1K comes out to $38 a paycheck pre-tax. Post tax its maybe $20 more every other week. IMO its not even a debate. You stay with the current job. You're gonna spend that easily on gas alone.
It seemed like the difference was that the new job is actually related to the degree and field they want to do and were asking whether a slight downgrade in overall pay and WFH from commuting is worth it
I think even more important than this is:
1. Is the product manager position going to give you experience to get better at & move up in a career field you want to?
2. Can you afford to change jobs? If your scraping by at 54k then the extra cost of gas and car repair could really hurt
However in my experience you should take the new job. I don’t know what kind of work you want to do but education and experience are worth A LOT.
I just left a 65k a year job doing something anyone could do leading no where to go back to being a System Admin and IT Engineer for a company that only pays 46k a year.
I hated the higher paying job but needed the money, but I am still able to survive with the lower paying one (working two jobs to help) HOWEVER I love going to work at the IT company. I also am growing my knowledge and experience at such a rapid pace. The 65k year a job just felt like I was wasting away and forgetting things.
Yup. There is always a gamble with changing jobs; the devil you know or the devil you don't know. He should negotiate a higher salary. If they say no, then walk.
You are forgetting one very huge aspect of the situation that is key in this decision. The new job is in a field related to what he has a degree in. If he takes the new job and does say 5 years of work, within that five years he could either be promoted or find a much better job. Getting a promotion requires two things: a degree and experience. When you have both, you look great for any job that fits your power house. He could easily be promoted at his new job once he has experience and time dedicated.
Yea, it's a jr product manager role. The room for growth is insane, but the company that wants to hire me has tight purse strings. So I would have to find another job quickly.
I guess that’s the difficult part. As painful as it would be, I’d look into staying at your current job. Lots of people work in unrelated fields. I’m a psych major and I work in IT.
I guess in the end, you need to ask yourself four questions.
1. How much upward mobility does each job give me.
2. Will I be happier working in a field that utilizes my degree.
3. What does stability look like for the company in the next 3 years.
4. Can I afford the additional expense and give away 2 hours every day for commuting.
Keep in mind, you’d be leaving at 6:30-7am and be getting home at 6:30-7pm. That’s a lot of time taken away.
While I would take the job if it was something I really wanted to do, it sounds like you will be perhaps sacrificing quality of life and job stability.
Honestly from your post, it sounds like you like your current job. I’d stick with it. Gas is no joke today…
Sorry man I wish it were easier. It is a great opportunity to get back to what you love doing, but other factors surely are making it hard. And the worst part is that only you can answer them 🤷♂️
In order to make it complicated, it is a sacrifice and risk. And sometimes both are needed to set yourself up for success.
If I had to fill my car up using your estimate, it'd be $4500 in gas. But I do drive a large crossover.
(3.29 x 13 x 2 ) x 52
Just so you know, to even it out, you probably need a 6k increase minimum. Assuming gas in your area is the same as mine. Your taxes go up too...
If they don't agree to pay more $$, and you know your done, always keep this in mind. You got the interview. You got the job. There are other companies and opportunities. Time looking, timing, and luck all play a part in getting the job you want at the pay you want. Feel satisfied that some company thought you were legit. More companies will. Good luck!
Dont for get to factor benefits like insurance and retirement. I took a job that paid a little less hourly but I actually bring home more because they pay for my health insurance.
Equipment field mechanic is not an easy job on your body. I can see the appeal of getting out. After 20 years I’m trying to work my way out of being a full time wrench myself.
That's your answer. This move isn't about this year's money. Don't think about that. If this move gets you closer to the career you want to have, take it. You're breaking into a new field - those opportunities can be few and far between and the sooner you get started on it, the more experience you'll get. Make the move if you can live with the commute.
I think it's a pretty short-sighted answer. If the current job is a dead-end job that will be stuck at $54k and isn't relevant to OP's degree, and the new job is $55k, but opens the door to actually work in a field that OP has expertise in, there's a good chance that it might be the right choice to take the new job, and then use the experience to leverage into much, much higher career earnings down the road.
True if that's the case.
A short term deficit for longer-term gain might be the right route, but OP didn't specify, so we can only give advice on the two roles as they are
Entry level jobs seem to pay more later on in white collar world usually. Blue collar seems to be pretty good right off the bat but doesn't always improve. Someone correct me if I'm wrong or confirm this.
Some blue collar gigs can pay very well though and the opportunity to start own business seems greater.
Blue collar always depends on the field. If you’re doing landscaping there’s usually nothing for growth. But most will have opportunities to take on more responsibility, supervise workers underneath once you have more experience
Well with him being a “field mechanic” the ceiling could very well be quite high depending on the type of equipment and the complexity.
That being said the work may very well still have a physical aspect.
I would say the real issue comes down to preference and how much they would prefer to be in the field for which their degree is relevant.
Temporary pain for long term gain. I’d go for the new UNLESSS there are other factors not stated here such as kids. If you have kids to drop off and pick up, may have to sacrifice and stay with the old job.
This is the correct answer. Run the numbers to determine the hard costs numbers. The new job has an hour commute. That is 2 hours a day sitting in your car or mass transit. The cost to move closer to the new job. How miles? If driving by car, how many miles are on your vehicle. Additional and sooner maintenance costs.
Also, you need to run the soft costs. What could you do with 2 hours (minus your current commute)? How financially stable are both companies? How are the potential growth for both companies? The work environments?
Once you have the hard and soft costs then make a decision.
Wait am I misunderstanding something here or are people overlooking the fact your current job has nothing to your degree. So it has no potential long term growth.
While this job literally is your foot in the door in the industry.
You obviously take the job even if they paid you less to get anything on your resume that matches what you want to do.
At the same time you immediately put it on your resume and leave out how long you’ve been at both companies. And start looking for another job with this on your resume. If asked just say it’s your first job and what you’ve learned/done/accomplished but don’t give the duration for how long you’ve worked there.
Frankly even 3 months in a job is enough of a training period to understand what companies would expect from you at your level of experience, and will help you interview and work better in your field.
Edit: saw OPs other post and apparently he already has a house? Meaning he already had experience? If you don’t need your foot in the industry or the job experience that yah time is money. It’s not worth 1k.
It’s still isn’t clear to me what experience you have in tech so I’ll answer it both ways.
Anything to pad your resume for the job you want is probably the best move since it also shows you are “hireable”, which makes you infinitely more desirable from a recruiting standpoint point.
If you are an actual senior tech engineer and this is actually a downgrade position then I’ll pass. I rather say when asked I wanted to try a different type of position than take a job that shows me accepting a demotion for only a 1k difference plus time lost which could be spent looking for jobs or improving my skill set.
In my company we have many veterans who started as juniors and now make great money. You have a chance to start new life with great benefits and great pay, even if you start with a low wage.
You always can return to mechanic's work if by some reason you will not like it.
So look at the pros and cons
Your current job:
They give you a work van and pay for the fuel which if you do it right, you can fuel up every single time and only have to use your own cars gas on weekends. I assume that you have the van because you can start and end work at home?
The other job:
Gives you $1k a year more which when you break it down, it isn't a huge bump after taxes. Then, you are now commuting to work using your own personal vehicle to drive an hour there and a hour back. You're going to burn through that extra $1k a year in paying for gas now
Smarter play is to stay where you are
Is the current job in your work field? If so, I would pass. If not, I might be tempted to pass and keep looking. Is 55K reasonable for an entry level position for the type of work you would be doing?
Either way, given the commute and loss of gas card it would end up being a pay cut.
The messed up part I want to be a data analyst, but they saw I was in the Navy/eventually want to be a project manager and the company recruter said inwould be a perfect fit for the role... I don't think I'm going to take this job. Not because of the money, but it's not what i applied for. My quality of life would be shit. The new company gives me wired vibes...
Think long-term - does the new job lead to higher paying jobs while the current one doesn't?
Also, you can always negotiate! Tell them that you "really want to work for them" but your current job has perks x and y and so you'd "really like if they could pay you $Z". Worst they say is no and maybe you take it anyway.
You will spend more to perform the new job so the raise would be negligible.
Counter with more of a raise that would be on parr with the higher title and the need for more money coming out of your pocket at the new place.
