AIBU to think that 30K is a low salary for a 30 year old?

[username1992]

Am I being unreasonable to think that 30K is a low salary for a 30 year old?

Just that really. I'm 30 years old. Working as a commercial support assistant in construction. Earning 30K a year.

Totally depends on what the ceiling is for what you do, your qualifications, experience, where you are based.

What's a commercial support assistant anyway - admin?

Back in the 80's when I was a young 'un, salary level was said to be similar to your age. Add inflation to that you'd expect to be mid £40k? Are you happy is the key question!

No, it's not low. You can google average salaries by age. The only unreasonable thing is acting as if it's a matter for discussion on MN, rather than a question about statistics.

Your age is irrelevant. Is this the appropriate wage for the job you do?

If you want more money, go for promotion or a different role.

According to this, the average salary for a 22-29 year old in the UK is £24,600, and £30,865 for a 30-39 year old - so not really low relative to others, but I can see that it might not feel like that with the costs of everything being so high.

Salary is nothing to do with your age, it's to do with your qualifications and your industry. Seems an obvious answer to a daft question, so what is underlying the question? Do you think you're being underpaid or are you anxious you haven't done as well in life at this point as you had hoped?

If you have a degree a master's and a doctorate that .might seem a low salary.

Admin clerk with 5 GCSEs? Get partying!

I'm on 21.5k. I've moved up a step from my last minimum wage job. I feel like I'm doing well for myself but then I came from a "below working class family". I know in the grand scheme of things it's not a lot though!

No that's seems ok to me, I'm on £22k at 25 and will probably be on £28-9k when I'm 30.

I was on around £18k at 30, so no, it's no low to me. It depends wildly on your experience, your qualifications, location, the industry you are in.

I'm now on much more than that, with no formal qualifications but a lot of experience.

You aren’t paid by age. I imagine at 30 I won’t earn that much. I know for a fact Kylie Jenner made far more than that at 18. A 30 year old working at Tesco won’t make the same money as a 30 year old barrister. It’s not like there’s an ‘acceptable’ wage for 30 year olds.

Look around at job listings for similar positions. Are they offering a similar wage or significantly more? Maybe ask others you know in the same job. Are they out earning you? Are many people your age being promoted or moving on while you’re not? These are the ways you’ll find out if your wage matches your job.

I'm closer to 40 and don't earn that. I'm not very confident which holds me back. I find my job/salary a bit embarrassing and saddening to be honest.

I retired 7 years ago as a teacher on the Main Professional Grade (no extra responsibilities by choice) and I was earning £37k so I think YABU relating it to age. Someone who wanted more responsibilities or a Head Teacher could have earned more at a younger age.

Project managers i know are on between 35-50 plus bonus. However, most are either well in or close to their 40s.

At 30 and assistant level doesnt seem too bad

I don't think it's low for being an "assistant" in title

I'm about the same OP.
I love my job and have flexibility like I've never known before. Need a haircut and can only get an app midweek? No problem, I just go and lose no wages.
Take personal phone calls during the day? No problem. When I wasn't able to fight back a yawn my boss recommended I go for a nap. I was gifted an extra week off for my wedding.

I might not earn loads but I have a great work life balance

Depends on your quantifications and experience

It also depends very much on where you live.

If you earn 30k a year and you can buy a house for 90k (eg South Wales valleys) then imo you are very well off indeed!

No, I think this is a decent salary and above national average

You maybe need to rephrase your question as obviously the salary you earn is not related to your age alone.

If you are more experienced you would expect to earn more than someone new, but most admin type roles have a fairly average ceiling. If you want to earn more than that ceiling you need to look at different roles.

I agree it depends on qualifications, experience and location.

Round here 30k for someone who’s single or in a couple would give you a pretty good standard of living.

30k for someone who had to pay for fulltime childcare would be difficult especially if you’re renting.

I’m not sure what you’re looking for, but anecdotally I got promoted to a job paying £62k when I was 30. I have a degree and two professional qualifications (now 32), and have promoted relatively quickly in my sector.

But I think it depends - I wouldn’t say that I’d think a 30 year old on £30k is getting paid a pittance or is way behind the pack.

Totally depends what area you live in and local conditions. I have a highly qualified colleague who wants to work locally so he earns less than that! He is willing to make that sacrifice for his well being and family.

I wouldn't say that is low, no. Not insanely high, but not low.

There are so many variables to salary, the question is ridiculous