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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you have a wage/income that would shock people?

796 replies

Newmumatlast · 27/02/2023 20:40

Inspired by the tipping hairdresser thread, and a post on there about people having no idea what some people earn with an anecdote about a London cabbie earning twice what his nurse wife did.

I just wondered if anyone does a job where people would actually be shocked to know their true earnings based on stereotype- either way. For example cleaner earning loads or lawyer earning very little.

OP posts:
Anxietyandwine · 27/02/2023 23:16

At home with my little boy now but before I was a TA (with a 1st class degree in education) worked mon to fri school hours so only considered part time (but obviously in before and after the kids and stuff to do at end of day, plus marking and responsible for my own group of reception children etc). About 10k a year. Hence not going back after DS3

Moraxella · 27/02/2023 23:17

@Notwavingbutsignalling this thread has opened my eyes, I’m going to go back to serve my maternity leave notice then look to retrain or change industry. I doubt the strike in a few weeks will make any difference and the majority of public think we are overpaid but I’m earning less than it costs to get my kid looked after during my shifts.

userno771 · 27/02/2023 23:19

over the past 15 years my DH (engineer) has earned betwen £40 per hour and over £1500 per day (plus expenses) (in the southern hemisphere). The oil industry has calmed down greatly but he still earns a lot of money.

He now works in an office (in London) full of Brazilian, Indian, Iranian, Chinese engineers. Where are the British engineers? What has gone wrong?

Some of the engineers he works with can't even express themselves coherently. (Not their fault if they've been given a job in an english language country).

Micsam89 · 27/02/2023 23:20

Veterinary Technician in Australia (Bachelor's degree). Earn equivalent of 15 pounds an hour. My Vets don't earn too much more than that. Everyone thinks those in the vet industry are loaded because vet costs are expensive.

AnathemaPulsifer · 27/02/2023 23:21

LookingOldTheseDays · 27/02/2023 23:02

If you're paying 40% tax (which that poster says they are), then 20% tax relief is put directly into the SIPP by HMRC (so a contribution of £100 will be grossed up to £125), and then there is another 20% tax relief to be claimed through your tax code.

If you notify HMRC of the contributions you are making, and they will extend your basic rate band (the 20% tax band) to give you the tax relief. Basically it means you can earn more before you start being charged 40% tax.

The child benefit threshold is affected in the same way.

Show quote history

@Notwavingbutsignalling

Note this advice about getting your tax code changed if you’re employed - I’m self employed so just claim the extra through my tax return.

Coffeeandnaps · 27/02/2023 23:22

Name changed as potentially outing.

I am visibly disabled, people are often shocked to hear I have a job. They'd be even more shocked if they knew I earn a high six figure salary plus 50% bonus.

It is sometimes hard to resist the temptation to blurt this out to judgemental people like the man that once screamed at me on my commute to work for accidentally getting in his way because "fucking worthless scroungers have no right going out in rush hour and getting in the way of normal people".

Rideawildswan · 27/02/2023 23:22

I have a reasonably senior job in TV - more on corporate side than programme making but still creative to an extent. Many years experience - although there are people on a similar level/salary in their mid-30s upwards. Very well paid - especially when compared to doctors/teachers etc. around £250k per year including bonus and share options. Not always easy to break into and career progression isn’t guaranteed - bit of luck/being in the right place at the right time/having good mentors etc. I know lots of very bright, talented people who seemed to get stuck at middle levels (and some untalented ones that rose and rose!). Degree not essential, although most have one (or two).

PigeonPlayingChicken · 27/02/2023 23:25

MashedUpPotatoes · 27/02/2023 23:04

I’m an ODP. I work agency and earn differing amounts but the past 5 years average is £80k

What's an OPD when it's at home?

VIPNanny · 27/02/2023 23:25

I would think so yes. I think childcare is often seen as this poorly paid job (my mother is a childminder and I would say she is in fact underpaid though as are most people in childcare, unfortunately). But I am of the odd bulk and, as a nanny, do make 6 figures.

So I would say that, yes, most people who are naturally prejudiced and just hear my job title would assume likely broke, non-ambitious and, overall « poor me» (and that’s been the reaction of most people in fact who seem to feel sorry I have never amounted to more than childcare in the last 10 year). But the truth is, I will be owning a property 100% mortgage-free by the end of March and will be on my way to buying a second shortly after that.

I know so many people and profession who are seen as not ambitious who are actually very well paid and well-valued financially. I always encourage my brothers to be plumbers or electricians if they ever want to go into manual work as it pays really well and is and will always be high-demand.

artimesiasfootsteps · 27/02/2023 23:27

I’m an artist and earn roughly 47.5 k a year. I think my inlaws would be surprised to know how much I earn. They think their other son (dh’s brother) earns more than I do, I think they would be disappointed to know their artist dil earns more than their golden child conservative office job son earns. 😂

I keep quiet though, the less they know about my life the better.

nbee84 · 27/02/2023 23:27

I'm a nanny to 3 primary aged children. During lockdown I was doing the homeschooling. Several people commented that I ought to be paid a teachers wage. I actually earn more than the average primary teacher salary.

Kisskiss · 27/02/2023 23:29

VIPNanny · 27/02/2023 23:25

I would think so yes. I think childcare is often seen as this poorly paid job (my mother is a childminder and I would say she is in fact underpaid though as are most people in childcare, unfortunately). But I am of the odd bulk and, as a nanny, do make 6 figures.

So I would say that, yes, most people who are naturally prejudiced and just hear my job title would assume likely broke, non-ambitious and, overall « poor me» (and that’s been the reaction of most people in fact who seem to feel sorry I have never amounted to more than childcare in the last 10 year). But the truth is, I will be owning a property 100% mortgage-free by the end of March and will be on my way to buying a second shortly after that.

