In New York, for example, where labor represents 95 percent of the city's maids, they can earn upward of $15 an hour, with benefits.

He had traveled across the country, commanded fees of $600 a day and earned upward of $500,000 a year.

Not only top executives get them, but many managers earning upward of $200,000 a year, Ms. Meyer says.

The video companies earn upward of $20,000 a month, with virtually no overhead.

They see a guy in their neighborhood who's earning upward of $500 a day selling drugs, and they see the cops grab him.

It once hoped the luxury division could earn upward of $1 billion a year.

Donors, the doctor explains, can earn upward of $500 a week, depending on volume.

Its pilots earn upward of $140,000.

A healthy locksmith shop, one that does much of its business in installing complete security systems, can earn upward of $100,000 a year, they said.

Among them are former executives who once earned upward of $60,000 a year, Ms. Gilger said.