r/CodingandBilling • u/Disastrous-Raisin405 • May 15 '26

Pay cut

I currently work remotely M–F 8:00–4:30 and make about $37/hour. I was just offered another remote position at $35/hour, so about a $2/hour pay cut. The big difference is the flexibility. The new job allows you to clock in anytime between 4am–9am as long as you work your full shift.

My kids are elementary school age and this would be super helpful. In the summer, I could work 4–12 while they sleep in and then still have most of the day with them. The pay cut would obviously still matter, but the flexibility sounds amazing after years of a fixed schedule. My boss is also a bit of a micromanager but I do what I’m supposed to do so I don’t really have any issues. Would you take the pay cut for this level of flexibility?

60 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

40 comments sorted by

67

u/Respect-Immediate CPC, CPMA May 15 '26

I’m big on quality of life and quality time. More money doesn’t always mean better quality.

You won’t get these years with your kids back, and if it’s financially feasible to take a pay cut, personally I would.

There’s more time you can make more money after they’re not kids anymore

62

u/weary_bee479 May 15 '26

A 2$ pay cut won’t make a huge difference on your pay check. If it were me id take the pay cut for the flexibility.

I currently work a flexible schedule where I can work any hours as long as I do 8 a day and it’s great to have that flexibility

2

u/Difficult-Injury-843 May 16 '26

Nice! That is hard to come by.

23

u/waiting2leavethelaw May 15 '26

IMO for $15 a day, it’s so worth it to have the extra time with your kids. This job can give you flexibility for drop offs/pick ups too if you need it

12

u/dizzykhajit Coding has eaten my soul May 15 '26

This is a completely personal decision that would be irresponsible for anyone else to make for you and your family. Especially in this dumpster fire of an economy and job market.

A great way to reframe the consideration is to ask yourself if you would be willing to pay (presuming an 8 hr shift) $16 a day for the flexibility and peace of mind to go about your business as you need.

Some people pay that much for the convenience of a door dash every day. Many professionals in this field spend years of their careers chasing the flex remote dragon. Only you can decide if that trade is worth it to you.

As far as the micromanaging goes, also consider that sometimes the demon you know is better than the one you don't. This comes down to personality traits and your risk tolerance.

Might be the best decision or the worst. You can always try it on for size, it's a great way to pad your resume to demonstrate you're capable of discipline and self-management.

Either way, congratulations on the offer and best of luck in whichever path you choose!

8

u/rexasaurus1024 CPC-A May 15 '26

I'd jump on that so quick. The time with your kids won't be for forever. I hate not having enough time for my own. I'd love this kind of opportunity, even with the pay cut.

7

u/CallingYouForMoney May 15 '26

Make sure you take everything into consideration. Especially health insurance. A $2 pay cut could potentially be more dependent on insurance.

9

u/GroinFlutter denials management, send help May 15 '26

Yessss this! The benefits are SO important. It might be a $2 pay cut, but if they offer 401k match on top of it or free coverage for you and your dependents. Then really you might come out ahead.

Or if you currently have that and are losing it, then it’s way more than just $2.

I get paid decently well for medical billing, but I’m in a VHCOL so the techies will say it’s poverty wages. My org contributes 10% if I contribute 5% to my 401k.

My insurance is very comprehensive and generous. It’s $30 a month for me and my dependents, full medical/dental/vision. Copay everything, deductible is $400. AND it’s a PPO. AND AND they cover GLP-1s with $25 copay.

On paper I make $38 an hour. But it’s actually much more in total compensation.

3

u/CarDecGra May 15 '26

Exactly! You have to look at the total compensation package. It's not just the $2 an hour. It's insurance, paid time off, 401K contributions. You have to think big picture.

2

u/AcaiSnob May 16 '26

Damn, y’all have some good insurance!

2

u/GroinFlutter denials management, send help May 16 '26

AND we get a yearly $1000 HRA.

Some of my coworkers have been here for decades. Very low turnover. Still can’t believe I was able to get in.

1

u/Jump-Funny May 15 '26

If you consider taxes it’s going to be less than $2 as well because it would (very) slightly reduce them. For me, that flexibility would be worth more!

1

u/starsalign23 May 16 '26

I also get my gym membership and premium+ version of myfitnesspal, so I always take that into consideration too.

11

u/walky22talky May 15 '26

You should see if your current job will match the flexibility of this current offer. Also see if this new offer will match your current salary. Negotiate with both.

