Career: Salary vs Interests

[Phwoaroah]

What is more important in your opinion? A career which pays very well or a career which aligns with your interests?

For example, would you take a job doing something in a field like marine conservation that really interests you but the realistic maximum you could earn would be £50k p/a.

Or would you take a job in finance/banking where you could realistically earn £200k p/a.

How is that relevant? That covers everything from new starters to people who have been in the workforce for decades.
OP isn't even talking about the average, or starting. But the maximum for someone who reaches the peak of their career.

I'd definitely go for money, but it's more nuanced than raw figures.
If I had the choice.
50K by the age of 30 is a good salary and outside London would be more than enough to buy a property and set myself up comfortably, even as a single woman.
50K at the age of 50, 2+ decades into my working life, and only at the very top? Not worth it.

I went for a career that brings in 50-60K early on for individual contributors. Potential to earn 200K, but not without loads of work or contracting. Not very bothered atm, here in the North West it's enough for a good life.

As with everything in life there is a balance. I found I was marching up the pay scales to £50k motivated by money but once I got to £50k that (or at least prior to CoL) afforded us the lifestyle we were striving for (with DH's wages too, not SE, and public sector so good overall package). I took a £20k pay rise to £70k this year in the same profession/sector but different (less interesting) work context. And I am miserable! I don't regret it because with mortgage rates it is a necessity now, but I won't make the same jump again, I'm trying to get a level transfer back to my old employer.

I could pretty easily get £100k+ if I took my skills to the private sector, financial services specifically, but knowing how bored I am currently I think I would die inside. Once you've got the salary you need to maintain the minimum lifestyle you want, that's when it starts to get harder to compromise on work enjoyment I think, you're there so much.

But to add I did the first one in my 20s and was disappointed with our lifestyle, so that wasn't sustainable either.

Little point having a job you love if you can't live your life outside of it the way you want to, and eventually it wears you down not feeling valued, but equally no point having a shit ton of money if you spend 37+ hours a week doing a job you loathe, as that'll seep into your home life too. Balance!

50k is lots so definitely 50k in a job I loved. I thought you were going to say minimum wage.