To think once you earn around £42k - £45k, it actually gets harder to find a new job?

[SnugShaker]

I feel like once you pass that salary range, it gets trickier, there are fewer roles that match your level and pay and some companies seem hesitant to offer more unless you’re in management.

AIBU to think mid-level salaries come with a hidden ceiling that no one warns you about? Have others found it easier or harder to move up once they hit this bracket?

If you have a look at this you might be surprised where you are in comparison to salaries, so there are less roles at higher salaries. Particularly outside of London, so you are definitely a bit right. ifs.org.uk/tools_and_resources/where_do_you_fit_in

But I'd suggest you might be finding that jobs at that level really start to add lots of unnecessary bits to job specs and may seem unsuitable. If you read your description how does it feel compared to others on the market? I find applying for roles they sound insanely senior, but really I've been working at that level for a while, but seeing it on paper doesn't feel right.

That’s a really helpful way to put it, especially about job specs feeling overly senior even when the role itself might not be. I think that mismatch is part of what makes it harder to move up from mid-level. You can be capable but suddenly the job market feels like it’s written in a different language. I’ll definitely check out that link, thank you!

I’ve been struggling to find around 28-30k
it all seems to be min wage and then a huge jump to wanting v specific qualifications and 50k plus jobs

Yeah, I feel stuck with my current employer and profession as there’s no way I’d get a job on my salary or higher by going elsewhere!