To feel I am not doing as well in my career as I hoped for

[Whyty]

I was looking at my career path and was thinking that I am not doing as well in my career as I hoped for 5 years ago.
I have two degrees Bachelor's and Masters. Over 10 years of work experience in IT. Have been working in public sector for several years now. My first salary was £35k and 10 years later I have only managed to reach £65k and a good pension. I am in a senior role with responsibilities.
I haven't changed many jobs through my career and prefer working in public sector for good work life balance. I am early 30s and I honestly feel I was hoping for earning more by this time when I look back. AIBU to feel sad about this.

You don’t say whether you enjoy your job?

Nor where you are based

I haven't changed many jobs through my career and prefer working in public sector for good work life balance. I am early 30s and I honestly feel I was hoping for earning more by this time when I look back. AIBU to feel sad about this.

If you want to earn more, then you'll be able to achieve this more easily by moving jobs, particularly into the private sector.

So up to you what to do. It's not particularly complicated, you just have to make a choice.

I like my job as what I do leads to improving lives for millions of people. Also, I am in Midlands.

@TheKeatingFive I would like to change jobs but TTC soon so need to stay in the role as Mat leave policy is generous here.

I would like to change jobs but TTC soon so need to stay in the role as Mat leave policy is generous here.

Well that's your answer then. You are prioritising other benefits.

'Only managed to reach £65k'

I think you're doing brilliantly!

YABU to feel sad about it, when by your own admission there are things you could do to increase your earnings potential.

However I do think you need to consider your work/life balance and whether you are able to afford a good life comfortably at present.

If you enjoy your job, have a good work/life balance and can afford things that make you happy plus some savings, then maybe try and reassess what you're striving for and why you feel you want more cash?

More cash mostly comes with more pressure and more demands on you, especially in the private sector. The grass is not always greener :)

You’ve made some trade offs in exchange for salary. You’ve got a good benefits package and you’re working in a role that you find meaningful.

You can earn more elsewhere but if it doesn’t make you happier in what ways would you be better off?

You've almost doubled your salary in 10 years and live in a relatively inexpensive part of the country.

I don't really see what the problem is.

How many years studying were you?!

Your £35k was ten years ago and your very first job?

I think the problem for me is that £35k 10 years ago used to go a long way but £65k now doesn't seems to be as much compared to CoL then and now. I have worked hard and have worked continuously all these years. With more experience I was hoping to earn more.

@cultureplanet yes £35k 10 years ago as software developer.

@cultureplanet 4 years of Bachelors and Masters while working.

One of the other reasons I have stayed in the same workplace is office being close to home in 10 mins walk. That has saved me lots of commuting time.

The reality is public sector people are underpaid but you could probably look at moving to the private sector after maternity leave

10 minute commute, reasonable salary and decent Mat leave. I’d stick it out for another couple years and see how you feel.

It’s frustrating feeling you could be further but sounds like you’re doing pretty well.

You are in the public sector and earn
£65K. I would say that is pretty good.

Who funded?

Midlands
early 20s
a decade ago

this was a very good start

I think the problem for me is that £35k 10 years ago used to go a long way but £65k now doesn't seems to be as much compared to CoL then and now.

That's just the reality of the economic situation we are in and true for everyone. It doesn't change the choice you have, which is that you can stay for the benefits or move if you want more money.

If I were you, I'd stay out for now but think of moving once you've had kids.

How has your partners salary progressed over the last decade?

It seems to me that you are judging your career success and your value by how much you earn. If this is your sole motivating factor then you might need to think about leaving the public sector to in order earn more.
Many people working in the public sector are not motivated by money and feel that they have a successful career based on the influence they have, their contribution to society or rewarding relationships with colleagues.

Either this is a piss take or you're a glass half empty complainer.

You can't have it all. Either you are someone prepared to move jobs frequently, work the long hours the private sector requires and are prepared to forego benefits such as a good pension and maternity package, or you are a person who stays years in a job in the public sector with decent benefits and earns what is way over an average wage but lower than you might get under different circumstances. You pay for compromises. There are people earning half what you do who also work hard and are finding the CoL crisis really hard.