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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Feel like I'm on a very low salary for my age

108 replies

Painauchocolats · 09/02/2023 07:52

I'm early 30s, and I have 2 different jobs with slightly varying hours so it's difficult to say exactly, but for a 40 hour week I earn 23.5k. in April it will increase to just under 24k.
Don't want to say which industries but one is notoriously low paying and the other fairly better.
I know I am above minimum wage but when I compare with peers, it seems like most of my friends from high school are on over 30k, and that I could earn a lot more.
I am applying for jobs that pay more so fingers crossed. My take home is about 1650/1700 depending.
I know it shouldn't matter as long as I am comfortable but just feel like I'm selling myself short. I think working 40 hours is enough too.

OP posts:
MrsBunnyEars · 09/02/2023 07:53

It’s not much. But are you well compensated given your skills/ qualifications/ abilities?

Eleganz · 09/02/2023 07:55

Well you need to ask yourself a couple of questions:

  1. Do you have the skills and experience necessary to move to a higher paying role?
  2. Is that move likely with either of your current jobs?

Your answers to these questions will determine what your next steps need to be.

Girasoli · 09/02/2023 07:56

I earn not that much more (just under 26k, mid 30s)

It would be nice to earn a bit more but there are also other things that might be important to you in a job - in mine I get to use my brain, its a nice flexible company, and have hybrid working. So all in all I feel happy with it.

DillDanding · 09/02/2023 07:57

It’s all relative. Is it an entry level job? Do you need a degree or other qualifications?

The unskilled admin posts in my team start at 25.5k.

Overthebow · 09/02/2023 07:57

It is pretty low compared to others. I’m a similar age and the range of salaries in my circle is roughly £35k-£80k. It depends on your qualifications though, do you have a degree in a decent subject, a masters degree, professional qualifications?

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 09/02/2023 07:57

It really depends on the sector. I'm early 40s, great at what I do, it's a specialist but it's only my most recent job change that has taken me over 30k.
I work in environment & conservation in the public sector.
My best friends, who have skill levels comparable to mine in their chosen sector, earn easily twice what I do. But they're in finance, law, IT.

Butchyrestingface · 09/02/2023 07:57

Your age isn’t so much relevant as your skill set and experience.

You admit that one of your jobs is in a notoriously underpaid area so not surprising your salary reflects that.

Good luck with job hunt!

TheEverdelightfulsamantha · 09/02/2023 07:58

This shows ONS data - average salary for your age bracket is just over 30k so you are not being unreasonable. Lots of things that you could do to earn more than that if it’s important- but first start by assessing if it really is - do you need more money? Do you crave the status and confidence being paid as much as your peers? My guess is both are Yes - but thinking that through might give you an indication of the types of things you might do to earn more

journeyofinsanity · 09/02/2023 08:00

It would help if we knew a little about the jogs. What industries are they in?

journeyofinsanity · 09/02/2023 08:00

Jobs*

Mindyoursoul · 09/02/2023 08:03

@DillDanding where do you work! What industry I have never been able to see entry level admin post for that salary.

op I’m a bit older than you and really need to get a better job I have a degree but can’t really do anything with it.

I just can’t seem to find anything but crappy admin jobs everything else asks for relevant experience of relevant qualifications

Nevermind31 · 09/02/2023 08:05

It depends on your area, your jobs, experience and qualifications really.
it is never good to compare yourself with others, unless you are comparing like with like.
a city lawyer in London who qualified in their 20s will be on a lot more money than a cashier in Derby who had 2 children in her early 20s and is trying to work around kids….

Walkinmeshoes · 09/02/2023 08:07

@DillDanding £25k for an unskilled admin post. That's almost the same as a newly qualified nurse...

VogueDarling · 09/02/2023 08:13

I think you are on a low wage,

Do you work in customer service/contact centre or similar? The company I work for pays the customer service team 24k rising to 25k after a year (in line with metrics/kpis being achieved)

Are you happy ultimately your bills are paid but do you want a bit more from life?

My motivation/drive for earning is around a certain standard of living for me and my family but many people would hate my job (travel around the country most weeks might be 1 night might be 4/5) but I love it!