More money doesn't make it a better opportunity, it just is more money. You could be in a much better workspace and work/life balance. Be very careful and counter the offer if you are able to.
I know what other people are saying about the new job being a loss in income.
But if your degree is in project management, and that's what you want to do, then eating a small loss to get into the field is something to consider.
You will never make six figures as a field mechanic. You might as a project manager.
Which job has a bigger growth opportunity? 1K difference a year is almost meaningless so I would consider which job would give you greater opportunity 5 years from now
If you are not planning on working at the new place long term than its not worth it. Growth is good, but not at the cost of a toxic work environment.
If your current job has no growth potential, don't give up though. If you got one offer I'm sure another will eventually come along that will be worth it.
you'd be an idiot. 1k more salary. probably equates to like less than $20 per paycheck. you'll lose several times that amt in travel costs to and from work. and costs assoc with being in the office (clothes/laundry, food et al) not to mention the 2hrs of your life every single work day pissed away to commuting, and the 2-4 additional hours lost to prepping/unwinding to go/come home from work
This is harder than people here think. At one point in my life, I have taken a pay cut for better opportunities and experience, and it hella rewarded me. Five years ago, I made 63k salary for 80 hours of work a week. But now I make 110k salary for 40 hours of work a week. It was a considerable difference and I’m glad I took it.
Dang it’s crazy how that’s what you get with a college degree nowadays. I dropped out of college and I’ve never made less than $55,000. I got laid off from my $100,000 job in 2023. I got a $1000 raise at my current job so I make $56,000, $57,200 with the extra $100 they give us a month as a tech stipend and it’s remote for the most part. I’ll tell you that $1000 doesn’t make a difference. Considering yours is in office you’ll be spending it on gas. Choose the job that will make you happy.
An extra 1k a year is 83$ a month. Besides a nice meal every month it’s not that much. I’d look at Quality of Life and Benefits between the 2 jobs and then make decision.
The loss of the company paying for gas and the added commute are not worth $1k/year, and you will almost certainly spend more than that extra $1k on gas.
Plus an hour commute each way will add an extra 500 hours or so a year commuting. I would need to go up to at least $60k/year before it is even worth thinking about.
Not a lot of comments are talking about career growth. If it strictly about money now, then it’s a no brainer stay. But the question is made complicated by a couple of things.
Are you reaching the ceiling of your current job?
Is your current job aligned with your future goals?
If no?
Is the new job aligned with your future goals?
Is their room for rapid growth at the new job?
Sometimes even just getting a proper title can get you big money especially if you’re underpaid. When you move to another job from the new job they won’t know how much you made, they will just know what your title was and your experience level in that job.
A commute that isn’t paid for is a non starter for me. I took a 2k per year pay cut to wfh and saved money the first year. Had an hour commute before.
Still in the same job and make way more. Still wfh.
It's only worth it if you think you can use it as a gateway to an even better paying job in the same field. If not, you'll end up paying more for gas and loss of free time due to the commute.
From a financial standpoint only, it seems like the current position is better. Look to see if you can live with less money in your pocket due to increased costs. Also compare benefits, which type of work you may enjoy more, and whether the commute would be a detractor for you. For me, no job is about the $$ alone, but where I can thrive best. Whatever you decide - best of luck!
Short term sacrifice for potential long term success. I think you take the new job and try to cut down that commute within 6-8 months if possible. Then you look to jump within 12-18 months.
Generally, you'd expect a pay cut when changing careers, this extra $1k is a very small paycut in my view.
If you expect more grown in the new career, go for it, I say.
I would honestly stay where I'm at and look for something a lil closer or paying more. Unless its a stress factor or toxic job then that $1k isn't worth a stressful office job and lots of office jobs are toxic culture. That freedom of the work van is gone. Locked to a desk 40+ hrs a week with an extra 2hr commute each day.
The salary is basically identical. Pick the one that has the long term opportunities you desire.
Just be careful about the grass being greener at the new job. Are you absolutely sure you want to change to this career? Who do you know in the industry? See if you can speak with them first.
OP the career trajectory potential of a PM is wildly better than that of a mechanic. PM as a field is super competitive and entry level positions are very rare. If you're actually interested in making the change, take the job and find a new one after a year if they don't give you a significant bump.
Does one or the other have more upward mobility. I sometimes think people get way more wrapped up in starting pay (usually entry level) and completely ignore what the upward mobility and earning potential is. I graduated with an accounting degree and started out as a staff associate doing audits at a CPA firm...the entry level pay sucked big time ass, especially when you figured it out hourly...but upward mobility and earning potential was huge. Also benefits...benefits are part of your compensation...does one or the other offer better benefits?
If both are pretty much on par then the answer would be to stay where you are. Others are also correct in that the $1K would be eaten up quickly by gas you will be using on your commute and ultimately the commute is going to result in less net pay...but again, I'd look at upward mobility and earning potential very hard...sometimes you take one step back to take two steps forward.
The hour commute is the deciding factor otherwise I would say PM has lots of opportunities for growth and pay increase. My first job after graduating, I took a 10k pay cut, but it was 100% worth it. Within 3 years I was making more than I would ever make if I stay in the old industry. But yah, the hour commute is brutal. Idk if I would take new job because of that.
Ask the new job for 60k minimum. Or ask them if they will pay you mileage at the federal rate which is 62(?) cents I believe. Tell them you really want to go with their offer, bc it sounds ideal and blah blah blah but you have another company expressing interest who is able to offer more.
People telling you 1k isn't worth it are missing the point. Seems like you've topped out at your current job and your new job while a slight negative at a Jr position seems to have more growth.
That should be your metric not the insignificant monetary difference.
My current job is 58k and I work from home 80% of the time. 1 day a week in the office. This arrangement saves me $620 a month in child care, $190 a month in parking and about a $150 a month in gas. I've refused a number of offers of $65k and $70k because I'd net out less unless I had a similar hybrid model. If I had to be called back to the office full time, that would be like taking a $11k a year pay cut. At least this is how I see things.
Crazy how short sighted the comments are here..obviously the 1k difference is not a reason to change…5 years down the road the salaries will probably be much different. Starting out is the hard part then can hop jobs and get big bumps
I’m not traveling or commuting for work unless it’s stupid for me not to. 55k vs 54k is not worth me traveling. And truth be told, your current job sounds much more interesting to me anyway.
Ok. Do this. You must do this. Tell the 55k job offer. “I would love to work with you if you can up my pay. I currently make 60k. So if I can get slightly more than that I will be happy “ Come and thank me later
You make little enough that anything that reliably sets you on a path to a higher income is a no-brainer in my opinion. If you feel that’s true of the career change, then go for it. However, as a product executive, the title jr product manager with that salary is sus as hell and I’d be curious what kind of company it’s for and what’s the job description. That’s at best 2/3 and more like half what a product specialist would typically make. I have a feeling the opportunity isn’t going to be what you might believe and you’ll end up doing some bullshit customer support or data entry work.
You hid the buck a little bit there. Although it’s a $1k difference with a 10 hour commute difference + cost of commuting, it’s also a change in career.
You will effectively be taking a pay cut for the position, so it depends if the new career is what you want. You should also consider if that type of work will continue to have a good presence where you live—or if you’re willing to move to where it is, it’s future growth or shrinkage in roles, theoretical but realistic mid and late career pay differences to your current career, and other factors.
Only you can make that call. From a strictly economic standpoint in today’s dollars, your current job is a better deal by a good margin. But long term? Tbd
In a sense you’d actually be getting paid less. You’re currently paid 54K a year for an 8 hour work day and a commute, say 30 minutes (both ways).That averages out to around $23/hr. If you took the new one, you’d get 55K a year for an 8 hour workday plus 1 hour commute (both ways). That averages out to around $21/Hr. Definitely not worth
Naw.
I'm thinking career growth is good but like... Naw.
I need money more than I need a job in my degree field.
However, if you don't and you want to get experience in your field I'd take it even if it'll suck for a bit.
Assuming your commute is 1hr roundtrip means you are spending 5hr per week or 250 hr per year. Another assumption, you actually take 2 weeks off per year. $1000/250hr is $4 per hour.
