Would you take a 10% pay cut to work somewhere more interesting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they won't give you the 10% more, they don't want you very badly. That's a gap in respect that's very hard to make up later

That's a good point. They should be offering you 10% more, not less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Currently going through this internal battle. Current job pays great, I’m left alone, my boss trusts me, etc. but I am BORED. Industry is established, processes are old, nobody has a desire to modernize or fix things because quite frankly we don’t have to.


New industry is tech. It’s sexy and has a lot of opportunity to shape how the company will ultimately become more profitable. I believe in the service and the ability to scale. But it pays less & I don’t have the internal reputation I do now.

Yikes. Sounds like a disorganized startup or (yikes) a private-equity owned tech company.

Literally nothing OP said gave any clue if this was a wholly owned subsidiary, late stage startup, early stage, etc.

The fact it’s a 10% cut leads me to believe it’s a late stage that’s turning profit. Much less risky.


Get a clue.

There is no need to be nasty and tell people to "get a clue." You can share your expertise (or lack thereof) or your opinions without being a jerk to people.

[Anonymous]

Will this new job be a stepping stone on your way to the next position you want? If it can be leveraged then I think 10% is NBD assuming all else is equal and that you are not already struggling. But if it moves you out of your field and will make it hard to get back, then no.

All new jobs are a gamble. The last one I had was supposed to be more on the "dream job" side of the spectrum but the supervisor was terrible. I'm back on the "boring job" side of the spectrum now but I'm happier because I have a good supervisor and good coworkers.

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to make a similar decision, but the pay cut is even more (about 30%). It would also involve moving to a lower-cost-of-living location, but that would be negated by the cut, which is part of why we want to move.

The position would also offer more responsibility and a better career trajectory than the one I am in now, which is why I'm thinking about it. Basically, it's the title and responsibilities I want but without the pay that would usually go with them. But I don't have the experience to garner that same position at the pay it really should be. It's a tiny org, and that's why it's such low pay - mostly volunteer.

Anyway, I think it would be worth it for me at 10% for sure. I am debating the 30%. I think it depends on where it will lead you in 5-10 years and whether there are any other options out there that you foresee in the near future for a similar job but better pay.