I’ve been offered a remote job making $15,000 less a year than I currently make. Would you take it?

38 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 21,2024 at 7:48PM UTC

   I really prefer hybrid and so no it wouldn't be right for me.

2. Beth LeporeJune 21,2024 at 8:53PM UTC

   I'm not sure what your commute is now but there's a lot to be said for not needing to go into an office. You save money on commuting costs plus you get a discount on your car insurance if you have low mileage. Couple that with less dry cleaning costs and lower wardrobe, plus the ability to eat in your home and not have to go out to eat or buy coffee. You may find that financially, you end up in a similar position. If you can afford to take the cut AND it's not a downward move, I might consider taking it.

3. AnonymousJune 22,2024 at 3:34PM UTC

   I have a 1-2 hour commute depending upon traffic.

4. AnonymousJune 21,2024 at 10:20PM UTC

   Take the offer. It's a tough tough tough tough tough tough market. Fully remote?? I'd jump on it today. You can always leave and make more money once employed.

5. Teresa SoleckiJune 22,2024 at 12:17PM UTC

   It depends if you can live the way you want to live on your salary and if being fully remote is worth 15 K to you. Remote has a value. It depends what that value is to you.

6. AnonymousJune 22,2024 at 12:53PM UTC

   Hell no! Lol

7. AnonymousJune 22,2024 at 1:16PM UTC

   I’d be saving a lot less (like minimally $240 on gas alone) than $15k to warrant making a move for so much of a pay cut. You may even be over qualified for the role.

8. AnonymousJune 22,2024 at 1:33PM UTC

   Make sure you factor all the benefits into your decision. Is the remote permanent, or will they eventually expect you to go in person?

9. Hold on Lee LouJune 22,2024 at 2:23PM UTC

   You'll save some on gas, oil changes, maybe even insurance if you're a car commuter (and fares if you take public transport). I also eat on the go more often when I'm going into work and definitely spend more on clothes. I also have a minimum 45-minute commute, which is 8-10 hours of my week, a full additional work week each month that I don't get paid for.

   So, I personally would very strongly consider this if I could handle the reduced salary. I ballpark that I would save $5k-$8k per year, plus all of that time. Do some math and decide if the remote work thing will be a net positive on your quality of life, especially if the benefits are reasonable.

   Also don't be afraid to ask for more than what they're offering.

10. AnonymousJune 22,2024 at 3:09PM UTC

    I would but that’s because the ability to work from home is important to me, and 15k won’t break the bank. If you can afford it, and it’s important to you, go for it.

11. CJB62June 22,2024 at 3:56PM UTC

    I think the answer depends on your financial situation. If you can make $15,000 less, still pay your bills and have money for financial goals and prefer to WFH, do it.

12. AnonymousJune 22,2024 at 5:01PM UTC

    What are the expenses that will go away for you? Cost of gas, office clothes, food expenses, cut down on daycare costs, etc.

13. AnonymousJune 22,2024 at 6:11PM UTC

    I would definitely have some reduced costs - my commute alone is 1 hour each way. I dress up so that expense would go away. My kids are school aged we have after school care. There are huge benefits to working remotely. That initial shock of lower pay gets me

14. AnonymousJune 24,2024 at 11:25AM UTC

    The 2 hours from being with your kiddos, can't put a price on that.

15. AnonymousJune 22,2024 at 6:44PM UTC

    Yes, but clearly has good reasons to be interviewing.

16. AnonymousJune 22,2024 at 10:29PM UTC

    Given my personal situation, no. But I can't speak for you.

17. AnonymousJune 22,2024 at 11:27PM UTC

    I would consider it.

    Make sure to ask about their raise and bonus structures.

    figure out your hourly rate and how long you spend in the car, and determine what the cost would be to drive in to work every day. For example, if you’re making, let’s just say $35 an hour and you’re in the car an hour every day And let’s say you’re driving 48 weeks a year that’s over $8000 of your time. So 8000+ the cost of gas the cost of buying lunch if you don’t prepare them ahead of time and less stress, it might be worth it and I would take it.