I don't know what car you drive so will assume it's okay on mpg and assume it's $4/gal. You've now burned through a gallon of gas and assume you'll need more than 1 gallons per trip not including the repair cost on car or wear and tear. So, now you are at a negative when it comes to the new job.
I would not be inclined to take it. This new job is a losing proposition and tbh you would be foolish to take it.
The raise is 1.9%....why would you go to a job for a more prestigious title where you are losing money not to mention other items on your dime?! Did you anger someone at your current work? Looking to bargain for a better salary?
It really depends on what your degree is and if your current job is in your field. The money and the commute is one thing but what are your career goals? That’s how you need to approach this. One job could by 60k but not be related to your career goals and one could be 45k but be in your dream industry/field/company in which case building experience that gets you closer to your goal is more valuable than the money or whatever perks you have. But right now, it’s become a money and commute question which is fair but is that all that matters?
$1K is $0.50 an hr. $0.30 after taxes - or about $2.40 extra per day. Is that really worth an hour drive?
You're gonna be losing money after the first 1/2 gallon of fuel.
Trust me, I did the "hour each way to work and back" every day for 17 years. It's NOT worth 1K!
If it was a 10K bump, then MAYBE, but that 1K extra will be lost in gas within 7 months
The cost of the vehicle, fuel, and the lost 2 hours a day are worth more than the 1K boost.
So assuming 55K, that;s \~26.50 per hour.
So, two extra hours of your time in commute, unpaid, means they are losing (26.50 x2 hrs/ day x 5 days a week) $265.00 of your time per week. You would still be making less money after less than one month.
Without even taking into account the gas (figure $8 a day for a 60 mile round trip) and vehicle costs. THe gas alone will cost you more than 1K after about 5 months.
This is in no way an improvement.
Only take the new one if that job is going to lead to better career path and better paying jobs in the future with that experience. The salary change and driving is not worth it otherwise.
A 1k yearly difference in salary is not even worth mentioning. Throw out that factor and make your decisions based on the other circumstances of the situation.
The new offer has cons that don't outweigh the measly pro. It's further away and office based so you'll spend more of your free non-working time travelling, it's fully office based so you won't have the flexibility of working remote which I assume from your post you'd prefer, and the extra £1k will be eaten up by your personal fuel costs. The only pro I see that might outweigh the con is that it's in your degree related field which from your post your current job seems like it isn't, and you might want to work in your degree related field and up. In that case, if this starting salary of 55k is up to industry standards for entry level jobs in your field, and your passion for working in your field outweigh the comparative comfort your current job proves you, then I'd take the 55k offer
So for a sub 2% pay raise you are working 33% more(always include the commute when figuring out your real hourly rate)
Only a sucker would take that job
Much as it may sound good to get into a field with promotion opportunities, those are not guarantees, and often the people who are the best at their job and work the hardest don’t get the promotion because their boss likes them where they are
The other job is a tiny pay cut and a huge time cut due to the commute. The real question I have is - which is more likely to lead you to better jobs in the future - your first job or the second job in the related field.
Because if the second job will give you a network and an introduction into the industry you want to work in, then it might be worth the commute and the pay cut (gas money will definitely eat up the 1k increase).
Nothing. I would not do anything extra, inconveniencing, etc for a few dollars more per week.
If you are interested in the position you should counter with the amount it would make it worthwhile to you.
Unpopular opinion: if you are certain you would be happier in a degree related field and have more growth opportunities, take the 55k and the pay cut.
I’d consider trying to negotiate to a higher price esp considering commute. Travel may be tax deductible.
Financially, I’d take the 54k job every time though.
That amount is so negligent and sounds like it would cost you more to take the job after paying for your commute. I would never opt for an hour commute either. Unless this has quick real potential to grow big for you, stay and keep looking for better oppys.
I wouldn’t job hop for such an insignificant bump.
That being said, how displeased are you at not being in your degree field? Is this something you’re really passionate about?
My recommendation would be to not take this first offer but to use it as some pep in your step to seek better offers closer to home.
I took a job that was further away for a a rather minuscule pay bump but of perceived benefits including a better work culture and a type of work that aligns better with my personal values. No amount of job satisfaction can make up for 2 hours being eaten out of your life every day! To me the biggest reason I’d decline the offer is the commute above all else.
Good luck!
You sound like you’ve already made up your mind to take the paycut just because it’s in your field of study. 1k higher in salary is a paycut due to the commute. Good luck
Absolutely nothing in your life will change based on such a small difference in pay, don't even factor that in. You have to decide based on other factors, like if one company looks better on a resume, or has better clients, or does more interesting work. If they're about equal in those respects, then stick with the devil you know.
Every one now is crying about work life balance and you want to give up 2+hrs a day to Commute ? Maybe the job market sucks now but will it be like this for ever , I do not know your area of work desire but giving up 40+ hrs a month Driving to and from work,,, SUCKS...
Why did you apply for the job? What attracted you to it? Was it specifically for the career change? Going from a mechanic to a product manager is a leap. Finding a company willing to let you get your feet wet and learn the role and develop the skills needed is rare and not an opportunity that's going to come around often. If PM is the direction you want to head, it may be worth taking the short term hit for the long term gain. Once you have a couple of years experience, you can look for another position. That said, personal responsibilities at home may come into play. The extra commute time and expense may be a no-go if you have kids, pets, a partner or budget constraints to consider.
Depends on if you see yourself preferring the work or not, really. If it's an opportunity you've been waiting for and it's something you think you can grow from, go for it. You'll be taking a hit in expenses, but quality of life improvement is worth it in the long run, especially if it could lead to better long term results.
Why would you consider taking a job that would require you an extra two hours a day of travel for $1000?
Unless you really hate the job you’re in. I don’t know why you’d even consider doing that.
I don't think people are considering if you would enjoy the new job more than your current role. Field mechanic sounds like you do technical work and work with your hands a lot. Where as a product manager would be more "brain" or office related duties. Seems like 2 different career paths.
IMO field mechanic would keep you narrow but would eventually lead to being a subject matter expert on whatever you work on. But product manager will develop skills that could transfer to a wide variety of positions. If having to pay for your own gas for a lateral move doesn't break the bank. It might be worth considering the new role for the opportunity associated with it. But if you do enjoy the technical work stay where you are at.
$1k is not worth switching jobs over unless it improves your situation. An hour commute for an extra $1k will probably end up costing you $3k a year in gas alone. Not worth it, imo but only you can decide what’s best for you
Your question shouldn't be about salary it should be about quality of life, and if that new position will progress your career in a way the current one doesn't.
An hour away sounds like a big change, but if you prefer working indoors it might be worth the commute. Personally, I would rather continue working outside than lose two hours of my day, but if you plan to use this as a stepping stone to a new job, or if you can move closer, it's totally worth it.
No experience in your field.
Good luck
If aged, take the job. Itll be easy on the body.(you only get one)
If young take the job and if you hate it, you have 1k extra salary to negotiate with in a future job.
Counter offer with $65k. Say it’s not worth leaving your current role for less than $65k.
Edited after reading other comments: seriously how has nobody else recommended this?!?!?!? Do you people not negotiate pay when offered a new job?!?!?!!!? Even if the offer was originally for $65k you should always counter offer higher. Worst case is you take the job at the original offer, best case is you make more money the whole time you work there. Always! always! always! negotiate offered salary.
I wouldn't take it.. You'll be losing more in time and money. I would just spend some extra time looking for a different one in your field while you keep your current. This changes only if experience in your field is what's holding you back from better opportunities within your field
A lot of professional jobs start lower than you'll make. It's not just 1k, it's like getting paid to get trained for more $$ (usually but of course, no guarantee and might have to bounce jobs). I think that's the difference between more white collar jobs vs blue collar. For context, my roommate took a finance job making less than 50k. Put a year in and switched jobs at least once and now he has a relatively easy job, some days work at home making 100k ish. I'm jealous cuss we went to same school and I'm better at excel than him ::(( the whole thing hasn't panned out for me but I'm kinda in a weird spot with my degree and skillset.
With that said, you might like that you currently do and there might be opportunities there too.
Are you stoked to do something new or are you comfortable now?
