Job Applicant Ridiculed During Interview for Requesting $17 per Hour Wage
In the United States, the recommended livable wage for college graduates is not standardized nationwide, as it varies by location and economic conditions. Median annual wages for college-educated workers typically range from around $50,000 to over $60,000, depending on the region and job market conditions.
A livable wage is defined as the income needed to cover basic expenses such as housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and taxes at a reasonable standard of living without financial stress. The cost of living varies greatly by region, and as a result, the "recommended" livable wage for college graduates is higher in urban, expensive areas and lower in rural or less costly states.
In comparison, adjusted median annual wages for high school graduates are often in the $40,000 - $50,000 range, and college degrees generally yield higher earnings. However, it's important to note that graduate education costs have risen steeply, with college graduates often carrying significant student debt (averaging $80,000+ for master’s degrees). As a result, wages above $50,000 have become increasingly important to ensure financial stability after graduation.
Some metropolitan areas show median wages for graduates that surpass these thresholds, such as Seattle ($58,225) and New York ($61,154). However, hiring rates vary, and this may impact a graduate's ability to secure well-paying jobs.
Recently, a woman in her 20s, with a Bachelor's degree in a creative field, found herself in a challenging job market. She applied for an unspecified position and was offered $9 per hour. Feeling that this wage was too low, she joked that the "starving trope" is real in reference to the low salary offer. She lives in a major city and has multiple years of experience in the field she applied for.
This situation highlights the ongoing struggle many new graduates face when trying to secure well-paying jobs. The federal minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 an hour, which is significantly lower than the living wage, as defined by Investopedia, of $25.02 per hour in 2022. Many states have minimum wage laws that require businesses to pay a higher rate, but even with a college degree, many new graduates are struggling to find jobs.
Kayla Asbach, a writer currently working on her bachelor's degree at the University of Central Florida, covers relationships, psychology, self-help, pop culture, and human interest topics. She has noticed that many new graduates are struggling to find jobs, even with a college degree. Asbach emphasizes the importance of fair compensation for college graduates, stating that unless hiring managers adapt to the times, they may struggle to find and keep employees.
Many Reddit commenters also consider $9 per hour to be too low for the current economy. One commenter even mentioned that their state's minimum wage is over $15 per hour. This suggests a growing awareness and demand for fair wages across the United States.
In conclusion, while no single "recommended livable wage" for college graduates exists nationwide, current median wages suggest a practical baseline of approximately $50,000 to $60,000 annually, to maintain a modest but livable standard of living given rising education costs and living expenses. It's crucial for hiring managers to acknowledge this and offer fair compensation to attract and retain talented college graduates.
- Kayla Asbach, a writer studying psychology at the University of Central Florida, advocates for fair compensation for college graduates, emphasizing that hiring managers need to adapt to the current economy to attract and retain talented individuals.
- In a disheartening turn of events, a woman with a Bachelor's degree in a creative field was offered $9 per hour for a job in a major city, leading her to comment that the "starving trope" is real.
- Amidst rising education costs and living expenses, many commenters on Reddit believe that a minimum wage of over $15 per hour is necessary for a fair wage in the current economy,, suggesting a growing awareness and demand for fair wages.
- While the recommended livable wage for college graduates isn't standardized, current median wages suggest a practical baseline of around $50,000 to $60,000 annually, essential for financial stability and a modest living standard in the United States.
