Kcwmx5's journey

I'm currently facing a tough career decision. I make $168K at a small startup in a high cost of living area. The team is fantastic, and I feel valued with a good work-life balance. They see me as a potential future manager, but I'm being asked to travel 2-3 weeks each month and work some weekends. Recently, the workload has fluctuated; I survived layoffs and was kept on payroll, but I'm worried about long-term stability since benefits are lacking, especially with no retirement matching. I received an offer for $138K from a local government agency, which aligns with my long-term career goals. This position offers great benefits and an excellent retirement package. However, I'm hesitant to accept a $30K pay cut, especially since I just bought a house and have a wedding coming up. While my partner and I could manage the mortgage, I'm concerned that this pay cut might impact our lifestyle and savings. I'm considering sticking it out at my current job to save some cash and hope for future openings at the agency. Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.