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

[WinterAx]

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? 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!!!

Well we dont all live in London but you know even people outside of London can earn more than that anyway I was on a bit more than that as a top band five staff nurse , with shift allowances etc I would say it's a good salary for a 23 yr old.

I my 40s i retrained from my original career into another profession. As a graduate trainee with a former life of loads of relevant experience (and 4 university degrees) outside of London I earned well less than 20k. I still earn nowhere near 31k.

A quick google suggests that she could lease a Range Rover Evoque (for example) for around £300 a month, which she may feel isn’t out of her reach on that salary.

I’m 30 and I don’t earn anywhere near that. I’d consider it a very good salary for that age.

I'm in my late 20s and would love to earn that much. I have a postgraduate degree and earn more than most of my friends, but often think I'll have "made it" in life if I ever earn 25k...

That's a strong salary for a young one, and of course a parent is going to be excited when they see their children become independent and have a higher standard of living than they themselves have had. Goal of parenting no?

I can appreciate that her going on about it will be annoying, but proud parents ARE annoying a lot of the time

I personally wouldn't call it a high salary but it is a bloody good one! Especially at 23.
I think there are lots of low salary jobs which makes it seem like a high one. Just my opinion.
I'm in my 30's, and a front line NHS worker so will never see a salary like that!

Do you have kids op?
You are coming across as bitter.
Not nice.
Well done to your “friends” DD

Gosh that isnt bad for 23! he will go far. not read the whole thread, but dh works with someone whose relative has been headhunted by micro soft at 22 with a starting salary of 65 k or something. admittedly he has a double first in Computers or whatever it the degree is called and must just be brilliant - skys the limit for that man!! That is rare i would imagine, but then i earn MW , i know nothing. 33 is a good wage.

It's a good salary for a 23yr old. Am I the only one who thinks it is bloody rude showing off about it?

It’s certainly a decent salary for a 23 year old although my junior 24 year old colleague earns more. You can be sure though that most of her peers won’t be earning that.

Yes that's very good for a starting salary. Most people even graduates in their early 20s don't earn anywhere near that much.

If my son ever gets to earn this , i certainly would not tell anyone! i hate people that boast though, its apet hate of mine. About anything.

It's all in the context.

No, £31k isn't a high earner. You're still on basic rate tax with that. But it's damned good for a 23 year old without any student debt.

As a comparison, a 22 year old temp where I work had just got a 1st class degree through an apprenticeship and had a job offer from a top Management Consultancy starting on £30,000.

So your friend has every reason to be proud.

It is fantastic for a 23 year old.

I imagine as a parent its huge thing gor your child to get a great wage and be on the start to a great paying career.

There is more to life than money. And i eant my kids to be happy. But knowing that they have a good chance of earning lots of money would make me happy. I know how hard it is with a lack of money, dead end career, lack of options etc and would be happy they are less likely to have to face that

I work very hard to earn a lot more than that

A lot work just as hard for a lot less.

Depends on your perspective. If you are a graduate on starting out training as an accountant or a lawyer in London, £31k is not a high salary.

If you are a trainee teacher or nurse then I expect £31k starting salary would feel like untold riches.

About 17 years ago when I started work, I was paid £26k basic + bonuses in recruitment. I thought that was great at the time.

31k isn't a high salary if you've got 20 years experience already but it's a fantastic starter salary for a 23 year old, because as she progresses in her career, it will double if not triple.

It’s very good for a 23 year old and above average even for older people.
It’s not at the top end of the salary bracket though.
Let her be proud of her DD and boast a bit she’ll stop once the novelty has worn off.

It's a very good wage at that age and with no nursery fees etc to pay for.

I think it’s a decent salary for a 23year old, above average, lots earn less, some earn more.

I don’t think it’s exotic hols and Land Rover type salary, but I suspect thr mum is just proud and excited for her child, which is fair enough.

I'm still laughing at mum bragging about buying a Range Rover, like it's better than any other car. Each to their own eh?

Its a bloody high salary for that age, esp if no family responsibilities

As was ever the case, it's relative.

It's not her place to disclose her daughter's salary. How terribly crass.