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Sorry, Marco Rubio. Philosophy Majors Actually Make More Than Welders
Washington Post ^ | 11/11/2015 | Philip Bump

Posted on 11/11/2015 3:08:41 PM PST by conservativejoy

Rubio: 'We need more welders and less philosophers'

At Fox Business Network's Republican presidential debate, Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) argued that increased vocational training and other measures would be more effective at helping American workers than raising the minimum wage. (Fox Business Network)

During the fourth Republican debate, Marco Rubio picked up a point touched on by Rick Santorum in the undercard debate earlier in the night. 'Welders,' Rubio said, 'make more money than philosophers.' Post Fact Checker Glenn Kessler looked at the idea, but we thought it could use a visual.

Using data from the Web site PayScale, we can look at the introductory and median incomes of both professions. In 2008, philosophy majors started at about $40,000 a year — about the same as what the Bureau of Labor Statistics says first-year welders make.

But over the longer term, philosophy majors make more. Mid-career welders make $22 an hour, according to PayScale, compared with over $80,000 for philosophy majors.

Santorum's point was that there were a lot of welder positions available, which is a very fair point. Philosophy majors may make more — but if you can't get a job, that won't do you much good.


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: amnestypimp; debates; elections; gangofeight; gope; rino; rubio; uniparty
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To: Tijeras_Slim
'I’ll be the first to admit that the only thing a philosophy major can do is get a pHD and teach philosophy.'

I would wager a good percentage of ordained ministers/priests/clerics started out as Philosophy majors at the undergraduate level before going to seminary or divinity school...

61 posted on 11/11/2015 4:31:50 PM PST by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)
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To: conservativejoy

Welders create things that benefit Mankind, Philosophers teach other Philosophers not be become Welders.


62 posted on 11/11/2015 4:34:52 PM PST by Kickass Conservative (Republicans hold Debates while Democrats hold Auctions.)
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To: conservativejoy

My own theory is that Trump is paving the way for Cruz to become the nominee. He has no desire to be president, but I truly believe that he loves America and is very concerned about where we have devolved into. I predict that Bush will withdraw from the race by next month. Carson has no chance because he really is just out to lunch. Kasich is there to just shrill for Bush. Florin, while a good speaker, smart, and confident, is an alternate GOPe candidate.

Cruz is our next Ronald Reagan. I believe that he will annihilate Hillary in any debate and will be a wonderful president.

If not, I think we will die as a nation. That will be the final blow. Having been raised by depression era grandparents who instilled in me a love of country and the importance of hard work and faith, I am glad that they are not here to see what our country has become. It would make them cry. I grew up being proud of my country. I was told that I could become whatever I wanted as long as I worked for it. And I have done that. All on my own. Taking a handout was considered shameful. Even if you were down on your luck, but that’s where the local community and churches came in. To help those truly in need.


63 posted on 11/11/2015 4:35:33 PM PST by NoKoolAidforMe (I'm clinging to my God and my guns. You can keep the change.)
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To: conservativejoy
Not much demand for philosophers. :)

Guess I am an undocumented philosopher here on FR.

64 posted on 11/11/2015 4:35:58 PM PST by The_Media_never_lie (The Bush family needs to just go away. The Clinton family needs just to go to prison.)
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To: The_Media_never_lie

That’s cool. Did you teach or have another vocation?


65 posted on 11/11/2015 4:38:39 PM PST by conservativejoy (Pray Hard, Work Hard, Trust God,,,, We can elect Ted Cruz!)
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To: Christopher
A good pipe welder can go on the road and make a killing. That's why they're called Journeymen. When the time comes that they say that they need H1-B Welders, that's when the knives come out. I'm telling ya...
66 posted on 11/11/2015 4:42:04 PM PST by Seven plus One
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To: eastforker

Thank you, FRiend.


67 posted on 11/11/2015 4:51:38 PM PST by uncitizen (Trump: Saying what we are all thinking)
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To: Travis McGee
I'm sorry, I have to disagree. I work in a shipyard on the gulf coast in Alabama. The welders don't come from Guatemala, they come from Mexico. By the hundreds. In all honesty, though, It is virtually impossible to find a young U.S. citizen welder. We are a dying industry.
68 posted on 11/11/2015 4:59:14 PM PST by suthener
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To: suthener
Guatemala was just a stand in for all of them. But I get your point.

This was my last major welding project, 23 years ago.


69 posted on 11/11/2015 5:04:09 PM PST by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: conservativejoy

People with BA’s in Philosophy make 80K a year? I don’t believe it.


70 posted on 11/11/2015 5:08:21 PM PST by Chickensoup (We lose our freedoms one surrender at a time)
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To: Chickensoup

I don’t believe it, either.


71 posted on 11/11/2015 5:09:41 PM PST by sparklite2 (All will become clear when it is too late to matter.)
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To: Travis McGee

Nice boat. Reminds me of a book I read about a guy refurbishing a sailboat. Can’t remember who the author was. Good book. You should read it.


72 posted on 11/11/2015 5:18:48 PM PST by suthener
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To: I Hired Craig Livingstone

“What we need is fewer immigrants.”

Yes! Then pay would increase in ALL the trades!


73 posted on 11/11/2015 5:20:02 PM PST by Carthego delenda est
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To: conservativejoy

Modern philosophy is highly technical and mathematical. This background suits a lot of well-paid professions. Most philosophy majors are highly intelligent and willing to submit to rigorous mental discipline, so they are ready to work hard at difficult tasks.


74 posted on 11/11/2015 5:38:38 PM PST by proxy_user
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To: HANG THE EXPENSE

“I agree. It is so obvious the gopeeeee has their new backup candidate (Rubio) picked out with all the clamoring about his supposed numbers going up. Its bullshite and nothing more.”

I don’t believe he is their backup candidate. I’m pretty certain he’s been their number one all along.


75 posted on 11/11/2015 5:45:09 PM PST by Carthego delenda est
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To: central_va

The hottest job in summer and the coldest in winter.


76 posted on 11/11/2015 5:58:09 PM PST by Rannug ("all enemies, foreign and : domestic")
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To: Chickensoup
I do. Major in whatever you want, the best way to pay off your student loan: learn a skill. The most remunerative skill, in my area? Learn to weld.
77 posted on 11/11/2015 6:16:59 PM PST by Seven plus One
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To: HANG THE EXPENSE

Tell it, LOL


78 posted on 11/11/2015 6:21:47 PM PST by VTenigma (The Democratic party is the party of the mathematically challenged)
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To: Travis McGee

Welders are typically not done by migrant workers. A decent welder can quickly begin to make $20 an hour and easily get up to $30/hour. They will be in heavy demand for many many years to come.


79 posted on 11/11/2015 6:29:56 PM PST by cornfedcowboy
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To: cornfedcowboy

Where is that? Not when I was living in SoCal. THere, anything outside of giant corporations with govt union contracts was done by illegals.


80 posted on 11/11/2015 7:24:19 PM PST by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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