    Sometimes thinking about my time as money helps me weigh what 15 K actually is in the grand scheme of an entire year.

18. AnonymousJune 23,2024 at 1:15PM UTC

    You need to look at the big picture. What’s their benefit package look like? If their insurance is free for instance, that counts for something. How much 401k do they match? Vacation policy? And of course, can you financially afford to accept $15k less? Really only you can answer because everybody’s situation is different.

19. AnonymousJune 23,2024 at 5:47PM UTC

    If the content of the role, the culture and the opportunity to learn and grow is there and your personal situation can support making less then yes take the job.

20. JJJune 23,2024 at 10:56PM UTC

    If everything else was great, yes!

21. AnonymousJune 24,2024 at 12:32PM UTC

    I’m completely in agreement. Sometimes what looks to be absolutely great can turn out to be a nightmare. Don’t think that it’s a work from home job and it will be terrific because it can be one of the worst experiences ever! I’m down that road now and having to quit an abusive and overbearing micro managing WFH job! I never imagined it could be this bad! They write up employees who do a good job and keep the ones that are total messes!

22. AnonymousJune 24,2024 at 12:17PM UTC

    Hard decision to make but I probably would given the current job market! I’m struggling to get a job and get even 50% of my last salary. I’d take that job & enjoy working remotely. Hopefully you’ll enjoy the better work/life balance AND not have to spend money on commuting.

23. AnonymousJune 24,2024 at 1:24PM UTC

    Well, it depends. Is the opportunity to WFH worth $15K to you? The savings on gas, car maintenance, car repairs (for any accidents you potentially get into), new clothes, etc could make up for the lower salary, methinks.

    Ultimately, the decision is up to you. You can try and see if you can negotiate for a higher salary, too.

24. CosmosMomJune 24,2024 at 2:09PM UTC

    I took a WFH that was a pay cut and it was worth it to me to get back my commute time. I basically got back the equivalent of 22 days a year just by not driving to an office. I was looking for another job because I was no longer happy at my current job. After weighing the pros and cons WFH won and 4 years later I’ve been promoted and making $35k more than the job I initially left. If you can afford the pay cut it is worth a serious look.

25. Danielle CastilloJune 24,2024 at 2:55PM UTC

    Yes, it's better than having no income at all.

26. AnonymousJune 24,2024 at 3:27PM UTC

    This attitude towards remote work is the entire problem!

27. AnonymousJune 24,2024 at 10:21PM UTC

    It would depend on their benefits package and work culture. If they have great health insurance and generous vacation time, it's worth considering. Also, by working remotely, that's money you keep in your pocket by not spending it on gas (and/or public transport), lunch, and dry cleaning.

    For me, this isn't a hypothetical situation. After being out of work for months during the pandemic, I took a job that paid $12,000 less than my last job. Excellent benefits package, and while I'm not fully remote, I only have to go to the office 1 day a week, and we receive Friday afternoons off for "wellness/self-care." Sure, I've had to tighten my belt here and there, but it's worth it for the work/life balance I now get to enjoy.

28. AnonymousJune 25,2024 at 12:14PM UTC

    Working remotely is a must for me, thanks to living with a disability. It's simply easier and more comfortable to manage without an audience. Assuming you aren't losing other valuable benefits, I'd consider it well worth the switch. Even if everything in my body worked according to plan all the time, I'd still consider it worth it to pay $15,000 for more hours in my day and less stress --- not to mention vehicle wear and tear, emissions on our precious planet and the need for an extra "office appropriate" wardrobe that I'd never wear outside of that setting.

