Would you take a job you want if the salary is too low?

41 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 17,2022 at 9:14PM UTC

   I would not. For me, salary is much more than wages, it represents my value at a company. It's a reflection of the worth of my contribution. It's what my market value is.

   So, to answer your question, no I would not take a job at a salary below my market value.

   But maybe the trade off in a government role is something more valuable. I have not held a government position so it is hard to tell.

2. AnonymousAugust 17,2022 at 9:20PM UTC

   Are you currently working / how bad do you need a job?

3. AnonymousAugust 17,2022 at 9:32PM UTC

   I am working but I plan to put in my two-week notice on Monday whether I accept the government job or not. I have to get away from my current company. I have some savings and I'm willing to hold out for another government role that pays better, but I don't know if I should take that risk.

4. Audrey KirschAugust 17,2022 at 9:27PM UTC

   Government jobs come with great benefits, but the pay isn't always the best. Once you're in, you have the opportunity to move into different positions if they open up and you're often considered first before someone applying that does not already have a government position. If you need the paycheck now, I'd say take the position while keeping an eye out for something better. That said, I personally wouldn't take a too low salary. I passed up a dream job (working at an animal shelter) because the pay was too low to even consider. Only you can decide if the salary is too low to live on vs what your situation is right now.

5. AnonymousAugust 17,2022 at 9:37PM UTC

   Thanks for this feedback. This would be a substantial decrease in salary. However, I need something stable and less demanding than my current role. My mental health is suffering greatly. The government benefits are a plus too in that regard.

6. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 17,2022 at 9:59PM UTC

   There's too low and then there's too low to live on.

   At some companies, you need to have worked there for 6 months or a year before you can apply for any other positions. I'm guessing it could be a year (or more?) in government.

   YOU SAID:

   "Should I take this job just to get my foot in the door and then keep looking? "

   That depends on how your job search is going and how long you can afford to not work. Are you getting a consistent flow of interviews? How long have you been looking to land this offer? Personally, I'm very leery of the "take this job just to get my foot in the door" strategy - at some places, it can take a long time to get back to the level you're trying for. This could be especially true in government. At some companies, they'll always see you as that lower level employee and never seriously consider you for higher level opportunities.

   Government positions are known for paying less - why are you so set on working for the government?

7. AnonymousAugust 17,2022 at 11:24PM UTC

   Thanks so much for your feedback. I am getting a few interviews and might have another non-government offer coming soon (it's not a shoo-in, but I've had informal interviews with the team and they really seem to like me).

   You make a good point about getting back to a higher level. I'm pretty overqualified for this job (it's more suitable for a person fresh out of undergrad and I just finished business school).

   I'm set on working for the government because I need a sense of stability. I also want a 9-5 role without the expectation of nights and weekends like at my current job.

8. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 18,2022 at 1:29AM UTC

   I'm not sure what specifically you do, but not all companies have expectations their employees work nights and weekends.

9. AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 10:09AM UTC

   Yes, true. I have a preference for working in public service vs private sector.

10. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 4:00PM UTC

    Same here. Retiring in 4 years; never worked in private sector, save temp jobs.

11. AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 10:46AM UTC

    I’m in project management, strategy, and process development. To be honest, I need time to focus on my mental health and I would prefer to have a low-demanding job while I do that.

12. AnonymousAugust 17,2022 at 10:58PM UTC

    Depends on the organization, potential, the commute and the option to increase after 90 days

    Also consider realistically how much is too low.

    If I can't get satisfaction from these questions then nope.... Id move on

13. AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 9:26AM UTC

    if it’s govt you can always bid up into a new position after a few yrs in the govt for federal agencies. 10k before taxes is really 5k after taxes if u make over 70k. Even if you stay in the same job for 5 yrs annual increases should put u over 10k u initially expected. If u don’t have any other offers take it

14. AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 10:51AM UTC

    I might have another non-government job offer soon (I’ve gone through the informal interview process). 5 years is a long time to get to 10k. I would probably apply to other positions within a year and see if I can move up after I get into my first agency.

15. AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 10:40PM UTC

    If the only decision is money, did you consider the long-term?
    I started as a federal contractor in 2010 in a technical position making about 50k, became a fed in 2012, same job duties bumped up to 75k, exactly 10yrs later my salary doubled. The good thing about working in a fed agency is if you don't like the specifc office you are in, most likely your skills are transferrable and you can either transfer to another office within the same agency or to another agency. This is compared to having to completely leave one company for another that you are no longer interested in. In short, don't just think about your current circumstance, also consider where you see yourself 5, 10, 15yrs from now until retirement. Currently at my job, ever since COVID ees are allowed to telework 4 days a week and only have to come into the office 1x per week. Do your research before making a final decision. Whatever you do decide, good luck though!

