New college graduates earning less than a decade ago

Los Angeles Times ^ | 5/18/12 | Marla Dickerson

[vetvetdoug]

Overall, I made more in 1983 than I am now. The taxes, health insurance, cost of living, cost of utilities, and fuel have increased while my income has decreased. The cost of operating my business has exponentially increased for the same reasons.

[FlingWingFlyer]

According to the “occupy” freeloaders, new college grads aren’t interested in earning money. They’re busy right now destroying freedom and capitalism.

[tet68]

New college grads earning less than a decade ago...

McDonalds paying less nowadays?

[Tench_Coxe]

There is a lot of downward pressure on wages. I've seen things like (exaggerating): "Wanted, senior level plant manager, responsible for all day to day operations, budgets, and staff of 100, cracks in the floor, the sun rising in the east on a regular basis, and just about everything else. 20 years or more of related experience. Salary 65,000. "

Considering that the salary isn't much more or par with an entry level engineer, who would want to take that job, especially if its in an area with a moderate to high cost of living.

[central_va]

H-1b visa program needs to end today. It is getting f-ing ridiculous.

[B.O. Plenty]

I have a sneaking hunch that part of the problem is that too many of the kids are getting their degrees in noble, but worthless studies...like "minority women's studies" or medieval history...etc..

....things that are worthless on the job market which is looking for engineers and high level sales people....

[central_va]

I like when the wanted ad says 5 years experience in a computer language that has only been out 2 years.

[Tench_Coxe]

"I like when the wanted ad says 5 years experience in a computer language that has only been out 2 years."

Tailored to match the phony resumes put out by H1-B workers.

[Truth29]

"I like when the wanted ad says 5 years experience in a computer language that has only been out 2 years."

One of Obama's background statements would meet that requirement.

[eyeamok]

a motivated individual can easily make 35k a year repainting curb numbers for $25 a pop, had mine painted today by a guy that has been doing it 20 years. He did half of my street yesterday.

[cripplecreek]

That and we need less college grads and more trade schools and apprenticeships producing makers and builders.

[central_va]

You didn’t get the memo, high school shop classes are sexist.

[1010RD]

Bingo. A “college” degree is a meaningless term. I was talking to two girls who are getting degrees in journalism and the other in social studies. So when they graduate they’ll earn $20-25K/year if they find jobs.

If the average salary of a college grad is $35K there are the ones making $70K and the ones making $20K skewing the numbers to get a net $35K. College makes no sense for many careers. Better the experience.

[cripplecreek]

My ex wife’s father was a line painter and made damn good money working for himself because there aren’t a lot of companies doing it.

That was almost 20 years ago and he was charging 9 cents per linear foot on big jobs and 11 cents on small ones. The parking spaces in a fair sized lot added up to a chunk of change. If I recall correctly, it was arounf 50 feet per parking spot.

[1010RD]

What is really needed is for the state to stop dictating what is and what isn’t an “education”.

[OrangeHoof]

I was just thinking today why it is that we entrust these massively complicated technologies to some of the worlds worst drivers...

[eyeamok]

not to mention, that a college degree is not necessary either. Hell I can show you lots of tradesman, servicemen.. making 100k+ annually.

[cripplecreek]

Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs nails it in this great speech. He talks about federal agencies and busy bodies interfering. He points to our disintegrating infrastructure and blames society for being unwilling to get their hands dirty.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2650612/posts

[Alberta's Child]

That’s interesting. I have a serious problem finding a line painter who is willing to provide professional guidance on ADA requirements for striping a parking lot in a commercial building.