> I have seen pay for school bus drivers in fairly standard COL areas approach $25-$30/hr. That is what it takes to put people behind the wheel for those jobs now.
Per FRED[1], median personal income in 2023 was ~$21/hr. Per ADP's most recent survey[2], median pay for people who did not change jobs was ~$29/hr.
Given that context, it is not surprising that the pool of people who can qualify for these jobs (no criminal record, drug screen, etc.) and who want them also demand to be paid near the median income.
(You of course know this, but I want to contribute this data point for the discussion.)
> We could make better choices; we choose not to at scale.
Honestly, this is the American Way. One day our luck will run out and we will fail or be forced to make better choices.
Per FRED[1], median personal income in 2023 was ~$21/hr. Per ADP's most recent survey[2], median pay for people who did not change jobs was ~$29/hr.
Given that context, it is not surprising that the pool of people who can qualify for these jobs (no criminal record, drug screen, etc.) and who want them also demand to be paid near the median income.
(You of course know this, but I want to contribute this data point for the discussion.)
> We could make better choices; we choose not to at scale.
Honestly, this is the American Way. One day our luck will run out and we will fail or be forced to make better choices.
1 - https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEPAINUSA646N
2 - https://payinsights.adp.com