On social media, many viewers were stunned as a Gen Z employee rejected a job offer, sparking a debate on living wages.
Gen Z goes viral for rejecting a $37,500 salary
A 28-year-old Australian woman is going viral after rejecting a job offer she believes is unlivable in 2025.
Alice Raspin took to social media to declare that “wages that don’t match inflation are out” this year.
She argued that a $37,500 annual salary is not enough to sustain an adult living in a major city.
Wage Growth vs. Inflation in 2025
According to the Wage Price Index update in September 2024, wage growth outpaced inflation.
The consumer price index rose by 2.8%, while wages increased by 3.5%.
Despite this, Raspin insists that salaries have not kept pace with the rising cost of living.
She refuses to work for $37,500 and questions how employers expect workers to survive on that amount.
She said: “How do people expect to compensate someone 75 hours a fortnight for $37,500? What bills am I paying with that?”
Why $37,500 isn’t enough for many Australians?
Raspin explained that at 28 years old, living independently, and possibly supporting a child, a salary under $45,000 is unsustainable.
She clarified that she was not speaking about her own income but making a broader point.
“I don’t care how much you make, if it’s less than $60,000 [$37,500 USD] a year get a new job,” she advised.
She acknowledged that younger individuals in shared housing might manage on lower wages.
However, she believes anyone over 28 with responsibilities will struggle on anything below $45,000.
“When you’re 28, have a child, and you’re living out of home, nothing under $45,000 is going to cut it,” she said.
@aliceraspin I don’t care how much you make, if it’s less than $60,000 a year get a new job tbh #nobuy #nobuyyear #nobuy2025 #underconsumptioncore #budgeting #budgetfriendly #2024wrapped #budgetingforbeginners
The cost of living crisis sparks online debate
Raspin’s statement ignited discussion, with her post amassing over 200,000 views. Many Australians shared their own frustrations about salaries in 2025.
One commenter turned down a government job offering $50,000, calling it unacceptable. Another claimed, “$125k is the new $65k.”
Some went further, arguing that $100,000 is now the minimum liveable wage.
One person shared that they earn $60,000 but struggle to make ends meet, often left with just $100 every two weeks.
One person said: I don’t make much at my job BUT I love it. And my work family. Thankfully I’m able to pull more hours here and there. I have to tighten the wallet here and there and we’ll everywhere.
A second wrote: You are paying 0 bills not having a job. But you do you.
While a third commented: The best way to find a better job is having a job.
Another added: She is right to say the truth, but the bills need to be paid. It’s better to have an underpaid job than no job at all.
Someone else said: That fact that people are okay or hell advocating less pay is wild live with your 2010s era income and leave us out of it.
Another user commented: I didn’t read anything about her education of skills and what the job was. For all we know it was a door greeter position.
The debate over fair wages continues to grow. Many young Australians believe salaries should better reflect the rising cost of living.
Raspin’s viral post highlights the financial pressures facing workers in 2025.
With wage growth slowing, discussions around livable incomes are more relevant than ever.