Balancing Better Pay and Life Purpose: Which Should Take Priority?

I’ve been grappling with this dilemma—whether to prioritize better pay or pursue a career that aligns with one’s life purpose. For those of us in the effective altruism (EA) community, this question becomes especially complex in regions like Nigeria, where purpose-driven sectors (e.g., academia, public health, or non-profits) often offer significantly lower pay.

This challenge is further complicated by the increasing migration of skilled professionals seeking better pay and opportunities abroad. Higher pay could mean greater capacity for altruistic giving and financial security, but when salaries in these sectors barely cover living expenses, the pull to migrate or shift careers becomes harder to resist.

How do we, as EAs, navigate this trade-off in such contexts? Are there frameworks, principles, or personal experiences that can help clarify which path might lead to the most good overall? How do we weigh staying to contribute locally against the opportunity to earn more or create impact elsewhere?

Would love to hear thoughts, challenges, or even examples of how others have approached this balance.