CAREER PROGRESSION VS SALARY: WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT? (2024)

We all want money, and a big reason for looking for a new role is that we want more money. But it’s not always that straightforward…

If you’re truly looking to succeed in a career, do something you’re passionate about, in an industry you’re passionate about, it might not be as straightforward as taking a high salary.

A GOOD SALARY NOW DOESN’T MEAN A GOOD SALARY LATER

Accepting a high salary may be great for the moment, personally of course, but professionally it’ll make you feel like you’re moving forward. But if the company isn’t looking to invest in your career, you may be stuck on that salary for a while.

Of course, a lower salary can feel demotivating, but if the offer is coming from a company that puts their employees first, has a great company culture, and offers clear career progression with great training and learning opportunities – that sounds pretty motivating.

PROGRESS HOW YOU WANT TO PROGRESS

You want a great salary, I get it – but how will prioritising a salary over your desired career path benefit you in the future?

Working in a role that you’re genuinely passionate about, at a company that will help accelerate your career is so worthwhile. It allows you to learn skills and have opportunities that will open you up to a career in which you’ll truly thrive.

I’ll be honest though. Many companies offer low salaries and ‘promise’ career progression but 2 years down the line, you’re on the same salary. But it’s important to judge companies by their culture, success stories, and of course, how they present themselves in the interview process.

Maybe you’re deciding between an okay role with a great salary and a great role with an okay salary. Let’s say you take the first one and a year from now you’re looking to progress into your ideal role. Do you truly have the skills to move into that role or will you have to take a salary cut?

If you have to take a salary cut, you’ll be going full circle. Or if you feel too uncomfortable with taking a lower salary, you’ll stay in a role that you’re not enjoying.

JOB HOPPING ISN’T ALWAYS THE BEST WAY TO PROGRESS

It’s no surprise that younger employees change jobs more frequently, with 20 – 24-year-olds changing jobs every 1.3 years (BBC Worklife). This is seen as normal, and sometimes it makes complete sense because you want to progress in salary and position, but you might be able to avoid switching jobs so regularly if you work for companies that you could progress within.

Especially when you’re a graduate, early in your career, or just switched industries – never underestimate how much you can learn from staying in one company for more than 2 years. From promotions to regular opportunities, when you find a company that invests in you, suits your passions, and is just a great place to work – you can benefit hugely.

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So, maybe you’re thinking of taking a higher salary and if you don’t like the job – you can move elsewhere. Think about whether that’s truly the right approach.

BEING HAPPY DOESN’T ALWAYS EQUAL MONEY

We all need money to not only survive but also to thrive. Financial freedom can allow you to enjoy great things like holidays, great food, and a home you love. But if you’re earning great money in a place that makes you hate Mondays, is it truly allowing you to enjoy life?

And let’s be honest. When you’re passionate about a role, you put so much more effort into it – therefore making more money from sales, promotions, etc. So it’s a win-win.

That role with the high salary might motivate you originally, but it’s what’ll motivate you daily that has a real impact on your career and your life.

ANSWER: CAREER PROGRESSION

Money is a short-term fix, but if you want a long-term career – choose progression. Choose a company that cares. If that’s the company that offers a high salary – great! But sometimes it’s not and that sacrifice is truly worth it.

CAREER PROGRESSION VS SALARY: WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT? (2024)

FAQs

CAREER PROGRESSION VS SALARY: WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT? ›

Money is a short-term fix, but if you want a long-term career – choose progression. Choose a company that cares. If that's the company that offers a high salary – great! But sometimes it's not and that sacrifice is truly worth it.

What is more important, job title or salary? ›

Your job title will almost always impact how much money you make. However, as an indication of how important job titles are, many people would rather have a better title than a bigger salary. One study found that 70% of respondents would take a better job title over more money—up to $10,000 less!

What is more important, money or growth? ›

Growth is important until you create a set of wanted skills. Once you have the skills, you will always be learning, but it's time to charge for them. Only going for money and ignoring the other topics will sooner or later burn you out. Important to remember that money is a great tool and a lousy master.

