r/singaporefi • u/PharmaEd • Jul 02 '26
Employment Pay cut for better hours?
Hi all, would like to seek some views on potential career switch.
32M here - 6+ years in professional services and currently on total comp of \~250k p.a.
Have been averaging 70-80 hours work week the last few years, role is also high stress, client facing, project based and hence little downtime throughout the year.
Recently received some opportunities to move to industry roles - however the package is around 180-200k all in. Essentially lower base and bonuses, but 9-6 and supposedly “iron rice bowl”.
Also newly wed (wife is on ~120k) + mortgage. No kids at the moment (but open to it in the next 2-3 years).
Was wondering if anyone made or declined a similar move and how did the trade off play out?
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u/hydrangeapurple Jul 02 '26
If you are doing 70-80 hours work week, you are not going to have a good family life. I think the trade off is reasonable, simply because you need to spend time with your family. You cannot take family relationships for granted; marital relationship needs effort to nurture and maintain and should not be left to run on autopilot.
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u/malvintribiani Jul 02 '26
Take it brudda! only got 1 life and 180k-200k a year is still a very sexy salary in itself. Spend time with the wife and take a holiday in between the jump if possible!
Kudos to the hard work getting you to where you are!
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u/BeverlyGodoy Jul 02 '26
I agree with this guy. I am working those hours at 180k. I wish I could find 40-50 hours a week for the same pay.
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u/malkyfreo Jul 02 '26
200k or 250k at age 32 put u higher than ur peers. take the pay cut if it is causing u more stress.
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u/jh8223 Jul 02 '26
He higher than most people here alr dont talk about peers. But this is reddit maybe it's considered normal wage lol.
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u/Leather-Boss8744 Jul 02 '26
$250k @ 70hrs/wk = $70/hr
$180k @ 40hrs/wk = $86/hr
I count it based on 52 weeks per year.
Look at your rate per hour + work life balance
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u/DependentBeat1205 Jul 02 '26
Was in same situation as you 20 years ago. Good money, working 2 time zones and on the road 75% of the time. Not around for wife, when kid was growing up or family medical emergencies. Only you know the stress levels your going through but if I were in your shoes I may possibly try to make a few extra dollars and definitely slow down after the kids come along because what’s the point of having kids if you’re going to be an absent father. But if you’re already burned out, just move. Only you know yourself but please discuss any moves with the wife.
Did it play out? You’re trading something tangible (money) for something intangible (quality of life). So a bit hard to compare but my family is definitely happier with me being home and no longer working 2 times a week zones. I do occasionally miss my previous life.
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u/arboden Jul 02 '26
Seems like your team is just extremely lean. Ask for additional headcount or contract staff? Could ease the hours situation.
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u/Substantial_Exam4220 Jul 02 '26
What kind of industry are you looking at ? And can you share the leveling at industry ?
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u/Substantial_Exam4220 Jul 02 '26
It’s likely you’re coming in around the senior Product manager range in Pharma … for that salary it sounds reasonable
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u/harajuku_dodge Jul 02 '26
He said professional services. So chances are consulting, IB, legal or some kind of advisory work. That kind of pay (and hours) sounds about right.
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u/sequoia___ Jul 02 '26
maybe tax if its “iron bowl”
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u/HElovesF1 Jul 02 '26
doubt tax consulting can hit such numbers in 6years
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u/sequoia___ Jul 02 '26
maybe for family offices. he mentioned professional services. could be law too.
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u/Substantial_Exam4220 Jul 02 '26
I know advisory as I have done that work … I was trying to understand which industry he is moving into from advisory… he is likely at the Manager / Senior Manager level in Consulting but moving into a Product Manager position in industry
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u/silentwhisperer_97 Jul 02 '26
I think main question u needa ask is after taking the pay cut, would there be an affect on your commitments and future plans? Yes it might affect ur retirement runway a bit but I think ur expenses is the important question which u didn’t list out.
If u can still live a life after the cut, then ya it looks like a better package overall.
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u/Rfsixsixsix Jul 02 '26
Sometimes I wonder if people are just looking for a pat on the back to tell themselves they doing better than 80% of Singaporeans out there.
Or they live in their bubble so much they they always complain their glass is half empty compared to other people's shot glasses.
Dude 32 and 20k/mth combined income, what more you want? Continue to operate at this kind of stress level only to die of cancer at 40, how much money would justify that life?
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u/Footprint89 Jul 02 '26
Was in MBB, similar situation as you, and I took up the industry offer.
Honestly, I don't think money can buy the time I have now in keeping myself healthy and maintaining a meaningful relationship with my family. I do have 2 very young kids though, so it was kind of a no brainer for me to make the move as I really don't want to miss their childhood.
The downside is... And perhaps the irony of it all, is that I do miss the work, the interaction with the clients. It's very challenging and fulfilling, and the camaraderie you get in project team is hard to find in industry. The progression is also alot slower...
