Would you take a pay cut for a job you'd enjoy more?
A better work-life balance. Less stress. A more fulfilling career. Sometimes the right career move means earning less money.
- Test a lower salary. Explore the income change in Wealth Coach.
- See the financial tradeoffs. Consider potential effects on retirement, available cash, and your family’s goals.
Create your initial financial profile in as little as 3–5 minutes.
- We do not sell your personal information unless you specifically request and authorize a connection with one of our partners.
- No full name, phone number, or home address required.
Your financial overview is free. Editing and simulations require an upgrade or an active trial that includes those features.
Example: Choosing a lower-paying job
What would choosing the lower-paying job actually change?
Compare projected outcomes under two salary choices.
Scenario A$158,000 salary
Scenario B$100,000 salary
- Projected retirement age
- 6162
- College funding
- 292%94%
- Lowest accessible cash
- $75,000
- Vacation
- Fully funded
The lower salary still projects retirement at 62, with a vacation funded, but leaves a college funding gap.
College funding above 100% means projected resources exceed the stated funding goal. It is not a probability of success.
Know the tradeoffs. Choose the job that fits your life.
Illustrative projections for a sample household. Your results will depend on your circumstances and assumptions.
A lower salary doesn't necessarily mean a worse decision.
You may be considering a lower-paying job because you want:
- Less stress
- More time with family
- Better work-life balance
- A shorter commute
- A more meaningful career
- Greater flexibility
The challenge is understanding what you might be giving up financially.
See what a pay cut could mean for your future.
Wealth Coach helps you evaluate how a lower salary could affect:
- Your retirement timeline
- Your available cash
- Your household cash flow
- Your ability to fund college and other goals
- Your overall financial outlook
Explore other decisions
The same financial picture works for your next question, from a new home to a change in income.
Explore all financial decisions
We built the financial decision tool we couldn’t find.
Wealth Coach combines highly customizable financial scenarios with approximately 250,000 interconnected formulas to help you understand how one decision could affect your other financial goals.
Explore your options anytime, directly from your phone.
Make your next career decision with greater confidence.
Understand how a change in income could affect your financial goals before deciding what's right for you.
Build your financial profile in 3–5 minutes.
Wealth Coach provides illustrative projections. Not financial advice.