Would you class £32,000 as a good salary?

[Poshpuppy]

I know there are so many variables. For a 21 year old living at home it's probably a very good salary!
For a single parent who owns a home maybe not.

For me, I'm 35 and I don't feel this is a good salary for me. I'm in the Civil Service, I have a degree and master's, it's my own fault for possibly doing qualifications that haven't led to anything higher paid/more specific.
I'm an EO/Executive Officer grade which is junior. There are not many HEO/Higher Officer grades that don't require very niche experience or line management, there are also few fewer HEOs than AOs or EOs so competition is tough.

I'm looking outwards at the local council, third sector and private sector. I know money isn't everything but when you have things to pay for and any chance of saving then it does help. I think I'd feel comfortable on closer to 40k, whether this will happen is another matter.

Of course there will be people on under 30k who manage perfectly fine, it's all relative. Just wondered what anyone thought!

I know it seems like a long way off but pension is still relevant - if you were in the private sector advice is to be putting approx 15% of your salary in a pension and that you should have approx 1.5-2% of your annual salary saved by 35 - so £45-60k.

Of course whether you would (or most people actually do!) that is another thing. But having a decent guaranteed pension without having to do so is a real bonus.

Obviously it's not a good enough reason to stay on its own - it's just important that you compare like with like. So for example if you were looking for a private sector job then, to follow the financial advice about pension contributions you'd be wanting to look at jobs paying at least £36k (andbeing prepared to then put 15% of that into a pension plan) to just break even from your current job.

Do you get pension contributions, as that would mean your salary is more. I have a degree, numerous professional qualifications, chose to work supporting others and that salary plus a civil service pension would have been OK, but sadly the younger you are now, the more it has to be to just survive.

You can absolutely aim higher if you want to, and you’re right, there’s flexi working and wfh in lots of companies. Decent pensions too if you pick the right company.

Do you get a good pension contribution from your employer with that salary ?

Because you should take pension into account, holidays, sick pay, commute, other benefits.

Other jobs may not offer what you already have ?

I don't know how anyone can survive on 32k.

I think it's very low with current cost of living crisis.

But yes some private sector jobs absolutely have good benefits and terms and conditions too. My cousin works for a bank and has better maternity pay than I do in the public sector, can wfh etc too.

Okay so you think its a bad deal...fine.
Dust off your CV and get looking.

It's not clear what you want from the thread - is it the push to change jobs?

however you feel I wouldnt be dismissive of the pension.
i guarantee come retirement you will be f-ing delighted with your CS pension especially when compared to your dismal private sector pension.

To address this point - your friends are being shit friends. Why do they want to do you down?

Who is saying that to you?

You aren't seeking to quit and become unemployed, you're looking to better your future.

Remember the CS pension is now based on career average ewrebonfa, so the earlier you have a higher wage, the better your pension will become over time.

So much progression in the civil service, though appreciate maybe not if in a small dept. I started out at EO, now G7. I think it’s ok starting out salary or part of a couple but not a sole salary.

No.

My boss would disagree though.

Nothing. Aim high. Our new DG started out as an AO.

my ex was turned down for the fast stream twice as is now an ambassador overseas. Start looking wider than your own team, get out there and get some extra experience.

You sound a bit passive. As if you want your education to be factored in to your progression. If it’s not relevant to the role nobody cares once you’re in the job. You have to make the effort. Move to where the jobs are. Do line management. Get some of that niche experience in data analytics or governance or risk or training or anything that will make you stand out.
It’s not a great salary but you’re probably better off than the EOs in my London team on 35-39 k basic.

My DD is in the civil service and she was on about 32k by the end of her two year training. They are paying for her to do a masters degree.

Entry level in her sector is about £30k.

@BringBackCatsEyes I do know many people survive on much less but it’s a valid question because single income households have extra pressure on them as it’s all down to them. Poster could earn far more or less but any kind of illness or job loss means no one else is there to take up the slack at all. Just the same with a job change it’s always a risk which is why some stay, it’s all about calculated risk when job changing.

Its not as simple as that though is it, because on top of the £32K you get a hefty 29% pension contribution, so yeah other jobs may have a better take home pay but the whole package you have is pretty good, but I accept its playing the long game and somewhat like a partially deferred salary int hat you have to wait years for the pension benefits. Although with a masters I think you should be on more.

I left the Civil service as an EO and went back in with a wider range of experiences as a 7 a few years later but I still only had the same qualifications.

In certain civil service departments, opportunities to move on are restricted so sometimes, leaving and coming back is the only way to move up the pay grades as they try and compete with general market wages to get the experience they want.

It may be outing but may I ask which department you work for? I think this is a strong indicator for progression and types of roles. Pay also varies widely within the civil service for the same grade. As an SEO I earn the same as my friend who is a HEO at another department.

I am in my 30s with no formal qualifications and worked in retail up until 5 years ago. I started out as an EO in the civil service, promoted to HEO after one year and have now been an SEO for nearly a year. Maybe I am lucky but I am just a bit confused how you have only just got an EO role with your qualifications. My G7 is 22 having just graduated last year with no work experience and walked straight into the role.

Happy to discuss privately if you don't want to put the department on here and hopefully I could maybe offer you some advice

It's pretty much what teachers start on outside of London.

It’s not great when you have a degree and a masters. However, I think the situation is the same for many. I have a kid who has both and cannot get a break in their field. Working two jobs and making okay money but it’s a bit of a crappy existence. They say they were sold a lie. All that money on a great education and now doing two jobs you don’t need higher education for. It’s shit.

What department do you work in? The CS is generally really short of good HEOs so there are lots of opportunities nationally. Get an alert on CS Jobs for all departments and see what jobs come up in your area. Now is about the worst time to be going for promotion of course because everyone is making headcount reductions. But HEO jobs, at least in policy departments, are actually the ones most likely to be on offer. Lots of people hired into HEO roles with no management experience in most policy departments, and then if you got a job like that you'd probably get the chance to manage say one person which could then help you get the management experience to go for HEO wherever you are now (if thats what you wanted).

One other thing. Do you have a mentor? I am in the South East (G7) but relocating to North West in summer. Send me a private message if you don’t know where to start, i’ve not officially mentored anyone but plenty unofficially. Happy to help.

It’s fine to want to progress @Poshpuppy and also fine not to want to but I would like to think your colleagues support your plans. I am someone that turned down promotion which the head of dept just couldn’t understand. Many years hence my DH ended up as the head of his dept and he hated having to deal with personal issues of staff, that was exactly the reason I didn’t want promotion. The thought of managing people just didn’t appeal. I did it briefly when young as stepped up as head nurse when she was on maternity leave, not for me.

No for me. But if you are happy and can afford your life then its good for you.
I would ask these questions

• am I happy in my work?
• can i afford my current life?
• can I plan for the future life i want ?

Can i progress in my role to achieve that? If yes to all then it's a perfectly good salary for you.

No. Ten years ago, not so bad. Now, it's rubbish. Becoming increasingly common unfortunately.

You are not strange for wanting more, my workplace is constantly working on progression, everyone has to have a plan. We need to move towards something and gain experience each year. I thought this was normal, stagnation is not good. Keep pushing @Poshpuppy