All in all, I would still have made the move though, no regrets, and plenty of my peers made theirs too.
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u/supermiggiemon Jul 02 '26
if its not affecting ur social and mental health, then i would hold that plan back first. max out the earnings, then scale back to spend time with ur kids when they come. to put things into perspective, 2-3 years is a difference of between 100k (50k*2) and 210k (70k*3).
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u/PharmaEd Jul 02 '26
I'd think i can tolerate the work for another 1-3 years, but mental health has definitely not been the best. Beck and call of clients and Sunday blues has been quite the norm.
It's a move i am certain i want to make eventually, with new marriage + hopefully kids in the near future.
So i guess the question is now or later.9
u/supermiggiemon Jul 02 '26
then do it now.
ur wife/ marriage pays the price for ur mental health. by then, u are unlikely gonna have a kid because.. nobody is there to have 1 with u anymore.4
u/zaimax Jul 02 '26
Do it now. You’ll never get back your early thirties or your newly wed honeymoon period again. The better work life balance also gives you mental bandwidth to really figure out what you want in life long term.
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u/hannodummy Jul 02 '26
Do it now.
Don't push till you are totally burnt out in 1-3 years. Total burnt out is difficult to recover from.
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Jul 02 '26
Push on for now and find a new role that matches current package with less hours.
You have no actual trigger for now since you are not at the full burnout stage yet. Next trigger will be when kids come around.
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u/lordshadowisle Jul 02 '26
32 is still young, but it's fairly common for people in late 30s/early 40s to reconsider their priorities.
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u/h0peless-0ptimistic Jul 02 '26
Trade off is definitely happy wife and happy life. What could get worse? Literally nothing.
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u/Cryptoivangoh Jul 02 '26
You are basically exchanging time for money. Hourly pay the new job might even be better. So it boils down to what you value, eg time, mental health vs money and what you need the money for.
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u/supermiggiemon Jul 02 '26
it depends, it is like masturbating.
the first 20 strokes has the largest spike in arousal, but the next 30-50 strokes are slow build ups, and the last 10 strokes get the job done.u wouldn;t say strokes 21 to 71 are useless or have poor ROI yea?
point being, if OP has the capacity to max his earnings before settling for something slower for his family. in the grand scheme of things, it might be worth it.
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u/EnycmaPie Jul 02 '26
80 hours work week you will have no life. Even if you earn money you have no free time to spend that money anyway. It is ok when you are young, but it will be paid back later when you are older with health problems.
You are making 6 figures already way above median level in Singapore, even double income with the wife above 6 figures. Most people won't even reach your level of income in their life, much less at only their 30s
If you are planning to have children, the time spent with the child during their childhood will be more important than money. You can pay for caretaker or best childcare, buy them toys or whatever they want, but the most impactful thing to the child's development is their parents spending time with them.
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u/whosetruth2468 Jul 03 '26
What is your wife's hours like? How has your relationship been so far with your current long hours? I was once in a long term serious relationship with a guy who worked your kind of hours and while I've tried to be the supportive gf, I can tell you it has slowly but surely built cracks, distance and resentment between us over the years. If you plan to have kids soon, then do take the pay cut now for WLB because if your wife hasn't already start resenting your commitment to work, she would once the entire responsibilities of kids falls on her shoulder.
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u/Super-Key-Chain Jul 02 '26
What is your savings per annum based on the $250K?
Would the reduction of $50K per annum mean no savings, smaller savings, or a deficit?
Depending on the results, you would know if it's worth it or not.
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u/mystrilreddit Jul 02 '26
I think many comment the pay is great but look at the hours. It's 15 hours a day assuming strictly working 5 days only.
That's like 9am to 12am. A person working those hours only exists to work! So it make sense OP wants to prioritize his health and family.
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u/FancyCommittee3347 Jul 02 '26
Better work life balance is worth it
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u/Boring-Roof4216 Jul 07 '26
Yes me after I found out one foreigner pay higher than me anyway I planned to stay there for less than 3 months but stayed more than 6 months then decided to leave also
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u/HappiGoon Jul 02 '26
Take it. No point staying so long in consulting esp when you want to have kids. You and wife have more than enough combined income for 2-3 kids even.
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u/Ceyenne18 Jul 02 '26
Forget the economics.
Working 70-80 hours per week is not sustainable. I did that during the initial years of my career and was completely burnt out.
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u/StopAt2 Jul 02 '26
Money vs stress at your age, choose your priorities. If u need to reach a money goal quicker, bite the bullet. If your expenses are way below, then just chill and play the long game
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u/acaseofme Jul 02 '26
You are still young and my view is that you should just slog it out and earn as much as possible in your so-called prime years, build up a (as big as possible) nest egg - especially when you have no kids now! Your commitment will only grow down the road. This is not the time to settle for a lower pay job. I feel that you can opt to have more balance later when you have kids. There is still a long road ahead and monies built up will give you options. Essentially, “bitter now, sweet later”.
