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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what your goal salary is?

601 replies

SmokeyApo · 14/04/2021 14:40

Hi all, just being nosey here Grin

I have been thinking a lot about career progression and asking for a raise lately, and that got me thinking about what my goal salary is. As in, the salary that I would like to earn at the peak of my career (let's say between age 40 and 50).

So I will ask: what would your goal salary be?

I won't share mine for now just because I don't want to influence the answers, but I will happily share it later on.

OP posts:
mumontherun14 · 15/04/2021 19:33

I’m on 50k in public sector it seems huge to me when I put it on paper but has crept up gradually over the years and with the 40% tax I never feel that well off or as if I ever get a big increase which I know sounds ridiculous. DH is on 30k so 80k combined but we have quite a big mortgage some debts & supporting 2 expensive teenagers one looking to go to university overseas so saving for that. Hope to feel more comfortable in a few years but don’t want to wish this time away either x

sabbii · 15/04/2021 19:34

depends on how much do you actually need - usually happy and comfortable works for me.

Boomshakkalakka · 15/04/2021 19:35

I'd like 40k for a 4 day week but will never get it so I dont worry too much about it.

Rosewood017 · 15/04/2021 19:36

I knew I shouldn't have opened this. Depressed now 😄

Me and hubby don't earn loads but really work hard. However we have flexibility in our roles meaning we get a good work/life balance to maximise time as a family. That's priceless to me.

RMNMummy · 15/04/2021 19:45

My ideal salary in order to live a comfortable life with where I am would be 60K. Currently despite being on 40K, I’m a single parent paying childcare to work, so I still have to rely on UC to make ends meet. Guess the city 😂

SGChome20 · 15/04/2021 19:47

Christ almighty, MN (or at least this thread) certainly isn’t a representation of society!

I’m happy with my salary and earn nowhere near these amounts.

Yourcatisnotsorry · 15/04/2021 19:48

I’m at about £130k mid 30s so technically plenty of room for growth think I’ll probably get to £150k and max out there.

crispychicken12 · 15/04/2021 19:50

£40k which I should be on by the time I'm 35, should everything in my career go to plan (and I actually qualify and earn my degree) I'm 28 now, so not too far off track.

A combined salary of around 90k for me and DH if I can achieve my goal.

TheMotherlode · 15/04/2021 19:58

Can people who earn £50k plus please share with the rest of us what they do 😂😂

Head of HR. DH is commercial solicitor.

marshyindigo · 15/04/2021 19:59

I’m on 50k in public sector it seems huge to me when I put it on paper but has crept up gradually over the years and with the 40% tax I never feel that well off

You won't be paying 40% tax on £50k, you're on the cusp of being a higher rate tax payer and even then you'd only be paying 40% on the amount over the threshold.

LiveLuvLaugh · 15/04/2021 20:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Scoobydoobydo · 15/04/2021 20:08

Just a £1 more than I can spend Wink

Drunkenmonkey · 15/04/2021 20:12

I'm interested to know what all the 6 figure jobs are. I genuinely thought that kind of salary was quite rare. Stupid me!

2306IRW · 15/04/2021 20:19

At the moment I'm part time and earn 15.5k I'll be part time for a long time yet until DD is old enough to get herself home from school and be able to look after herself for an hour or 2.
I think maybe full time id like to be on about 40k. I'm not bothered about having enough money to fill a swimming pool, just enough to live comfortably

ZenNudist · 15/04/2021 20:20

Drunkenmonkey the more senior levels of law and accountancy, especially in London are easily 6 figures. Tbh the more senior you get the more £100k looks like a pitiful underpayment.

Lots of finance jobs pay really well. Banking, PE, funds. There a lot of these types of job in the UK.

MD CEO and board level job, particularly in London.

cyclingmad · 15/04/2021 20:22

My £50k job is in project management in public sector. My benefits including final salary pension make it more like £60k I reckon so can't complain too much but would still love my take home pay to be more Grin

YukoandHiro · 15/04/2021 20:22

Why is 40s career peak? I would say 55-60 is surely peak.

I'm 38. I'm PT now but my past peak was £52k. I'd like to make £75k at some point when I'm back FT

YukoandHiro · 15/04/2021 20:24

Ugh pensions.... been trying to ignore that for too long

DelilahDingleberry · 15/04/2021 20:26

In excess of £100k. I’m self employed and at my current rates I can almost reach £50k but I have plans to expand and increase my fee.

TheBullfinch · 15/04/2021 20:26

Dont forget, You also have to remember that at the top end, the salary is only part of the package.

Someone earning £80,000 will also most likely have a £10,000 a year car allowance, annual bonus, pension contribution (at least 10%), mobile phone, laptop, private medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, critical illness insurance, share options etc..

So the salary becomes less important due to the package).

OverTheRubicon · 15/04/2021 20:27

@Dublto

Wow people on mumsnet are rich! My fiancé and I have a combined annual income of 40k, we live in London and I thought we were doing well tbh. Average household income is around 30k in the UK, remember how blessed you are.
I think that people being more aware of others' salaries does help luckier people feel blessed, others realise what is out there and available (whether that makes them feel aspirational or like voting Green, good to be informed!)

That said, median full time salary in the UK is £31,461 according to the ONS, and over £38,000 in London.

Household income can be lower because there is so much variation between what makes up a household.

PerpetualStudent · 15/04/2021 20:28

I’m 35 and work in academia, not that long out of my PhD, my goal salary would be 40-45k, but having a permanent contract is my core goal currently

marshyindigo · 15/04/2021 20:29

in my 50s at the top of my pay scale, not interested in management and earn £35,500. Can I ask what jobs you £50 plus earners do?

I think you'll struggle to find a role in the public sector above £50k without management. If you have a technical niche that sits within in a very small department you might get away with it or managing a very small number of people. Some people I know in my compliance field only manage 1 person, a deputy, so it's not too onerous.

VanGoghsDog · 15/04/2021 20:31

@marshyindigo

in my 50s at the top of my pay scale, not interested in management and earn £35,500. Can I ask what jobs you £50 plus earners do?

I think you'll struggle to find a role in the public sector above £50k without management. If you have a technical niche that sits within in a very small department you might get away with it or managing a very small number of people. Some people I know in my compliance field only manage 1 person, a deputy, so it's not too onerous.

I'm public sector, my boss only manages me (and I'm very easy). I earn £75k, I expect she'd be on c£95k.

I don't manage anyone.

marshyindigo · 15/04/2021 20:33

I'm public sector, my boss only manages me (and I'm very easy)

Ah well they all say that Wink

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