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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you rather have an interesting job that was badly paid or a boring job that was paid very well?

87 replies

malificent7 · 06/09/2025 08:31

When I was young I went for the "interesting" worthwhile jobs like teaching/now NHS. Now I am older I wish I had gone into something that paid a lot better like accounting etc.
My interesting job is the average uk wage and tbh honest is not that interesting day in day out and the environment is toxic. Id rather be loaded. Anyone else feel the same?

OP posts:
iirbRosb · 06/09/2025 09:42

I made the same choice as you and sometimes I wonder this but so many people’s jobs sound mind numbingly boring I couldn’t do it so I am pleased with my choices

Talia718 · 06/09/2025 09:46

Boring and well paid is the way to go providing you make the boring job work for you.

I earn very well, decent 6 figures but the job is boring now as there’s not much new ever happening. Most of it is dealing with situations I’ve dealt with numerous times before.

I do however WFH most of the time and can do nearly all nursery and school drop offs and pick ups.

I now feel that my job works around my personal life rather than it being the other way round.

I wouldn’t swap if for a more interesting but less convenient job regardless of what the salary on offer was.

Nissii · 06/09/2025 09:50

I remember telling DC that they might find they had to choose between well paid or rewarding.
DS1 ended up with a job that he loves but the pay is mediocre. He lives and breathes his work, still buzzes with excitement when talking about it after all 7 years.
DS2 got a very well paid job. He doesn't hate it but it's not what he dreamed of. I think he envies others who love their work Trouble is that it's hard to walk away from the money, especially when you have a mortgage.

Newmeagain · 06/09/2025 09:56

The other thing to remember is that a lot of well paid jobs are quite stressful and have long hours. I have a well paid job but it’s not unusual to have to work to midnight or weekends. It’s not 9 to 5.

LetsTryAgainNowThen · 06/09/2025 10:05

I had a boring job that was badly paid! But was flexible enough to let me do fun stuff outside of work.

Now I'm a sahm so have an interesting "job" that's not paid at all!

I would prefer the interesting job at this point in my life (assuming it wouldn't leave me really struggling for money). I don't think I could stand another boring, pointless job, I found it soul destroying. And I wasn't motivated and didn't try my best, which also made me feel badly about myself.

Bumblebee72 · 06/09/2025 10:10

I don't think that is the choice for most people through is it? Many low paid jobs are as dull as ditch water and repetitive, yet many high paid jobs are intellectually stimulating and varied.

Talia718 · 06/09/2025 10:11

Newmeagain · 06/09/2025 09:56

The other thing to remember is that a lot of well paid jobs are quite stressful and have long hours. I have a well paid job but it’s not unusual to have to work to midnight or weekends. It’s not 9 to 5.

That’s not true later on in your career. Much of the hard work and long hours are needed to progress to your desired level. Once you are there and not looking to advance further the need to all the extra commitment reduces significantly.

I and a number of my colleagues worked hard for a decade to reach senior roles and then had children and were happy to stand still career wise. All earn over 150k and work fewer hours than when we earned 50k.

Dancingsquirrels · 06/09/2025 10:18

Surely it depends where your talents lie?

It's all v well saying you'd prefer to be an accountant than pupil support assistant as it pays better, but you'd be a terrible accountant if it doesn't match your skillset

Clychaugog · 07/09/2025 14:47

I've done boring, badly paid jobs for good causes. Badly paid for long enough to have my student loans written off in full.

Wouldn't have it any other way. Having 'enough' has always been enough :)

Lifeisapeach · 07/09/2025 14:49

If I’m going to spend between 35- 40 or more hours a week (away from my family) doing doing some career or vocation, damn sure I’m going to make sure I get paid as well as possible for it. There’s too many variables to make it a fair comparison though. Some people have opportunities in life and some people don’t. Some people have drive (to get away from the mundane) and some people don’t. Also don’t assume accountancy is boring. It’s highly stimulating to some.

unsurewhattodoaboutit · 07/09/2025 14:51

Boring job that paid well because my life isn’t work.

