How Did You Do? Article from Parade

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Lynn Brenner

excerpt...

By most economic measures, 2006 was a great year. Despite rising interest rates, high oil prices and the sharpest housing downturn in 15 years, inflation was low, productivity rose steadily, corporate profits reached a 40-year high, the stock market soared and the unemployment rate dropped to 4.6%—the lowest level in more than five years. Strong hiring in service businesses like education, health care, finance, travel and entertainment more than offset big job losses in the auto and housing sectors.

But in the midst of this booming economy, more than two-thirds of Americans told pollsters that they don’t believe life for their children’s generation will be better than it has been for them. Only 27% of those surveyed last year thought the nation was headed in the right direction; and this year, 71% of respondents said the country was on the wrong track.

The Economy Booms, But Most Paychecks Don't

One reason for the widespread pessimism is that most Americans haven’t seen the nation’s economic boom reflected in their paychecks. Last year’s 1.1% average raise was their first real pay increase in a long time. Workers’ productivity grew an impressive 18% between 2000 and 2006—but most people’s inflation-adjusted weekly wages rose only 1% during that time. This was the first economic expansion since World War II without a sustained pay increase for rank-and-file workers. Typical 2007 raises will be small, experts say. They predict slower economic growth and higher unemployment this year.

In the last five years, all the salary gains went to the highest-paid workers, says Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s economy.com. “ Average income” is a misleading statistic, he explains: If one of 300 million workers gets a $300 million raise, for example, and the other 299,999,999 get none, the average salary has risen—but only one person is earning more. “A better measure is median income—the midpoint between the top 50% of earners and the bottom 50%,” says Zandi. “And median income has struggled to keep up with inflation.”

The Hottest Jobs (No College Degree Required)

Sales representatives

High turnover and new products equal demand: $42,000-$114,000

Translators

The need is expected to grow 26% by 2014: $43,000-$100,000

Insurance adjusters

These jobs aren’t easily outsourced or replaced by technology: $34,000-$75,000

Transportation workers

Rail and trucking companies can’t meet the demand: $28,000-$53,000

Personal trainers

A growth business, due to the spread of health clubs: $23,000-$55,000

Auto technicians

Today’s computerized engines require specialized training: $27,000-$40,000

Legal secretaries

Experts predict 47,000 new openings by 2014: $35,900-$60,000

The Hottest Jobs (For College Grads)

Forensic accountant

Combines accounting, auditing and investigative skills: $30,000-$150,000

Logistics manager

Plan, implement and control flow of goods or services: $35,000-$118,000

Corporate librarian

More companies need specialists to manage information: $37,000-$93,000

Emerging media specialist

Managers in Web content and online marketing need communication skills and tech savvy: $26,500-$100,000

Physical therapist

Aging baby boomers will drive the increasing need: $34,600-$74,000

Information security

Workers plan, implement and support network security: $47,000-$122,000

Source: Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., with data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and industry sources

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What’s Your Weekly Salary?

Here’s a sampling of jobs and their median weekly pay nationwide. See how you fit in.

Petroleum engineer: $1,891

Veterinarian: $1,160

Computer programmer: $1,130

Registered nurse: $901

Firefighter: $898

Occupational therapist: $882

Clergy: $774

Social worker: $706

Corrections officer: $610

Dietitian: $555

Taxi driver: $461

Bartender: $342

Telemarketer: $303

Dishwasher: $245

Child-care worker: $228

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/20...5-2007/WPE_lead

Edited April 23, 2007 by Steven_and_Jinky

[almaty 19]

interesting ....i am a person, who works with other people..so, i am low salary on their list/.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

interesting ....i am a person, who works with other people..so, i am low salary on their list/.

Bartender? j/k.

I saw this article in last Sunday's Parade magazine (April 15). I has photos of different people from around the US along with their occupation and how much they earn annually. One that surprised me was a 62 yr. old railroad conducter in SA, Texas - earned over 100 g's!

[broma25 2]

According to the information I am about middle of the road.....sure doesnt feel like that when I look at my bank balance.

[MissStacey 1]

I have enough in my Bank Account for 3 bottles of wine. Sigh.

