sometimes it's around like $700,000

@lemuelukwesa

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SoundTikTok sound · original sound - lemuelukwesa

Why it worked

The video taps into a universal interest in salary and career progression, particularly highlighting a cultural difference that many viewers, especially those from the UK or with ties to it, would find relatable and thought-provoking. The direct comparison between the US and UK approach to salary discussion creates a clear narrative and encourages engagement through comments.

Summary

The video discusses the cultural difference in discussing salaries between the US and the UK. The speaker argues that the UK's taboo around salary conversations hinders young people from making informed career decisions and potentially leads to them being underpaid. The speaker encourages more open discussion about wages and career progression in the UK.

Structure

1Introduction to salary differences between US and UK
2The taboo of discussing salaries in the UK
3Americans' openness about salaries
4Examples of high earners in the US
5Lack of salary transparency in the UK
6The impact on young people's career choices
7Call for more open salary discussions in the UK

Product placement

The video features interviews with people in various professions (Cardiac Anesthesiologist, Dental Hygienist, Pediatric NP) discussing their salaries. The overall theme is salary transparency and the cultural differences in discussing pay between the US and UK. The Indeed logo is visible on the microphone.

Original caption

As someone who used to live in the UK and now lives in the US, here’s something that shocked me. Americans are so open about how much they make, but in the UK… talking about your salary feels like a crime. And that silence? It’s costing young people opportunities. If we started sharing what we earn, what industries pay well, and what careers are actually worth pursuing. we’d all win. Less gatekeeping more sharing Why do you think salary talk isn’t common in the UK? #salarytransparency #careeradvice #uktiktok #careertok #financetok

More from @lemuelukwesa

More breakout videos from this creator.

Transcript

sometimes it's around like $700,000. Wow! What makes the difference between $200K-$700K? Wow! I make uh between $69 and $72 an hour. Wow! How much do you make in your role? Right around $100,000. Alright. Alright, this video is for everyone who lives in the UK coming from someone that used to live there but now lives in the US. We talk about the differences between the US and the UK all the time and everyone always mentions wages. But there is one key difference that people fail to remember. It's how in the UK, it feels like a crime to ask someone how much they make. Talking about salaries in the UK is such a taboo topic, but Americans, they are so much more open to sharing their salaries. You talk to people in person, they tell you, oh, I'm a software engineer, I make $120k a year. I'm a nurse, anesthesiologist, I make $200k a year. I'm a doctor, I'm a dentist, I'm a lawyer. You go on social media or TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and they are all online sharing what industry they work in, how much they make, and most importantly, their salary progression. But in the UK, these conversations just don't seem to exist. And it's so crucial for young people to know these things to be able to make the right decisions when choosing a career that they want to pursue. You are fed to believe in the UK that everyone is on 30k a year. And I hope it's not just me that grew up with this notion. We all didn't wanna be teachers because we believed that teachers weren't paid good. But a friend of mine recently told me that there are teachers out there making 60 grand a year. There are people who are making 70, 80, 90 grand a year who are just not sharing what they do. Or when they do, they speak in code. You ask someone who works in finance, what he does or what she does. I work in IB (Investment banking) like, why are you speaking in slang? Tell me what it is you do and what steps as a young person I can take to achieve that. This leads me on to my last point, right? Wages are not as stagnant as you think they are in the UK. People just need to start sharing more. So that young people get paid what they are actually worth.