Wages in Australia and US

[dre fgf6]

I did have a laugh about that power bill.

It is very hard for us to find out what the "average wage" is..

It seems to vary largely across the country. Then again for each state in regional areas, and again as I am quite sure that alot of wealthy individuals are not on ford forums in the middle of the night lol

I want to start a new thread on this alone as it seems to have dragged this topic off track

[vztrt]

This could be why the average wage is higher then it should be.

http://www.theage.com.au/business/mi...223-1b4qm.html

Mining boom drives wages growth
February 23, 2011 - 1:45PM

Wages grew at the fastest annual pace in almost two years last quarter, led by the booming mining industry, which also fuelled a hefty rise in engineering spending and provided important support for economic growth.

The data came as Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens predicted Australia's once-in-a-century resource boom would likely last for some years yet, delivering a huge boost to domestic incomes and mining investment.

"Soaring commodity prices, and a matching wave of planned investment, much of it in mining and related sectors, make it difficult for the Governor to be anything but upbeat," said Stephen Walters, chief economist at JPMorgan.
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"Households ultimately will benefit from the soaring terms of trade via higher mining company profits, more job opportunities and rising incomes," he added.

The flow of money was evident in mining wages, which grew 4.6 per cent in 2010, up from 3.5 per cent the year before.

Overall, the government's main measure of wage costs rose 1.0 percent last quarter, lifting annual growth to 3.9 per cent. That was up from 3.5 per cent in the third quarter and the fastest pace since early 2009.

With unemployment down at a lowly 5 per cent and leading indicators of employment pointing to more jobs growth ahead, analysts assume wages can only rise further from here.

That is one reason markets expect the RBA will likely raise its 4.75 per cent cash rate at least once before year-end. Most economists suspect the RBA will hike more than one this year as a torrent of money from the trade boom flows through an economy already stretched for spare capacity.

"The evident rise in wages growth is consistent with policy needing to be tighter over time," said UBS chief economist Scott Haslem, who expects a hike in August.

The impact of surging mining spending was only too evident in figures for the value of construction work done in the fourth quarter of last year. Spending on engineering work jumped 7.3 per cent in the quarter to a record $21.4 billion.

That helped compensate for a slackening in home and commercial building to lift overall construction spending 0.8 per cent to $41.9 billion.

"Engineering spending saved the day as non-residential building was really weak," said Brian Redican, a senior economist at Macquarie.

"There was a risk construction could have been a drag on growth last quarter, so this lessens the danger of a negative print for GDP (gross domestic product)," he added. "It's likely to be sluggish growth but still growth."

The GDP report for the fourth quarter is due next week and analysts are generally looking for a moderate increase of around 0.5 per cent.

Much will depend on what figures for business investment show when released on Thursday. Forecasts are for another solid increase of around 2.9 percent and analysts are hopeful that firms will have at least maintained upbeat spending plans for all of 2010/11, which have pointing to an increase of at least 20 per cent over the whole financial year.

Indeed, with some massive projects recently approved in iron ore and liquefied natural gas, spending projections could even be revised higher.

Just last week mining giant BHP Billion revealed plans to spend around $80 billion over the next five years to boost output, much of that in Australia.

Mining investment as a share of Australia's $1.3 trillion of GDP has already doubled to around 4 per cent, and the RBA expects that to rise to 5.5 per cent over the next few years.

As Mr Stevens put it: "The rise in prices for natural resources and the associated planned increase in Australian based capacity to supply key commodities is one of the largest such economic events in our history."

Reuters

[Fled74]

I'm reminded of Chris Rock's immortal words: "Before I started comedy, I used to work at McDonald's making minimum wage. You know what that means when someone pays you minimum wage? You know what your boss was trying to say? It's like, "Hey if I could pay you less, I would. But it's against the law."

As for me, I make less than $47K a year (monthly salary, no overtime), single income, two small kids, and we get Family Tax Benefit payments from Centrelink.
It's not much, but my wife is a financial wizard and we live comfortably in our rented 3-bedroom house.

I'm sure to some people we seem destitute, or "the working poor", but it sure doesn't feel that way to me.
I like my job, I like my co-workers, it's 10 minutes away from home. The money's good enough for me. I can't believe how someone could even consider $90K a year "insufficient". Come live in MY world, buddy.

[glavas]

i earn 120k a year and my houses are all paid off so that money just sits in the bank.

[glavas]

fled 74 how can you surport a wife and kids with 47k a year??? that is just insane. what do you do? no offence but i would rather die then get handouts from a socialist government. get some pride man you dont need the handouts. what you need is a new job.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by glavas

fled 74 how can you surport a wife and kids with 47k a year??? that is just insane. what do you do? no offence but i would rather die then get handouts from a socialist government. get some pride man you dont need the handouts. what you need is a new job.