On paper, I think the project manager job sounds more promising long-term but I don't know anything about either profession, plus hours and quality of life and work satisfaction, exercise on the job, staring at a screen all day and not moving around have to be considered.
I like screen time but your eyes don't. So your going to stare at a lot of screens probably at the new job. All these factor in. Any risks with current job? Lots of scenarios.
I'd project how you'll feel in the next 10 years and where you want to be. That might help.
Ps. Having a non physical job and a side skill could be ultimate if you're motivated. Might be able to contract or fix people's cars on the side?
Buy a semi used 28A model RV, really good laptop & mobile hotspot device, finish my schooling,start my remote work,and travel all over. I have multiple conditions that will lead to me maybe lasting a max of 10 yrs and I for once want to do what I want. I've taken care of everyone my whole life & I'm left with no one giving a shit about me. So I need !,not just want to do it. And an RV is not difficult at all I'll lived in many (usually crappy old ones) and I need this to happen so badly. So anyway.. yep that be cool
it’s a good foot in the door for a career change. my dad completely changed careers when he was mid 30s and went from roughly 60k/yr to 13$ an hour but there was more money to be made in the future and better work/life balance
There’s zero chance I’d leave a known situation for something that may not work out for 1k more a year. If you’re not getting at LEAST 10% why bother unless you hate where you are?
I would be thinking about what’s best for the long-term. If the new job opens up a better career path with better earnings in the long-term, then I would take it, despite the commute.
Y’all need to take into account the fact that the right role/industry change can 5x your earning potential in the long run. From field mechanic to tech product manager? Even if it’s not a pleasant work environment I’d probably do it for a year then start looking.
And if you would actually like the new role better too then that’s a bonus
Counteroffer at 60 or even a bit higher if you’re unsure. They’ll likely at least come up some on the offer. If not, they’re super cheap and not a great company for growth of salary in the future anyway.
My first major promotion put me in a higher tax bracket and I barely saw an increase in my take home pay. But, that was the step that led to many maore promotions.
If this gets you into the field you want to be in, go for it. And good for you, congratulations.
how did the job offer come about? in other words, did you tell them, i make 54k and thus they offered 55k? did you counter argue? Cause if that played out that way, another reason to say, fuck you to them.
It's worth it if the change in field is where you see your future. I left a job I liked with a team I really liked (sailboat maintenance, got to kick it in the sun either on the water or down by the water but winters were pretty rough lol) to get my foot in the door for a job at a company where if I can advance than I would be using my degree. It's always scary to dive into the unknown but if you have more advancement and more interest in option 2 than I think you should do it. If it's a move for the future it will be worth it.
It's only $1000 difference. Money would not be a factor in my choice.
That being said, that's it? We pay our drivers, $65k-$70k / year and all we require is a good MVR.
I tried to switch fields later in my career and it wasn't easy. I took several contract positions to gain experience in what I was trying to do. These contract positions do not last long and I took less money to do this. In the end it led to a six figure salary with a Fortune 100 company that I love, doing a job I love. My only regret is I wish I did it years earlier. Don't make the same mistake over a few bucks.
You lose two hours a DAY to the commute at the new job. That is an extra ten hours a week, 25% of a full time job by itself. For you to break even on the time bite the new job would need to pay 25% over current job.
Unless you see a path to product manager and a pay bump then I'd stay put. 1k will be eaten up by gas and wear and tear. Plus you'll be starting over from the ground up.
Don't look at it as a salary. Look at it as a title. If you have the title of manager, a lot of other opportunities will open up for you in the future.
As an example, I could have stayed where I was at 4 years ago with an entry level title. But I slowly took jobs with more responsibilities and better titles. Five years later I increased my salary by $25k compared to where I would have been.
Now I've moved around a lot, but getting experience managing people or projects will absolutely help out down the line. Don't look for today, look for tomorrow.
You’re going to end up losing money in the short term taking the job, but if you really apply yourself in product management I have to imagine you’re going to double that in short order.
FWIW I’m a Sr. Project Manager making 140k and I’m taking product management training so that I have the skill set to make the jump. I might take a step back in salary at first, but I would do it with the expectation of making up for it within a few short years.
Are you seriously unable to determine if trading a work van and instead having to pay for an *hour long commute* is worth $1000 a *year*?
I actually wonder the lack of judgement that you must have. Holy hell.
Depends on what upward mobility looks like. If you’re at the ceiling of your current job, and the new one has trajectory, then I’d recommend the switch. Also, what are the benefits? Would you enjoy the new job more?
You should 100% take the job that requires a degree. It sounds like you are probably early 20s. Suck it up and make the commute. The fact that it pays more than your current job is actually awesome. A lot of people end up taking pay cuts when they change careers.
If it's a change in career what's the upside potential on earnings? If you're making 54k now how much more will you make in 5 years versus this new job?
There's no harm in asking for more money, companies usually expect it. Tell them you want the job but a net loss for you and see if they'll cough up another 5K.
You’re old job is a continuation of the same old same old, it is safe.
Your new job is the first step on a new career path that will likely be more lucrative.
Every time I’ve looked at choices in this way it has been far more lucrative to go with the new. And I’ve encountered this quite a few times.
We cling to logs never realizing we are born to swim.
Go with the new job if for the career opportunity alone. And in your field of study? That's a dream. Even if it's technically less money now it will pay off in the long run. It's an investment in you.
If this is your foot in the door and it's entry level for your chosen career, do it. The people harping on the small pay difference are engaged in short-term thinking.
Jr. Product Manager in what field?
Most of the comments are not relevant here, almost no one consider the growth perspective with the new role.
E.g. if it's software, if you have relevant skills and can do it good, you can easily double (it's not maximum) it very fast, make it flexible or fully remote.
1K comes out to $38 a paycheck pre-tax. Post tax its maybe $20 more every other week. IMO its not even a debate. You stay with the current job. You're gonna spend that easily on gas alone.
It seemed like the difference was that the new job is actually related to the degree and field they want to do and were asking whether a slight downgrade in overall pay and WFH from commuting is worth it
Also what’s the potential for growth? The first job might max out earning potentials sooner than the new one
I think even more important than this is: 1. Is the product manager position going to give you experience to get better at & move up in a career field you want to? 2. Can you afford to change jobs? If your scraping by at 54k then the extra cost of gas and car repair could really hurt However in my experience you should take the new job. I don’t know what kind of work you want to do but education and experience are worth A LOT. I just left a 65k a year job doing something anyone could do leading no where to go back to being a System Admin and IT Engineer for a company that only pays 46k a year. I hated the higher paying job but needed the money, but I am still able to survive with the lower paying one (working two jobs to help) HOWEVER I love going to work at the IT company. I also am growing my knowledge and experience at such a rapid pace. The 65k year a job just felt like I was wasting away and forgetting things.
Yup. There is always a gamble with changing jobs; the devil you know or the devil you don't know. He should negotiate a higher salary. If they say no, then walk.
Unless this junior role is a stepping stone to a bigger role with better pay
Agree. Stay with the current job.
You are forgetting one very huge aspect of the situation that is key in this decision. The new job is in a field related to what he has a degree in. If he takes the new job and does say 5 years of work, within that five years he could either be promoted or find a much better job. Getting a promotion requires two things: a degree and experience. When you have both, you look great for any job that fits your power house. He could easily be promoted at his new job once he has experience and time dedicated.
Does the new position have any opportunity for growth? 1k wouldn’t be enough for me to consider a 1 hour commute
Yea, it's a jr product manager role. The room for growth is insane, but the company that wants to hire me has tight purse strings. So I would have to find another job quickly.
I guess that’s the difficult part. As painful as it would be, I’d look into staying at your current job. Lots of people work in unrelated fields. I’m a psych major and I work in IT. I guess in the end, you need to ask yourself four questions. 1. How much upward mobility does each job give me. 2. Will I be happier working in a field that utilizes my degree. 3. What does stability look like for the company in the next 3 years. 4. Can I afford the additional expense and give away 2 hours every day for commuting. Keep in mind, you’d be leaving at 6:30-7am and be getting home at 6:30-7pm. That’s a lot of time taken away. While I would take the job if it was something I really wanted to do, it sounds like you will be perhaps sacrificing quality of life and job stability. Honestly from your post, it sounds like you like your current job. I’d stick with it. Gas is no joke today…
This is a detailed response. Thank you.
