We’re currently debating this is my household. If you hated your job but made 200k a year how much would another job have to pay for you to quit. Here are three options for example:

Dream Job: Working for an NFL team (in an office position) for 100k in Vegas

New Job: Working for a relatively new start up for $170k in Salt Lake City Area

Current Job: 200k in Columbus but don’t enjoy the compa

I hated my last job, but I don't think I could have left $100k on the table. The middle option doesn't seem as bad, depending on the long term outlook of that company / job security. 

I left my last job for a lateral position with less upward mobility, but I have a much better work/ life balance which is important to me right now with extremely young children.

Dream job would be managing the Reds.....guessing low paid managers make a million. I would do it for $150,000....so in that sense leaving $850,000 on the table.

I drive 65 miles TO work and 65 home.....I would come home for nothing less though...even though travel time, gas snd car wear and tear.

Dream job would be owning something that someone else makes you money.  

I have worked several jobs I have hated. I try not to do it much at all. Recently, I passed up on a job that was contract work at $100/hour. That may not be much for some, but it's more than I've ever made an hour.

Working in soccer is all I know and do. If I were to leave it, I'm not sure what I'd do or how much money would be out there. I'd love to leave the US and work abroad for a little bit though. The culture, the learning experiences, and potential is really attractive. Hard to tell what the pay difference would be, as the soccer (and sporting) world is a little fragile any moment.

posted by OSH

Recently, I passed up on a job that was contract work at $100/hour. That may not be much for some, but it's more than I've ever made an hour.

I prefer not to use dollars, but in percent terms, my average salary over the first five years of owning my own shop vs. the McCorporate world dropped by around 65%. A lower cost of living helped, but I probably would have done it anyway.

I took a 20k paycut. I hated my old job. I lived there. It was a toxic culture. So I took a job at a University. Benefits are much better so it helps ease the pain a little. But it’s still a decent cut. 

posted by kizer permanente

I took a 20k paycut. I hated my old job. I lived there. It was a toxic culture. So I took a job at a University. Benefits are much better so it helps ease the pain a little. But it’s still a decent cut. 

Do you regret it at all?

posted by sportchampps

Do you regret it at all?

Not really.  There’s times when I think the extra money could come in handy, but my whole mood is much better. I became a miserable person to be around. I get thats on me, but I couldn’t help it. Not having the stress is a huge relief. 

posted by iclfan2
Assuming that is full time, I'd think most people here would think $208k a year is pretty good. 

It was a contracted gig, wasn't full-time for me. But, it could have progressed to that. I doubt it would have balanced at $100/hour for full-time. At least to start.

Nice humble brag thread.

posted by ernest_t_bass

Nice humble brag thread.

Not about me. Plus having a well paying job you hate isn’t something to brag about

posted by sportchampps

Not about me. Plus having a well paying job you hate isn’t something to brag about

Exactly where I am. I hated the job. I felt dirty doing it, as it was semi-unethical...in my opinion. Just not my thing.

I'd rather do something I love to do forever. And, take the hit financially. While it may suck on the financial side, it's much better mentally.

posted by OSH

Exactly where I am. I hated the job. I felt dirty doing it, as it was semi-unethical...in my opinion. Just not my thing.

I'd rather do something I love to do forever. And, take the hit financially. While it may suck on the financial side, it's much better mentally.

Yeah this is more of a toxic management / workplace situation. 

Counter: how much additional money would it take to get you to leave a job you actually like? I was contacted by a recruiter with a job I am definitely qualified for that would come with a 40% pay increase. That's a lot of cheese to ignore.

posted by sportchampps

Yeah this is more of a toxic management / workplace situation. 

No, it's not that at all. Management was fine. Workplace was my house, and the colleagues were great.

It's just the line of work that I did not feel comfortable doing. The first two contracted jobs I had with them were MUCH better than the second two. It's essentially a bit of research, but there's some deception that is involved. I'm not big on that at all. But, it also could just be it was in a completely different realm than what I've been in my whole career (which is soccer).

I am not cut out for it, I know that. I don't think it is truly a "bad" job, but for me I am not comfortable in it. My friend makes a lot of money doing it, and he has no issues. I can do some aspects of it just fine, but I'm built to be outside and interacting with people -- this wasn't that either.

posted by justincredible

Counter: how much additional money would it take to get you to leave a job you actually like? I was contacted by a recruiter with a job I am definitely qualified for that would come with a 40% pay increase. That's a lot of cheese to ignore.

Spinoff

posted by ernest_t_bass

Spinoff

Yeah I have a spin-off idea as well

Well then start spinning.

posted by justincredible

Well then start spinning.

Here in a bit

$213K

posted by justincredible

Counter: how much additional money would it take to get you to leave a job you actually like? I was contacted by a recruiter with a job I am definitely qualified for that would come with a 40% pay increase. That's a lot of cheese to ignore.

Honestly I wouldn’t leave this job unless it was for my original job before my previous job. And even then it’d have to be a 20% raise to even think about it. 

posted by justincredible

Counter: how much additional money would it take to get you to leave a job you actually like? I was contacted by a recruiter with a job I am definitely qualified for that would come with a 40% pay increase. That's a lot of cheese to ignore.

Probably a tougher question than the original with all the factors. At one time, 40% would literally be life-changing. Now, still nice but would probably just go into the investment account. Whether it's where one currently lives or would need to move to somewhere you may or may not be interested in. For everyone, the known (a job you like) vs. the unknown.

posted by Ironman92

Yeah I have a spin-off idea as well

Please say it's: "You have a job you like, but one co-worker you really hate who makes things kind of miserable...how much would you pay to have him or her whacked?"

posted by Heretic

Please say it's: "You have a job you like, but one co-worker you really hate who makes things kind of miserable...how much would you pay to have him or her whacked?"

How loud do they eat?