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.

Why are people quoting only UK average as being a benchmark for what a good salary is. The UK has some of the lowest mean and median incomes when compared with US, EU and other developed nations. Even on a mean basis, UK is number 23. This country has become a low wage, low productivity economy to the detriment of of all.

I agree with this, what jobs pay depending on how old you are? I've never come across this other than for NMW which you obviously aren't on

I’m 42, nhs salary of 24k full time.

it’s not about age it’s about your profession. I work in a average paid vocation. It won’t go up with age.

30k is a good wage no matter the age in my opinion. 🤷‍♀️ My DH is a manager in a supermarket and on far less than that, 30k means you aren’t struggling, imo.

Qualifications are key. How much have you spent on your training?

I'd say it was medium.

I'm not on loads more than that and I am 47.

As a previous poster said, there are so many variables.

I am younger than you and earn just under £50k. But that’s my maximum earning potential. I will never earn any more unless I change roles completely. I’m also I’m receipt of inner London weighting. Moving outside of London would knock me down nearly 10 grand.

30k, outside London, with a view to earning much more later on seems more appealing in terms of long term progression.

Your age is irrelevant , the job you do and the job you are able to do is more relevant
You do realise there will be many 30 year olds in min wage jobs

@sst1234 the US have crap holiday entitlement and all that as a whole
Where do you get your stats to consider like for like salaries in eu ? For all jobs

It will be on MN. Hardly anyone has mentioned it's depends where you live and it is about you having good money management!

As before it's all relative. I've just turned 30, earn £34k a year as a midwife. However, I could have (if I'd had the balls to) been a clinical manager for many years by now and be on near £45k+. As it were, I've specialised, and if I achieve the promotion I'm going for could stand to be on £40k by the end of the year.

So depressing! I've never managed to earn a decent salary and I'm 50 with a degree, additional qualifications and a long working history.
£30k at 30 sounds about right for a normal person who is following a career path. Unattainable for people like me who have failed miserably.

People saying age is irrelevant are incorrect.

Look at the data- statistically wages rise in your 20s 30s and 40s, plateau at 50s and decline in 60s.

For example, ten years ago I earned less than now. But I still had a good wage for my age back them compared to my peers.

I think statistically, £30k is about average for a 30 year old.

If you want to test if you have a FAIR wage, I'd speak to an industry specific recruiter about the expected wage for someone with your experience in that industry, and in your location.

What academic qualifications do you have?

It sounds like you have a job that could be described as Admin.

So, it's a good salary for admin work.

I will be graduating when I am 29, and I'll probably be on less money on graduate wage.

But I am hoping that retraining it will pay off, and I'll eventually be on better money in the long run.

Where do you live?

I think it's good, but that's my perspective.

The salary is so specific to circumstance that it's hard to say. Being an 'assistant' at 30 isn't great though.

Salary doesn’t relate to age, it relates to qualifications, ability, relevant experience, how many other people want the job, your ability to negotiate with your employer, and so on.

If you’re unhappy with your salary, move roles or talk to your boss anout how to progress. I have no idea l what your job title means but perhaps you’re in a support/admin role and comparing your pay to that of people with management responsibilities?

I agree with this

Its perfectly respectable. I was on 30k at 30 and now at 35 I am on 60k currently applying for jobs at 65k. My advice is dont stay in one place too long, get some experience and level it up. Loyalty isnt rewarded in our economy.

Well the usual tip is to “aim to earn your age” so on that front it would be considered spot on.

I was earning £28k at 30. At 46 I am earning £80k - I’ve had two kids in the intervening years and worked part time for a lot of it. As others have said it comes down to potential career development. At 30 I was newly qualified in my chosen profession. At 46 I have a senior role.

Effectively project support - depends where you are and how much experience you have - not overly underpaid.

how many hours a week are you working for £30K, makes a huge difference. Some (a lot of) people stuck in minimum wage jobs would never reach £30K

Low in comparison to what?