IT represents a little over two days’ work for Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, or 10 minutes’ work for Wall Street’s highest earner, John Paulson – yet most Brits would be happy to earn £38,000 per year.

Workers believe this is their ideal salary, saying the figure would be enough to live a comfortable life, according to new research.

A survey of 4,500 workers by recruitment firm Jobsite.co.uk found most would be content to take home under £40,000 a year for the rest of their lives.

However, this target could be out of reach for some time – the average wage in the UK is currently £25,000.

Most workers were not optimistic about their prospects hope for a £13,000 wage hike.

Two thirds of those questioned believed they would never reach their ideal salary in their current job, with two out of five saying they would continue to move jobs until they earned more.

More than a quarter of workers claimed never to have had a pay rise, while a third have waited a year or more since their last increase.

Half of those polled said they felt too embarrassed to discuss pay in a job interview or request a rise in their current position, while 58 per cent would not speak to their employer if they felt they were due an appraisal.

Keith Potts, chief executive of Jobsite.co.uk, said: “Far from wanting to be millionaires, Brits have a fairly realistic annual salary in mind that they’d like to earn.

“The key to negotiating a good salary at interview or with your current employer is having the confidence to show what your skills and expertise are worth.”

Jobsite.co.uk offers advice for those who are prepared to enter into discussions in search of that illusive £38,000.

Its advisers say: “Salary negotiations are never clear cut. You have to be well prepared and remain cool. A lot of whether you win or lose depends upon how prepared you are to negotiate.”

Your salary will be determined by what your company normally pays for your level of work and what experience and expertise you can offer.

“Successful negotiation is about achieving a win-win situation not a win-lose one – a conclusion that satisfies both parties. So consider your own needs but also take into account the employer’s needs and constraints,” warns Jobsite.

“It is advisable to test the water verbally first, to arrange a discussion/meeting and then if need be put your case in writing.”

They suggest drawing up a list of benefits you could “trade” during your negotiations.

For example, would you settle for a small increase and a salary review after a specified period of time? What about overtime pay or an increase in holiday allowance?

You could also argue for increased benefits such as medical or company car rights in place of a wage increase.

In the current economic climate, however, with redundancies on the increase, it’s wise to really consider who holds the most power when it comes to negotiating and keep things diplomatic and professional – you don’t want to argue your way out of a job.

Perhaps a change in career is your only option?

It’s probably too late to make it as a professional footballer but a quick scan of the jobs pages reveals that marketing managers, regional sales managers and, ironically, recruitment consultants come close to the £38,000 benchmark.