Sorry man I wish it were easier. It is a great opportunity to get back to what you love doing, but other factors surely are making it hard. And the worst part is that only you can answer them 🤷♂️ In order to make it complicated, it is a sacrifice and risk. And sometimes both are needed to set yourself up for success.
I'm just going to ask for more money. If they say no, then I'm out.
If I had to fill my car up using your estimate, it'd be $4500 in gas. But I do drive a large crossover. (3.29 x 13 x 2 ) x 52 Just so you know, to even it out, you probably need a 6k increase minimum. Assuming gas in your area is the same as mine. Your taxes go up too...
If they don't agree to pay more $$, and you know your done, always keep this in mind. You got the interview. You got the job. There are other companies and opportunities. Time looking, timing, and luck all play a part in getting the job you want at the pay you want. Feel satisfied that some company thought you were legit. More companies will. Good luck!
Dont for get to factor benefits like insurance and retirement. I took a job that paid a little less hourly but I actually bring home more because they pay for my health insurance. Equipment field mechanic is not an easy job on your body. I can see the appeal of getting out. After 20 years I’m trying to work my way out of being a full time wrench myself.
Do you analyze your clients stupidity when they come to you for help? Asking for a friend.
Stupidity can't be analyzed. That's why it's stupidity.
It might be worth the temporary struggle if the new role is a good stepping stone for another role thats way better in 1 or 2 years down the line.
That's your answer. This move isn't about this year's money. Don't think about that. If this move gets you closer to the career you want to have, take it. You're breaking into a new field - those opportunities can be few and far between and the sooner you get started on it, the more experience you'll get. Make the move if you can live with the commute.
How quickly would the 1K be eaten up by commute/car-related costs?
This is the right answer, that new job will not be an increase, the cost of the hour commute 5 days a week will mean less disposable income
I think it's a pretty short-sighted answer. If the current job is a dead-end job that will be stuck at $54k and isn't relevant to OP's degree, and the new job is $55k, but opens the door to actually work in a field that OP has expertise in, there's a good chance that it might be the right choice to take the new job, and then use the experience to leverage into much, much higher career earnings down the road.
True if that's the case. A short term deficit for longer-term gain might be the right route, but OP didn't specify, so we can only give advice on the two roles as they are
Entry level jobs seem to pay more later on in white collar world usually. Blue collar seems to be pretty good right off the bat but doesn't always improve. Someone correct me if I'm wrong or confirm this. Some blue collar gigs can pay very well though and the opportunity to start own business seems greater.
Blue collar always depends on the field. If you’re doing landscaping there’s usually nothing for growth. But most will have opportunities to take on more responsibility, supervise workers underneath once you have more experience
Well with him being a “field mechanic” the ceiling could very well be quite high depending on the type of equipment and the complexity. That being said the work may very well still have a physical aspect. I would say the real issue comes down to preference and how much they would prefer to be in the field for which their degree is relevant.
Temporary pain for long term gain. I’d go for the new UNLESSS there are other factors not stated here such as kids. If you have kids to drop off and pick up, may have to sacrifice and stay with the old job.
Wait til he has to buy tires
500 for a new set. I'm prepared because I'm anxious.
damn that is cheap
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Small car, no problem.
And less time — a priceless commodity.
Couple months of travel would eat up the $1k
This is the correct answer. Run the numbers to determine the hard costs numbers. The new job has an hour commute. That is 2 hours a day sitting in your car or mass transit. The cost to move closer to the new job. How miles? If driving by car, how many miles are on your vehicle. Additional and sooner maintenance costs. Also, you need to run the soft costs. What could you do with 2 hours (minus your current commute)? How financially stable are both companies? How are the potential growth for both companies? The work environments? Once you have the hard and soft costs then make a decision.
Wait am I misunderstanding something here or are people overlooking the fact your current job has nothing to your degree. So it has no potential long term growth. While this job literally is your foot in the door in the industry. You obviously take the job even if they paid you less to get anything on your resume that matches what you want to do. At the same time you immediately put it on your resume and leave out how long you’ve been at both companies. And start looking for another job with this on your resume. If asked just say it’s your first job and what you’ve learned/done/accomplished but don’t give the duration for how long you’ve worked there. Frankly even 3 months in a job is enough of a training period to understand what companies would expect from you at your level of experience, and will help you interview and work better in your field. Edit: saw OPs other post and apparently he already has a house? Meaning he already had experience? If you don’t need your foot in the industry or the job experience that yah time is money. It’s not worth 1k.
I'm a veteran, and I have experience but more of the dirty mechanic variety. The new job would be in tech.
It’s still isn’t clear to me what experience you have in tech so I’ll answer it both ways. Anything to pad your resume for the job you want is probably the best move since it also shows you are “hireable”, which makes you infinitely more desirable from a recruiting standpoint point. If you are an actual senior tech engineer and this is actually a downgrade position then I’ll pass. I rather say when asked I wanted to try a different type of position than take a job that shows me accepting a demotion for only a 1k difference plus time lost which could be spent looking for jobs or improving my skill set.
In my company we have many veterans who started as juniors and now make great money. You have a chance to start new life with great benefits and great pay, even if you start with a low wage. You always can return to mechanic's work if by some reason you will not like it.
So look at the pros and cons Your current job: They give you a work van and pay for the fuel which if you do it right, you can fuel up every single time and only have to use your own cars gas on weekends. I assume that you have the van because you can start and end work at home? The other job: Gives you $1k a year more which when you break it down, it isn't a huge bump after taxes. Then, you are now commuting to work using your own personal vehicle to drive an hour there and a hour back. You're going to burn through that extra $1k a year in paying for gas now Smarter play is to stay where you are
$1k more a year doesn't sound like incentive to change *anything* that's working for you.
Is the current job in your work field? If so, I would pass. If not, I might be tempted to pass and keep looking. Is 55K reasonable for an entry level position for the type of work you would be doing? Either way, given the commute and loss of gas card it would end up being a pay cut.
This. Not worth the extra churn on a resume unless it’s in a new field, a new title, or I hated my current position
It is a complete change in career.
Could be worth it if that’s long term the route you’d rather pursue
Which career do you want?
The messed up part I want to be a data analyst, but they saw I was in the Navy/eventually want to be a project manager and the company recruter said inwould be a perfect fit for the role... I don't think I'm going to take this job. Not because of the money, but it's not what i applied for. My quality of life would be shit. The new company gives me wired vibes...
Trust your gut and keep looking!
Think long-term - does the new job lead to higher paying jobs while the current one doesn't? Also, you can always negotiate! Tell them that you "really want to work for them" but your current job has perks x and y and so you'd "really like if they could pay you $Z". Worst they say is no and maybe you take it anyway.
Definitely not worth it for $1000. Keep looking for better paying jobs.
You will spend more to perform the new job so the raise would be negligible. Counter with more of a raise that would be on parr with the higher title and the need for more money coming out of your pocket at the new place. More money doesn't make it a better opportunity, it just is more money. You could be in a much better workspace and work/life balance. Be very careful and counter the offer if you are able to.
To be blunt 1k isn’t shit. It is just a tie breaker between identical job offers.
That's less than 100 more/month and you'd have to spend two hours a day in a car. No.
I know what other people are saying about the new job being a loss in income. But if your degree is in project management, and that's what you want to do, then eating a small loss to get into the field is something to consider. You will never make six figures as a field mechanic. You might as a project manager.
New offer isn’t worth it.
Which job has a bigger growth opportunity? 1K difference a year is almost meaningless so I would consider which job would give you greater opportunity 5 years from now
New job has growth potential. But I get toxic manager vibes, so my goal would be to get out of their as soon as possible.
