PeterLucas wrote:
>
> "Cindi - HappyMamatoThree" > wrote in
> et:
>
> >
> > "PeterLucas" > wrote in message
> > 0.25...
> >> "Cindi - HappyMamatoThree" > wrote in
> >> et:
> >>
> >>
> >>> judgement on a single person's experience. Though I have to agree,
> >>> there is a huge gap in pay from job to job here in the U.S.
> >>
> >>
> >> With people relying on tips to live. That sucks.
> >
> > Amen. Servers here (waiters/waitresses) can be paid the pitiful amount
> > of $2.13 an hour.
>
> [Shock!!]
>
> I knew it was bad, I just didn't know it was *that* bad.
>
> I thought our waiters and waitresses were hard done by!!
>
> http://www.payscale.com/research/AU/...ss/Hourly_Rate
>
> > Their tips must at least equal out to minimum wage
> > or the employer has to make up the difference. This is, of course, the
> > minimum and there are restaurants that pay better as with any job.
> > That rate still sucks and I don't know how people in that position can
> > survive on their wages. Though some people like the fact that they can
> > rely on their performance to earn more in tips. To each his own.
>
> "What do hospitality jobs in Australia pay?
> Casual rates
>
> Unlike some countries, casual hospitality jobs in Australia pay a good
> base wage and sometimes include tips on top of this.
>
> If you are a casual you will be paid an hourly rate that will obviously
> vary between employers. Hourly hospitality base rates for adult casuals
> are usually $15-$20 per hour. You will normally get paid extra for
> working overtime/late nights and possibly ‘time-and-a-half’ or ‘double
> time’ on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays."
>
> And here are just the Queensland wage rates for Hospitality
> workers......
>
> http://www.wageline.qld.gov.au/award...ards/H0310/5.2
> +Wage+rates
>
> http://tinyurl.com/ytb9lg
>
> >
> >>
> >>
> >>> Some
> >>> fields pay an exorbitant amount for the job done, while those who
> >>> are toiling every day in physical jobs make pennies.
> >>
> >>
> >> Which is why we have a very good wage system over here. If someone
> >> tries to diddle the workers, they're up the creek.
> >
> > The U.S. does have a minimum wage law. However that minimum wage law
> > does not guarantee a "living wage." At minimum wage of $5.85 an hour
> > is only $234.00 a week for only a bit more than $12,000 a year.
>
> Even schoolkids working at the local supermarket get around $10-12 an
> hour here!!

That is the norm here in many states as well. Also factor in our lower
taxes.

Very few people in the US actually work for the minimum wage, and there
is more than one minimum wage here, a low federal one, and many higher
ones in individual states.

Actual minimum wages are really determined by the labor market and cost
of living in an area and regardless of the minimums, actual wages are
much higher in many areas because there are simply no workers willing to
work for less.

In a state with a $7.20 minimum wage it is not uncommon to see McDonalds
or grocery store jobs posted at well above that minimum, particularly in
wealthier states where the teenagers will simply not work for less.