A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Who makes minimum wage?


Posted: Oct 29, 2014

Who makes minimum wage? Apparently not just your average fast food worker.

The average age of a minimum wage worker is 35, not the teenager the Republicans are so afraid will raise the cost of their hamburgers. 

54% of minimum wage workers labor at a full time job.  Not the teenager who works for a couple of hours after school. 

27% of minimum wage workers support children.  Well, I am not sure if that is the teenager working down at the fast food joint--that probably depends on if they had more than just "abstinence" education in school. 

Even though women make up 48% of the workforce, the minimum wage impacts 55% of the women in the workforce.  (Yet the TPubs continue to block the paycheck fairness act.)

Take a look at the states that either do not have a minimum wage or it is below the federal level:  Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wyoming.  Looks awfully red to me. 

Then there are the pseudo-intellectual arguments about how we should be glad to give up earning a living wage so that the rich can prosper. (I am thinking these might be the same scientists that insist there is no climate change, you know, the ones hired by the oil companies)   Yet 600 top economists signed a letter advocating for raising the minimum wage, including Nobel laureates.    See at link below. 

I don't know about you, but I appreciate the $1200/year raise I got.  The only reason I got the raise is because my state did something and I can thank our Democrat representatives for raising the minimum wage in my state.  

 

;

Wonder what our socioeconomist will think of this. - nana7

[ In Reply To ..]
who posted below all the text book reasons why its not a good idea. With all those names from all these universities pushing for minimum wage increase wonder if he/she will weigh in on it.

Here in Michigan they took up a petition to get minimum wage raised to 15.00 on the ballot for this November and they had enough signatures for the vote, so our lovely Gov. Rick Snyder (R) raised the minimum wage to $8.15 and that put a stop to the petition. Talk about politics. Thats all it was. If there weren't enough signatures on the petition he would have done nothing. How many ways can you say politics and politicians are all crooks??????

Way to go Michigan! That is the way - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
That is the way to take our country back!

I hope the socioeconomist will take some time and research how a lifetime of minimum wage and low wage earning workers will live their golden years in poverty because they cannot afford to save for retirement and will have minimal social security benefits due to a lifetime of low wages.

whats funny - nana7

[ In Reply To ..]
is that this attack on our wages is not just toward the unskilled worker, its also happening to college graduates. I know 2 college graduates who have thousands and thousands of dollars in student loans who went into their trained field and are making less than $15.00 per hour. Both of them had to move back in with their parents because they can't afford living expenses and student loan payments.

This is a full blown attack on the middle class and if we don't wake up and do something about it it's going to be too late. Think the people that say there soon won't be a middle class is crying wolf look around, its already happening. The rich are getting richer and we are getting poorer. Having a college education does not make you exempt from it.
Yes, I have an associate's degree - sm
[ In Reply To ..]
The last "in office" job I left, they hired a person with a master's to replace me. I wonder what she thinks when they ask her to pick up lunch and wash the office car.

I'm trying to think if there were more ways you could have - been wrong about my post.

[ In Reply To ..]
......waiting for it....

......still waiting.....

Nope, not coming to me.

In the first place, there was nothing in my post that came from any "textbook". In the second place, the whole point that I made was NOT that it was a "bad idea" or a "good idea", but rather this (and frankly, I'm tired of trying to think of how to say it any more simply):

1. The minimum wage is a two-edged sword that cuts both ways. While it helps some, it harms others - INCLUDING an almost equal number of people at the bottom of the ladder. In fact, the number of people harmed is slightly larger than those who are helped, but close enough to be a "statistically insignificant different". Translation: They're about equal in number.

2. The minimum wage has little effect on the overall employment level (an argument made by its opponents), compared to broader economic forces such as recessions and expansions of the economy as a whole.

3. However, the minimum wage does have a provable adverse impact on the creation of NEW jobs at the lower end of the wage scale.

