to ask if you think this salary is reasonable or am I being greedy?

[bkyegres]

I qualified as a solicitor in 2016, so I’m around 7 years pqe. I’m paid 62k in Bham, commercial rather than private client work. I’ve only just paid off my student loan last year and honestly I feel like the firm are taking the piss… all the studying and expense feels ridiculous to be seven years on and barely over 50k. Obviously I know what some other firms pay and I can look into it further with recruiters but I am starting to wonder if you have to join a new company for any decent pay these days?! I could have skipped uni and worked my way up to this salary by now so it all seems a bit pointless.

I did law and didn’t pursue the career but my friends did and yeah your salary sounds on the slightly middling- low side for the work you do.

Super confused why people in totally different roles are coming on and saying I earn X amount? What is the relevance?

But also this wasn’t the best forum to ask this question. As pp said try glass door or ask recruiters etc.

Yes she has . She has stated is in Birmingham, Commercial and 7 years qualified. So all the CV differentials. This needs a postgraduate qualification after her degree and solicitors have to do continuing professional development education to keep up to date. For that region and those factors (and as I said assuming she is at a decent sized regional) she is about £18k underpaid. If the OP knows she is at a small high street set up she now knows she could get more by moving and if she is at a decent sized regional she knows she is being mistreated

[Name changed as don’t want this related to my other posts]
Really? You have been a nurse for 30 years and earn just over £31k? Bollocks, unless you only work part time?

The top step point (which you must be on, as it only takes 5 years to reach it) for qualified NHS Band 5 nurses (lowest grade nurse) is just over £34.5k. London weighting can add up to just over another £2k on top.

That’s a basic of between about £35-36.5k (depending whereabouts in London you work). Unsocial hours (20.00 - 06.00, plus all day Saturday) is time plus 30%. If you work Sundays or Bank Holidays, the rate is time plus 60%.

I was a Band 5 nurse and had to medically retire in 2016. I didn’t work in London and my contract was for 33.5 hours per week. The gross wage I earned for my final full year, before retirement was just over £36k!
Bear in mind, this was over 6 years ago, so was at 6 years ago salary rates!

If you think you can get more and are worth more then move elsewhere, it's generally what people do in any field where experience = more pay. Contact some recruiters and find out.

Was wondering the same thing

I’m paid 62k in Bham ... all the studying and expense feels ridiculous to be seven years on and barely over 50k

I'd stay where you are. Most jobs require basic numeracy and you appear to be lacking in that department.

OP all yourself - what would a man in your industry say? Know your worth

*ask not all

Sorry about the sarcy comments. How dare a woman ask for a high salary.

How much would you like to earn? I agree that the best way to get a salary jump is to change jobs. Talk to a recruiter. Is moving abroad an option?

Agreed. That really pissed me off. The op didn't ask how their salary compared with others. they asked if they were being paid enough in their field. There's alot of pointless comments on this post.
I work in a library so I have no idea what the going rate is for a solicitor but 62k seems low.

Was thinking the same 🤷‍♀️

I never said it was a raw deal 🤷‍♀️.

You are quite free, of course, to dislike my choice of words. As for the reasons behind the strike, well I don't work for a company that is part of the dispute though I support my colleagues. You'll have to forgive me but based on your first response I don't anticipate you listening to the arguments with an open mind. If you really want to understand what is going on I suggest looking on dedicated rail forums.

Accountant here. A significant chunk of my managers bonuses have always seemed to be derived from how much they could withhold from those below them.
Additionally, a steady supply of highly numerate and literate Eastern Europeans were often used instead of qualified accountants. Consequently, Brexit took away my freedom of movement, but tripled the previously stagnant rate for my job.
@bkyegres Time to jump ship.

Could all the teachers, nurses and er, train drivers stop derailing (haha) the OP's thread please?

What would your alternative career path have been ?

Wow ok well as I said, good luck to the op and anyone in tech recruitment on £100k plus.

I agree actually, that comments from me and others that we don't earn what the op earns do not relate directly to their question of should or could they earn more.

I still feel they are not irrelevant tho - they might bring the op a bit of useful context for their thoughts.

And I still stand by the idea that not many 30yos with no degree are earning £60k plus. Clearly some are tho, so well done them.

I think you’re high street? As such I think this is fairly standard, you must know this, if you’re able move to another firm, if you’re not stay put. But you know rhe scales, as I do. So I’ve no idea why you’re posting.

There's a very particular misogyny that tells women they are greedy for wanting what they're worth. It's such bullshit and I have no doubt that it perpetuates the salary gap between men and women.

OP, you're not being greedy at all. Know your worth. Speak with recruiters, consult salary surveys and if you're being paid below market, talk to your employer. And yes, be prepared to move if you need to!

Sorry about the sarcy comments. How dare a woman ask for a high salary.

No problem with a woman asking for a high salary. Has anyone said that?

Claiming that 62,000 is "barely" over 50,000 is a bit 🫤 though.

I agree that the comparison with teachers salaries is not relevant.

I was wondering if the OP wasn’t quite as good as they thought they were. It perhaps they aren’t billing enough hours?

What useful context is that then? That she could have chosen a lower paid profession? I'm pretty sure she already knows that. What she wants to know is whether she's underpaid for the one she's in.

I graduated in 2015. I work for the NHS, specifically terminally ill children. I'm excited in 2025 I'll just break 50k. I'm considered to be doing very well in my career for my age. YABU.

No I really meant, they might want to avoid moaning about their £60k+ salary in public as it is considerably more than xyz as shown here.

Maybe they don't moan, I don't know, but it is possible that they are not aware of typical salaries in other professions. I find that people are often surprised at how badly paid my field is, for example, and imagine I must be on a lot more money that I am. That's all.

So you're comparing yourself to other people your age in the same career path but the OP is unreasonable for trying to do the same? Huh? 🤔

You are posting on the wrong place for this. My husband's salary as a NQ solicitor 31 years ago was 60k (not a city firm , mid sized London firm). I have would spend nearly my whole career to reach his starting salary in a graduate job requiring specialist skills for a large PLC. As is the case for most people, so they are not going to be sympathetic!

Since then there now a huge surplus of lawyers, far more qualify than can practice. The hope was that it would make the law fees more affordable but in reality it has just driven salaries down for the average lawyer.

If you are 7 years PQE you should have started to build your own client base by now. You need to focus on that. Then ask for increased pay. Find somewhere else to go. Join one of these law firms like Keystone Law where you get paid what you bill (minus admin fee etc).