How I Determine If a Job Pays Enough
Hey there,
I recently came across a job posting for a gig in a play called “The Hurricane.” It’s a unique, experimental type of show, which I absolutely love. They’re my go-to type of project, something I even studied extensively during my Master’s program.
But there was a catch. The payment was only listed as a stipend. No exact amount was given, which often isn’t a good sign. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand that experimental shows often pay less. Even so, I had to crunch some numbers. This performance would run from mid-March to mid-May, which could mean evening and weekend rehearsals.
Living in New Jersey means I need to factor in the costs of NJ Transit and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. For me, getting into the city and back home costs around $25 each day. In the past, stipend-based gigs did pay enough to cover this cost, but the thought of working essentially for free and only having my travel expenses covered really dampened my spirits. We’re talking about a sum of $782 for two months just for commuting.
So, I figured this gig would need to offer at least a $2000 stipend to make it worth my while. At one point, I thought I could substitute teach during the day to cover travel costs, but then realized I’d be doing a job I disliked to fund one I loved. Clearly, “The Hurricane” shifted from a potential job to more of a hobby.
The costs and frustration made me consider whether moving to NYC would solve my issue, but then the hefty living expenses there would leave me even worse off. Plus, I’m not a fan of NYC at all.
So, what kind of jobs am I really hunting for? I aim for two types. The main ones, which span most of the year, need to pay at least $700 a week, even if they come with accommodation. I wouldn’t take a gig at that rate, unless the project is something from my stage management dream list.
The second type of gig would ideally just need to avoid losing me money. These opportunities can allow me to do things I love, teach me new skills or come with amazing collaborators – people like renowned conductors or Broadway directors. I believe as long as I hit my year’s financial goals with the career jobs, I can afford to take some of these lower-paying gigs to fill in any gaps.
So, how do you decide if a lower-paying job is worth it? What’s your baseline for considering a gig?
Spread the word:
Save
Share
Reddit
Email
Print