% of UK workforce earning >20k £30k etc

cgk1

This is why national stats don't rely on 'people I know' but empirical evidence, it can be very misleading to rely on your own circumstances as evidence of any form of trend or norm.

somethingcorporate

Indeed, it depends on your social and work circle as to how you compare against your peers.

I started work in a big company as a graduate based at the head office where all my colleagues are higher (or even additional) rate tax payers so my peer group is skewed. The guys I play football with back home are all trainee or young tradesmen that will probably not get into the higher rate bracket any time soon and to them £4k a month salary is a fortune.

The empirical evidence based on many millions of tax payers is far more representative than just looking at the few people we know.

sho_me_da_money

If you believe you have the skills to fall in line within the 30k+ bracket, then go get it. This time last year, I was earning in the low 20's and now im earning 35K+ contrary to the advice I was given on here.

Before getting my most recent position, I was asked by 2 agencies "What do you want to earn?" and I responded around £28K. Both said something along the lines of "Ok, we need to be real here, you are earning in the low 20's and you are setting your figure to high. Nobody will take you on at that irrespective of the 8 certifications you have passed".

Boy did I prove them wrong. I was actually offered 2 roles and I was able to play them off against each other to secure the better position at an amazing rate. The one I declined responded with "I dont understand how they can offer you that with your experience". CHEEKY B****!

Agencies dont know you, people dont know you. The only person that knows you is YOU. Believe in yourself, ability and aim high. If people are paid 30K+ for a job you can do, then prove it to the employer and get it.

Anything the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.