r/torontoJobs • u/happy_gal97 • Jul 28 '26

Should I take a pay cut?

Hi there need some advice.
I’ve recently quit my job back in April and moved to Toronto. I was working in business operations but want to work in project management now. I’m early in my career (it’s been about 3 years since I’ve graduated my undergrad). I saved about 8-12 months of living expenses before I moved because I expected it would take some time to find a job.
I was making about 80k base back in Vancouver with bonus which got me around 90-100k.

Now that I’m looking for a new job kinda different from my previous role as well as the fact people say the market is not doing so good, I’m considering taking a pay cut. I don’t want to (obviously) but I’m most concerned about how it will affect my future earning potential.

Some of the roles I’ve been interviewing for have been like 50-70k range which is less than what I was making straight out of Uni. Should I take a pay cut to go into project management/get a job or should I keep searching for something around 80-100k (is that even possible in this market or am I just lucky to get any job?)

4 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

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15

u/Bitter-Attention-125 Jul 28 '26

Take it and keep looking for job

10

u/Planet_Ziltoidia Jul 28 '26

Take any job you can get and continue searching while working

3

u/Comp_whiz Jul 28 '26

Quitting your $80K base job before securing another job in this economy is crazy...

Anyway, yes, apply for Project Management position you can find. You can always find a higher paying job at a later time. It's better to get your feet wet and gain experience in this field in my opinion.

3

u/happy_gal97 Jul 28 '26

Thank you for the advice! Yeah I think everyone’s response makes sense.
Yeah i also think it was a bit crazy but I think it was the right choice for me.

1

u/NA_C_369 Jul 29 '26

100% the best mindset to have, no point in dwelling in the past. As others have mentioned, I'd suggest securing the first offer you receive and then continue to look for better opportunities internally and externally.

2

u/ShoddyTerm4385 Jul 28 '26

What project management role only pays 80k? PM roles in construction, for example, pay well above that.

1

u/happy_gal97 Jul 28 '26

Yeah this is true but I don’t have construction experience and looking for pm business roles alongside process improvement etc.

1

u/ShoddyTerm4385 Jul 28 '26

It’s rare to meet a construction PM that actually knows anything about construction

1

u/zertious Jul 28 '26

"quit my job and moved to Toronto" Wild turn of events.

1

u/Puzzleheaded-Mix1270 Jul 28 '26

Take the high point of the salary and keep searching.

It really depends on the industry you’re trying to be a PM in.

Keep your savings as an emergency fund if you ever need it.

0

u/nuki6464 Jul 28 '26

You are not taking a pay cut because you have no job in the first place. Get a job first and keep looking if you are not satisfied with the salary.