4. Companies take actions to protect their profits in the face of mandatory wage increases. These actions DO NOT benefit low wage earners by any means. And if I have to prove that point to anyone in this industry, they haven't been paying attention to what's going on in front of their eyes - or to their paychecks.

Now, stop misrepresenting what I say, please!!

I am not and did not misrepresent what you said - nana7

[ In Reply To ..]
Well if these are not textbook quotes where are you getting your information from? It is not a double edged sword as you say. It is paying people a livable wage and now a days $15.00 is not that much to live off of. But if you figure out the strain they then put on individual states for food stamps, cash assistance and everything else they qualify for it would be well worth raising the minimum wage.

These companies do not need a reason to raise prices, as you can tell, they raise them all the time, long before the increase in minimum wage.

Your last point is well taken, but again as I have stated in a different post we allowed this to happen. If a company tries to hire at a low price and no one takes it then they would have to raise the pay they are offering. Not all of our work can be done overseas.

I also used the auto makers as an example. Their people who most only have a high school diploma and make $30 per hour (my son in law works at GM and makes $30 per hour) how is GM so profitable? How are they hiring and adding new shifts and such. How are they giving huge yearly profit sharing checks. They are the model that this country needs to be based on. They are working and working for everyone and making billions on top of it.

That is what this country should be doing. How do you explain it? I am old enough and remember when the auto makers were threatening to move to Mexico for cheaper labor, was just a threat. It works for the employees at the auto makers and it can work for every other huge corporation out there but they are too greedy. Profits at an all time high, employee wages stagnate. Why?

So please let me know how I misrepresented you and please answer why GM employees can retire early with good pensions (I have many family members who retired in their 50s), live in very nice homes, drive nice cars, send their kids to college, etc. all from working at the auto makers.

They did move sections to Mexico. - sm
[ In Reply To ..]
A lot of smaller businesses supporting the auto industry went under because of the Big 3 moving a lot of their departments to Mexico. That's part of what killed the city. That and Coleman Young.
I think Kwami killed the city. Coleman was what 25-30 years ago - nm
[ In Reply To ..]
x
Yes, Kwami helped what Coleman started. - sm
[ In Reply To ..]
I lived there during Coleman Young's reign, which began in 1974. The city started on a slow decline around that time and never recovered. It got progressively worse and morphed into what we see today. Bing tried to help, but it wasn't enough. Detroit used to be the richest city in the country. It is appalling what has happened to a once thriving and beautiful city.

How on earth can an MT of all people be - against raising the minimum wage?

[ In Reply To ..]
That just boggles the mind.

Who makes minimum wage? sm - MinimumWageMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Based on posts on actual transcription forums here, I'd wager the bulk of those who follow MTStars; i.e., medical transcriptionists, make minimum wage. Sometimes, we don't even make that and our employers have to add to our paychecks.

p.s. I'm talking about actual employees not ICs.

This is a great post. Thanks for sharing. - wheres_my_job

[ In Reply To ..]
Glad to have some solid information. Thank you.

Alabama is not below the federal level. nm - liveinbama

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

From what I read, they default to Federal - lowest bar

[ In Reply To ..]
Unless the State of Alabama has passed something recently, they, for whatever reason, decided not to set a state minimum wage. States that have a minimum wage less than the federal wage of $7.25 a hour, or choose not to have a minimum wage, must default to the federal wage. The federal wage is the "floor." Many states have decided to increase their minimum wage because it is obvious the average person cannot live on $7.25/hour. The Republicans have refused to increase the wage. I am lucky enough to live in a state where the Democrats have control of the local state government, have increased the minimum, and thus I have received a raise.

Not me - I make LESS than minimum wage - Depressed

[ In Reply To ..]
Seems some companies can get away with it and DOL does nothing. :(

Similar Messages:


Minimum WageAug 20, 2013
If the minimum wage goes up to 15 dollars like we want I bet all our work goes to india.  I am first in line filling out an app at Micky D's.     http://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-us-minimum-wage-stacks-174426659.html ...

