My biggest increase in "disposable income" was when I married a doctor 🙂
9 GCSEs and 2 A-Levels - Worked in bike shops (96-2001) earning <£11K as a full time mechanic.... good fun but had to live with the folks....
Went to uni at 24, did a BSc and PhD in Gelogy and currently post-doc'ing at 33K... BUT the plus is I can go out on my bike whenever I like and generally do what I like when I like... (although I probably still work more hours than I should). I'll get a real job one day.
Bikes: Pearson 531 Fixed and Indy Fab Deluxe (for Sailor74)
Gelogy - a bit like Geology but more fluid 😉
what i earn is my business. degree educated (not that it's a necessity for what i do) but i'm not a big consumer or somebody who's motivated by the numbers at the bottom of a bank statement. in the past i have earned 3.5k a day this month i haven't made 1/3 of that. wouldn't change my job/life though as pretty much do what i like most of the time without any of that management bullcrap that office people have to deal with.
this thread is proof that MTB'ing is a middle class middle management sport though, the average wage in many parts of the country is way below the figures given.
>this thread is proof that MTB'ing is a middle class middle management sport though,
I think you'd get different results if you asked the same on pinkbike 😉
It's not proof of anything. Those that don't earn so much might not want to post - same as those that earn a lot perhaps. Earning something somewhere in the middle is the most acceptable probably....
3.5k/day? What kind of deviant activities get that sort of cash?
ask george michael
What do you actually do though MrSmith?
this thread is proof that MTB'ing is a middle class middle management sport though, the average wage in many parts of the country is way below the figures given.
Yep, it's the new golf. I don't think it is particularly surprising that folk that can afford to drop a grand on a new bike are generally likely to be earning more than the national average.
MrSmith - Memberwhat i earn is my business.
You seem quite keen to share though...
Snigle
:o)
The respondents to this thread are all sat at computers during the day. It is likely that the numbers of merchant seamen, riggers, long distance truck drivers, soldiers on active service, miners, forestry workers, big game hunters, stunt pilots, office cleaners, shop-girls, taxi drivers, vole-exterminators, security guards etc posting on this thread is lower than the numbers of such people in the population as a whole, and the proportion who ride mountain bikes.
🙂
Christ its no wonder you all spend so much on fancy ti bikes is it?
I've got a degree in IT and the last time I was a salary man, which was 11 years ago when I was 29, I was on £55K-ish (including car allowance).
this thread is proof that MTB'ing is a middle class middle management sport
Yeah it's proof alright. Proof that the type of people looking at forums like this probably work in an office and have some privacy to do so...
Have been looking for 'proof' for a long time now? What are you going to do now you've found it?
You only need to look at the price of mountainbikes to figure out the target market.
"What do you actually do though MrSmith?"
i work in the 'creative industry'.
"Have been looking for 'proof' for a long time now?"
no. I can't say it's been a life long quest.
"What are you going to do now you've found it? "
nothing.
the average wage in many parts of the country is way below the figures given.
Depends where you are really.
[b]The UK average (mean) wage for full-time employees is £31,323 (median is £25,123).[/b]
In Scotland, the full-time national mean is £28,296 (24,027 median)
In England, the mean is £32,157 (25,514 median)
In Berwick-upon-Tweed, the mean is 17,789 (17,170 median) - UK lowest.
In City of London the mean is 82,084 (50,479 median) - UK highest.
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=15187
To answer your question Sailor74, a second hand Nicolai singlespeed and a Giant SCR Ltd, and though I'm a pretty active biker what with racing road and xc as well as just riding I'd struggle to justify spending more than a grand on a bike.
Though it's a bit like inverted snobbery having a cheap bike IMO.
I also don't associate salaries with wealth. And possesions again do not mean good incomes and wealth. I know at least one guy in a poorly paid job he hates that drives a company merc and had a great bike on credit.
No idea, in first year of running a business company and just taking the odd small dividend at the moment - no salary at all.
Quite a bit coming in, but I'll have to wait and see how much the tax man is going to grab.
Have a BA and postgrad journalism qualification.
You only need to look at the price of mountainbikes to figure out the target market.
I'm a teacher. My brother's a joiner. His bike's much more expensive than mine.
I ride with engineers, teachers, call centre staff, bike shop mechanics, eBay shopkeepers, factory workers.
Assumptuions are great, aren't they?
The UK average (mean) wage for full-time employees is £31,323 (median is £25,123).