    P.S. Also easier to get promoted being on the inside as a Fed even if you bid for a job outside your current office within the agency.

16. Shawn L BattmerAugust 18,2022 at 12:03PM UTC

    Been in local govt in CO for over 14 years. Local govts have firm hiring ranges which should have been on the job listing. If your at their max they can’t go above that, budgets are already set a year in advance. You would likely have better luck with a higher salary in the private sector. Depending on the agency openings may not be available as frequently. Have you checked any of the other surrounding agencies?

17. AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 12:56PM UTC

    Thanks so much for this. I've looked at other agencies and don't see another compatible position at the moment. I was also referred to this role by a friend which I think helped. It's not only about the money for me; the benefits, work-life balance, and stability are key factors. Honestly, if I took this job, I could start my own venture on the side which is something I've thought about doing for a while. That's another factor for me to consider. I would need to make about 1k per month on my own / from a "side gig" to be ok financially.

18. AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 4:01PM UTC

    The other option is that you can take the job first, and reexamine your financial situation to see if you can cut or reduce cost of living. For example, if you can minimize the $10k per month to $5-6k shy, then you can start the government job, maybe take on part time work for a few months to cover the rest. You can also find a way to speed up your side gig to generate profits asap. This will be a key motivate you to be profitable as soon as possible given you might run out of savings.

19. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 4:48AM UTC

    That’s EXACTLY what I did; started my side hustle while working as a government employee. You will certainly need to disclose at least annually, but that arrangement is not unheard of among government employees.

20. AnonymousAugust 18,2022 at 9:38PM UTC

    Just asking, do you get benefits with the government role that lower your out of pocket overall expenses? Just a thought.

21. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 4:45AM UTC

    Some things to consider (I am a state government employee myself): where are you in your career? Beginning? Middle? End? Depending on the agency you may have an opportunity to move up, I know we do where I work. Some agencies do not. Benefits? Some of the best around, and with low premiums and out of pocket costs too. If you have a family, they should be taken into consideration. Also, there is talk of a recession, if it’s not already here. As a permanent employee (presuming you’ve passed your probation period) it’s more unlikely to get laid off. COLA pay increases are standard, along with rarely working ore than 40 hours/week. You have a lot to think about: whatever your gut is telling you, go with that.

22. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 12:46PM UTC

    If the numbers don’t work and you’ve done a thorough review, decline it unless you are prepared to moonlight or have a side hustle. The agency can re-classify the job for higher pay if they can’t fill it.

23. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 1:23PM UTC

    Decline. Raises are minimal in government jobs unless promoted. Promotions often denied until you "do your time" despite skills.

24. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 1:24PM UTC

    Government pay is lower thyan private sector, that probably won't change in the future. Taxpayers are not sympathetic because they already pay too much in taxes. The joke in my house is that I get up and go to work in order to pay myself. So get your foot in the door if you want, you won't get a raise often, but it will open the door for transfering to another agency/department later. Usually that is the only way to get more money.

    That being said, for me at least, the benefits far outweigh the lower pay. Would I like more money? Absolutely. Do I like the benefits? More than I would a higher salary. Because I work for a college, we get personal days, sick days (a lot), vacation days (separate from sick and personal) that increase with years of service, my retirement plan is pretty good, the newly revised one, not so generous, but still everyone who vests gets a pension from retirement to death. Also because it is a college there is a separate retirement fund (similar to 401K that we can pay into. Health insurance is expensive everywhere, but affordabe because there are so many members and you can choose plans to pay what you can afford/ for the level you want. So you can go with kaiser or the rolls royce plan.

    So, as a state employee I will say hold out for salary if that is important knowing that they set salary and rarely will they increase it too much. Budgets and all. Apply for jobs where the salary you want is the low end to begin with. Sometimes it can take a long time to find the right fit. Most people retire in December/January or June/July so keep an eye out around those months. If you are going to depend on savings in hopes of a raise in a few months - don't.

25. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 2:00PM UTC

    It is always bad news to take a job where the salary is too low to live on. Private or gov’t sector, the employee is the one waiting for the higher ups to approve raises and increase benefits. And your timeline is not their problem. You could literally wait years to make what you need to make to pay your bills. You created a savings fall back, presumably for emergencies. Not being able to patiently wait for the job that at least covers your everyday expenses does not constitute an emergency, in my opinion.

26. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 6:35PM UTC

    I hear you, but my mental health is suffering greatly at my current job. I've pushed off submitting my two-weeks notice since the end of July. I was really looking forward to having the month of September to reset and heal.

27. Arlene Frances Gottardo (Bryak)August 19,2022 at 2:02PM UTC

    If you want it & it gets “your foot in the door”, take that job & cut back expenses to make it work.

28. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 2:06PM UTC

    When you are working, you should not be required to dip into savings just to cover monthly expenses. It may happen from time to time for unexpected emergencies but not as a general rule. But here is something else to think about. Once you go in 10k below where you are just to get your foot in the door, you will never make that up at the agency. Rarely will a person get a promotion that equals what someone off the street is coming in at. In order to make that up, you are going to have to move to another agency (in order to move up, you have to move out). If you don't need to take the job, then keep working where you are and keep looking for a position that is more suited for your skill set and salary expectations.

    Best of luck.

29. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 2:15PM UTC

    I had to take a pay cut to get a job at a prestigious university and after 4 years of raises and an internal job change - I have more than made up the difference - plus I have a very short commute, a great work life balance and excellent benefits!

    I would advise to get your foot in the door since these type of jobs are very hard to get!

30. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 2:37PM UTC

    Keep in mind this a government job and raises are limited to the contract rate meaning you can work really hard and be fantastic but you will only get what the contract stipulates for raises, it could take awhile to get just back where you are In terms of salary . they could not negotiate with you because of this . I took a 20,000 cut in pay to change careers it took almost all my savings at the time and it took me almost two years to get 10,00 20, 000 back , but right after that I was able to get a new job making 20,000 more but that was in the private sector not in government. I would say it depends on how long you can go with that salary and how badly you want the job

31. Joanna PoeAugust 19,2022 at 3:29PM UTC

    I'd take it only if there was a clear path to making that up in the future. Government salaries are often fixed and based on the GS rating system, so you may be stuck for some time. You're not doing yourself any favors if you take a job that makes you immediately have to seek another or take a gig to make rent.

32. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 6:48PM UTC

    Hi all, OP here. Thanks so much for all your advice and feedback. I truly appreciate it. I decided to decline the offer. The decrease in salary would be so substantial that I can't really justify it. I'm more towards the middle of my career than the beginning, and I think I can hold out and find a position that better reflects my experience in the pay. I still plan on putting in my two-weeks notice on Monday and taking some time to search for what I really want. Thanks again to everyone for your feedback and please have a great weekend!

33. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 19,2022 at 7:26PM UTC

    GOOD LUCK!

34. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 10:13PM UTC

    Thanks so much!

35. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 9:52PM UTC

    Have you considered State/Federal contracting companies?
    Same type of work but more pay.

36. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 10:13PM UTC

    I’ll look into this, thank you!

37. AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 10:19PM UTC

    These are great questions! While the job seems great, it’s a new position so there’s not much to benchmark it against. That’s something I worry about, being in a newly created role now and seeing how scope creep happens. This would be a standard 9-5 and I would have to figure out some kind of additional income to make it work. I decided to decline the offer because I think I can land something more aligned to my goals.

38. AnonymousAugust 20,2022 at 4:55AM UTC

    Since you are mid-career, choose what is right for your career and lifestyle.

39. JJAugust 20,2022 at 4:44PM UTC

    Short answer: no. There will be other opportunities.

40. AnonymousAugust 21,2022 at 8:55PM UTC

    Thank you! I'm hoping this is so. I declined the offer.

41. Rynn StrangeSeptember 1,2022 at 2:30PM UTC

    Something we have to remember about county and city government: both are funded by taxpayer dollars, and there is so much in the kitty they can use.

    I worked for county government for six years, and while it was not the highest paying job, it was rewarding. Each year the county council and commissioners hammered out a salary ordinance which specified the salary grades and amounts by years of service. Each year could bring a COLA, provided the tax dollars were there. Once the ordinance passed it was published and in effect, became law. There could be little deviation in pay unless someone passed a work anniversary or their job was re-evaluated and moved up a grade. You may find that there are no merit raises and performance reviews as well, depending on leadership. On the plus side, we had great benefits (county paid 80% of the cost), lots of paid holidays off (15-16 a year), and three buckets of earned time off (vacation, sick, and comp).

    That said, if the pay was too low for you, I would have passed on it. At this point, your best bet will be to continue to see what's out there. Never hurts to look.