Dropping salary for a better job?

I'm currently earning around 40k in security, but I want to move away from it, as it's not as glamourous as it sounds. I spend all of my days in spreadsheets looking at statistics and numbers - it bores me to tears. It's not technical either.... So i've been looking at getting into digital forensics. The real downside is that forensic analyst jobs start at 18k which is absolutely horrendous for the level of skill you'll need - but would you drop this kind of salary for a better job?

I'm hoping that if I make this big move, i'll end up getting paid better money once I get a few years experience in forensics under my belt. Forensics seems to be an industry whereby it doesn't matter how much IT exp you have - if you aren't experienced in forensics, you get low pay.

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Comments

srabiee

18k per year? Let me ask you this... how happy would you be living in a cardboard box?

markulous

Can you survive on that much money? You ultimately need to get out of what you're doing because of how much you dislike it. If this is the absolute best option and you can swing it then do it. I'd probably try to look at a better alternative though.

cyberguypr

Excuse my ignorance. Are IT salaries generally that pathetic in the UK?

Ismaeljrp

I see your location is in UK, I assume that's 40k and 18k british pounds?

For us in the US that's approx. $62k and $28k respectively.

That is a massive drop in salary and will affect you in major ways. Since you are in the field of security, which measures risk among other things, I will assume you have a plan in both scenarios.

Sure you can live on that money, I personally would look for something that pays better.. unless you've been dreaming about digital forensics since you were a child then who am I to stop you from achieving your ultimate dreams.

si20

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Yes that's correct, in British pounds.

I am pretty certain that within 2 years of dropping salary, I will be in digital forensics but back up on 40k ($62k). Obviously that's just from the research i've done, but I think it's fairly realistic. I should just move to the USA and try to get a digital forensics job there

techfiend

If you can live on that salary I'd do it for the experience and growth potential. There's not much worse then being bored at work all the time.

si20

I forgot to mention, i'll be doing a part-time MSc in Security and Forensics whilst working.

BlackBeret

One other thing to keep in mind, starting salaries are usually listed for those with no experience. It sounds like your security experience is on the compliance side and not technical so it might be hard to translate in to forensics, but it's very possible that you could get an "entry level" forensics job that pays better than average. If it's what you want to do I would say go for it, and while job searching you might find something a lot better than you're expecting.

twodogs62

What counts to is how many hours and overtime expected in any job.
also growth potential.

UnixGuy

US fellows - the UK market and wages are completely different. 40k pounds is a really good wage in the UK (cost of living is just different, taxes are different, health care etc etc).

@OP: Do what you love, life is too short, but Digital forensics might not be as glamorous. Which uni are u enrolling in? I heard Cranfield is the best for digital forensics...

Mike-Mike

I have dropped salary twice, and about to do it a 3rd time, so far it has really worked out. take one step back and 3 steps forward

Chev Chellios

si20 sounds like you have put a lot of thought into it, if you can afford it and it is what you want to do then go for it

I've dropped salary before but increased considerably a short time after- it's definitely a risk worth taking especially if it is what you want to do. Working in a job that bores you really does suck!

Kinet1c

Did it once, it worked out but nowhere near the level of drop you took and I won't be doing it again.

bpenn

I couldn't drop salary if I tried. Wife would kill me!

dsgm

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Same here, unless it was written in contract that in a month i would get a raise

si20

Mike-Mike wrote: »

I have dropped salary twice, and about to do it a 3rd time, so far it has really worked out. take one step back and 3 steps forward

I'm glad to know it can work out for people

I know what i'm thinking of doing sounds crazy because it's a MASSIVE salary reduction, but I believe the job will be so much better and more technical. I've got a BSc in Digital Forensics (First class) and i've worked in a technical role for 5 years+. I have no issue with being technical.

The problem with my current job is that it's so UN-technical. I can't deal with that. Being stuck in spreadsheets all day is the definition of boring. I feel like i'm losing ALOT of skills whilst I stay in this current role despite my salary being good. Hopefully it'll work out.

I do totally understand why people are on the other side of the fence though.

diggitle

Do what makes you happy. Money isn't everything. One quick question though, why are you not using your OSCP?

gespenstern

bpenn wrote: »

I couldn't drop salary if I tried. Wife would kill me!

Lol, I'm in the same boat. Never took a step back in salary.

si20

diggitle wrote: »

Do what makes you happy. Money isn't everything. One quick question though, why are you not using your OSCP?

There are no penetration testing jobs in my area unfortunately. I'd have to move far and wide to be able to get one. And even if I got one I'd need a heck of alot more training in things like web app because the OSCP didn't cover much of it and I've had no time to pick it up outside of work.

Mike-Mike

si20 wrote: »

I'm glad to know it can work out for people

Keep i mind you have to grind like there is no tomorrow. Even though you take a paycut you have to work like you doubled your salary. Plus everyone in your life will think you are nuts and most will doubt you are making the right decision.

Timeline:

in 2009 I made 80k, but that required insane amounts of overtime and very physically demanding work.

in 2010 I took a buyout and took six months off to cert up

in 2011 I took a Service Desk job for 38k, got promoted to 40k, to 43k, to 45k

in 2012 need Network experience so I took a NOC job for 41k, my wife thought I was crazy but trusted me begrudgingly

in 2013 got a Network testing job for 62k, but contract

later in 2013, got a telecom job for 65k base, but with shift diff, call out, OT, and a bonus, ended up making 88k in 2014.

in 2015 finally getting an infosec job for 85k base

my goal is to turn that into a 100k in less than 3 years

ArabianKnight

So, what would a typical person make doing digital forensics in the US for comparison to the UK?

Kinet1c

Negotiate, 18k is a joke of an offer for someone with security experience and 1st class honours.

diggitle

What about 100% remote penetration testing job? I'm seeing this more and more.

kurosaki00

I'm ok with taking a pay cut temporarily if it will result in bigger gain in the future.
But dang...that's a huge paycut. Too much of a difference.

olaHalo

Ive taken salary cuts for better long term goals (both with turned out to make me more money later)
But the initial drop was not nearly as big as what youre talking about.

Look at where you want to be in a few years and take the job that helps you get there.

Plantwiz

I've taken a 'drop' in pay to improve long-term goals and sanity. I think you sound as though you have thought this through, so FWIW, yes, this could be a good move long-term for you. Depends if your living expenses can handle the short-term decrease in pay, if they can, I think you'll do well. If they do not work out, then in six months or a year you will be job hunting again WITH this new gained experience.

Best wishes!

NovaHax

ArabianKnight wrote: »

So, what would a typical person make doing digital forensics in the US for comparison to the UK?

This really depends on both location and who you are working for. I know someone back in Texas (where I used to live) that does digital forensics for law enforcement and makes like 60k. Alternatively, I know people out here in the Washington, DC area pulling 200k+.