As you say, location makes a big difference. I'm pretty much on the national mean, but I live in the North East so am much better off than I would be on the same pay elsewhere.
Pretty similar position here mike. The North East mean is only £21,290 (£25,551 for full time) so you can live like a king on the national mean here 😀
Pretty similar position here mike. The North East mean is only £21,290 so you can live like a king on the national mean here
It does show how silly a national pay is.
Referring to an earlier post that mentioned it’s no-ones business what an individual earns and it’s a taboo subject, it doesn’t bother me if ‘people’, and I use the term loosely since it’s a virtual world, on here know what I earn. I don’t know anyone on here so why on earth would it bother me if they know. I can understand that if I was friends with folks from here, but I’m not so it doesn’t matter. It’s all virtual i’nit.
Referring to an earlier post that mentioned it’s no-ones business what an individual earns and it’s a taboo subject, it doesn’t bother me if ‘people’, and I use the term loosely since it’s a virtual world, on here know what I earn. I don’t know anyone on here so why on earth would it bother me if they know. I can understand that if I was friends with folks from here, but I’m not so it doesn’t matter. It’s all virtual i’nit.
My pay is public knowledge anyway, as the pay scale is there for anyone to see and it wouldn't be hard to guess where I was on that scale.
I can understand people who have individually negotiated pay not wanting to make it public what they earn, as others doing the same job for the same company might be on less. Similar with people like Brant now wanting it to be public knowledge, as it rather gives away how well his company is doing. I can remember from another thread what MrSmith does, so can see why he'd be a bit coy.
Yes but its virtually insensitive IMO given other peoples situations.
Another interesting statistic fact fans:
UK mean full-time wage for Men: £35,122
UK mean full-time wage for Women: £25,304
Ain't equality great?
Bollocks. Every woman I know who's had kids has chosen to work part-time or taken a less demanding job. That pushes down the average.
That's a lifestyle choice, not inequality.
My wife earns 0. Is she suffering from a lack of equality or am I?
insensitive?
eh?
redundancy is not a new invention. people lost jobs before the recession too you know.
Working part-time or not having a job would not have any effect on the [u]full-time[/u] mean.
why would choosing to work part time push down the average FULL TIME wage?
i think you're on pretty slippery ground trying to deny the pay gap
Taking a less demanding job does. Going from a systems analyst on big money to a teacher (arguably that's part time I suppose) for example.
How do unemployment figures reflect couples? Both might be working, one might not want to work or needs to look after kids, one, or both, might not be working but want to work.
Didn't finish my degree, earn between 60-100k (last year 80k), 60k is fixed, 34 yrs old.
However, live with considerable job secutity all the time, not just during a recession
[i]Yes but its virtually insensitive IMO given other peoples situations.[/i]
I have a lot of sympathy for people who have been made redundant however the thread title is pretty clear. Do you think we should put a ban on 'new bike' posting until this recession is over, just incase it pushes someone over the edge.
[i]virtually insensitive[/i] mm interesting use of words - it either is or it isn't.
Women's hourly pay mean in 2008 was 17.1 per cent less than men's pay.
That is hourly so you can't claim that women are just working less hours.
So I guess they must be working 17% less hard?
And if you still don't think that is inequality then ask yourself why an equal number of men aren't opting to make the "lifestyle choice" of a less-demanding job so they can look after the kids while their wife works?
[url= http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=167 ]National Statistics - Gender Pay Gap[/url]
Referring to an earlier post that mentioned it’s no-ones business what an individual earns and it’s a taboo subject, it doesn’t bother me if ‘people’, and I use the term loosely since it’s a virtual world, on here know what I earn. I don’t know anyone on here so why on earth would it bother me if they know. I can understand that if I was friends with folks from here, but I’m not so it doesn’t matter. It’s all virtual i’nit.
even more so in the real world. i socialise with all sorts of people from different backgrounds with vastly different salaries, their paypacket has no bearing on me being mates with them, if anything it's the ones who measure themselves in consuming and possessions that i'm less likely to want to socialise with. often it's the 'middle earners' with aspirations who are the worst offenders. the lower and higher earners just want to get on and enjoy life instead of worrying what their neighbors think.
The more posts on here that I read, the more I'm convinced I did the wrong degree... Or actually bothered with a degree in the first place.
The word virtually was a play on an earlier post. This is a virtual environment.
Of course we should not ban the posting however this was started after another thread specifically talking about redundancy, IMO insensitive.
