[USER]

My husband has been having a hard time with a major life decision. He has been working in a government role doing maintenance work, which he loves.

They just got a raise and will be expected to make $85k base, $92k with overtime.

He has a degree in natural resource management and a recent (part-time) employee who had been there for 10+ years finally retired and his boss has advocated for a full-time position that will allow him to use his degree and past experience.

His boss really wants him to have the job, but also is the type of person that is a master delegator.

People never leave their jobs at his work and this is a chance for him to be a supervisor, but will also mean that he would lose his position and may not get it back (he works with people who have been there for 10+ years).

The new job is salary with weekend and evening requirements (2x/month) and the salary listing cap is up around $99k, low 80s (not even sure if he could ask for the max pay).

There is a lot of work in this new role for one person, but he has been lined up to receive it by working for years with the previous person and essentially doing part of the job (minus the desk work, writing, etc.).

He would have his own office, which he feels unsure of since he mostly works outside and is hands on.

Our goal is to retire early, we are in our early 30s with 2 children under 4 bringing in about 190k together. 120k left on our house and no other debt.

Net worth around 690k. Wanting to eventually get into airbnbs and wanting the time to do it.

Does he take the job with his only chance at a supervisor position at this company (which he loves and never wants to leave) and potentially not like it, but may have more room for growth?

Or continue his easy job which is taxing on his body and no room for growth.

And if he were to take the job, has anyone asked for max pay and received it?

Any comments appreciated, thank you!

[Mohammed]

For government jobs pension and retirement is paid at a higher percentage which he may get if it’s a supervisory position.

otherwise for a small pay increase and added duties it may not be worth it.

[Jin]

I work in the private sector at a Fortune 500. I’ve never seen anyone get near the top end of the range.

From what I’ve seen, they have to post the range but they likely have a specific budget in mind.

For most roles I’ve seen listed internally, the budget is about 25% up the range, so most folks get disappointed.

I honestly don’t know of he’d like the job if he doesn’t like desk work (and it sounds like this will have more desk work).

[NotaKaren]

Most gov job a pay structure based on years of service and increases every 5 years you hit the next step. In between there are cola bumps.

his years of service should give him a bump on the scale.

He won’t get the top end but he won’t start at the bottom either.

[Katharina]

He should get more based on years of service and also negotiate based on added responsibilities.

Plus, he doesn’t have to accept the position if he doesn’t like the final offer or terms.

[Erika]

I work in state government. I’m 24 years-in and have had multiple opportunities to advance to supervisory roles but after seeing the crap my boss and other sups deal with for only about 8-10% more pay, I will never go there.

I LOVE what I do (judge role in parole hearings). I feel I make a difference and what I do has meaning.

I’m at top pay (around $100k for my position), but I also own an income generating property and I am a notary loan signing agent on the side.

I just do notary jobs at my leisure and consider it “extra” for fun/travel/beauty, etc… I make quite a bit more than my boss every month with my side hustles that really don’t take up much extra time (and I can pass on jobs so it doesn’t interfere with anything).

I’ve had a few friends die suddenly (I’m 55) and that just solidified my decision to keep doing what I love and live life NOW. I would never give up any of my weekends either.

Based on what you wrote, I feel like he would have less time to work any side businesses with you and your personal life could take a hit with some weekends tied up with work.

The ONLY way I would consider it is if they would allow him to do the position as a temp and if it doesn’t work out then he could bump back to his previously held spot.

I know in our agency this is common, they just put someone in his spot as a temp as well.

[Aura]

Does he like managing people? How well does he deal with issues like performance management and having to have those sometimes awkward conversations about what not to do or wear?

Does he want to be stuck in between management and his people? Can he sell the company line when it isn’t what he thinks is the right thing for his group?

All those come with supervision jobs. Those things come with their own cost sometimes. Is the raise worth the extra work?

As a salaried person, he will likely be expected to put in unpaid overtime so I would say the difference is maybe 3k since he is unlikely to get the top of the salary band.

But – if he likes the management part, then it will be worth it.

[Suzanne]

Not enough of a financial increase to commit to more time at work instead of family time.

[April]

Coming from experience, not even close to enough money to supervise, no way.

Plus, he will be unhappy if not hands on work he is used to.

[Jerry]

Nights, weekends, added stress and responsibility of supervisory role. Trading physically active and satisfying work for a desk?

My own experience is that a desk can be taxing on your body also.

Salaried position often mean many hours of unpaid overtime. Time away from home and family, outside interests and hobbies.

Just does not sound like a move up in quality of life for a relatively small wage increase that comes with strings attached.

[Author]

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