<prompt> Human: I currently make 30k in the US. I have a job offer for 40k CAD 30k USD in Toronto and plan on returning to the US. I have another job offer for 48k in the US in a fairly cheap area. The Toronto job is potentially much better for my career. The US job could potentially look questionable on my resume, depending what my long-term career goals are, because I would be working with my current boss again and it is considered a good thing to move on. I think I could be happy day-to-day either place. My job title is the same at both places. Is there any circumstance where it would make more sense for me to take the Toronto job? Although its better for my career in the long run, I dont want to get into the habit of taking lower salaries, especially when Im not too far above low income now and there is really no guarantee the toronto job would be put me ahead. That being said, maybe Im putting too much focus on 18k, and I should think of the position as temporary?  <response>: Im going to suggest taking the 48k salady in the lower COL area. The job titles are the same, which is the most important thing. Secondary is the company prestige Im assuming thats the difference in these two jobs. There is nothing wrong with following a boss to another company either!Taking the higher salary now will give you that much more negotiating power in your next move. Its always tough to make a decision like this, but I think your lifetime earning potential will be higher if you kickstart it with this 18k raise. Edit: this is assuming all things are equal, being that you dont have special ties to Toronto or anything like that. 