Indian banker takes 70% pay cut after leaving JP Morgan, says his job felt ‘robotic’

His description is one of a job at JP Morgan that, though well remunerated and respected, was notably demanding in terms of hours, performance, and an output-oriented environment.

A former JP Morgan employee from India shot to online fame when he revealed that he quit his lofty banking job because it felt "robotic" and unsatisfying despite the impressive pay attached to a global brand name. He says that he took a 70 percent cut in pay to pursue work that is more meaningful and congruent with long-term aspirations.

His description is one of a job at JP Morgan that, though well remunerated and respected, was notably demanding in terms of hours, performance, and an output-oriented environment. He said he had slowly slipped into a kind of monotony, not allowing time for growth or to explore his interests. The stability and salary, he said, could not compensate for the mental toll that came with the job, feeling mechanical and disconnected from any larger sense of purpose.

After several months of contemplation, he decided to walk away and join a smaller organization in a position that better gave him the autonomy to innovate. Although the new job pays significantly less, the position has reportedly allowed him to get a better work-life balance and eventually rediscover joy in the activities of his day-to-day job responsibilities. He said the shift was not about escaping stress but reclaiming agency over the direction of one's career.

His story has resonated far and wide, particularly among young professionals who have their own share of frustrations within corporate structures. A number of users responding to his post resonated with sentiments about repetitive workflow, lack of creative freedom, and the general high-pressure environment of mega financial houses. Some hailed his courage for putting well-being first, while others debated whether such a huge pay cut was a luxury that only a select few could afford.

Career experts say his decision reflects a broader generational shift. More and more employees in their 20s and 30s are seeking not just better pay but jobs that would give them meaning, growth opportunities, and humane work cultures.

The rise of remote work, alternative career paths, and evolving attitudes about job satisfaction have only accelerated this shift. For the former banker, the move seems to have brought the clarity he was in search of. As he put it, his new job may not pay nearly as much, but at last it feels “human”, a trade-off that, for him, has been worth every rupee.