Minimum WageOct 23, 2014
I heard a fellow on TV the other night say (quote?) a conversation at the dinner table the night before with dad telling his children "my dream for you is to some day have a minimum wage job."  The conversation was about minimum wage jobs not being the goal, but rather the stepping stone to a better job with better pay - people should strive to get out of the minimum wage jobs - not want them to be the best that they can do - with minimum wage, the employer can have more positions to offer ...

Minimum WageJan 23, 2015
I want to ask what would happen if the minimum wage changed to higher than it is. Would all these companies have to pay minimum wage? I know that when I asked about this from the head of the local (can't remember the title of the organization right now) that she said that they had to pay minimum wage. I have heard someone say that if they increased it to $16 an hour that people would be able to live on that. Can't remember who but he was a business expert, etc. Even if they don ...

Ah, Yes - That $15 Minimum Wage In Seattle.Jul 23, 2015
Liberals really should listen to conservatives, who have a much better handle on economic matters. 1.  Hardly anyone has gone off the public assistance rolls. 2.  Restaurant workers are losing the tip income they depended on, both because patrons know about the new wage, and don't feel obliged to tip, and also because some restaurants are adding a 15% surtax on the bill to cover their labor costs. 3.  People asking for LESS hours so they don't lose their welffare (!). ...

Are You Happy Making Minimum Wage?Feb 09, 2017
The Iowa Republican controlled state legislature is pushiing a bill to freeze the minimum wage at $7.25 and rescind local wage increases that have already been passed.  This should make the big MTSOs very happy.  How about you?   Do you think your work is only worth $7.25 a hour? I think these Republicans think that the only people making 7.25 an hour are burger flippers.   I know, there are MTs always willing to brag about their line counts, etc.  I know, however, th ...

If California Changes Minimum Wage To $26 Per Hour,May 12, 2014
I'll change my party affiliation back to Democrat and move there. ...

Let's Clear Up The Minimum Wage NonsenseOct 27, 2014
By "clear up", I mean "to the extent possible".  I've spent two weeks "in the stacks", reviewing more than 2 dozen of the more recent economic analyses on the subject of the minimum wage, from sources that are considered reasonably objective.  For the most part, I focused on studies published by the NBER.  Of course, there's never any absolute assurance of objectivity, but peer review offers some reason to hope for it. They don't call economics "the dismal science" ...

Raising Minimum Wage To $15 An Hour? Dec 08, 2016
Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton wanted the minimum wage raised and that was part of their platform.  Does anyone think raising the minimum wage will help the economy?  My soon to be ex-company, Nuance, fired the California MTs because of minimum wage higher than average in California. Will other companies avoid high minimum wage requirements and avoid doing business in those states?  Do you think if the minimum wage is higher, costs to the consumers will be higher.  If ...

Minimum Wage In Major CitiesJul 11, 2015
I work for one of the large, low paying transcription companies. minimum wage increases in my city in July 1. My question is if I am getting minimum wage now with "makeup pay," will I be entitled to my city's minimum?  I don't feel comfortable asking "them" this question!  I appreciate any information anyone can give me! Thanks! ...

One Of The Adaptive Responses To Minimum Wage IncreasesOct 28, 2014
Businesses don't just sit idly by when wages are pushed up by artificial means such as mandatory minimum wage increases.  They take one or more of a whole range of adaptive measures that are available to them to protect their profits - cutting staff, cutting the hours of staff, demanding more of existing staff, reducing non-wage benefits and investing in labor-saving automation.  What I didn't mention is that, from a purely fiscal "spreadsheet" standpoint, the greater the (a ...

We Warned You Minimum-wage-raisers What Would Happen.Nov 01, 2016
Just got the memo from my company with regard to parts of the country where they will not take employees - and they're either where the minimum wage has been raised (like Seattle) or states that impose other gargantuan regulations on small businesses. There will also be strict limits on how much people can work, and there will be no overtime. There have been a number of studies about the impact of mandatory increases in the minimum wage. It's impossible to summarize these studies, ...

