How much of a paycut would you do to take a new job?

[HipChick]

My present boss is a micro-managing prick,I have more years experience than he has been out of high school, but he's someone's highup nephew in the company...

The new gig would be a promotion of sorts..but I'd be losing like 5-6% - I tried salary negotiation, but , I'd potentially get a review in Oct., but my experience with these things is that, cost of living increases etc...I'm setting myself back...a bit here, but maybe should just suck it up..

[Arkansas Granny]

1. I could take a 5-6% cut if I had increased job satisfaction.

Sometimes it's worth a cut in pay to take a job that you enjoy instead of keeping one that makes you unhappy.

[HipChick]

2. True...well..they just updated and said I can work out of my house

so working from home,would offset commute costs I guess

[bettyellen]

10. working from home you save so much money - and time!!!

not just commuting, you spend less for lunch, laundry or dry cleaning, all sorts of stuff.
Good luck!

[union_maid]

14. Oh, you have to take that!

There have to be ways you can cut expenses if you're working at home and you'd be working at home!

[Paulie]

3. Most I took was 20%

But I was outsourced and those of us that were transitioned were less and less of the bodies.

Today (resigned today!) I'm taking 5% but the bennies will more than make up for it as we'll as going from a 36 mile one way commute to a 1.5 mile....

Ya do what you have to. Just keep growing new skills and it will even up over time.

[OriginalGeek]

4. I know right now I could work for more money

doing what I do for a private company rather than a not-for-profit. I've had offers. But I love where I work as much as what I do because I know my work here is helping my community. I ain't rich but do well enough to have most of the fun I want and my work makes me happy.

So yeah, if it will make you happier, it might certainly be worth it. I've worked for pricks before too - it ain't fun. but you knew that. Good luck!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

5. cut to the bone already. now they are sucking out the marrow. n/t

[DFW]

6. Zero

I've had my gig for 30 years now, I'd just stop rather than take a new job (or even a desk job with my current outfit).

Besides, I'm well taken care of. A headhunter once offered me $100K a year to switch, and I blew him away when I said I appreciated the vote of confidence but didn't want to take a pay cut just to make him happy.

If I decide I'm done, I'll just withdraw completely, play music in small clubs and write full time. Let someone else have my position. Starting requirements are minimal--EU working papers and a reasonable fluency in French, German, Russian, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and one Scandinavian language. Not only do I enjoy a reasonable amount of job security, but I never get threats of being replaceable!

[Callmecrazy]

7. I took over 50% cut...

Went from $40/hour to $17/hour and no benefits. I'm doing all right, as long as the car doesn't break down and I make it to work everyday. I can afford the occasional day trip to the
Gulf coast, but I miss my "fuck you" money.

[GoCubsGo]

8. I recently interviewed for a job that was 40% lower than what I used to make.

Not the first time, either. Of course, they weren't about to hire me, because they figured I'd jump ship as soon as something better came along. The unfortunate thing is that there isn't anything better out there, which is why I applied for the damn jobs in the first place. In fact, the temp jobs I took were all 40-50% below my old job's pay, with no benefits. Gotta do what you gotta do. 5-6% is a drop in the bucket.

[alarimer]

9. I did that very thing.

The base salary was identical, but I had been at my old job so long that my longevity pay (pay they give you in lieu of regular raises for sticking around) was about $140 on top of the base pay. And I also moved from a state with no income tax (Texas) to one with (North Carolina). So all told about $300 less, gross. I guess about a 6% cut.

I took it because it was a better opportunity and allowed me to stretch my wings. I've had some growing pains and I HATE the town I live in. I have no other choice because the only other option is to live in the country and I am not a country person. No way in hell am I living in the country.

But if you're not happy in your present job, no amount of money is going to make up for the stress.

[a la izquierda]

11. I lost a few thousand...

The difference between a private university and a public. But the perks, and the permanence, are much more important that the dollars.

[Recovered Repug]

12. Money isn't everything.

If the cut doesn't hurt too much and the job satisfaction is increased, it sounds like a fair trade.

[rurallib]

13. couple of decades ago my brother took a 20% cut

to get away from swing shifts and dangerous machinery &
took a straight day job so he could see his kids and do some coaching at night. Well worth it to him.

[elleng]

15. Retired now so don't exactly know

but years ago, when I was working for a prick, would have SERIOUSLY considered 5-6%, even 10%. Benefits were good (Fed,) work was good, but would have been very happy to get away from that a-hole, and would have helped my future progress at the agency.

Do your best, Chick.

[IrishEyes]

16. I couldn't take a pay cut.

I don't make enough at my regular job as it is. I have to work a weekend job to cover my bills.

[Rhythm]

17. I'm there with you, Irish...

Two jobs -- working anywhere from 60-70 hrs a week...
Still struggling like hell.

[mnhtnbb]

18. I'd be careful about taking a pay cut.

My son was promised a raise at the end of 6 months probation in a job...
not only did he NOT get the promised raise...they LOWERED his salary
with the rationale of 'redoing' job classifications. He stuck
around through most of the recession...but got a great offer
a year ago and he was outta' there. Continues to love
his new job.

You might want to keep looking.