Am I underpaid? Institutional Sales Analyst

So I work for a sell-side research vendor as an institutional sales analyst. Basically I work with our buy-side clients and get them the information they need from our data and research and help them generate ideas. I’m a first year associate and was wondering how underpaid I actually am. My starting salary was $35K and now I’m up to $40K. I do get commission sometimes when I set up meetings but this is very rare. Honestly I’m not sure if I have the background or am even smart enough to get into investment banking or to the buy side, so I’m not sure what else I can do.

I’m also the only junior guy on my team with a decent head on their shoulders and am often overworked because of it. Wasn’t able to take a day off for an entire year because of how hard I work (catering to the buy side is very hard work as most of you know), The hours are generous (anywhere from 40-50 hours a week, sometimes 60 but that’s rare).

I work in NJ by the way and just want to see how other people feel about my situation because I’ve been pretty down about it lately. If I knew I’d make this money I would have just become a teacher or do something fun or not go to college at all. Any other jobs where I could work close to the market but maybe aren’t as competitive as IBD and he buy side?

Thanks!

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