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Childhood Dream Job Calculator

Have you ever wondered what might have been if you’d pursued your childhood dream job? How happy you might be? What you could be earning? And where in the country your ideal job may have taken you?

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Well, wonder no more. Because money.co.uk’s Dream Job Calculator lets you discover what it could mean to your salary, as well as your inner child, if you were to have one of the nation’s top childhood dream jobs.

The Childhood Dream Job Calculator

Find out if you’d be financially better off by pursuing your childhood dream job.

Is it time to follow your dreams?

When you put the Dream Job Calculator to good use, you can quickly see how much you’d be earning now if six-year-old you had gotten their way. Unfortunately, gauging whether you’d be happier is an entirely different matter.

While you ponder that, money.co.uk has gathered some insights into how the rest of the nation has fared with following its dreams. Chances are you won’t feel too dispirited about your choices once you’ve seen the results.

We surveyed 2,000 adults from across all four corners of the UK and this is what we found:

  • 92% of people never took up their childhood dream job in adulthood.

  • 27% of people would take a pay cut to pursue their childhood dream job.

  • 37% of 18-34-year-olds would take a pay cut for their childhood dream job, compared to 18% of over-55s. 

  • The Welsh are the biggest dreamers, with 19% of people achieving their childhood dream job.

  • People in Northern Ireland, the North East and London are most likely to try then abandon their childhood dream job. 

  • People in these regions are also the least likely to be currently employed in their childhood dream job.

In terms of job satisfaction:

  • 18% of people across the UK are unsatisfied with their current job.

  • People in Cardiff (22%) and Birmingham (23%) are the least satisfied with their job.

  • The people of Bristol (73%) and Liverpool (73%) are the most satisfied with their job.

  • 42% of people would be financially better off if they pursued a top childhood dream job.

  • 43% of people have no interest whatsoever in pursuing their childhood dream job.

So, are you a realist or a dreamer? Our Dream Calculator could be the inspiration you need to buck the national trend and find your dream job. It’s never too late to follow your dreams.

No matter your current job role, you could look to compare savings accounts to help make your money go further. And if you are thinking about your future and the retirement you want, review your personal pension plan to make your money work for you as hard as it can.

Calculator data source: www.adzuna.co.uk/jobs

About Salman Haqqi

Salman is our personal finance editor with over 10 years’ experience as a journalist. He has previously written for Finder and regularly provides his expert view on financial and consumer spending issues for local and national press such as The Express, Travel Daily, and The Daily Star.

View Salman Haqqi's full biography here or visit the money.co.uk press centre for our latest news.

About Salman Haqqi

Salman is our personal finance editor with over 10 years’ experience as a journalist. He has previously written for Finder and regularly provides his expert view on financial and consumer spending issues for local and national press.

View Salman Haqqi's full biography here or visit the money.co.uk press centre for our latest news.