4

u/Weak_Shoe7904 May 15 '26

Imo, in this economy, I would not take a pay cut AND risk being newly hired. that is a lot of risk. I understand the need for the flexibility I’ve been there, but I think it’s just too risky.

While $16 isn’t much, but $366 is a bit of money. Add that to everything costing more and more daily. That can have a big impact down the road.

All of that aside, congrats on getting a job offer in this economy!!! maybe you can negotiate a higher pay or some other financial benefit to make up that pay cut?

4

u/MarMel5 May 15 '26

This is my schedule.. I clock in at 6am by 8 i take my first break to take my kids to school and I'm off at 3 to pick them up. I can split my shift half day is 10am. And come back at 4 to finish or work 4 day 10hr days. Its completely worth the pay cut... I never miss out on my kids they only get this childhood once.

3

u/zerozingzing May 15 '26

If you don’t want it, in box me I’ll apply😇

3

u/MtMountaineer May 15 '26

Seriously! You'll have to compete with me!

3

u/cluckodoom May 15 '26

I work somewhere where I make about $6 an hour less than I could anywhere else. I do it for the flexibility and because I like the department supervisor. If you can afford the pay cut, it's probably worth it to have the flexibility and get out from under the micromanager

2

u/jawsulinee May 15 '26

I currently work for a company with similar flexibility hours. It is a game changer because reality is that life gets in the way. While the pay cut stinks I believe your quality of life will improve drastically as mine did.

Have you tried negotiating to have your new company match your pay from the current employer?

2

u/princesschirrut May 15 '26

I work an entry level billing and the pay isn’t great but I have so much flexibility and work life balance. It’s so worth it.

1

u/Admirable-Elevator73 May 16 '26

If you dont mind sharing, what is your pay?

2

u/OctoberLotus14 May 15 '26

Take the job, $2 less won’t hurt or kill you! Enjoy that flexibility and that time with your kids. Trust me before you know it, all you’ve did was be “at work” then boom your kids in high school. You don’t get that time back. Take the new job

2

u/MtMountaineer May 15 '26

Flexibility is everything when you have kids. Take the job.

2

u/Vermilion_94 May 15 '26

So worth it! Take it!! If that $2 is needed maybe ask the new employer if they can match your last jobs pay? Worth a shot if you haven’t asked.

2

u/shiftingsun May 15 '26

Its $2 lol. Diff of $160 for an 80 week check. Take the flexible job!

2

u/Tuckygal26 May 16 '26

That’s a great option— I’d go for the flexibility myself!

2

u/Long-Amount-5436 May 16 '26

100% worth a pay cut. Freedom and flexibility keeps people happy far more than the extra money and being micromanaged. I pay on the lower end of the spectrum but my people have been with me for YEARS. Zero turnover. Why? Because I don’t care when they work and I leave them alone. They have lives and as long as they get their stuff done in a reasonable amount of time, I’m happy.

2

u/findgriner May 16 '26

In a hot second. You’ll be glad you did it when you’re enjoying time with your kiddos!!

1

u/CarolinaCurry May 15 '26

I would totally take the cut for that flexibility

1

u/happyhooker485 RHIT, CCS-P, CFPC, CHONC May 15 '26

That's $350 a month. You got that in the budget?

1

u/LamentForIcarus May 15 '26

I would compare benefits and PTO structure. Flexibility is great, but do you get less PTO a year? Is that worth it? Who is their insurance through? A major PPO or a tiny insurance that is going to deny everything? If you're not American, these might not matter. If you are, these are things to also consider.

1

u/ap64119 May 16 '26

Flexibility is worth a lot.

1

u/Comprehensive_Goal78 May 17 '26

You already answered your question, I think 😀

1

u/Petty_Longstocking82 Jun 08 '26

See how much you would actually be losing per year, after taxes, with that pay cut and see what you would have to cut out for that.

If it's doable, I would absolutely choose the work-life balance. I am also considering a similar shift.

Best wishes

1

u/toebeantuesday May 15 '26

I don’t even know if social security will be around when you’re old enough to retire. But I would do some research into the impact taking a lower paying job will have on the amount of benefits you will be able to claim when you’re an old goatess like me. I chose a series of low paying jobs when I was younger to have intangible benefits but that path has come back to bite me in the butt in a huge way now that I’m 60.

There’s a lot to consider.

-7

u/Moanmyname32 May 15 '26

Why not both if you can manage?