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.

I'd be fucking made-up to earn 30k

That’s not necessarily true, while there is no mandated minimum vacation same as in Canada mind you though we only ascribe this to the US, many companies offer vacation time in the US so you’re statement is really true.

And that in no way explains the salary difference. I worked in a big 4 firm in London and the Chicago office and I got 20 days in Chicago and the salary difference was still significant, and don’t get me started on thr bknus difference. I got about £500 in London while in the US it was significantly higher.

Not claiming it’s better in the US or UK but this stereotypical narrative that’s always perpetuated is not always true. Yes there are some employees who do not offer high vacations but many do especially in this age of the great resignation where companies are struggling to retain employees and in this regard we should be pushing UK employees to pay more rather than justifying it with US don’t get vacation.

You're not paid based on your age. Surely as an adult you know this.

The wage is set by your job and your competency at it. If you think you deserve more, pursue a better job, or give evidence for higher pay in your current one.

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.

That's completely untrue if what the OP is asking about is people's perceptions. The statistics available won't really help with that, will they?

On the contrary, I think it’s a good salary. I have a first class degree from a top university, plus masters, and am in my 50s in London. I earn just a bit more than that.

No, I'd say that was about average.

Get a bloody grip! Try being 49 and living of 9.50 ph.

Well it's more than I earn and I'm 40, so...

I do payroll, admin and invoicing for a construction business too OP.

If you were to work in the heritage industry it would be remarkably good! I'm 32 and don't yet earn £30k.

Sounds high for the level of the job.

It might surprise you to know that as a barrister I was not earning as much as you at 30 OP. And no, it didn’t go up much after that either. Long story, but I quit practising a year ago, aged 47, when I was earning £40K pro rata (but actually 23K for over 40 hrs a week, joy!).

Be very wary of stereotypes, and thinking the grass is always greener. Are you happy? Your salary alone doesn’t seem a problem to me.

No, I don’t think that’s low. I have a degree and a professional qualification and my housemates and I (also with degree and qual) were all working our arses off trying to get to £30k before we hit 30. We just about did it (I was 28.75…). Im 35 now and have since done that thing where each pay rise I put the increase into pension. Even with all the increases in living costs, my take home certainly doesn’t feel “low”. Not rich, but not low.

For your job title, it sounds pretty good.

I would be over the moon to receive 23k as a 40 year old!! (my dream job's offering - one can only prey!!!) I can only think it's in particular where the head office is being moved I'd benefit from a nearer London salary round these parts, (if I am successful.)

Seen nearly 10 quite varied and interesting jobs during the job hunt but guess what only juniors & first time jobbers need apply...at 15k-19k - no doubt because of the pension contributions break Employers can achieve with young-un's who aren't pension savvy yet : (

think although it’s average, the average is too low. It’s not enough to actually live on comfortably and after working for 10+ years, that just isn’t fair.
Is it though? I need to sit down with the figures but without children i don’t know, I think you could live comfortably (if not in an expensive area). Obviously then you’ve things like getting mortgages but …

Although judging by the number of replies on this thread from people saying they'd be delighted to earn 30k, you can see how UK employers get away with it...

Although judging by the number of replies on this thread from people saying they'd be delighted to earn 30k, you can see how UK employers get away with it.

Perhaps the only people who have the time to use social media during normal working hours (when this thread was started) are low earners without a very highly demanding career?

I doubt you can say employers get away with it, when often it's people who should or could be working harder/ longer/ earning more who are spending working time on social media.

I’m 39 and I’m on less than that 😞

My DS is 29 so not quite 30 and earns 47k but he is Band 8A NHS and got quickly promoted. I am 57 and on considerably less than he is as others say it really depends on the job not the age.

I was 30 before I was even making £20k, and that was only 9 years ago. And I'm talking full time work here, not part time.

I'm on £45k now which is excellent for where I live (NW) so it goes a lot further.

I work in the construction industry. HR did a bench mark for me, last week for a ‘specialist clerk’. Essentially a senior administrator. 30k was quite a big above national average.

and I am not sure op is a senior. The job title she has is the same as an administrator.

So I am guessing she is much more than the average.

Christ. I get that and felt accomplished... •sigh• Cheers OP 👍🏻

Low earning does not mean people aren't working highly demanding jobs. Plenty of people working for the NHS are on less than £30k including junior doctors! Ignorant.

If salary was based on age I'd be on a fortune!! Life is not like that these days.. I'm on less now than I was at 25..

Not in my field, and many people have a masters and doctorate on that salary