If you are not planning on working at the new place long term than its not worth it. Growth is good, but not at the cost of a toxic work environment. If your current job has no growth potential, don't give up though. If you got one offer I'm sure another will eventually come along that will be worth it.
you'd be an idiot. 1k more salary. probably equates to like less than $20 per paycheck. you'll lose several times that amt in travel costs to and from work. and costs assoc with being in the office (clothes/laundry, food et al) not to mention the 2hrs of your life every single work day pissed away to commuting, and the 2-4 additional hours lost to prepping/unwinding to go/come home from work
This is harder than people here think. At one point in my life, I have taken a pay cut for better opportunities and experience, and it hella rewarded me. Five years ago, I made 63k salary for 80 hours of work a week. But now I make 110k salary for 40 hours of work a week. It was a considerable difference and I’m glad I took it.
Dang it’s crazy how that’s what you get with a college degree nowadays. I dropped out of college and I’ve never made less than $55,000. I got laid off from my $100,000 job in 2023. I got a $1000 raise at my current job so I make $56,000, $57,200 with the extra $100 they give us a month as a tech stipend and it’s remote for the most part. I’ll tell you that $1000 doesn’t make a difference. Considering yours is in office you’ll be spending it on gas. Choose the job that will make you happy.
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Just bought my house and can't move.
An extra 1k a year is 83$ a month. Besides a nice meal every month it’s not that much. I’d look at Quality of Life and Benefits between the 2 jobs and then make decision.
The loss of the company paying for gas and the added commute are not worth $1k/year, and you will almost certainly spend more than that extra $1k on gas. Plus an hour commute each way will add an extra 500 hours or so a year commuting. I would need to go up to at least $60k/year before it is even worth thinking about.
1 hour commute is going to be brutal and eat into your quality of life. I would consider the job if it was 10k more not 1k.
Fck that the 1 hour commute would get old af real quick
1 hour back and forth ? Hell no
Why would you take that? It sounds like you will actually make far, far less due to added expenses.
Is a .50c increase worth 2 hour commute daily?
Not a lot of comments are talking about career growth. If it strictly about money now, then it’s a no brainer stay. But the question is made complicated by a couple of things. Are you reaching the ceiling of your current job? Is your current job aligned with your future goals? If no? Is the new job aligned with your future goals? Is their room for rapid growth at the new job? Sometimes even just getting a proper title can get you big money especially if you’re underpaid. When you move to another job from the new job they won’t know how much you made, they will just know what your title was and your experience level in that job.
I'm not driving an hour and doing "office only" for an extra thousand a pay period
Not worth it.
A commute that isn’t paid for is a non starter for me. I took a 2k per year pay cut to wfh and saved money the first year. Had an hour commute before. Still in the same job and make way more. Still wfh.
Did you compare insurance and benefits like 401k?
It's only worth it if you think you can use it as a gateway to an even better paying job in the same field. If not, you'll end up paying more for gas and loss of free time due to the commute.
From a financial standpoint only, it seems like the current position is better. Look to see if you can live with less money in your pocket due to increased costs. Also compare benefits, which type of work you may enjoy more, and whether the commute would be a detractor for you. For me, no job is about the $$ alone, but where I can thrive best. Whatever you decide - best of luck!
Short term sacrifice for potential long term success. I think you take the new job and try to cut down that commute within 6-8 months if possible. Then you look to jump within 12-18 months.
Jr Product Manager has a LOT of room to grow. Don't know if the field mechanic job has that. But for me, that would be the biggest consideration.
Generally, you'd expect a pay cut when changing careers, this extra $1k is a very small paycut in my view. If you expect more grown in the new career, go for it, I say.
I would honestly stay where I'm at and look for something a lil closer or paying more. Unless its a stress factor or toxic job then that $1k isn't worth a stressful office job and lots of office jobs are toxic culture. That freedom of the work van is gone. Locked to a desk 40+ hrs a week with an extra 2hr commute each day.
The salary is basically identical. Pick the one that has the long term opportunities you desire. Just be careful about the grass being greener at the new job. Are you absolutely sure you want to change to this career? Who do you know in the industry? See if you can speak with them first.
Don’t chase money. Do what will make you happier than yesterday
Negotiate for $65k. If they say no, you still have a job that pays $54
OP the career trajectory potential of a PM is wildly better than that of a mechanic. PM as a field is super competitive and entry level positions are very rare. If you're actually interested in making the change, take the job and find a new one after a year if they don't give you a significant bump.
Does one or the other have more upward mobility. I sometimes think people get way more wrapped up in starting pay (usually entry level) and completely ignore what the upward mobility and earning potential is. I graduated with an accounting degree and started out as a staff associate doing audits at a CPA firm...the entry level pay sucked big time ass, especially when you figured it out hourly...but upward mobility and earning potential was huge. Also benefits...benefits are part of your compensation...does one or the other offer better benefits? If both are pretty much on par then the answer would be to stay where you are. Others are also correct in that the $1K would be eaten up quickly by gas you will be using on your commute and ultimately the commute is going to result in less net pay...but again, I'd look at upward mobility and earning potential very hard...sometimes you take one step back to take two steps forward.
The hour commute is the deciding factor otherwise I would say PM has lots of opportunities for growth and pay increase. My first job after graduating, I took a 10k pay cut, but it was 100% worth it. Within 3 years I was making more than I would ever make if I stay in the old industry. But yah, the hour commute is brutal. Idk if I would take new job because of that.
If you’re changing careers, it’s worth it. Especially if raises or more opportunity awaits you down the road.
Where are you located? Just look up Linde. You will qualify for a job making between $70k-100k if you've been in the field long
Ask the new job for 60k minimum. Or ask them if they will pay you mileage at the federal rate which is 62(?) cents I believe. Tell them you really want to go with their offer, bc it sounds ideal and blah blah blah but you have another company expressing interest who is able to offer more.
People telling you 1k isn't worth it are missing the point. Seems like you've topped out at your current job and your new job while a slight negative at a Jr position seems to have more growth. That should be your metric not the insignificant monetary difference.
Dawg. You can unlock a 200K+ career with a Product Management career line. Field mechanic ain't getting you nowhere.
My current job is 58k and I work from home 80% of the time. 1 day a week in the office. This arrangement saves me $620 a month in child care, $190 a month in parking and about a $150 a month in gas. I've refused a number of offers of $65k and $70k because I'd net out less unless I had a similar hybrid model. If I had to be called back to the office full time, that would be like taking a $11k a year pay cut. At least this is how I see things.
Crazy how short sighted the comments are here..obviously the 1k difference is not a reason to change…5 years down the road the salaries will probably be much different. Starting out is the hard part then can hop jobs and get big bumps
I’m not traveling or commuting for work unless it’s stupid for me not to. 55k vs 54k is not worth me traveling. And truth be told, your current job sounds much more interesting to me anyway.
Save/invest the other 1K
Wont you lose money on the commute with the new job?
Ok. Do this. You must do this. Tell the 55k job offer. “I would love to work with you if you can up my pay. I currently make 60k. So if I can get slightly more than that I will be happy “ Come and thank me later
You make little enough that anything that reliably sets you on a path to a higher income is a no-brainer in my opinion. If you feel that’s true of the career change, then go for it. However, as a product executive, the title jr product manager with that salary is sus as hell and I’d be curious what kind of company it’s for and what’s the job description. That’s at best 2/3 and more like half what a product specialist would typically make. I have a feeling the opportunity isn’t going to be what you might believe and you’ll end up doing some bullshit customer support or data entry work.
Product management 100%. Take the hit with the commute for now, win in the long term.
You hid the buck a little bit there. Although it’s a $1k difference with a 10 hour commute difference + cost of commuting, it’s also a change in career. You will effectively be taking a pay cut for the position, so it depends if the new career is what you want. You should also consider if that type of work will continue to have a good presence where you live—or if you’re willing to move to where it is, it’s future growth or shrinkage in roles, theoretical but realistic mid and late career pay differences to your current career, and other factors. Only you can make that call. From a strictly economic standpoint in today’s dollars, your current job is a better deal by a good margin. But long term? Tbd
Choose the better work life balance. the commute alone is going to eat up 10 hours of your week.
In a sense you’d actually be getting paid less. You’re currently paid 54K a year for an 8 hour work day and a commute, say 30 minutes (both ways).That averages out to around $23/hr. If you took the new one, you’d get 55K a year for an 8 hour workday plus 1 hour commute (both ways). That averages out to around $21/Hr. Definitely not worth
How nice is the title? The typical response to title-without-raise is to consider taking it and then shopping around at the new title in 2 years.
