out of pre-tax earnings and offers automatic acceptance even if you have underlying conditions. Premiums are typically split between the employer and group policyholders (the employees), and in some cases, coverage may include your family or other dependents. If you’re self-employed, private health insurance could be more expensive and more restrictive.

Plus, you may have the option of contributing to a 401(k) — a big plus, especially if your employer will match your contributions. You can contribute up to $24,000 to a 401(k) in 2024, and your employer may match a portion of this, often 50%, up to a limit based on your total compensation.

According to Vanguard, the average match for their plans — which cover millions of people — was 4.6% of compensation in 2023, while the median was 4.0%. Even at 4.0%, if Kim maxes out her 401(k), she’ll get an extra $3,760 from her employer.

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