What century are these employers in?: Job Seeker refuses $18-an-hour offers demands at least $30-$40 an hour

In an ever-shifting economy and amidst the continuous wave of mass layoffs, it becomes increasingly tough to secure a job that provides a livable wage, especially for a woman who suggested that employers these days are stuck in the past, offering insufficient wages that barely cover basic expenses.

The Hunt for a Livable Wage in Today's Job Market

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Securing a job that guarantees a livable wage has become increasingly challenging with each passing day, especially considering employers who provide wages that fall significantly below covering basic living expenses. 

State of Wages

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Their offering of wages that fall far short of meeting basic living expenses has recently sparked a much-needed conversation about the state of wages in today's society.

Video Sparks Debate on Current Economy and Wages

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TikToker Leanna (@_leannaxo) shared a video shedding light on a common challenge faced by job seekers, which is the struggle to find a position that can sufficiently cover their expenses. 

The short five-second clip video struck a chord with viewers on TikTok, garnering over 35,700 views and sparking a discussion about the current economy and livable wages.

The $18/Hour Reality

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In the text overlay, the creator expressed her frustration with job hunting, stating, “When I’m looking for jobs & they say the salary is 30,000-35,000 a year which equals $18 an hour.”

$30-40 an Hour Is Barely Livable 

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In the caption of the video, Leanna further stated, “IN THIS ECONOMY!?!?!?! Issa no from me dawg. I need at least 30-40 an hour.”

Scarcity of Jobs Paying Over $20 an Hour

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Several viewers in the comment section expressed their thoughts on jobs paying more than $20 an hour being scarce and barely sufficient to meet their needs. “What century are these employers in?” One user questioned. “That’s not enough in most rural areas anymore.”

Regional Disparities in Hourly Wages

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Indeed, the perception of hourly pay can vary significantly depending on the location and the cost of living in a particular area. As one commenter astutely pointed out, "$18/hr is great money where I live," to which Leanna responded, “I need to move to your state.”

Education vs Employment

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Another person highlighted the struggle of finding well-paying jobs without the need for higher education, commenting, "I can't find anything above $15 an hour in my area that doesn't require a degree." 

Not More than $15

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Joining the discussion, one user wrote, “Most people are lucky to make $18 an hour full-time in most states without a degree. They hardly wanna pay $15.”

The New Equation

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Over the past few years, the job market has undergone significant transformations. Several factors have contributed to this shift, including the skyrocketing costs of college education, a highly competitive labor market, and the emergence of alternative learning opportunities. As a result, the value of college degrees has decreased. 

Decline in College Degree Requirements

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Data from the Burning Glass Institute supports this trend, revealing that the proportion of jobs requiring a college degree declined from 51% in 2017 to 44% in 2021. 

Different Hiring Decisions

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This shift signifies a changing landscape where employers increasingly consider alternative qualifications and skills when making hiring decisions.

Wage Wake-Up Call

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In response to the issue of low wages, commenters expressed suggested that employers should reassess their perceptions of standard pay. One user strongly criticized companies, stating, “Literally such a joke that [companies] still offer less than 50k a year. Wake the f.ck up corporate America.”

Region Matters

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Another viewer chimed in, suggesting that even a seemingly reasonable hourly rate may not be sufficient to meet basic living expenses in certain areas. 

“I was like $25 an hour should be a good start. When I run the COL in my area, that’s not even above poverty wages,” they wrote. 

The Minimum Wage Reality

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Despite the changes in job requirements, it is worth noting that a significant portion of American jobs, specifically over one-third, still pay the minimum wage. 

Income Inequality

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While efforts have been made to address this issue, such as increasing the minimum wage in certain jurisdictions, there remains a need to address income inequality and strive for better wages for workers across different industries and sectors.

Health Insurance Eats into Hourly Pay

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Someone else expressed their frustration over the impact of additional expenses, such as health insurance, on the actual take-home pay, stating, "After health insurance, it's $10 an hour. I am still rage applying."

Soaring Health Insurance Costs

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Recent research indicates that the average annual health insurance cost for an individual amounts to $7,739. For families, this expense rises significantly to $22,221 per year. These costs have been on the rise, with a 4% increase observed between 2020 and 2021. 

Not To Mention Taxes 

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One commenter highlighted another aspect that further diminishes the actual take-home pay for individuals, pointing out the additional challenge of taxes. "And that's before taxes," they stated. 

Livable Wages Become a Hard-to-Reach Goal

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In light of Leanna's video expressing her frustration and the shared struggle evident in the comment section, as well as the supporting statistics, it is evident that the task of obtaining livable wages is getting harder by the day. 

Unfortunately, the problem of securing livable wages shows no signs of promise or transformation unless there is a concerted effort to advocate for higher minimum wage standards, implement policies that promote income equality, and ensure adequate support for workers in terms of benefits, healthcare, and retirement plans.

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