PensionedCruiser · 07/09/2025 14:52

@malificent7 You don't say how old you are, so I am coming from a pensioner view.

So the background - I worked for a good deal of my working life in the public sector (not that well paid, but there was then a non contributory pension scheme) before I became a SAHP - not planned, but circumstances meant returning to work was not possible. My State Pension was protected by the Home Responsibility scheme. After the children left home, DH and I set up a well paying business (we worked extremely long hours and travelled extensively for contracts) which we kept going until retirement - about 12 years.

I hadn't bothered much with my work pension (could have paid out when I was 60) - honestly I thought it was worth peanuts - until I approached State Pension age (66). At that time, I claimed my private pension and was absolutely shocked about how much it was and the lump sum I received - 5+ years of deferred pension and a 3x monthly sum. The pension was index linked since I left in 1991 - so had accumulated surprisingly well.

So my advice is this - if you joined your pension scheme when your benefits were index linked and it allows you to retire at 60, consider carefully what that is worth in addition to your pay. If not - go and follow your dreams ❤️

Ultravox · 07/09/2025 14:57

I don’t love my job. Most people would think it’s pretty boring (IT support) but it pays well and is very flexible. I used to wish I’d done something that I was more interested in, but this job has given me financial security, allows me to spend loads of time with my family and indulge in lots of hobbles and travel so I’m glad I stuck with it.

Suns1nE · 07/09/2025 16:06

This isn’t a choice for most people because choosing a lower paid job means you still have the means to support yourself so it’s either not that badly paid or there is a second household income bolstering finances or you come from wealth. For most people you take the job that pays the most so that you can make ends meet

BigBirdOfPrey · 07/09/2025 16:12

I’d follow the money, excitement don’t pay my bills.

SlipperyLizard · 07/09/2025 16:13

I’ve had many boring jobs in my life, and not one of them was well paid.

I now do a job that sounds boring to some but is intellectually challenging & mostly very interesting. It is also very well paid.

On that note, why do you think being an accountant would be boring? I doubt so many young people would go into it (and stay in it) if it was that boring, because it isn’t the best paid profession.

ishimbob · 07/09/2025 16:17

Something in between for me.

I started a career which was super interesting to me but very badly paid and I really wanted more money so switched to my current job which is well paid and which I enjoy but less interesting than my first career. I could be better paid for a more boring job but I hate being bored.

howshouldibehave · 07/09/2025 16:19

Not sure whether you are saying teaching is interesting or not. I find it stressful and not very well paid so am leaving

Gowlett · 07/09/2025 16:23

Interesting, busy job. Pay isn’t good. DH is the same.
All of our friends own houses, cars, have holidays…
We don’t have those things. But I want them for DS.
I need to come up with Plan B as my industry is done.

JohnWickAteMyHamster · 07/09/2025 16:28

I chose a "worthy" career path. I would firmly discourage my kids from doing likewise. Take the boring well paid job. I work full time, and my life is one long stress about money. I'm exhausted and broke. It's really shit.
If I could go back in time I would 100% choose a boring but well paid career path. No question.

ChorizoDog · 07/09/2025 16:46

This comes down to if you have a ‘find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’ or ‘work to live’ mindset.

I think most people do not have the choice. I choose boring and well paid, unfortunately.

tarmacpheasant · 07/09/2025 18:26

I'd definitely take the boredom and money.

But if it's a choice between poor pay and flexibility or big money and no flexibility, I'd go for the flex 💯

coxesorangepippin · 07/09/2025 18:49

Mine is extremely boring and unrewarding, but quite well paid

Merryoldgoat · 07/09/2025 18:52

Boring is subjective isn’t it? I would imagine most people would find my job really boring but I like it.

I think being underemployed is worse than being bored.

FinallyHere · 07/09/2025 20:37

Project Management.

each project is a challenge, I get to work with some seriously clever people and the challenges met along the way have a terrific bonding effect on us as a team.

I could have retired years ago, instead I shall continue in this role for as long as they will have me. Great salary and benefits just a welcome side effect.