To think this is a good salary for a 20 something!

[topofthedrums]

21 and earning 30K a year. I think that's pretty decent, is it not? Outside of London too.

My mum thinks not, and says it's very average.

I think she's somewhat deluded. But she insists.

Are you living in fantasy land? Most people get a job or a career without an unlimited ceiling of income. I’ll probably max out at £44k when I’m 35 and be there pretty much for the foreseeable future, I can’t go much further: and I’m bloody happy with that!

I have to agree with this. Being on £40K by 30 is desirable for me, and that's it.

I'm very happy with that. I don't really see why I would want to up workload etc for more money if I were to reach the 40K mark. That's wealthy to me.

But I'm also aware my salary seems 'Better' because my household has two salaries coming in, not just the one. Might not be so fancy if DH woke up one day and decided I wasn't to his fancy anymore. Not going to happen, but who knows ;)

You need around £43-£45k per annum to be in the top 10% income bracket. Therefore £30k at 21 is a great achievement, but I agree with others that your income will quickly stagnate as You're not a professional or work in IT.

No I’m not living in fantasy land. I was asking a question. The OP appears to be very happy, and should be happy on £30k at 21. I asked whether she would be happy to work in that career for 20 years and hit a ceiling at £10k more than her starting salary.

There is nothing wrong with £40k at 50 at all. However, I asked her if she would be happy with that becuase if not, she would need to pursue further education or look at an alternative path in future. It’s just advice, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be happy with £44k. OP asked a career related question. PPs can answer it how they wish.

So you are a PA with no degree earning 30K a year outside of London and married with a dh that provides a second salary. I suppose you must be living the dream.

Sorry Unfinishedkitchen, I misread your tone. I do see a lot of competitive salary crap on MN with posters wholly out of touch with reality competitively sniffing at good salaries in order to not so subtly showcase their own wealth, without having to specifically disclose their salary (thus avoiding looking gauche, in their view).

I'm very happy with that. I don't really see why I would want to up workload etc for more money if I were to reach the 40K mark. That's wealthy to me.

You and me both OP. You and me both.

I’m starting to wonder if this is just a thinly disguised brag though, your comment about husband earning too, unprompted.

It’s okay to be proud of what you’ve achieved, but aren’t your friends IRL interested in your success? You can google median income for your area in a second (there’s a good guardian article from 2011) and see very clearly that you’re earning far above the average wage in the majority of areas.

You’re a bit young to be married! What a dull way to spend your late teens/ early 20s!

Jessie the commented about my DH wasn't unprompted. I mentioned him because his salary probably makes us all feel more comfortable in addition to just mine.

So 30k does seem good but would be a different story if all living costs etc came from my wage alone. That's why I mentioned him

You’re a bit young to be married! What a dull way to spend your late teens/ early 20s!

I don't find it dull. I find it enjoyable and a great experience. I wasn't aware marriage had to be dull 

Marriage isn’t dull. Doesn’t mean you have to start it so early!

Capris you just said it was a dull way to spend early twenties.

Which is fair enough if you're of that opinion, but if it wasn't dull, why would it be dull to me? That makes no sense.

Marriage hasn't prevented me from doing anything I'd like to otherwise. We're both very much on the same page. That's partly why I married him.

It's about sharing life experiences together.

Lol yeah alright. Bet you have amazing life experiences 🤣

DS is 22 and earns £28k plus bonus. He also has no degree but did complete an apprenticeship. We live up North and I'm incredibly proud of how hard he's worked to achieve this. Your mum should be proud of you too.

Capris Do you take great joy in putting people down who like different things to you? A rolling on the floor laughing emoji because I've enjoyed my life experience so far and I'm married?

Off you pop

Well it’s just you’re not painting a very exciting picture of your life but seem quite concerned with portraying it as the dream

@Want2bSupermum the op is talking about earning £30k as a Personal Assistant to a company boss not a Physician's Assistant....

You have the personality and the skills for the job - and on top of that you sound as if you enjoy it! Not many people can say that, you have made good choices for you, stick at it, well done.

Has your mum ever worked op? Her bitchy comment about your salary is the type of thing people say when they don't know what they're talking about, IMO.

I was on 14k aged 22 and was very pleased with myself and that was doing a PhD!!

Meanwhile Caprisun wins the nastiest poster of the day award, well done

OP you are doing fab, your mum sounds like one of those people for whom nothing you do will ever be good enough. Fuck her daft comments

The average wage where I live is £23,270. £30k is a fantastic wage round here.

I’d be proud of you if I were your mum. It sounds a great job. My dd started off as a PA and moved into another area of the company and is totally high flying now. It’s about what you want, what you’re capable of and where the breaks are! But also being a great pa has progression too in itself, though it would probably mean moving firms and possibly moving to a major city.

It’s good for a non-grad outside of London in an admin 9-5 role. But generally most of the 20 somethings I know earn a whole lot more than that (even the PAs) - lowest earner is on 45k.

Wondering if Caprisun is your mum

You're doing good OP and take no notice of those that sniff at the PA role, it can be a great career.

@Cherries101lol. It's not just "good", it's well above average for that age. These threads always bring out people who only know people on ridiculous wages.