Would you rather have an interesting job that was badly paid or a boring job that was paid very well?

I'm a paramedic, been in the nhs in some form since 18, 44 now.

If i had done something lucrative I'd now be able to comfortably switch to a dream job (garden designer), or consider early retirement but instead I'm just facing another 24 years of NHS and it sucks.

I will be certainly be discussing, with DD , the merits of a high salary less appealing job combined with good financial and future planning as a valid career choice.

I left teaching for a similarly paid but quite boring role.
With flexible hours, mainly remote and nothing to bring home and work that is simply over when I finish it it’s just a different life. Teaching was not only stressful when there, it was the never ending aspect, always more you could be doing.
I miss the actual work with children, but I couldn’t do it to my own children again and go back. I’m present and I have a life now, and I want to live it. It’s a shame, I’d like to have the stimulation and fun of teaching. It’s just not livable.

I'd go for the high salary every time.

I work to live, not live to work. What happens in the 35 hours a week I'm working is far less important to me than the other 130 odd hours that week!

This is the debate my husband and I are having. At the moment he is applying for jobs and could do a 3 day week in an area he find tedious or, for the same money, a five day job in an area he finds rewarding…… he wants the full time job. I think he’s mad 🙄

I work self employed and sporadically now as we both early retired with public health pensions. It would have been hard to have given up a really well paid job. It was easier to give up a middle paid job. I do enjoy a simpler life and living on less is doable. I love my freedom more than what I can earn. I am not sure I could have retired early knowing my potential future earnings would have been mega bucks! Knowing I was never going to earn mega bucks in my job made it easier.

Similar and also on about UK average. All jobs get a bit tedious at least some of the time, but I just don't think I could stand to do a job that demanded thinking about but was boring. I could do all manner of jobs that didn't need thinking about. I think I'd enjoy driving around all day for example. But an accountant or something like that that really demanded attention to something I really didn't want to do - I just don't think I could hack it so I wouldn't end up well off after all. I worry mostly though, because dd is even worse and I cannot see how on earth she is ever going to be financially independent in her chosen path. I find myself wanting to steer her to more financially stable options - and wishing I had more money to help her. I do wish I had considered money more - thought more about savings, pension, that sort of thing.

This is a bit like being asked if you'd rather be deaf or blind! Neither! An interesting enough job that is well paid enough that you can afford to have a decent standard of living, surely?

I have a really interesting poorly paid job, i would much prefer to be bored with disposable income.

Boring and well paid. Stressing over money is no fun. Spending money on hobbies and holidays is very fun.

I work in education. I'm a HLTA and I work with SEN children. I definitely don't do it for the money 😂 but I love my job and I love the children I work with.
DH and DS both work in office jobs and earn so much more than I do. The thought of sitting down all day staring at a screen bores me.
I'm still waiting to win the lottery though!

I’ve always done jobs that are worthwhile and help others. I’d like them to pay better than they do but I made a decision to prioritise my values, passion and social responsibility over money.

There was a point where I had to make a specific and conscious choice of which way I went and I’m glad of the path I chose.

I think we find jobs boring because they don't challenge us so the answer is going for a job that's a stretch and is better paid! So I'm going to say I want both!