I know so many people and profession who are seen as not ambitious who are actually very well paid and well-valued financially. I always encourage my brothers to be plumbers or electricians if they ever want to go into manual work as it pays really well and is and will always be high-demand.

Do you have one sole employer , or multiple? Just mind boggling as they are paying that out of their post tax income and must therefore be earning at least 7 figures themselves for the math to work out

nbee84 · 27/02/2023 23:29

Though not as well paid as VIPnanny by the sounds of it Grin

Notwavingbutsignalling · 27/02/2023 23:30

@LookingOldTheseDays @AnathemaPulsifer

thank you both x

MashedUpPotatoes · 27/02/2023 23:30

PigeonPlayingChicken · 27/02/2023 23:25

What's an OPD when it's at home?

Show quote history

Sorry, an Operating department practitioner. Although I only do anaesthetics now.

SoShallINever · 27/02/2023 23:32

Senior HCP on £40k, over 30years experience.
2 of my DC vastly out earn me. they are early 20s and work in tech.
No one with any common sense would do medicine now, all of the brightest kids my DH taught (at a selective private school) wanted to do tech/maths/physics and engineering. there is a huge move away from medicine and no wonder.

The richest person I know is a mechanic who now owns several garages and about 40 buy to let houses.

Spiderboy · 27/02/2023 23:35

Sorry but I am quite sure no one thinks childminders are rolling in it

VIPNanny · 27/02/2023 23:36

@Kisskiss

Depends on the year. I usually work crazy hours (hence the paycheck) and so tend to favor shorter terms contracts so I can work really hard for a bit and then take a break in between 2 contracts (I have been working about 6-9 months of the year in the last 2 years out of choice to have more balance.)

but I work for a sole family at a time (minus the odd occasions) so yes, the families I work for in general have enough money that my salary is usually a drop in the ocean for them. But on short term contracts I do have families who also have saved up for a long while to be able to afford post-birth help (I specialize in newborn babies and young children) so you do get a bit of everything, but currently yes, my employers varies from wealthy to extremely wealthy, definitely.

Kisskiss · 27/02/2023 23:38

VIPNanny · 27/02/2023 23:36

@Kisskiss

Depends on the year. I usually work crazy hours (hence the paycheck) and so tend to favor shorter terms contracts so I can work really hard for a bit and then take a break in between 2 contracts (I have been working about 6-9 months of the year in the last 2 years out of choice to have more balance.)

but I work for a sole family at a time (minus the odd occasions) so yes, the families I work for in general have enough money that my salary is usually a drop in the ocean for them. But on short term contracts I do have families who also have saved up for a long while to be able to afford post-birth help (I specialize in newborn babies and young children) so you do get a bit of everything, but currently yes, my employers varies from wealthy to extremely wealthy, definitely.

im on a nanny Facebook group because I need one, but got too afraid to post anything because every other job poster was getting flamed for quoting jobs that paid 15 net an hour.. hearing what you get paid, now I understand why!! 😂

MrsLampard · 27/02/2023 23:38

Just over £100k; 3 days a week WFH; senior manager.
I've worked bloody hard for it- degree, conversion diploma, masters, PhD and a lot of hours of hard graft over 30 years.
I have a nice car and my weakness is designer shoes but basically live in an oodie and joggers 😂

DeeCeeCherry · 27/02/2023 23:39

Maybe. Im self-employed in creative field and also do quite a bit of consultancy, and longterm contracts. I set my own hourly rate. Been doing this many years. Some of my extended family seem to think I cant be earning much. I can tell, by comments made in passing. If its not academic or tech I must be starving, obviously. I actually earn more than they do by far. Which I think they'd be shocked to know but I dont tend to discuss my income with anyone.

MarchingBand · 27/02/2023 23:46

DH is an executive chef and earns over £100k.

VIPNanny · 27/02/2023 23:49

@Kisskiss

Personally I believe there should be childcare available for all kind of budgets (though of course the parents expectations should match the budget) but I personally have zero problem offering my help to single mothers for free on my days off, etc…

Personally I see it as this: « I sacrifice my entire time for my work 6 months+ of the year to the benefit of my employer, as a result they pay me
according to what they request of me (which is a lot) and I use that comfortable salary to buy out extra free time for myself which I can use to help out people with less means who need genuine help. I do my job because I love kids, and I sure miss baby cuddles on the months I am off, so I am the first to volunteer to baby sit so moms can go to work when their baby sitter bailed etc… »

So I say, if you have a genuine need and your rate is in accordance with what you expect then do put your ad out there. People who aren’t interested won’t apply but others will. £15 net seems really good to me actually? But I am not in London so don’t know the rates there. (And I can only assume that’s London based rates?)

Bluelightbaby · 28/02/2023 00:00

Frontline emergency ambulance crew. I drive ambulances, attend jobs, make decisions, carry out assessments on patients, administer medication, active role in life and death situations, deal with hazardous and threatening situations. Liaise with doctors, hospitals and other HPC as well as family of patients. Very long and unsocial hours - I earn £22k

LHReturns · 28/02/2023 00:02

Bluelightbaby · 28/02/2023 00:00

Frontline emergency ambulance crew. I drive ambulances, attend jobs, make decisions, carry out assessments on patients, administer medication, active role in life and death situations, deal with hazardous and threatening situations. Liaise with doctors, hospitals and other HPC as well as family of patients. Very long and unsocial hours - I earn £22k

That really does seem absolutely crazy. How can this be right.