What’s the biggest pay jump you’ve had?

[TheGreyShark]

I need to be inspired. I’m currently on just under £43k, working hybrid in the charity sector, and thinking about my next move. I know salaries in this sector can be a bit unpredictable, but I’d love to hear from people who’ve made big jumps in pay - whether within the charity sector or by moving elsewhere.

What’s the biggest leap you’ve had in one move? How did you do it?

I know the job market isn’t great, and I’m not in a rush, but I want to remind myself that my current salary doesn’t define what I can earn next!

£45k in academia to £65k (and a guaranteed £15k bonus in my first year) in finance. But that was only because I changed sector.

In academia my pay increases looked like:
£17k
£25k
£30k rising gradually to £45k

The biggest pay rise I ever had was when I paid off my student loans!

£36k to £52k in the same job. They "forgot" to give me a raise when I was promoted so when the next round of payrises came round I got bumped 2 levels... it would have felt great if I hadn't missed out a whole year's pay at the middle grade...

In the last 3 years…30 to 40 to 52

23 to 30 to 37 to 48 to 58 in four years.

Niche industry though and lots of training.

£75k Private sector (Finance)
£85k Charity Sector
£120k Private sector (Finance)
£254k Private sector (Finance)

This journey is on-going but this is the 6th year following a career change of direction. I work and study hard.

Teacher on 42k
To deputy head on 66k

Similar to your current salary as the manager of a warehouse (retail/logistics) to double that - 90k - as an on-site experience manager in a techy, corporate office.

Essentially I knew I wanted to make far better money and 'sold my soul' to the industry that's currently flush with cash and has a good rep for work/life balance. I've progressed significantly since then but that was the biggest jump, and so far I have no regrets.

£30k to £55k by switching companies. Work remained broadly the same.

£24.5k to £35k, because my employers were criminally underpaying me for my skills, as I had learned them while with them. I was still underpaid as with a pay rise not long after I got my pay rise and a market adjustment.

I then got a promotion, and annual pay rises which means in 4 year I am now on £46.5k. I am now looking for a new job and hoping to increase more.

You are probably in the wrong sector for big pay jumps.

My biggest was 38k to 58k, years ago both within financial services but moving from Big 4 accounting to investment banking. Is even bigger if you take the start of year (36k) to end of year (65k) as I had 2 internal pay rises.

i always moved externally when I realised that an average performing man, delivering little but puffing it up, was promoted over me who delivered a lot but didn’t self-advocate. Stayed in investment banking 10 years as it didn’t happen to me there and was much more focused on delivery / results.

@CoolOtter i'm intrigued as to what you do.

£25,000 to $75,000 (now on more) by moving countries. Admittedly the cost of living is higher here but I'm still better off financially and it's sunny all year.

24k to 36k was my biggest single jump. Since then it’s grown pretty slowly, over the past 8 years, to 56k.

£8.50 per hour 2019
£13.50 per hour 2025

Admin / customer facing

From 55k to 77k by changing sector and location

My hourly rate went up from £10 to £11 per hour a couple of years ago 🤣 Early years educator with nearly 20 years experience, nursery work will sadly never pay well.

I was asked to suggest my new hourly rate last year...

So I rather boldly (after wibbling at some friends) suggested a £4 per hour payrise. And got it!

£33k to £50k by moving companies

75 to 91k internally by threatening to leave