Dont think your likely to push someone over the edge who has lost their job by posting about your new bike. Bit off to then describe how you earn big bucks. If I have to explain the difference then maybe its lost.
even more so in the real world. i socialise with all sorts of people from different backgrounds with vastly different salaries, their paypacket has no bearing on me being mates with them, if anything it's the ones who measure themselves in consuming and possessions that i'm less likely to want to socialise with. often it's the 'middle earners' with aspirations who are the worst offenders. the lower and higher earners just want to get on and enjoy life instead of worrying what their neighbors think.
I agree Gary. We must go for another beer soon! 😆
Actually, joking aside, we probably should, even if it's just to get Phil drunk again to chuckle at 24 year-old bravado!
BEng Software Eng. Age 32. earn 30K in gov. sponsored public body.
flexi-time, live in the country about 3 miles for a trail centre, 1 mile from the beach, get time off at the drop of the hat and enjoy my work.
The Welsh have computers now? 😉
how else do you count that many sheep?
Firsty surfer I've yet to see a post where someone earns 'big bucks' and secondly the title is clear - if a forum dweller doesn't want to read what people earn then they don't open the thread and don't get all sensitive about it, simple.
Another reason why women earn less is they often take a long career break due to kids which puts down their earning potential. Probably the main reason more men don't do it is because of cultural norms etc.
are you saying that women earn the same as men BEFORE they have time off for childbirth?
£0/year
Physics degree and Commercial Pilot's License.
Doesn't look like there will be any work for quite some time. 🙁
At the mo I'm earning nothing. I'm a self employed (or rather self unemployed at the momment 🙁 ) furniture maker/boat fitter. Being so I can't claim benefits when I'm out of work and so am a little screwed....
I've got Ba (Hons) in Furniture design, countless smaller qualifications in related topics but it all means nout when theres no work around. I'm glad loads of you are earning bucket loads sat behind a computer but to say most postee's on this site are high earning middle class and that MTBing is a middle class, middle management sport is ridiculus.....Get over yourself. what about all those who have lost their jobs???
Have a look at this thread....
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/sad-day-at-work
are you saying that women earn the same as men BEFORE they have time off for childbirth?
They certainly do wherever I've worked - IT consultancy.
ah, i bow to the power of your widely representative sample
I work for the inland revenue and I am going through this list now to determine all of you bandits who are dodging tax.
I get paid per transaction and so everyone one of you I get makes me richer!!!!!
As with mudshark, everywhere I've worked women have been equal earners before any time off.
In my current experience they've actually come back earning eqivalently more per hour than everyone else, as the "additional" hours you put in beyond contracted hours are not done any more as childcare etc has to be taken care of.
I agree absolutely with equality, but it should be exactly that. What I fear we're entering is an era of positive discrimination, which I abhor.
HND in Building Services Engineering.
Earn average for the industry in the area.
The HNDs only use is if I ever try and get a job elsewhere.
Up until 6 months ago I could probably have upped my pay by £5k by going somewhere else. I'd rather get out of the industry than go elsewhere though.
Job is probably secure for the next 12 months then it depends on what happens in the building trade.
27k (including london weighting) Biochemistry BSC and 12 yrs experience as a scientist, work in the best cancer institute in the UK
my mates in IT get about 500-750 a day and they have a very good accountant who sorts out their tax 'issues'
im not bitter at all
are you saying that women earn the same as men BEFORE they have time off for childbirth?
Mean full-time pay for 16-17 year old women: £3,747
Mean full-time pay for 18-21 year old women: £8,562
Mean full-time pay for 16-17 year old men: £5,211
Mean full-time pay for 18-21 year old men: £11,876
Have most 16 year olds already had time off for childbirth then?
BSc Computer Science. 23yo. £lots. Low stability (gaps between contracts = unpaid holidays), very dependent on dollar exchange rate (very good atm).
Graham, those figures are meaningless unless they're stated across the same industry. I would imagine more young girls would work in different industries to young boys.
When you come to the likes of firms that offer graduate training schemes, I'm pretty sure you find equality with subsequent differences arising through performance or length of service in the role. Equally, I would say that it I took a year off for whatever reason, I wouldn't expect to maintain salary parity with my peers who hadn't.
ah, i bow to the power of your widely representative sample
That's a pretty stupid response really. IME women in IT are paid as much as men.
OK looks like I will go back to my original theory that women earn less because they are stupid.
