In process now. Made redundant last year which was the push I needed to change career. I'd wanted to change anyway, but it's tough to take a big pay cut voluntarily. First job in software was half my previous salary, had a small rise since, but I am also now a year into a part time MSc in software development..

If fairly confident I'll be back at my old salary in a few years, and the continued growth after that will make up for the 'lost' earnings from the transition. But I don't really think I need to worry about the lost earnings - I want the different career, and the benefits of that. You're fire position is fine and will still be fine if you slow saving for 5 years while you start a new career.