What a ridiculous thing to say.

[Simple6]

Originally Posted by glavas

fled 74 how can you surport a wife and kids with 47k a year??? that is just insane. what do you do? no offence but i would rather die then get handouts from a socialist government. get some pride man you dont need the handouts. what you need is a new job.

Get off your high horse and judging people based on what they earn and what they receive. If he's happy, he's happy - dont try to put other people down, what concern is it of yours?

[In Focus]

Originally Posted by b2tf

What a ridiculous thing to say.

+1. It stands to reason that not everyone can earn more than "average", whatever that may be in the real world, and many are happy with what they get. No doubt there are people who laugh at someone who "only" earns $120k.

[Fled74]

Cheers guys. Glavas's comments don't really bother me though.

Growing up in a third world country, my wife and I learned to live frugally. I consider myself lucky to have a job I enjoy and to earn what I earn, considering I've been in Aus for only 7 1/2 years (and a citizen for 5 years). I know I achieved in through my own hard work.
Starting a new life in a new country with few relatives to help is not easy.

I figure, if I'm eligible for family payments, why not take them? I pay taxes too. It's not about pride. My youngest daughter has a disability and we'll take whatever help we can get.

I'm an inventory controller for an international supply chain and logistics company, and I like what I do, and my bosses are very supportive, especially since one of them also has a kid with a disablilty.

I'll just keep working hard and maybe someday I'll land that dream job where I'll make $120K a year, but I'm not gonna hold my breath.

[XYGTHO]

Originally Posted by efi65

just read this whole thread and i have a couple of question's what the hell have you got plugged in for your ppower bill to be $100 i scream and jump up and down when the power bill is over $300 a quarter and 150k year combined income might be the average but is no were near the mean wage,

Yer agree, sounds like some people are living expensive lives certainly not on teh bones of your **** on 100k combined let alone 150k combined. I know fmaily living is alot more expensive but things are controllable to an extent. My wife and I have combined wage of no more than about 70k, paying of our first house bith have a car. We are energy smart (I'm an elec designer), ride my bike to work when weather permits, don't eat out much etc.We still manage to save quite well and think we are living comfortably. I don't understand alot of mates who earn huge dollars 100k plus on there own and have no money. Living within your means is the key.
All that said if your in a city like Sydney, Melb or Brissy etc would be hard due to housing costs but that equals higher wages generaly also so al is equal.

[chrisfpv]

Originally Posted by glavas

fled 74 how can you surport a wife and kids with 47k a year??? that is just insane. what do you do? no offence but i would rather die then get handouts from a socialist government. get some pride man you dont need the handouts. what you need is a new job.

Ban this moron, bloody hell.

[trippytaka]

Originally Posted by dre fgf6

What do you do for work? I work in manfacturing and most of the entry level staff we have will earn around 75k.

That makes me sick! It took me 7 years to get on that kind of money, with a Uni degree.

I saw the union discussion before... I won't comment other than to say that I wish white collar workers were as well represented. The trade union, transport union etc have got you blokes on a sweet ride. Be thankful for how much you earn. Seriously. There are tens of thousands of Australians who have invested 60k plus into tertiary education, only to be paid much less than a lot of manual non-skilled work - other than the finance industry, of course.

And back onto point... when it comes to our economy, surely these high wages hurt our exports and greater economy.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Fled74

I'll just keep working hard and maybe someday I'll land that dream job where I'll make $120K a year, but I'm not gonna hold my breath.

Unfortunately with high pay comes high responsibility, $100,000 would be nice but its alright being on the bottom of the food chain, work only goes for your 8 hours, then you hang up the boots and forget about it, plus you don't have many responsibilities.

[reece1]

you cant compare apples to oranges

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Unfortunately with high pay comes high responsibility, $100,000 would be nice but its alright being on the bottom of the food chain, work only goes for your 8 hours, then you hang up the boots and forget about it, plus you don't have many responsibilities.