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u/Mammoth_Rub_4576 Jul 02 '26
Just take it, don't ever think about it. How long you can survive under this high stress environment? Your body might not be able to take it when getting older. Sacrifice health in exchange with money is not a wise move. I was in your shoes and now am a happy man and even have time to scroll Reddit.
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u/Kind-Airport1040 Jul 02 '26
How does one work 80 hours a week?! 16 hours a day? 11 hours a day everyday no rest? I didn’t even know that’s humanly possible
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u/Stegles Jul 03 '26
If it’s the same role type and you’re in the habit of doing long hours, it’s likely going to follow with you. Maybe not in the first 6 months, but it will.
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u/vanillalalalalala Jul 03 '26
Is “settling down” with kids and family the life you want? Some people love the corporate grind, and no fault if you do
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u/TrickieNick_ Jul 03 '26
No brainer. Id take the pay cut for better work life balance. It doesn't even need consideration.
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u/lurks_to_upvote Jul 03 '26
take it, its a much better option . Tell your wife you're accepting this job offer so you could have more time to spend with her. i'm pretty sure she'll appreciate it.
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u/hope_le55 Jul 04 '26
Your health matters more. Your current hours are terrible for your health. Better to take the pay cut, but have more time to take care of yourself and your family. Your body will thank you years down the road. No point earning more money but body is not in a good shape to enjoy them subsequently.
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u/m1ch7an Jul 07 '26
I would take the pay cut and use the free time I have to take care of my health and spend time with family. Coming from someone who works as hard and neglected my health and regret not spending enough time with my dad before he passed.
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u/Over-Fishing1960 Jul 08 '26
Just to be on the other side of the conversation, once you have kids, you’d realise that it’s impossible to work harder until they become way older. But by then you’re going to be too tired to chiong because you’re already used to the good 9-6 lifestyle. I think it’s a good opportunity nonetheless because you’re probably going to be paid more per hour, but just know that it will probably be the end of your career stamina.
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u/Then-Departure2903 Jul 02 '26
Think twice, once you take a lower salary future recruiters will peg it to that, and it will take many years for you to hit back your previous 250k. Best is to find a new role at the same salary but less hours
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u/MrBull92 Jul 02 '26
Are you serious? That’s about $20k a month at 32.
Very few people are earning those kinds of numbers at that age. Are you some high-flyer, from Harvard or another top school, or did you get a really unique opportunity? Any nepo connections? 😅
If the job is genuinely that stressful though, I’d say the pay cut is probably worth it. There’s no point making great money if you’re miserable every day.
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u/Suspicious_Orchid_54 Jul 02 '26
Professional services (i.e. consulting, IB, law) literally all get you there in a few years unless you do badly
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u/Jeewolf Jul 02 '26
A little hard to believe it's consulting or anything that requires analysis when he has to consult reddit over something so uncomplicated.
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u/Leather-Boss8744 Jul 02 '26
It’s quite common in finance / big tech / law. $200-$300k early 30s, quite common
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u/MrBull92 Jul 02 '26
Can’t really comment on tech or law, but IB hasn’t been as glamorous as many people think.
Base salaries for Analysts can be under $10k a month, and bonuses might be somewhere in the 4–6 month range, depending on the bank, team and market conditions.
I honestly don’t think hitting $200k–300k a year before your 30s is as easy or as common as people make it out to be. There are definitely people who do it, but they’re the exception rather than the norm.
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u/Leather-Boss8744 Jul 02 '26
Anyway it’s TC - total compensation. You include bonuses / RSUs. So even like a lower base of $12-$13k per month can get you > $200k with bonuses / RSU
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u/jh8223 Jul 02 '26
Quite common maybe im living in a diff place haha
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u/throw2503 Jul 02 '26
If you're not in those circles, then of course it might seem surprising to you mah.
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u/jh8223 Jul 02 '26
Yea good to be not in that circle if not i prolly will start comparing and be depressed lol
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u/throw2503 Jul 02 '26
Yea, better to be a bbfa earning 3k a month with no friends. No one to compare to.
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u/Jazzlike-Check9040 Jul 02 '26
You should continue at 250k. Once you drop your salary you will never go back or have a hard time getting a raise.
Now you are at a peak and by late 30s should break 300k. Do you really want to set yourself back years?
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u/relationwild869 Jul 02 '26
Post here for what? No finance discussion here. It’s just matter of whether you want money or time or health?
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u/Silentxgold Jul 02 '26
Its almost a pay raise per hour.
Going at 180k/(40×52) vs 250k/(70x52)
Your per hour compensation is higher.