This Is Cool. People Screaming About Upping The Minimum Wage.Jul 03, 2014
Kinda funny that they want more yet, according to the BLS, these are the statistics. The dates are June 2013, April 2014, May 2014, and June 2014. Looks like wages are going up, not down. Of course, this administration isn't bragging this up, are they? Wonder why. You would think they'd be proud of these numbers. HOURS AND EARNINGSPRODUCTION AND NONSUPERVISORY EMPLOYEES   Total private   Average weekly hours 33.7 33.7 33.7 33.7 Avera ...

Unions Now Want Exemption From Minimum Wage Hike They Pushed.May 28, 2015
wage doesn't cost jobs might want to have a chat with unions in Los Angeles. After pushing for a big hike in that city's minimum wage — which will climb to $15 an hour by 2020 — labor leaders now want an exemption for companies that have unionized workers. Why? Because, according to Rusty Hicks, head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, "with a collective bargaining agreement, a business owner and the employees negotiate an agreement that works for them both. The ag ...

Alternative Minimum TaxMar 15, 2017
Trump and the Pubs want to get rid of the alternative minimum tax.  Based on what is known about Trump's finances now that those 2 pages have been revealed, he would have paid a tax rate of 3 1/2% without the alternative minimum tax.  This would probably be true for the other millionaires and billionaires as well.  What do you think that would do to the federal budget and the national debt? ...

Found This To Help Us Understand Wage TheftMay 24, 2015
Here is a link I found while sorting through some of my links. Hope it helps someone understand this better. It affects all of us. http://www.natlconsumersleague.org/worker-rights/148-wage-theft/523-wage-theft-qaa ...

Price Hikes, Layoffs Due To Increased Min. WageJan 24, 2017
This year, my state increased the minimum wage.  The result?  EXACTLY as predicted! Signs EVERYWHERE adivising customers of PRICE INCREASES.  LAYOFFS, including our local community college tutors.  Students now have NO math or Composition tutors!  Those employees HAD a job, now they have NOTHING. We KNEW this would happen.  Anyone who has owned ANY business, even a lemonade stand, knows that increased operating costs result in INCREASED PRICES. I hope all the lo ...

Economics Debate Tonight--Wage Stagnation?Oct 28, 2015
I won't be able to watch--will be working.  Here are some things I would like to see debated: 1.  Wages have only gone up 100+ percent in the last 35 years and the cost of living has gone up 300+ percent.  How would you address the wage stagnation of the working class?   2.  How would you address our failing infrastructure, city water and sewer, highways and bridges? 3.  How would you address the high cost of college education? 4.  How would you addres ...

Obama To Propose Wage Freeze For Federal EmployeesNov 29, 2010
Let's watch and see how this goes over. Already Steny Hoyer and the National Federation of Federal Employees are against this proposal. My thoughts on this (regarding the union), why should the American people that aren't covered by unions have to make all the sacrifices? Why should unionized employees get all the 'breaks' no matter what issue comes up?   NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- President Obama on Monday called for a two-year freeze in the wages of federal employee ...

The Seattle/Tacoma Airport, Just Upped Hourly WageApr 17, 2014
...... to $15 an hour!!!  I wonder if they can spell oophorectomy, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy.  You know, the easier ones....Hummmpf.  That certainly makes me feel not at all valued and you? ...

Wage Gap: 1978 Average $48K, Average 2010 $33.7K.Aug 01, 2013
It's far worse if you look at the top 10% of that top 1%. Over the past 30 years ownership of our nation's means of production has become clustered in the hands of a few people, who have simply decided to pay us less and themselves more. Note that the wage gap has continued to grow dramatically since these data were gathered, which understate our crisis, which threatens the foundations of our nation itself. So, we're thinking about elections. What are we going to do about it? 3 ...

