From Six Figures to Entry-Level: A 49-Year-Old's Struggle After Layoffs

I'm 49 years old and was laid off from my six-figure sales job. I now make $52,000 in an entry-level role where I work alongside college grads.

Damon Duncan, a 49-year-old former sales engineer, was laid off in 2023 and 2024 and has since taken an entry-level position with significantly less pay.

Damon Duncan, a former sales engineer, experienced a drastic career shift after being laid off in April 2023. With over 20 years in the technical sales field, he now works in an entry-level cold-calling job, earning just $52,000 annually—a sharp drop from his previous $148,000 salary.

It came with a massive pay cut

The financial impact has been severe. Duncan's family has had to cancel services, stop traveling, and handle home repairs themselves. Their credit suffered, preventing them from cosigning a loan for their daughter's college education, forcing her to take a gap year. They also had to sell a car, reducing their household to two vehicles and increasing daily commutes.

I no longer understand the market

Despite applying to hundreds of jobs daily, Duncan struggles to re-enter his field. He faces potential ageism and perceptions that he's overqualified or likely to leave. He emphasizes his need for a stable career, not just a job, to support his family and future expenses like weddings and retirement.

Duncan's story highlights the challenges older workers face in today's job market, underscoring the importance of resilience and adaptability.