What salary should I be aiming for?

[OfMe]

After changing career, doing a degree, and have just finished a MA. Alongside that I project managed a 2 year project from start to finish with a cumulative and peeling staff of 100 (so for the most part it was supervising a few, but for about two weeks it was the full 100, then it went back down to a few again). The job I've been doing normally commands a salary of £40-50k, but I've done the whole project for experience, as it tied into my MA well, and I could use it for my dissertation.
Granted the jobs situation in my area isn't fantastic, but what would you theoretically think I should be looking at salary-wise? I can obviously give more info, but didn't want to waffle on too much.

What was the project? What's the MA IN? Some industries (e.g. construction, biomedical) command higher salaries for PMs.

Hi Orange, thanks for answering! The project was an independent low-budget feature film and the MA was in Cultural and Creative Industries.

Sorry to be a party pooper, but it all really depends on your area and the demand for your skills.

I have an MA from LSE on Sociology and I'm fluent in 3 languages. I also have 7 years of experience with one of the biggest travel oriented .com both as manager of a team of 100 and a PM.

In Cornwall (where I live) there isn't a real need for my skills (the company I'm currently working at does need them but that's a different story).

I was unemployed for almost a whole year and even then the highest salary I could aspire was £35k whereas in London I should be expecting £70k+

I'm currently at £18k and with a new role within my company I'm also wondering what my salary jump should be.

You have to look at similar roles with similar responsibilities in your area, that's your best bet. Good luck.

Thanks Rainbow, and I think what you've said is very true - I think it will be tough to find a suitable job around the area where I live, as most of the creative industry jobs are in major cities, so I think my earning possibility will be limited.

Having said that, since I posted I've been headhunted for (non-creative) job that's about half of what Adzuna said I"m worth (if that's anything to go by, for what's it's worth). FIngers crossed I might get it though, as it would be really good to be earning so soon after searching!

Yeah, film PMs are not paid that well, and are competitive. Have a look at the APM jobs board and be prepared to live in a big city.

Problem is that, just like you, a lot of film PM for small budget films have plenty of people who are happy to be unpaid in the hope that it gives them experience so they can be paid.

Yup, just realised this now, 2 years on! I think I might end up doing another couple of projects unpaid just to get the 3 credits you need to apply for jobs on sites like production base. Or I may just get a 'normal' job, anyway! I guess there's not much I can do but just plug away and see what happens!

Can your university/careers service help?

Don't be down, film and tv is booming in the UK