HACKER Q&A
📣 sweetheart

Have you ever taken a large pay cut intentionally?


I’m potentially in a situation where I could continue working at the startup I’m at making very good money, or take a 90k pay cut to work at a nonprofit that I am _extremely_ supportive of, which is devoted to solving a problem I am incredibly passionate about.

While the salary they are offering is still above national average, breaking the golden handcuffs seems a daunting experience.

Have you ever done this, or something similar? Did you regret making the change, or staying? Looking for advice!

  👤 bediger4000 Accepted Answer ✓
I've done it twice. Once in 1992, to get out of the defence/aerospace industry, once in 2017 because I got a voluntary layoff with a payout.

Both times were major disruptions, and maybe for a year or more didn't seem worth it. Two years out for either one seemed well worth it. You absolutely will regret it at first, and intermittently for months. That's not to say you shouldn't do it, though. Sounds like you're in an ideal place to make that kind of career change.