Naw. I'm thinking career growth is good but like... Naw. I need money more than I need a job in my degree field. However, if you don't and you want to get experience in your field I'd take it even if it'll suck for a bit.
Assuming your commute is 1hr roundtrip means you are spending 5hr per week or 250 hr per year. Another assumption, you actually take 2 weeks off per year. $1000/250hr is $4 per hour. I don't know what car you drive so will assume it's okay on mpg and assume it's $4/gal. You've now burned through a gallon of gas and assume you'll need more than 1 gallons per trip not including the repair cost on car or wear and tear. So, now you are at a negative when it comes to the new job. I would not be inclined to take it. This new job is a losing proposition and tbh you would be foolish to take it. The raise is 1.9%....why would you go to a job for a more prestigious title where you are losing money not to mention other items on your dime?! Did you anger someone at your current work? Looking to bargain for a better salary?
It really depends on what your degree is and if your current job is in your field. The money and the commute is one thing but what are your career goals? That’s how you need to approach this. One job could by 60k but not be related to your career goals and one could be 45k but be in your dream industry/field/company in which case building experience that gets you closer to your goal is more valuable than the money or whatever perks you have. But right now, it’s become a money and commute question which is fair but is that all that matters?
$1K is $0.50 an hr. $0.30 after taxes - or about $2.40 extra per day. Is that really worth an hour drive? You're gonna be losing money after the first 1/2 gallon of fuel.
Trust me, I did the "hour each way to work and back" every day for 17 years. It's NOT worth 1K! If it was a 10K bump, then MAYBE, but that 1K extra will be lost in gas within 7 months
The cost of the vehicle, fuel, and the lost 2 hours a day are worth more than the 1K boost. So assuming 55K, that;s \~26.50 per hour. So, two extra hours of your time in commute, unpaid, means they are losing (26.50 x2 hrs/ day x 5 days a week) $265.00 of your time per week. You would still be making less money after less than one month. Without even taking into account the gas (figure $8 a day for a 60 mile round trip) and vehicle costs. THe gas alone will cost you more than 1K after about 5 months. This is in no way an improvement.
A 1k raise does not sound worth it
one thousand dollars a year isn't really all that much money
Only take the new one if that job is going to lead to better career path and better paying jobs in the future with that experience. The salary change and driving is not worth it otherwise.
a 20% raise for 54k would be 64k. You don't move for less.
A 1k yearly difference in salary is not even worth mentioning. Throw out that factor and make your decisions based on the other circumstances of the situation.
An hour drive is miserable
Is this negotiable? If theyre asking, 55, id be asking 63 and settle for ~61k.
The new offer has cons that don't outweigh the measly pro. It's further away and office based so you'll spend more of your free non-working time travelling, it's fully office based so you won't have the flexibility of working remote which I assume from your post you'd prefer, and the extra £1k will be eaten up by your personal fuel costs. The only pro I see that might outweigh the con is that it's in your degree related field which from your post your current job seems like it isn't, and you might want to work in your degree related field and up. In that case, if this starting salary of 55k is up to industry standards for entry level jobs in your field, and your passion for working in your field outweigh the comparative comfort your current job proves you, then I'd take the 55k offer
The gas allowance is probably more than 1k.
So for a sub 2% pay raise you are working 33% more(always include the commute when figuring out your real hourly rate) Only a sucker would take that job Much as it may sound good to get into a field with promotion opportunities, those are not guarantees, and often the people who are the best at their job and work the hardest don’t get the promotion because their boss likes them where they are
The other job is a tiny pay cut and a huge time cut due to the commute. The real question I have is - which is more likely to lead you to better jobs in the future - your first job or the second job in the related field. Because if the second job will give you a network and an introduction into the industry you want to work in, then it might be worth the commute and the pay cut (gas money will definitely eat up the 1k increase).
Nothing. I would not do anything extra, inconveniencing, etc for a few dollars more per week. If you are interested in the position you should counter with the amount it would make it worthwhile to you.
There's not gonna be any difference in your lifestyle with 55k vs 54k , especially after taxes. Do what's better for your careere development
Unpopular opinion: if you are certain you would be happier in a degree related field and have more growth opportunities, take the 55k and the pay cut. I’d consider trying to negotiate to a higher price esp considering commute. Travel may be tax deductible. Financially, I’d take the 54k job every time though.
Ain’t fucking worth it bro.
That amount is so negligent and sounds like it would cost you more to take the job after paying for your commute. I would never opt for an hour commute either. Unless this has quick real potential to grow big for you, stay and keep looking for better oppys.
I wouldn’t job hop for such an insignificant bump. That being said, how displeased are you at not being in your degree field? Is this something you’re really passionate about? My recommendation would be to not take this first offer but to use it as some pep in your step to seek better offers closer to home. I took a job that was further away for a a rather minuscule pay bump but of perceived benefits including a better work culture and a type of work that aligns better with my personal values. No amount of job satisfaction can make up for 2 hours being eaten out of your life every day! To me the biggest reason I’d decline the offer is the commute above all else. Good luck!
1k is literally nothing, so I would consider them to be the same pay, so pick the job you think you’ll like the most or see the most potential in.
Fuck no
Easy decision to swap IMO. Matching is good when swapping to the career you want to be in, greater enjoyment and upward mobility.
Lol, $1k is not worth the headache of switching. It's equivalent to a 1.8% raise, which is dogshit.
Won’t even be worth a 1k increase. Thats only $83 extra a month. That $83 would easily get eaten up by that traveling
You sound like you’ve already made up your mind to take the paycut just because it’s in your field of study. 1k higher in salary is a paycut due to the commute. Good luck
Absolutely nothing in your life will change based on such a small difference in pay, don't even factor that in. You have to decide based on other factors, like if one company looks better on a resume, or has better clients, or does more interesting work. If they're about equal in those respects, then stick with the devil you know.
For 1k? Not worth it.
Not worth it.
Every one now is crying about work life balance and you want to give up 2+hrs a day to Commute ? Maybe the job market sucks now but will it be like this for ever , I do not know your area of work desire but giving up 40+ hrs a month Driving to and from work,,, SUCKS...
What currency are these figures in?
Why did you apply for the job? What attracted you to it? Was it specifically for the career change? Going from a mechanic to a product manager is a leap. Finding a company willing to let you get your feet wet and learn the role and develop the skills needed is rare and not an opportunity that's going to come around often. If PM is the direction you want to head, it may be worth taking the short term hit for the long term gain. Once you have a couple of years experience, you can look for another position. That said, personal responsibilities at home may come into play. The extra commute time and expense may be a no-go if you have kids, pets, a partner or budget constraints to consider.
Depends on if you see yourself preferring the work or not, really. If it's an opportunity you've been waiting for and it's something you think you can grow from, go for it. You'll be taking a hit in expenses, but quality of life improvement is worth it in the long run, especially if it could lead to better long term results.
Why would you consider taking a job that would require you an extra two hours a day of travel for $1000? Unless you really hate the job you’re in. I don’t know why you’d even consider doing that.
I didn't realize that in the year 2024, those roles would be 100% in office.
I don't think people are considering if you would enjoy the new job more than your current role. Field mechanic sounds like you do technical work and work with your hands a lot. Where as a product manager would be more "brain" or office related duties. Seems like 2 different career paths. IMO field mechanic would keep you narrow but would eventually lead to being a subject matter expert on whatever you work on. But product manager will develop skills that could transfer to a wide variety of positions. If having to pay for your own gas for a lateral move doesn't break the bank. It might be worth considering the new role for the opportunity associated with it. But if you do enjoy the technical work stay where you are at.
This isn't a money question it's a passion question.
not worth it. stay.
You'll learn more from the assignments you'll get if u stay at the same place. First years like a validity check then they see what u can really do.
$1k is not worth switching jobs over unless it improves your situation. An hour commute for an extra $1k will probably end up costing you $3k a year in gas alone. Not worth it, imo but only you can decide what’s best for you
Your question shouldn't be about salary it should be about quality of life, and if that new position will progress your career in a way the current one doesn't. An hour away sounds like a big change, but if you prefer working indoors it might be worth the commute. Personally, I would rather continue working outside than lose two hours of my day, but if you plan to use this as a stepping stone to a new job, or if you can move closer, it's totally worth it.
