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.

The UK median salary for all FT workers in 2021 was £31,772.

In London, it’s £37,856. In NE England it’s, £28,444.

For men it’s £33,904; for women it’s £29,016. Men out earned women in every age group except 16-17 year olds.

Earnings peak in people’s 40s (statistically).

That’s all ONS data.

Look at that and evaluate whether a salary around the national median salary is low.

You might have ambitions to earn more. And that’s totally fine. But publicly declaring it an objectively low salary is pretty lacking in empathy.

I don’t agree that it’s ‘a really good salary’ because that’s totally relative to skills and experience.

It might be a great salary for a role with ‘support assistant’ in the title (I don’t know). It’s a pretty dreadful salary for a FT chartered surveyor, a partner in a law firm, a security architect, etc.

That’s got nothing to do with how far a salary goes either or whether people at the bottom of the salary spectrum are reasonably compensated. Or in any job really.

But, in principle, I do think it’s totally fair that a consultant surgeon is paid more than an admin assistant (for example). So it makes no sense to make universal statements about what is a ‘good’ salary or not. It depends.

It’s definitely OK for people to have ambitions and want to earn more. But there are far better ways to approach this than : this is a crap salary for a 30 year old.

People will respond very differently to something like: I’m in X role and currently earn £30k. I’d like to increase my earning potential. What could I do to this end?

Sad times when people judge their life by monetary renumeration , rather than personal fulfillment .

No, that a very good salary I would say

I wouldn't say low, but of course with cost of living increases it feels low. It's not a high salary either I guess though

Doesn’t matter about age. What is your highest qualification? Is there going to be career progression? Can you live comfortably on your salary?

I take it you work for chuckles and sunshine then.

Imagine expecting to be paid!

Seriously?! Age has nothing to do with it.

Well it's not low to me at all. I am 32 and not on 30k. I am getting a promotion and I would be over the moon with 30k

Both of you missing the point massively! Of course you quote the rate for the country you are in, its the only one that matters! You can't compare to other countries that have vastly different tax systems and costs of living, its completely pointless.

Yes, UK salaries can be quite low. But until recently you've also had low taxes and a low cost of living. Food, for example, was always absurdly cheap in the UK compared to most of Europe.

Depends on the industry. I wasn't earning anything like that when I was 30 - even adjusting for inflation. I had a phD & living in London so had high living costs. I was working in the arts.

Silly comment .
Lots of ppl work at work they enjoy, because they'd rather earn less & be fulfilled , than earn more doing something they don't like.
Particularly in creative arts, music, being self employed & having no boss, or just in work helping those who suffer..
Pretty stupid spending most your asking life doing something you have no love or affinity for.

Also, should be blatantly obvious , that when someone feels their work is valuable, & even better they enjoy it... they will do it better...

If you want loads of dough...sell your soul, or get higher qualifications ( if you can )

As for " cost of living "...well, the more the masses get paid, the higher the prices will go ...then the more ppl want to be paid...!
Basics economics ! Coz those making/ providing what you spend hours on, also want more . Duuhh
Circular argument...

I mean, you could equally cut all salaries & lower prices...the effect would be the same !!
Which is why the dumb " we want a higher hourly rate " Is dumb ! Coz after you get it, all the prices go up proportionately. Leaving the differentials , in effect, the same.

It’s above average. I’m a specialist in the NHS on £22 a year. I don’t have opportunities for career/pay progression either

I’m 36 and earn 24k and couldn’t give a damn. I survive. I’m currently pregnant with twins and am not going back to work so pretty soon I’ll be on 0k! My partner is on 34k and we will have to survive on that.

It is, quite a high salary at that age with maybe 8 years since graduation!? My last salaried post was £32,009 at the age of 57 after working for 39 years. I was in a professional post.

I’m 45 and would love to earn 30k , I’m a skilled worker but alas .......

It’s above average and is a wage many can only dream of. I’ll never earn it and I’m 57.

Seem to be a lot of ppl who think they're entitled to a lifestyle they choose, or moaning about the state of things.

Well you are correct ! The world & the UK is in very dire circumstances !

And the best thing you can do , is to start fighting for the Greater Good !
Especially if you have kids.
Wanting more for No 1, won't achieve anything except more selfishness.
Through history, younger generations fought & suffered for Rights & Liberties.....
Today's ' younger generations ' are largely fighting for themselves......& Allowing those Rights & Liberties to be taken away in front of their noses.
Coz they're so self-absorbed.!!

Your kids are gonna hate you for that !!

I’m in my 50s, working in healthcare, I’ve never earned £30k, and without significant training/higher qualification, never will.

just how much do you need to live on?

Count yourself lucky! I’m a 40 year old NHS Healthcare assistant and I’m on £21,500 per year and I work 30hours per week.

That’s £28,000 for a 40 hour week, so not too bad.

It’s high to me.
I am a registered veterinary nurse with years of experience, I do surgery, anaesthesia, inpatient care, imaging, lab work, consultations and a hell of a lot of responsibility and I’m on 10k less that you. With very little chance of it ever increasing.

Get your head out the sand and realise that personal fulfilment isn't a luxury that many people can afford.

Why do I think that by the greater good you mean that I should pay much more tax and that this should be used to benefit you and your children?

If that’s not what you mean, what greater good are you suggesting and why tag it to a post about someone’s wages?