absolutely DAMO . and others .
over 100k usually requires shift work and weekends on a 24/7 basis including public holidays , and usually skilled, like a trade, etc . its very easy for people to say they're on 100 to 200 k . but will those people be able to stay fit and stay up till retirement age ???
on top of that , there is no govt handouts , which really really brings the income down in comparison .
not to mention those jobs are normally city based , or out in whoop whoop , meaning travel time , and expensive living arrangements . think $100, per week in petrol . and all the unpaid hours in the car , spouses and kids often have to miss out on family weekends too as often the whole family aren't home on the weekends or public holidays .
it's not wealth , and it ain't a bed of roses .
someone on 50k who rides a pushy to work 2kms away, and works 9 to 5 and is happy , gets a lot more in other ways then higher income earners .
money does not come cheap .
i bag no one on earnings except executives on 7 figure salaries , simply no one is worth that much . if a doctor or brain surgeon earns 7 figures think of the hours they do for it . in that case good on em .
but in that perspective , imagine the weekends and nights they miss out on that the people on 50k get to live .
just wanted to ease people minds who dream of wanting to earn in the 100- 200k bracket, be careful what you wish for , many people lose their spouses and their kids don't get to know them for that .

[FCleader]

Im rather curious to find out more about American wages, particularly government/defence jobs over there, as I am hoping to get a Government job once uni is over.

So if any Americans on this site could give a little insight it would be appreciated?

[ebxr8240]

Just passed 65K I work most Saturdays and have RDO twice a month...
I have take home vehicle which I use at work..
As a line-worker... Been at this job 30 years...
I use to work all call-outs etc and Saturdays...
Apprentice line workers could earn 70k p.y if they wanted to...

[The G6ET Spot]

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

Ohio XB... Look what you've started... LOL..... Ahah,,,,,

yeh! Bloody yanks always starting trouble.

just kidding

Originally Posted by dre fgf6

I'm in outer eastern melbourne. Last two jobs I've had both over 100k, Been with my current employer for 18 months now. This job is contract based and is 120k per year 36 hours per week (3 x 12 hour 6 to 6)- I do however work N/S so there is a 30% loading. I'm at work now so its not too hard!

WOW $50 p/h making lollies. Any jobs going there?

[The G6ET Spot]

Double post

[Franco Cozzo]

We haven't been offered overtime at work yet even though we got more work than we can handle, I'm itchin for some extra cash

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

We haven't been offered overtime at work yet even though we got more work than we can handle, I'm itchin for some extra cash

Would you work the overtime at normal rate or do you expect extra?

GFC is not over yet........

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

We haven't been offered overtime at work yet even though we got more work than we can handle, I'm itchin for some extra cash

. try an after hours job , part time or casual , you might get shift rates. Then for your extra hours outside of the norm, then when your boss cries he needs extra work done so he can be more productive and earn himself more money , or if not earn himself more money at least pass it on to his employees and increase his customer base, you can tell him your are busy and dont want to rip him off with penalty rates ,so your earning double time on saturdays down at the pub . he should feel great then , cause you'd be ripping someone else off instead of him. and he would be able to tell his mates that business is booming and he should have an indefinate backlog .

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by flappist

Would you work the overtime at normal rate or do you expect extra?

GFC is not over yet........

Hah, 1.5x thanks, $15 an hour.

[xy500]

sounds like some of you blokes are paid a sight more than you are worth, anything over 50k a year & you should be thanking your lucky stars.

[glavas]

Originally Posted by xy500

sounds like some of you blokes are paid a sight more than you are worth, anything over 50k a year & you should be thanking your lucky stars.

50k is not what it was. 100k now is what is needed to survive with a family.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by glavas

50k is not what it was. 100k now is what is needed to survive with a family.

here's a dose of reality my friend, there are a very large % of australian families on much much less than 100k/yr.

some just know the difference between 'needs' and 'wants'! when you don't have a lot to throw around, you learn what you need, and what are luxuries. everyone's situation is different, so whats ok for some, isn't for others.

its extremely insensitive to comment on others financial situations i feel.

[prydey]

i work in the printing industry. the press i run is only a couple of years old and the best in the state (adelaide), however thanks to a very competitive industry and increase in technology, wages haven't seen a rise for over 4 years while the economy and everything around you is on the rise.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by prydey

i work in the printing industry. the press i run is only a couple of years old and the best in the state (adelaide), however thanks to a very competitive industry and increase in technology, wages haven't seen a rise for over 4 years while the economy and everything around you is on the rise.

Do something about it then, change career.

[OLDFORDNUT]

Originally Posted by prydey

i work in the printing industry. the press i run is only a couple of years old and the best in the state (adelaide), however thanks to a very competitive industry and increase in technology, wages haven't seen a rise for over 4 years while the economy and everything around you is on the rise.

Thats proof why we still need unions with a strong voice,wages in Australia have risen an average 10% in last 4 years which in itself is still bad as cost of living and driving has gone up about 20%,in QLD id guess its closer to 25%

[GS608]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Do something about it then, change career.

easier said than done