I moved states for my partner’s job and now I’m struggling to land a role that matches my old salary and title. Back home I was making $160k, but here recruiters keep telling me my “market value” is closer to $120k. That’s a $40k drop just for living somewhere with cheaper rent and it feels like I’m being punished for relocating. Stability is tempting, but taking that hit feels like setting my career back. Would you take the lower pay?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

So, a couple things. First, when you say your rent is cheaper, what you really mean is rent and food and parking and entertainment and dining out and having drinks out are all cheaper. That should all be part of your analysis when you decide whether your $40K drop is a net positive. If you’re in the same place at the end of the day, who cares?

Second, once you determine that, you need to also ask if $120 is actually market and, if so, whether taking a job at market is better than not having one at all. If it is, you can probably leverage your existing pay to get a bump above market, but you won’t make up the difference, because….

Third, firms with any size need to balance paying above market to one associate who is not bringing a special skill or higher rates or clients to the fold against the rest of the associate ranks in that tier. Yes there’s also a business analysis of “why pay 160 if I can pay 120” but those are hand in hand analyses.

likehelpful

Didn’t you look into this before you moved? I’m surprised your old firm didn’t want to keep you on remotely or transfer to a local office.

like

You think the economy of a geographical location is punishing you? Yikes, I'd have that one looked at by a therapist.

likefunny

Keep in mind also offices in smaller places with LCOL may have lower hours expectations because they expect a better work life balance. Factor that in to the lower salaries you're being quoted.

like

It also isn't necessarily just rent. You may very well find lower real estate costs, general cost of living (entertainment, groceries, childcare, etc.), lower taxes, better work-life balance as someone else alluded to, etc. It's not uncommon for people to move to lower COL cities, despite associated paycuts, for those very reasons. Not sure if it will be your experience, but there may be more than meets the eye.

like

Well it doesn’t sound like you have been hired yet, so yes it could be your “market value” pursuant to the geographical area you are in, but you could very well negotiate an offer up to $135,000 with a YOE bonus, maybe. With the cheaper cost of living, you will probably be fine.

Related Posts

How is a Partner’s sales bonus at your firm calculated? Also, what if multiple Partners have connections at the same client when a sale is made? How is the bonus fairly distributed?

like

Which companies are hiring adjusters that pay 70k plus base salary and allow remote work? Or anything similar that would be a good fit for an experienced adjuster?

like

What is salary of Software engineer in Berlin for 4 years of experience

What's the salary range for D2 - Program Manager position in CG??

like

Mid-level associate at a mid-size regional insurance defense firm practicing coverage litigation. Salary is capped b/c my firm only does I.D./coverage and has no direct-hire comm clients. Second round of interviews with a comm lit boutique where I would be the only associate with 5 partners. Other than partner track, salary/benefits, and switching from coverage to general comm lit, what qualities of the move should I be thinking about as I weigh my options? I've never worked at another firm.

like

Hi All,

I’m looking for testing openings. I have around 3 years of experience in both manual and automation testing.Could you please tell me do you have openings in testing roles?

LWD: 09-SEP-2022
Location: Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad

Hi folks,

I have been offered a position on Senior Consultant/ Deputy Manager at Deloitte India for 4.5 years of exp.

Is this position/role normal for years of experience I hold?

like

What’s the average compensation for an Account Executive?

like

One of my junior associates recently resigned and I've been trying to make an exit myself for several months now. The job market has been really competitive but I am getting closer to getting a new job and moving on. The firm culture isn't great and work-life balance is non existent. My physical and mental health have been suffering, so I really don't think I could stay. How did you avoid the guilt trips from Partners/Senior staff trying to get you to stay?

like

I am a career changer on mo 4 of a 6 mo sourcer/researcher contract that I’m not sure will be renewed due to team re-organizing. I have 5 YOE basically in an HR generalist role at a company that didn’t have an official HR function, building systems from the ground up. I also have my SHRM-CP. I am looking for a perm, remote HR generalist or program manager position and getting no traction despite a well-reviewed resume. What do I do? Should I go to grad school?

like

What can be the expected salary range in general for 10YOE with frontend tech stack React JS in product based companies? CCTC 52LPA, (including 10% variable+stocks)

like

Hi Folks
How many rounds of interview conducted at Oracle for SeniorSystem Administrator position?
I have cleared first round . But they are telling there are other rounds too. I am curious please clarify if anyone from Oracle or recently joined .

like

Can someone refer me to Management consulting/strategy role?

like

Any reviews about Salesforce role in Intellect Design Arena? How is the work life balance? What are the benefits one get in this company?

like

So just starting a new Position. At thia time I was looking for a good base as need to be stable.

Always into sales since childhood but I have 5 years of proper new business development experience with good track record.

I am starting a position at $80k now I just want your thoughts and feedback an the base. There is also comision and bonuses. Which could be something.

Keep in mind this is also in Canada

like

Been in Sales for 12years, done it all from transactional to complex, from 10k to 650M and from local to global, and 2 weeks to 24 months Sales Cycles - now aiming to move into a management role within the next two years, ideally mid sized business, build and execute a strategy for growth, shape a vision and drive the overall success on a more strategic level. Led teams and managers.

Masters and getting my MBA done currently - any advise what is key to make it happen?

like

Are Google , IBM , Meta learning certificates, worth it? Do they really impress employers? If had an IBM data science certificate without any experience for example what type of role can expect or should I expect any?

like
like

Hi,

I am looking for a IT Recruiter role/ HR Generalist in MNC.
Experience as IT recruiter - 1.2 yrs
Mba in HR and marketing
NP - 90 days

like

More Posts

New ARK merchandise!

like

Hi guys
What % of 70% variable do infi employees (Principal) get on an average every year ?