I am well qualified for the job I do and take home whatever the taxman leaves me with - although this will soon be 16% less due to short time infliction
i wasn't aware this was a discussion about salaries in IT.
Graham, those figures are meaningless unless they're stated across the same industry...
Fair enough, then you need [url= http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_labour/ASHE_2008/2008_age_occ.pdf ]2008 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) - Analysis by Age by Occupation[/url]
Mean wage for 18-21 year old Women working as "Science and technology associate professionals" is £13,706
Mean wage for 18-21 year old Men working as "Science and technology associate professionals" is £16,486
Feel free to examine your occupation of choice (though take note that many don't have enough samples to be reliable).
Looks like women are slackers.
BA(Hons) Architecture
DipArch
Soon to add my final qualification to the list.
...and not enough money and I'm 29.
Comfortable
RIBA
work in a care setting,24 hr care for adults with learning difficulties living in the local community, worked in the same job for the past 19 years, salary of 20-25K depending on how much weekends worked etc, great job, not the best paid but lots of satisfaction and probably the best job security along with nursing...
Ph.D in Geology
I used to earn about 40k as a lecturer and reseacher.
and now work in the oil business in Norway - do much less and earn much more
Ph.D in Geology
I used to earn about 40k as a lecturer and reseacher in Switzerland
and now work in the oil business in Norway - do much less and earn much more
BEng CEng MIStructE
35euro/hour when I can get work (contracting short term due to lack of employment opportunities)
I've yet to see a post where someone earns 'big bucks'
Really?
B Eng, M Eng, ACAMore than £60k, less than £80k.
I'm sure most of us would be happy with that?
not really big bucks nowadays though is it
mrmichaelwright, are you having a laugh??
Late to this thread. Dunno and tbh dont care how much a mate or other rider earns or what they do for a living. I work with and have known people in London who ask you a few questions based around '££' then make a snap decision on you. Shallow to say the least.
Reminds me of the two lovely ladies I met at the top of Holmbury, I stroked their dog, talked for a while and bid fairwell. She never asked me what I did for a living, how much I earned etc. From what I learnt later she owns alot of Holmbury. A slice of Surrey. The impression I did get of her was that she was warm, down to earth, engaging and highly inquisitive (definitely the last part as she asked me alot of questions!)
B Eng, M Eng, ACAMore than £60k, less than £80k.
That looks to be the highest salary here, and is certainly a lot of money.
Do you think you are overpaid/underpaid or about right?
The impression I did get of her was that she was warm, down to earth, engaging and highly inquisitive (definitely the last part as she asked me alot of questions!)
Bit of a munter then 😆
Mate of mine obviously earns a fair amount, judging by his company cars and his house. More telling though is his laidback attitude (switched off about work/money etc) and intelligence. I think those two are more telling of a person than 'hey what do you/I earn£££'.
I was once introduced to someone socially who was at Logica when I worked for IBM. One of the 1st things he asked me was how much I earn! Incredible really.
I think many people would think I'm paid a lot so my response to Luther is that I'm paid what the market dictates! If I lose my job, as I could if people stop spending money on big IT projects, then I'll probably find salaries are lower than I am on now. Part of my pay is based on the project nature of my work with a fair bit of travelling which I dislike. At least my skills - Oracle Apps tech - is likely to always be useful for something.
I have a degree in nursing, plus various other health related qualifications, did my penance working for the NHS earning the usual rubbish, 20 - 30K. Now work Offshore up and down the coast of West Africa. Suffice to say i earn a shedload more than when in the NHS, and i get 6 months of the year off. However, there are plenty of guys i work with who earn a LOT more than me (£100 - 130k plus) who left school at 16 without any qualifications at all. The oil world is about the only place where you can earn this sort of dough without any academic background.
When I read threads about what people earn, I'm always stunned by how much more people earn to look after computers and suchlike than to look after people.
HND Building Studies
MSc Construction Management
10% less than I did 2 weeks ago - still, at least I've got a job
Didn't finish a degree & have a few industry qualifications
£40-£50K working in the satellite comms industry, probably nearer £40K this year
But like others I'm in the NE of England & things are a bit cheaper here.
Well in business it's easier to work out what to pay people as market forces work things out pretty well. If a company wants me to do some work for them then my company charge them as much as they think they can get away with. Very easy for me to see what I'm worth to my company.
Not saying it's fair that nurses and teachers are paid less than others but no idea what the answer is.