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AIBU?

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Original poster

In thinking that this salary really isn’t anything to brag about

292 replies

WinterAx · 20/10/2017 06:31

A good friend’s 23yo DD has just accepted a new job where she’ll be earning 31k. Since that time, I haven’t heard the last of it with regards to what a ‘high earner’ she will be now and how much more she’ll be earning than any of her peers. I’m being told she’ll no doubt be jetting off on lots of exotic holidays and buying a Range Rover and such like. Now don’t get me wrong, this is a good friend of mine and of course she’s a proud mother but... 31k... really? Hmm Is this really considered ‘high earner’ status these days?!

Admittedly we don’t live in a city so living costs aren’t high and I know she owns property already with her boyfriend who also earns a similar amount... but I’m just genuinely interested what sort of salary outside of the city is considered to be good these days? If you can genuinely be comfortable on that sort of wage I’m thinking of semi retiring!!!

OP posts:
2littlemoos · 21/10/2017 19:37

Currently a SAHM but was on £28k at 22 which I thought was pretty good - however in that career I wouldn't have actually been on that much more nearly 10yrs later.

So yes I do think that is a nice sum for age, however there is the possibility that it will not increase drastically so no range rovers and exotic holidays yet!

guest2013 · 21/10/2017 20:08

It depends what the job is. That's what makes you successful. My husband was earning triple that at 23 but he's in banking. It's a horrible industry and he's just took a huge huge pay cut at 29 because he just could not do it anymore. I'm more proud of him now.

mummabear17 · 21/10/2017 20:20

Before I went on maternity leave last year I wasn’t even earning half that at 24 outside of London. Obviously it massively depends on industry but I was 40 hours per week on just over £15k

WanderingTrolley1 · 21/10/2017 20:25

Not a bad wage for a 23yr old.

ozymandiusking · 21/10/2017 20:31

Anybody who works, and earns a salary, or a wage, disregarding the amount has something to be proud of. There are also people who have just been made redundant, who were also happy with there work until yesterday. How much one earns is nothing to brag about.
There for the Grace of God go you and I.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 21/10/2017 20:33

I'm 35 and in the last three weeks have had a promotion from £25k to £35k. I live in a northern city so it does go further, but I still have a family to support!

I think it's a brilliant wage for a first job - my first job out of uni was minimum wage.

meowmeowmeow · 21/10/2017 20:34

It's a decent income for a 23 year old but it really doesn't make her a 'high earner'. Good on the lass for working hard and getting a good job but her mother is somewhat crass in bragging. Conversely bragging you are earning very little is crass too.

simiisme · 21/10/2017 22:57

I think that it's bloody good!
I'm on that salary aged 50, a teacher for 11 years, previous industry experience, Science degree and an MSc.
OP must live in a very different world to mine.

eulmh · 22/10/2017 07:32

For a 23 year old that’s a lot! And you don’t mention responsibilities so she’ll probably have a lot of disposable income. She’ll be bringing home around £1800 a month. It took me six years to build up to that as a teacher.

Changerofname987654321 · 22/10/2017 07:42

Much higher than the starting salary for many public sector workers. Police, doctors, nursers and teachers starting salary is between 19k to 22.4k.

Booboo66 · 22/10/2017 08:21

Bearing in mind too that her partner is earning the same so over 60k household income with minimal put goings as living in a cheap area/no dependants I tho I they can easily get a range rover and a holiday if they choose.

MilyW · 22/10/2017 09:14

You are the first person I have ever come across that shared my life moto growing up! 👍

BlondeB83 · 22/10/2017 09:19

For a 23 year old that’s a good salary, she is right to be proud. National average generally is 26k so while it’s not mega bucks, it’s pretty good.

strawberrypenguin · 22/10/2017 09:22

It’s an excellent salary at 23. I’m a decade older and still don’t earn that!

EachToHerOwn · 22/10/2017 09:40

Would love to have earned that at age 23. At age 50, I earn marginally more but live outside London and work in the arts so.....

BananaSandwichesEveryDay · 22/10/2017 10:05

Further to my earlier post, and picking up a point made by others, DC has a science degree, including Mac, in a 'shortage'subject. They teach. And because of their particular specialism, they are pushing up the career ladder quite early and quickly. Even so, they do not earn £31k and won't for an few yearsunless they take on even more responsibility or move out of the classroom into more management roles. Which defeats the object of being a teacher. So yes, I think that's a good salary for 23 years old, even in London. I know many people older than that who work in London and are o ly just within touching distance of that salary.

Biker47 · 22/10/2017 11:38

It's approx 2k take home pay, which after rent / mortgage bills etc doesn't leave much!

It's all relative though. My share of bills and mortgage payment would leave me with £1,350 spare (assuming no other debts/commitments), which is pretty good IMO.

Wage is good for 23yo. I'm 30 and my basic pay is below that, but I earn about £25k ontop of my basic through various means. I wouldn't class it as "high earner", but would class it as above average, because thats what it is.

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