Can someone suggest?

like

Any Muslim moms here?

like

Has anyone tried hydro facial?

When I receive an RFE while waiting for approval for i140, can I use that as an opportunity to submit additional evidence? Apart from what was specifically asked in the RFE?

like
like

Can anyone confirm, if hpe take Hacker Rank test for senior cloud professional after 2-3 rounds of interview

Has anyone dealt with coming to terms with an emotionally abusive relationship? I struggle to admit this (because more drastic examples come to mind), but my therapist mentioned that things like yelling/throwing things/blocking me from leaving the room are also abusive traits my ex demonstrated. It makes me feel alienated from myself — like “how could I have allowed myself to be treated like that?”. Also feeling ashamed to tell anyone

like

I love watching my 3-year-old's engineering hacks... he wanted to pet the cat so he built a fort out of pillows and waited, now the cat's purring on his lap and they're both asleep

likehelpful

How long does it take to go from Associate Manager to Manager at Accenture Federal Services?

like

Which is better ?
Associate Consultant in Capgemini- 9.25 Lakhs CTC

Consultant in Deloitte India - 9.25 Lakhs CTC

YOE - 3.
Field - Corporate Law

like

hcl folks, what could be the montly inhand salry for 22 lpa ctc

Post Photo
like

Need Likes !

like

It’s Wednesday! How we feeling? Any tea? Heard stealth layoff are happening but not 100% sure if it actually happening.

like

O&M Creative: more shuffling still to come? And by shuffling, I mean layoffs too.

like

I was laid off from Deloitte in the 18th. I have an interview with Amazon for a Senior Program Managers Non Technical position with Amazon hiring manager on Monday. Any advice would be much appreciated. I would love to get into Amazon. I hear their interview process is brutal.

like

We are getting the letters on 12th September (Monday). Got to know from reliable sources in HR. Just 1 day guys, let's go!!!

like

How much EY India offers for Manager position in technology consulting role

like

Guys please give likes to enable chat for me.

like

What is comp like at a pension fund?

like

Additional Posts in Law

Is 150 billable hours per month little/average/a lot?

like

I’m so bad at writing the background/ facts section for briefs… it always gets heavily edited and no one is giving me constructive feedback other than “advocate more”. In contrast, my legal argument section is generally without edits. For context, first defense lit job post appellate clerkship. Is this normal?? Any tips for getting better other than “advocating more”?

likehelpful

I’m my partners only associate and I went on parental leave two weeks ago. I feel horrible for leaving him to handle our cases alone, but am trying to focus on my wife and new baby. That being said, should I still offer to handle minor matters that come in to ease the workload off my boss? He’s been super cool during my entire leave, so I don’t feel pressured to one bit.

like

How do you wind down after a rough day?

like

Has anyone been admitted to Massachusetts by transfer of UBE score? I submitted my application in July and took and passed the state law exam today. How long after this were you admitted? Thanks!

like

What do you do about computer problems? It just took me 24 minutes to send a .1 email due to my computer constantly freezing. Is it worth entering that time into non-billable? Or do I just stop whining and work longer to make it up?

like

Confused why Wachtell qualifies as BigLaw when they have one (small) office

like

Anyone else here kinda like doing doc review? (In moderation of course)

likehelpful

Negotiating a settlement. I’m at $10k, opposing counsel is at $20k. My client won’t go higher than $15k. OC has come down to 17.5k and says his client won’t budge from that. Do I offer 12.5k so we can hopefully meet in the middle at 15k? Is that how the settlement game is played? Seems dumb we can’t just say let’s meet in the middle now and be done with this. (I’m a first year, first time negotiating a settlement on my own and I don’t want to screw this up!)

like

Last associates committee meeting is coming up. Partners have asked each associate to come up with... not one... but FIVE marketing ideas. Other than reeling out “we offer competitive pay” in job postings, what are some good ones your firm does?

I’m struggling a bit. If I knew how to market well, I certainly wouldn’t be in this position.

like

Which one would you choose?

1) Am100 firm with 1900+ billable hour requirement, very reputable in the region
2) Am200 firm with 1750+ billable hour requirement, less reputable in the region because it’s a satellite office, pays $35k less than option 1

like

Anyone here work in litigation for a few years after law school, and then leave to clerk for a federal judge for 2 years? If so, did you have any difficulty finding a job at a law firm for after the clerkship is over / did this set back your career progression law firm-wise at all?

like

What’s the best way to turn down a 2nd interview? During the 1st interview, I learned that the compensation for the role is not within the range that I am looking for and requires 400 more billable hours a year than what I bill now. I’d basically be laterally for my current salary just to bill 400 more hours. I also wasn’t aware that the local office was strictly ID. Firm website advertises lots of practice areas. Any advice? TIA!

like

Are new associates in your firm eligible for bonuses in their stump year?

like

Constantly worried I’m going to get fired because I don’t know where I stand at my mid sized law firm (second year associate).

like

For those of you required to be in office- do people use the phone and email to contact you or do they still come by in person? People in my office seem not to understand how the phone works...

like

All of my experience is in litigation but I think I might like real estate more. Any advice on how to sell myself to a real estate firm?

like

Anyone suiting up for the office?

I’m in Chicago, and I feel like I’ve been seeing a lot more suits in the loop.

like

Hi new here. Idk what my value is and if I’m getting paid an amount that reflects my hard work. I am a paralegal for a small law firm (family and immigration) w only 1 attorney. I have about 20 files or more in my rotation at a time. I work on various types of cases at once. Some are simple, others are extensive. I feel like it’s very unstructured and one of the managers micromanages. It’s like every man for himself. Take home pay is $50k. I am working on my bachelors deg. Do I get paid enough?

like

Did anyone not meet their billable hours requirement during their first year of employment? If so, how did your firm react? 😬

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal