X list has very much been a hit and miss, and not something I would factor into first year pay.

Some experiences:

I had a meaty 4 day trip premium trip that made for a nicer paycheck the next month, but I was also used often and inefficiently most of the rest of my reserve days (double deadheads to operate one short leg then deadhead home etc) and didn’t break guarantee so the remaining 8 days off sort of made it all a wash.

I accepted a short red eye turn X list call. I live a couple hours from base, so between commute both ways, gas, parking (the employee parking/shuttle is whole other discussion) taxes, delays etc etc, the net $300 wasn’t worth the time off I gave up to do it.

Had a last day red eye trans con home, the plane next to us was delayed with a tech issue and we were offered 2 hours credit to give up our plane, take a 3-4 hour delay and ferry that plane home. The captain was all for it as his commute didn’t leave till later that day and it was another $500. I would have gladly given my measly $100 to just go home. ($114 technically, but I doubled tipped some van drivers as the skipper said it wasn’t something “he did”)

I’m not bashing premium pay events, and they can definitely be a nice kicker when your paychecks aren’t so impressive, but on first year pay the juice isn’t always worth the squeeze.