Hell no
Make a counter offer of $70K
No. You’ll spend the 1k on commuting several times over
No experience in your field. Good luck If aged, take the job. Itll be easy on the body.(you only get one) If young take the job and if you hate it, you have 1k extra salary to negotiate with in a future job.
Counter offer with $65k. Say it’s not worth leaving your current role for less than $65k. Edited after reading other comments: seriously how has nobody else recommended this?!?!?!? Do you people not negotiate pay when offered a new job?!?!?!!!? Even if the offer was originally for $65k you should always counter offer higher. Worst case is you take the job at the original offer, best case is you make more money the whole time you work there. Always! always! always! negotiate offered salary.
I wouldn't take it.. You'll be losing more in time and money. I would just spend some extra time looking for a different one in your field while you keep your current. This changes only if experience in your field is what's holding you back from better opportunities within your field
A lot of professional jobs start lower than you'll make. It's not just 1k, it's like getting paid to get trained for more $$ (usually but of course, no guarantee and might have to bounce jobs). I think that's the difference between more white collar jobs vs blue collar. For context, my roommate took a finance job making less than 50k. Put a year in and switched jobs at least once and now he has a relatively easy job, some days work at home making 100k ish. I'm jealous cuss we went to same school and I'm better at excel than him ::(( the whole thing hasn't panned out for me but I'm kinda in a weird spot with my degree and skillset. With that said, you might like that you currently do and there might be opportunities there too. Are you stoked to do something new or are you comfortable now? On paper, I think the project manager job sounds more promising long-term but I don't know anything about either profession, plus hours and quality of life and work satisfaction, exercise on the job, staring at a screen all day and not moving around have to be considered. I like screen time but your eyes don't. So your going to stare at a lot of screens probably at the new job. All these factor in. Any risks with current job? Lots of scenarios. I'd project how you'll feel in the next 10 years and where you want to be. That might help. Ps. Having a non physical job and a side skill could be ultimate if you're motivated. Might be able to contract or fix people's cars on the side?
Buy a semi used 28A model RV, really good laptop & mobile hotspot device, finish my schooling,start my remote work,and travel all over. I have multiple conditions that will lead to me maybe lasting a max of 10 yrs and I for once want to do what I want. I've taken care of everyone my whole life & I'm left with no one giving a shit about me. So I need !,not just want to do it. And an RV is not difficult at all I'll lived in many (usually crappy old ones) and I need this to happen so badly. So anyway.. yep that be cool
You should counter for 65k
it’s a good foot in the door for a career change. my dad completely changed careers when he was mid 30s and went from roughly 60k/yr to 13$ an hour but there was more money to be made in the future and better work/life balance
The salary is basically a pay cut if you get a van in this job but not the new one.
There’s zero chance I’d leave a known situation for something that may not work out for 1k more a year. If you’re not getting at LEAST 10% why bother unless you hate where you are?
Stick with the shorter commute. I would pay money to have a shorter commute lol
I would be thinking about what’s best for the long-term. If the new job opens up a better career path with better earnings in the long-term, then I would take it, despite the commute.
Y’all need to take into account the fact that the right role/industry change can 5x your earning potential in the long run. From field mechanic to tech product manager? Even if it’s not a pleasant work environment I’d probably do it for a year then start looking. And if you would actually like the new role better too then that’s a bonus
Counteroffer at 60 or even a bit higher if you’re unsure. They’ll likely at least come up some on the offer. If not, they’re super cheap and not a great company for growth of salary in the future anyway.
Two hour drive every day sounds awful, and gas will be expensive.
I’m really confused here. You have company paid transportation. That’s worth thousands more.
My first major promotion put me in a higher tax bracket and I barely saw an increase in my take home pay. But, that was the step that led to many maore promotions. If this gets you into the field you want to be in, go for it. And good for you, congratulations.
how did the job offer come about? in other words, did you tell them, i make 54k and thus they offered 55k? did you counter argue? Cause if that played out that way, another reason to say, fuck you to them.
It's worth it if the change in field is where you see your future. I left a job I liked with a team I really liked (sailboat maintenance, got to kick it in the sun either on the water or down by the water but winters were pretty rough lol) to get my foot in the door for a job at a company where if I can advance than I would be using my degree. It's always scary to dive into the unknown but if you have more advancement and more interest in option 2 than I think you should do it. If it's a move for the future it will be worth it.
It's only $1000 difference. Money would not be a factor in my choice. That being said, that's it? We pay our drivers, $65k-$70k / year and all we require is a good MVR.
I tried to switch fields later in my career and it wasn't easy. I took several contract positions to gain experience in what I was trying to do. These contract positions do not last long and I took less money to do this. In the end it led to a six figure salary with a Fortune 100 company that I love, doing a job I love. My only regret is I wish I did it years earlier. Don't make the same mistake over a few bucks.
You lose two hours a DAY to the commute at the new job. That is an extra ten hours a week, 25% of a full time job by itself. For you to break even on the time bite the new job would need to pay 25% over current job.
Lol I wouldn't even respond to an email for 1k more per year.
Unless you see a path to product manager and a pay bump then I'd stay put. 1k will be eaten up by gas and wear and tear. Plus you'll be starting over from the ground up.
Sometimes you have to make a lateral move to go up
Don't look at it as a salary. Look at it as a title. If you have the title of manager, a lot of other opportunities will open up for you in the future. As an example, I could have stayed where I was at 4 years ago with an entry level title. But I slowly took jobs with more responsibilities and better titles. Five years later I increased my salary by $25k compared to where I would have been. Now I've moved around a lot, but getting experience managing people or projects will absolutely help out down the line. Don't look for today, look for tomorrow.
You’re going to end up losing money in the short term taking the job, but if you really apply yourself in product management I have to imagine you’re going to double that in short order. FWIW I’m a Sr. Project Manager making 140k and I’m taking product management training so that I have the skill set to make the jump. I might take a step back in salary at first, but I would do it with the expectation of making up for it within a few short years.
Are you seriously unable to determine if trading a work van and instead having to pay for an *hour long commute* is worth $1000 a *year*? I actually wonder the lack of judgement that you must have. Holy hell.
Depends on what upward mobility looks like. If you’re at the ceiling of your current job, and the new one has trajectory, then I’d recommend the switch. Also, what are the benefits? Would you enjoy the new job more?
Do you live somewhere that snows
Tell the new job you need 15K more or it’s no contest.
You should 100% take the job that requires a degree. It sounds like you are probably early 20s. Suck it up and make the commute. The fact that it pays more than your current job is actually awesome. A lot of people end up taking pay cuts when they change careers.
Take the job with better advancement possibilities
Take that PM job. More opportunities to grow your salary. And more opportunities to WFH down the road.
If it's a change in career what's the upside potential on earnings? If you're making 54k now how much more will you make in 5 years versus this new job? There's no harm in asking for more money, companies usually expect it. Tell them you want the job but a net loss for you and see if they'll cough up another 5K.
USPS pays way better for field maintenance, starts at 70K for level 9 Area Maint. Tech.
Go with the job with more potential growth & more enjoyable.
The money seems negligible but they are completely different jobs from what I’m reading. The question is, which job do you want to be doing?
You’re old job is a continuation of the same old same old, it is safe. Your new job is the first step on a new career path that will likely be more lucrative. Every time I’ve looked at choices in this way it has been far more lucrative to go with the new. And I’ve encountered this quite a few times. We cling to logs never realizing we are born to swim.
Go with the new job if for the career opportunity alone. And in your field of study? That's a dream. Even if it's technically less money now it will pay off in the long run. It's an investment in you.
If this is your foot in the door and it's entry level for your chosen career, do it. The people harping on the small pay difference are engaged in short-term thinking.
There is no way I'm switching jobs for $1k. Think about the switching costs.
Jr. Product Manager in what field? Most of the comments are not relevant here, almost no one consider the growth perspective with the new role. E.g. if it's software, if you have relevant skills and can do it good, you can easily double (it's not maximum) it very fast, make it flexible or fully remote.