Ageism and salary

[Anonymous]

Are people over 40 being discriminated due to age or because of the perception that they are expensive to hire and retain.

I make only $120k and I am 44. Judging from the posts on this forum I am making peanuts. So will someone like me who is making only $120k at 44 at risk of age discrimination the same way as another 45 years old who makes $200k+ (the typical entry level salary here)

[Anonymous]

Depends on the field and how well liked you are plus how much they need you.

[Anonymous]

Agreed it depends on the field. And how up to date in your field you are. A senior level person has deep needed experience. A fresh grad is going to have the latest knowledge. If you have neither…. you’re definitely not desirable

[Anonymous]

How much value are you adding (this is entirely subjective, by the way)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are people over 40 being discriminated due to age or because of the perception that they are expensive to hire and retain.

I make only $120k and I am 44. Judging from the posts on this forum I am making peanuts. So will someone like me who is making only $120k at 44 at risk of age discrimination the same way as another 45 years old who makes $200k+ (the typical entry level salary here)

If you are making less than entry level salary the perception will be you are less competent than them, that’s why you are stuck with “peanuts”. No one actually looks at someone’s work and estimates its value when layoffs are bandied about. They will just see and underpaid oldster who in their mind is not producing ANY value, even on a tiny salary.

I’m guessing you have your niche and you do it fine, but you mommy tracked and clock out at 4pm or something, so have accepted no promotions and stagnant wages? If you are at least good at what you do, does your supervisor champion you and will go to bat to beat initial evaluations?

[Anonymous]

Here is the problem if you are 44 and look 70 (yes some people are actually 44 and look 70) because you are far out of shape last looking unkept trust me unless you own the company or you have unmatched skills and ability you will be put aside.

If you are well put together take care of your looks and LIKABLE even at 65 you are not going to face age discrimination

[Anonymous]

If you are good at what you do but due to whatever reason it’s not valued by your employer, you should make a move.
I was in a similar spot making similar money, and my boss didn’t seem to care whether I do my job at all. I had a good life style but deep down I was anxious, I know that I wasn’t valued and I wasn’t developing skills, so I spent excessive energy worrying about agism, over analyzing daily small interactions with my team, taking a bunch of useless training courses… it was no way to live a life.

It took me a couple of changes to find my crowd. I am a lot busier but I know everything I do is valued, not just by my boss but also by other teams. Salary is also 2x. If there are micro aggression behavior my team will be the first one to stand in front of me. I know this isn’t guaranteed forever but no one should go through professional life with anything less than this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the problem if you are 44 and look 70 (yes some people are actually 44 and look 70) because you are far out of shape last looking unkept trust me unless you own the company or you have unmatched skills and ability you will be put aside.

If you are well put together take care of your looks and LIKABLE even at 65 you are not going to face age discrimination

Some women in my industry at 44 look 34. I think they use a combination of trainers, dietician, drugs and $300 hair job. And at 44, people also notice the quality of your clothes, good thing is that we have the real real 😆

[Anonymous]

Why 120k is peanuts here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are people over 40 being discriminated due to age or because of the perception that they are expensive to hire and retain.

I make only $120k and I am 44. Judging from the posts on this forum I am making peanuts. So will someone like me who is making only $120k at 44 at risk of age discrimination the same way as another 45 years old who makes $200k+ (the typical entry level salary here)

OP, I think $120K is a good salary. You're making more than most workers in the area. Where do you work that $200K is the typical entry salary?

[Anonymous]

120k at 45 may not be a big salary on this board. I don't have data to back up my claim but I will be very surprised if the median salary of a 45 years old person in DC is higher than $110k

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:120k at 45 may not be a big salary on this board. I don't have data to back up my claim but I will be very surprised if the median salary of a 45 years old person in DC is higher than $110k

DCUM is median salary of a 45 year old person with graduate degree and a good job

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are people over 40 being discriminated due to age or because of the perception that they are expensive to hire and retain.

For both reasons. Many incorrectly assume an older worker will not work as hard as a new graduate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are people over 40 being discriminated due to age or because of the perception that they are expensive to hire and retain.

For both reasons. Many incorrectly assume an older worker will not work as hard as a new graduate.

A new graduate can work 14 hour work days.
Older workers cannot compete with that. If they have kids, there is 0 chance they can compete with that.
So let's not put ourselves into the "work hard" route.

[Anonymous]

Hmm, salary is based on the bands within an organization. If you are a business analyst or project manager at a non profit, small company, university then being stuck at $120 is a facet of your organization. If you are in a pink collar department like HR, library, etc salaries are low. If your more senior staff are from the federal , state or local government they likely balk at anyone not director level managing a large staff making more than 150.