[Jasman0717 9]

I am a programmer, didn't see that on the list, but do pretty well with it. Every day I thank the Marine Corps for introducing me to data processing Semper Fi!

[peejay 327]

One that surprised me was a 62 yr. old railroad conducter in SA, Texas - earned over 100 g's!

Some of the natural gas compressor mechanics that get called out to repair and service our facility natural gas compressors bring down $100,000 to $120,000 a year, but you have to put it in context. They are either on location or traveling to location and are on 24 hour call out status at all times. Some of these guys only get 1 or 2 days off a month.

There are other various offshore service disciplines that make wages equal to the service mechanics.

That's hefty money for someone without a degree, but a very restricted life.

As for me...I prefer more time off from work and a more balanced life, but make less money because of my choice. I work a 8 day on / 6 day off schedule as an oil and gas production facility operator on the Gulf of Mexico. I live and work out there and am on 24 hour call out status only while at work. Any overtime while at work is mandatory and I have put in up to 36 hour continuous shifts when necessary. I make an above average income for someone that works just a little more than 1/2 of the year when my paid vacation is thrown into the equation. I can cover someone elses' shift due to vacation or illness on my scheduled time-off days if I want to, but I usually decline the offer unless I really need the extra cash. Working 21 days in a row at sea can get monotonous after doing this stuff for a living almost 25 years. I'm a land lover at heart and value my free time at home. Especially now that I'm married.

[Fandango 1,440]

I think consolemaster is an engineer or summat

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I thank the Naval Nuclear power program for my training. Plus I'm an excellent sewer, cleaner and ironer now too!!

My salary? 200 million (when I win power ball )

[Jenn! 918]

Child-care worker: $228

Wow.

[Alex+R 0]

Wow, people who responded to that article on its website sure seemed pizzed...

[almaty 19]

interesting ....i am a person, who works with other people..so, i am low salary on their list/.

Bartender? j/k.

I saw this article in last Sunday's Parade magazine (April 15). I has photos of different people from around the US along with their occupation and how much they earn annually. One that surprised me was a 62 yr. old railroad conducter in SA, Texas - earned over 100 g's!

nope..pimp...

really a filth eater, aztec term..i listen to sh!t that people have done and they feel better..

[irishgirl73 1]

Child-care worker: $228

Wow.

how sad that a child care worker gets paid the least..........so pathetic

[one...two...tree 2,762]

One that surprised me was a 62 yr. old railroad conducter in SA, Texas - earned over 100 g's!

Some of the natural gas compressor mechanics that get called out to repair and service our facility natural gas compressors bring down $100,000 to $120,000 a year, but you have to put it in context. They are either on location or traveling to location and are on 24 hour call out status at all times. Some of these guys only get 1 or 2 days off a month.

There are other various offshore service disciplines that make wages equal to the service mechanics.

That's hefty money for someone without a degree, but a very restricted life.

As for me...I prefer more time off from work and a more balanced life, but make less money because of my choice. I work a 8 day on / 6 day off schedule as an oil and gas production facility operator on the Gulf of Mexico. I live and work out there and am on 24 hour call out status only while at work. Any overtime while at work is mandatory and I have put in up to 36 hour continuous shifts when necessary. I make an above average income for someone that works just a little more than 1/2 of the year when my paid vacation is thrown into the equation. I can cover someone elses' shift due to vacation or illness on my scheduled time-off days if I want to, but I usually decline the offer unless I really need the extra cash. Working 21 days in a row at sea can get monotonous after doing this stuff for a living almost 25 years. I'm a land lover at heart and value my free time at home. Especially now that I'm married.

Well said...you gotta have balance. Based on what kinds of pay people are making in different fields, I feel very fortunate. I'm actually worried that my asking salary maybe pricing me out of getting work. My salary rose by 19 g's in about 5 years from raises because I stayed with one company that long. I'm even considering taking a cut in pay because I'm starting to feel desparate.

[homesick_american 1]

I am a programmer, didn't see that on the list, but do pretty well with it. Every day I thank the Marine Corps for introducing me to data processing Semper Fi!

I'm a programmer too...I do mainly dbs and middleware but I can program presentation layers too. I want to get out of programming tho; I'm sick of the outsourcing sword of Damocles dangling over me.