Scepticalwotsits · 09/02/2023 08:17

Wages have gone up in a lot of businesses for new roles/recruits (not necessarily existing staff so 25k for admin sounds about right)

im on what I thought would be a decent salary 10 years ago but with inflation and house prices I feel it doesn’t go as far as I thought it would.

MrsMullerBecameABaby · 09/02/2023 08:21

Walkinmeshoes · 09/02/2023 08:07

@DillDanding £25k for an unskilled admin post. That's almost the same as a newly qualified nurse...

If it's in central London and not actually unskilled but simply not requiring specific qualifications and experience it could easily pay that. I do something completely different now, but when I was 22 I moved to London, temped for a month and was offered an admin job at a big investment bank and started on 28k. I had absolutely no relevant experience (I had a degree in an academic subject and TEFL experience) but was willing to be completely flexible hours wise and in terms of (office) tasks.

I did that job for 5 years and ended up as an office manager on 50k.

It was somewhat soul destroying by the end and very long hours were expected (cancelling plans at no notice and being at work til 10pm etc).

JessicaFletcherscrewnecksweater · 09/02/2023 08:23

Is it a skilled role? What is your level of education? Is it two separate jobs that add up to that amount? Would you prefer a single full time role? It might have better scope for progression.

Original poster
Painauchocolats · 09/02/2023 08:29

I do have a degree and Master's, don't want to say which industries in case outing but one's classed as unskilled, I'm now at senior level in the role though, and the other requires my degree but I only do this role for 8h per week.
But it's clear I can do better.

OP posts:
Dibbydoos · 09/02/2023 08:38

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 09/02/2023 07:57

It really depends on the sector. I'm early 40s, great at what I do, it's a specialist but it's only my most recent job change that has taken me over 30k.
I work in environment & conservation in the public sector.
My best friends, who have skill levels comparable to mine in their chosen sector, earn easily twice what I do. But they're in finance, law, IT.

@Ihaventgottimeforthis your salary and career prospects are amazing though, so keep going!

@Painauchocolats good luck job hunting. 40 hours per week is enough hours, definitely, but wages still aren't where they need to be, everyone in full time work should earn a living wage.

Lots of people I know chased the money and are now wealthy, I didnt and whilst I'm not wealthy, I earn a good salary. I've also got into more senior roles than my friends did and made a difference to others and the environment. I am happy with my lot.
We all have our own drivers, purpose and passions. Find yours and reward will come.

Good luck.

PermanentTemporary · 09/02/2023 08:39

Yes I'd say that is a wage that hasn't kept up. I'd start actively looking, maybe via LinkedIn and agencies, and if it's that underpaid I'd be looking to change sectors if I could.

honeypancake · 09/02/2023 08:51

It really depends where you are. In London that would be so low you won't be able to afford a small studio, bills and basic living costs with that. But then that's sort of a starting salary for a entry level graduate jobs in most corporate jobs there.
Did you look at glassdoor what kind of salaries you can get for your skills?

GoodChat · 09/02/2023 08:56

Walkinmeshoes · 09/02/2023 08:07

@DillDanding £25k for an unskilled admin post. That's almost the same as a newly qualified nurse...

£28k starting point for unskilled admin where I am. Massively overpaid but it's a private company.

GoodChat · 09/02/2023 08:57

Painauchocolats · 09/02/2023 08:29

I do have a degree and Master's, don't want to say which industries in case outing but one's classed as unskilled, I'm now at senior level in the role though, and the other requires my degree but I only do this role for 8h per week.
But it's clear I can do better.

Is it possible to find a full time version of the 8 hours pw job?

bonzaitree · 09/02/2023 09:00

Yes you earn about £10k below the national average so you’re right to think you’re on a lower end of a salary, particularly because you have a degree and a masters.

If you want more money it might be that you need to change areas. Might need to retrain to get some new skills.

Yoj sound smart and motivated so I’m sure you can do it!

CowSnail · 09/02/2023 09:05

Your age isn’t (and shouldn’t be) a deciding factor in how much you earn.

What education, skills, qualifications, experience do you have?