Would you take a salary drop?

Legalese

Has anyone given up a job to work for less? I earn 22k per year in a job I hate. I'm now considering changing my career to do something I enjoy, and have been doing a college course and volunteering in. The problem is that the starting salary is 15k so quite a lot less. I'm wondering if anyone else has done this and how it's gone for them. Personally I think enjoying your life is more important than been miserable but it is also a lot of money to lose.

1940sGal

Legalese wrote: »

Has anyone given up a job to work for less? I earn 22k per year in a job I hate. I'm now considering changing my career to do something I enjoy, and have been doing a college course and volunteering in. The problem is that the starting salary is 15k so quite a lot less. I'm wondering if anyone else has done this and how it's gone for them. Personally I think enjoying your life is more important than been miserable but it is also a lot of money to lose.

You need to ask yourself if you can really afford to take that much of a drop. If you can, there's no reason you shouldn't go for it.

But it can be your decision and yours alone based entirely on your situation & finances.

Hypothetically speaking, if it were me and if i could afford to take that drop, I would if it meant enjoying my job more.

LondonDiva

I've recently taken a £7k drop for peace of mind to want to get out of bed in the morning. Money isn't everything and I know I'll make the money back soon and importantly the weight off my shoulders can't be described.

browneyedbazzi

I've recently accepted a job that involves a drop in pay - thankfully I've been able to negotiate the salary a little so it isn't a huge drop, but I would have taken the job even it was. I'd rather be paid less to do a job I enjoy and feel is worthwhile than earn lots in a box ticking soul destroying job.

I think that working in a negative environment or doing something you don't enjoy can have big impacts on the rest of your life and it just isn't worth it. So long as you can still support yourself, then I think it's well worth a go!

prowla

I've taken a salary drop to change jobs before.

In one, my outgoing employer offered me a rise to stay, and I told them it wasn't the money and I was leaving for less.

But, if the drop causes an ensuing impact on your lifestyle, then you need to weigh up whether that has a bigger impact on your overall happiness than staying in the job you don't like.

You could also factor in the consideration whether the new job offers more opportunities, and whether perhaps you could get back to the same level relatively quickly.

Charityworker

I couldn't take a pay cut. I'm already on the minimum wage with an annual salary of £7587.