Which is more important in choosing a career salary or self-fulfillment? ›

There is no universal answer to whether salary is more important than passion. Your decision should be based on your individual circ*mstances, values, and goals. It's important to strike a balance that aligns with your overall well-being and allows you to lead a fulfilling life.

Is salary the most important thing? ›

The most important aspects of a job - by organisational role

Pay and benefits are only the fourth most important aspect of a job (46%) for survey respondents in leadership and senior management team (SMT) roles, after work-life balance (60%), job satisfaction (52%) and job security (51%).

Is salary the most important part of a career? ›

Compensation is important, it says a lot about the job and the company. Employers that pay well are likely going to value their employees' time more than those that don't. Salary is only one part of compensation. For some positions it's not even the largest component.

Why salary jobs are better? ›

Salaried employees get a set amount from their employers consistently. Every check is the same, even if there's a holiday. You can also use sick days if needed without having your paycheck reduced. A steady income can reduce stress and allows more flexibility when you have unexpected expenses.

Which is more important for a career? ›

Your reputation is the most precious thing you own in developing a career. You must be known for being a reliable, professional, and helpful individual.

What will you choose, money or success? ›

A successful person is more likely to be a satisfied one! I'll rather have success because if you're successful at what you do money will chase you not the other way around. If you only focus on money then you'll forever chase the dollar.

Why is growth more important than profit? ›

Growth, meaning higher sales, more customers, is also real. Within reasonable, limits, growth is more important than profit. Profit is an accounting and tax concept. You can be profitable and run out of money, and you can be unprofitable and have cash in the bank and grow.

Is it better to love your job or make more money? ›

The meaning of life is having a good life

And not money. If you have a job that makes you happy and challenges you and that you think will continue to do so for years to come, then by all means stick with it. Because if your only drive is to make money, a day at work can feel very long very quickly.

How to find a job you love and pays well? ›

7 steps to finding a job you'll love
  1. Consider what you are curious about.
  2. Don't immediately take salary into consideration.
  3. Ask for an objective opinion.
  4. Identify your ideal work environment.
  5. Meet with a career counselor.
  6. Expand your skills.
  7. Research companies that interest you.
Mar 10, 2023

Should I pick the higher paying job? ›

With higher pay, you will have greater immediate purchasing power. On the other hand, better benefits may improve your lifestyle in ways that the additional purchasing power cannot compensate for. In the end, the main thing to consider is how important having more money in your paycheck is compared to other perks.

What is considered the best salary? ›

With that said, here are the average annual salary of the highest-paying specialties:
  • Anesthesiologists: USD 317,900.
  • General Internal Medicine Doctors: USD 266,200.
  • Obstetricians and Gynecologist: USD 214,300.
  • Emergency Medicine Physicians: USD 248,800.

Are people with higher salaries happier? ›

Using this data, which constituted over 1.7 million experience samples, Professor Killingsworth found that larger incomes “were robustly associated” with both greater happiness and greater life satisfaction. Further, there was no observed plateau in either happiness or life satisfaction at $75,000 or any other level.

Why is salary so important? ›

Your salary is a fundamental consideration of your professional life. Negotiating your starting pay and asking for raises are critical factors in choosing what position to take and feeling valued at your job.

Should I take a job with a lower title? ›

If you can get past that nagging, inborn sense that "going lower" can only be a sign of downward career mobility, the answer is yes. Taking a lesser position—downshifting, as it's sometimes known—can help move your career forward if the job fits into a larger long-term plan.

Is job title or company more important? ›

But, here's the thing: Brand names may grab attention, but job titles could seal the deal. They let the person reading your resume know exactly what you're capable of.

How important is my job title? ›

Job titles help identify a person's job role and create a brief description of that role and the career path to which it belongs.

Which is correct a good paying job or a well paying job? ›

“Well” and “paying” have grammatical relationships not just with the noun but with each other, too. And when you understand how these two words relate to each other, you can see why “well-paying” is indeed preferable to “good-paying.”

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