Has anyone else been in this situation? I earn about 35k a year which is really good for the industry I work in. I get paid far more than other people do in other organisations doing the same job. The only problem is that I am looking for other jobs and everything that is of similar seniority or one step up pays less than what I earn now. I can't afford to take a pay cut as a single mum but don't want to stay where I am forever. Is this common?