29. AnonymousJune 25,2024 at 1:06PM UTC

    when our children were young, I desperately needed a less stress job, and a much shorter commute. I took a 20% pay cut to work 5 minutes from home. This was the best decision ever- and I stayed at that job for 10 years! I noted that my gas bill went to zilch, my car tires didn't wear out (I had been driving 64 miles back/forth to work every day), I had MORE HOURS in my week to take care of my family, and I wasn't paying city taxes in a locale I live in (saved me about $1700/year, if I recall). Only you KNOW what your reasons are for searching for a new job...but for me, taking a pay cut was a big WIN.

30. AnonymousJune 25,2024 at 1:32PM UTC

    Yes! Take into consideration your commute (train passes, gas, tires, car insurance..) all of that adds up to a significant amount every year + your time. How long is your commute? Also clothing budget.. I know I spend a heck of a lot less on clothes and makeup then I did when I was going into an office. Plus now having kids - remote is the top priority so I am home with them in the morning for breakfast and home at 5 to make them dinner / do baths and bedtime. I use to commute an hour and while it wasn't terrible having the time to myself in the afternoon or morning drinking coffee and listening to music - having kids I would absolutely hate wasting that time in the car on the way to work and miss that time I now have with my kids. $15k would be a no-brainer if it meant even those extra few hours + I get a ton of laundry, etc done through-out the day which means I'm not struggling to get that stuff done on the weekends when we want to enjoy time as a family.

31. AnonymousJune 25,2024 at 1:39PM UTC

    I would absolutely take. You will not be paying for gas, maintenance, lunch, or stop for coffee. That right there alone is worth it. Also, if you have a car payment this might allow you to double and get out of debt. I have been wfh for 5 yrs and love it. You need a break you get up and walk outside. You can't beat it!

32. AnonymousJune 25,2024 at 1:50PM UTC

    Definitely consider it! A bird in hand is worth two on the bush, as they say. Also consider the whole package - benefits, work environment. And if the job might enable you to build new skills.

    I once took a job for the money and I stepped into a minefield of a toxic political environment.

    No job is perfect. If it doesn’t work out there is nothing keeping you from continuing your search. Good luck!

33. AnonymousJune 25,2024 at 3:25PM UTC

    It depends on your personality also. I thought I hit the jackpot with a WFH a few years ago, and it wasn't good for me. I need people too much. I learn so much from ad hoc encounters and conversations.

    I missed real people too much.

    Also, it was very easy for people to ignore me via email and phone, whereas if I could walk down and physically knock on a door, I could connect better with people and get better responses.

    The ideal WFH, for me, if where I can decide if/when I go into the office.

34. Tami L CannizzaroJune 25,2024 at 3:55PM UTC

    I know I'm late with my comment here, but this might help others in this situation. Aside from the question of money and assuming you could live a while longer without the income, What will the job do for you in the long run? Meaning, does it advance your career and add skills that you don't already have? Is it a title promotion? Are you now managing projects that have larger budgets, bring in more revenue, or do you manage larger teams? Etc.

    Asking because at some point you will interview for a new job again, and ideally this job should advance your career story line.

    Hiring managers may ask or simply wonder why you took this job.

    If this job is exactly the same as the last position, adding no additional skills to your resume, it may be better to find something that does.

    Again, I'm assuming you have the financial resources to wait.

35. Julie EJune 25,2024 at 8:01PM UTC

    Absolutely not! I’m single and wouldn’t take a pay cut for anything. Plus I hate fully remote.

36. Liz MilneJune 26,2024 at 12:56AM UTC

    If I'm doing $15k's worth less of work and can afford to take the cut, why not?

37. WandaJune 27,2024 at 12:45PM UTC

    The chief questions are, what is it about this position that is prompting you to even consider taking it? Does it hit deeply on any values that you hold about what you think you should be doing with your life and in your career? Are you feeling confident that there may be room to negotiate a salary increase based on performance? The old adage alludes to it - that when you're doing what you love, you'd do it for free.... So, taking the salary out of it for one nano second, do you have that feeling as it pertains to the position?

38. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netJune 27,2024 at 2:25PM UTC

    how badly do you want to work remotely?