"No Fair Wage For American Workers." Most American JobsDec 12, 2012
the people who hold them are getting wage cuts instead of increases. We're ALL in trouble. From the Washington Post: "The stagnation of wages has become an accepted fact across the political spectrum; conservative columnists such as Michael Gerson and David Brooks have acknowledged that workers’ incomes seem to be stuck." "Defenders of right-to-work laws argue that they improve a state’s economy by creating more jobs. But an exhaustive study by economist Lo ...

OWS Makes A DepositMar 21, 2012
What is wrong with these Occupiers?  There are better ways to get messages across.  This is not right.   http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Occupy-Wall-Street-Human-Waste-Urine-Feces-Public-Stairs-Chase-ATM-Vestibule-Arrest-143723706.html ...

This Makes Me AngryMay 16, 2012
When women work at Catholic Businesses (hospitals) and go to Catholic Colleges they are told they will not receive contraception because it is against their beliefs so go to work/school somewhere else if they want that stuff.  Yet in Kansas a pharmacist is now allowed not to fill a woman's Rx for contraceptions if its against his/her religion. How about that pharmacist only work for a Religious institution then?  Kansas is a state with many 1 stoplight, 1 pharmacy towns...what on ...

MAKES NO SENSEFeb 11, 2016
I was watching the today show this morning and saw where the guys held up in the camp that government is trying to get them out were now going to be prosecuted.  Our government makes no sense.  We can arrest these men yet we have a woman running for president who blatently lies and puts national security at risk with E-mail scandal and a lot more stuff.  Our government makes no sense to me. ...

This Makes Much More SenseJun 04, 2017
His claims that the Paris agreement would force businesses to lay off workers and consumers to pay higher energy prices were transparently bogus, because a nonbinding agreement wouldn’t force anything. But Trump’s move to abandon it will have a huge impact on the global community’s view of America, and of a president who would rather troll the free world than lead it. joining only Syria and Nicaragua (which wanted an even greener deal) in refusing to help the community of nations addres ...

This Man Makes Me Sick!Jun 20, 2017
coating it! He is a beast and an old miser! I don't care who doesn't like where this article came from. If you don't want to read it, don't! ...

He Who Has The Money Makes The RulesJan 13, 2010
Obama received $20 million from healthcare industry in 2008 campaignhttp://rawstory.com/2010/01/obama-re...ry-money-2008/By Brad JacobsonWednesday, January 6th, 2010 -- 10:01 pmAlmost three times the amount given to McCainWhile some sunlight has been shed on the hefty sums shoveled into congressional campaign coffers in an effort to influence the Democrats' massive healthcare bill, little attention has been focused on the far larger sums received by President Barack Obama while he was a can ...

Hope This Makes You SmileNov 03, 2010
You have heard me talk about my stepfather's pets before; Tiny (a Smooth Fox Terrier/Chihuahua mix), and Morry, our Amazon parrot. Saturday night was Trick or Treat night, and I always go up and put some things out front that light up;  orange light bulb for the door light, a lighted ghost holding a pumpkin and skull, a cackling witch on the bench out front, whose eyes flash red when she laughs, a talking trick or treat bag that lights up and laughs when you walk by, etc. T ...

An Article That Makes SenseDec 23, 2012
After Sandy Hook: Are Principles More Important Than Children? By Heather Robinson On Friday, National Rifle Association Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre called for a national effort to place armed security guards in every U.S. school, and offered the NRA’s assistance to the federal government for such an effort. His proposal – like those of liberal politicians who want to ban manufacture of military-style assault weapons – deserves a fair hearing. The propo ...

Makes Me Totally Sick... SmJan 07, 2013
Excuse me, but this just totally gets my girdle in a pinch.,, My upstairs neighbor is on welfare... but does not need to be and totally abuses this. She worked prior to getting pregnant, as did her husband. When she got pregnant, she had him quit his job at a local hospital, where he had full benefits, to work under the table (to hold her hand, and he is making 3x the money he did). Her parents now pay the rent and other expenses. She had the baby 8 MONTHS AGO. She is still collecting welfare. ...