<prompt> Human: Ive been working on commission at an auto-repair shop for the better part of 10 years. The problem is when there is no cars to work on there is no money. I really enjoy working here, I love my customers, my co-workers, and the owner. I then began bargaining for an hourly wage with bonus potential. We eventually reached a salary of 52k a year as long as I put in 50 hours per week. 50 hours is the normal open to close hours 6 days a week. Nobody in the history of this place has negotiated this much money out of my boss and it actually took me putting in my 2 week notice for him to take a look at the finances. Before on commission I made roughtly 28-35k a year depending on business.Its tough reading PF sometimes because you guys teach that your income should ALWAYS keep increasing. Im pretty sure that my income will only go up if minimum wage goes up. I just bought a house and have about 2k in debt to a tool company for my toolbox. No student loans, and Im a certified ASE Master Tech. Any advice for the future? Im at the upper end of income for my trade skills especially in the area I live.  <response>: Look, some jobs just max out at what they will pay. It doesnt make sense for a boss to pay more if they can get the same output for less. Obviously youve become more and more valuable to your boss so youve earned the increase. But there may be a point where that stops - especially if youre at the top for others in that area w similar skills.If minimum wage goes up yours may not given how much youre making. The point of income is to enjoy your life. Sounds like youve got that so dont worry about increases just because people say you should.I started a company 20 odd years ago where most of the jobs were warehouse jobs. I knew if I kept giving people raises Id regret paying them double what I could pay an entry level person. So instead of raises I kept wages somewhat level and implemented a profit sharing plan. With some adjustments that has worked well. Were hoping to keep it going long enough for our manager to retire - hes been with us the longest. As for going out on your own, its very risky. Theres a lot more skill to running a business than repairing cars. Plus you have to be in a fixed location thats expensive to set up and move. You risk being in the wrong location OR opening in a location that starts out good and changes. Statistically people who start their own company doing what they did at a job end up earning less - a lot less. You might talk to your boss about the possibility of buying him out when hes ready to retire assuming hes older. Make sure he teaches you what you dont know first. 