Does anyone here have an ‘average’ job with an average wage?

[gummybearrr]

A weird thread I know but, whenever I see posts on here about income, jobs, wages, I’m just in awe, people earning 100k+ (I don’t think I know anyone who earns that??) and there seems to be so many, all with really good jobs too, no debt, owns their own house, I mean - good for your you’ve worked hard for this, that’s my dream but unfortunately not yet..

so, is anyone here like me? Never really had ambition to do anything when I was younger. I work in retail on checkout (or I did, I’m on maternity) earning min wage, Dh is a manager in retail and earns just a little above NMW but not by much, we have UC top up and private rent, we’ve nearly paid ALL our debt (yay)!!! But sadly don’t think home owning is something we will ever do, I do plan on going to college when DC is older to try and get a good job, (I don’t know what, I’m one of those people who want to do something good but with no clue as to what) but yeah, I class myself as extremely average, to which I’ve never really come across anyone really on Mumsnet!

this is not me slating these people - I wish I was you 🤣

👋 me! I don’t know anyone on 100k or over.
I’m a science technician, I’d be on 29k if full time but I do 4 days.
Partner self employed earns about 60k, we have 1 DC and are more comfortable than not.
I always wanted to work but I’m not particularly ambitious , I enjoy my free time way more than working.
I live in the north west so things are
a bit cheaper.

I earn 37k in a technical role and Dh earns 20k from PT work in the trades. DD1 is disabled which is why dh is PT. Our salaries mean we dont have an extravagant lifestyle but we own our home and second hand car, and have a uk holiday and the odd day out.

I think the numbers you see are skewed to people wanting to brag about being high earners., whereas us average/lower paid don't do that. Also, possibly liars/trolls! It's an online forum, after all.

@gummybearrr never too late. I started off in retail. So below average! Nothing wrong with that. If you want something different go for it! If not then that’s ok. You say you don’t know anyone earning 100k but I would hazard a guess that we all tend to hang around within our social circle so if you went on to do something else and earn that then you would know peoples that do to!

Have you ever visited a dentist? Had a GP appointment? Been under the care of a hospital consultant? Do your children attend a secondary school with a Headteacher?

Then you know people who earn £100k+.

I think this site leans fairly Middle Class hence the wage disparity here between averages in real life.

Remember it’s the internet and people can make up any life and income they want.

I’m slightly above average (50k) but at the top of the pay scale an average job (teacher). My husband earns between 80-100k which I think makes me a fantasist, liar or both. My wage doesn’t feel too average in comparison to many of my colleagues, but feels low compared to my husband’s sector. He is aiming to double his income over the next two years, whereas mine will likely stay the same for a while, and not climb much higher. We don’t feel like we live a luxury life but I imagine we do really in some respects.

I worked for years in university libraries for tuppence! You certainly don't become a librarian for the money, although you do need to be a graduate. It didn't matter though because I adored my job and actually looked forward to going to work! Thank God DH has always earned more than enough for the two of us.

Teacher 31 years. Retired early. Looking for jobs on NMW to top.up.my pension.

Pretty average 🤣🤣

that is not average !

50k isn't pretty average! That's more than both DH and I earn combined!

I’m on 20k working 26 hours/week 🙁 wish I could do better but childcare would cripple us even more.

Was kind of hoping that the discussion will turn into “and this is how you get into 100K salary, easy peasy”…

40hrs a week, 28k in a tiny call centre (8 staff)

I am in a job for which you need a professional qualification and Master's degree and only get paid around £37k. Managers obviously get more but most in my profession get around this wage, slightly more in London. I don't know what jobs people get paid 100k for but I'm interested...

I am envious of your friends that retired in their early 50s!

I earn above average but will be working till I am 67 (my own fault though.)

Im a single parents work full time for a well known company doing back office type work and earn 26k a year. As my DD gets older and less needy I’d love to move up the ladder a bit. Don’t get me wrong it is a struggle and some months I need to be realistic about what I can afford. X

That’s interesting. If you don’t mind, what are your outgoings?

I wouldn’t have thought a family with kids could get by on one salary unless it is was very high, so I’m pleased to see that it is possible.

Do you live in a cheap part of the country?

Minimum wage here! Work part time as a veterinary care assistant (part time because we have dogs).

Other half is a self employed mechanic and we bring home about £2800 per month combined but his earnings vary.

Highest earner I know is a 75k train driver.

Me and DH are both very average earners, on around 30k each, both work part time (I also work term time only) mainly to reduce our childcare needs/expenses. We are now mortgage-free after making overpayments when we were able to, but our place is a modest 2 bed flat. Neither of us drives which probably saves us a lot, both cycle/walk/public transport everywhere. We usually have a uk holiday each year (Haven, Parkdean or similar) and a package holiday abroad every other year which we pay off in installments. We both have savings and a savings account for DS too. The thing we focus on is living within our means day to day but making sure we have a few things to look forward to as well! And we both value our free time and time spent with DS more highly than being big earners.

DH earns £28k roughly each year. I am an OU student and a carer for three disabled DC in the family. We do fine. Not struggling. Get a huge help from UC each month.

Im a machine Operator in a kitchen Manufacturing factory. Slightly above minimum wage but was on nmw when I was a general op

I work in elderly care. I work in a care home now, but for many years I worked in home care.
Love my job. Very average wage.