Middle wage jobs have disappeared in the recession

[oragator1]

This is where the debate actually lies in policy, whether people realize it or not. The dems want more social/monetary help and training for these folks and the pubs believe lower regulation and taxes will bring them back.
But the larger issue is why it's happening at all, the article posits some reasons but I think it's really basic...in a modern technological economy there are really two types of employees, those with the specialized high level skills to create and manage, and those with low level skills to execute day to day on the front lines. There is really little in between anymore, and with the loss of unions protecting those folks (largely because of pressure from cheaper foreign options), either you have skills or you compete against the third world wage wise.

Mid-wage occupations, paying between $13.83 and $21.13 per hour, made up about 60 percent of the job losses during the recession. But those mid-wage jobs have made up just 27 percent of the jobs gained during the recovery.

By contrast, low-wage occupations paying less than $13.83 per hour have utterly dominated the recovery, with 58 percent of the job gains since 2010. (This data all comes from an earlier report (pdf) from the National Employment Law Project.)

That's put downward pressure on wages: "[M]any middle-class workers have lost their jobs and, if they have been able to secure new employment at all, find themselves earning far lower wages post-recession," the San Francisco Fed notes. "[O]n average over the next 25 years, these workers will earn 11% less than similar workers who retained their jobs through the recession."

http://mobile.washingtonpost.com/c.jsp?item=http%3a%2f%2fwww.washingtonpost.com%2fF ragment%2fSysConfig%2fWebPortal%2ftwpweb%2frss%2fm obile%2fblog-entry.jpp%3fuuid%3d8daa4c52-81c3-11e2-a671-0307392de8de&cid=578815&spf=1

[bluelang]

That was almost all construction. Gone with housing bust.

[Gatorrick22]

Did we "recover" already?

[ThePlayer]

Just wait until BO raises the minimum wage again.

Why the youth of America continues to support Obama is beyond me.

[G8trGr8t]

That is the result of transitioning to a service economy
Thank you Clinton. Fortunately the energy revolution and manufacturing that is returning due to cheap Nat gas are reversing that trend somewhat

[surfn1080]

Just wait until BO raises the minimum wage again.

Why the youth of America continues to support Obama is beyond me.

You promise free anything and that is what you get.

[viningsgator]

We're headed for a lost decade.

[vangator1]

another lost decade.

[GatorAbe7]

But the larger issue is why it's happening at all, the article posits some reasons but I think it's really basic...in a modern technological economy there are really two types of employees, those with the specialized high level skills to create and manage, and those with low level skills to execute day to day on the front lines. ]


And my "specialized high level skills" now pays middle wages whereas about 8 years ago I'd nearly be making about 70% more. How in the world college grads are suppossed to deal with school loans when the jobs to pay them off are barely there.

[gregthegator]

Economic slavery coming YOUR way...orchestrated by THE FED...matters NOT which party rules...:angry:

Too bad 80% of you just don't get it...

So for those 80%....just go BACK to your standard party finger pointing ways...it seems to far above you to understand...:zombie:

Like a frog slow boiled in water...

[gatorman_07732]

That was almost all construction. Gone with housing bust.

Let's be honest though, the day of easy money created a ton of jobs in construction. Every Tom, Dick and Harry were migrating into construction to get a piece of the action. Now that it busted they need to do something else.

[T3goalie]

And my "specialized high level skills" now pays middle wages whereas about 8 years ago I'd nearly be making about 70% more. How in the world college grads are suppossed to deal with school loans when the jobs to pay them off are barely there.

The biggest problem i have seen with college grads over the last decade is that many (not all) have absolutely no job skills when they graduate and have never even had a job bagging groceries. They go through HS and college subsidized by mom, dad, loans, and have majors that have no application in the market place. You end up with psych, sociology, political science and philosophy majors waiting on tables at Starbucks (if they are lucky).

The market place has contracted and it amazes how little thought is given as to what happens after achieving a degree. 18 year old kids can enlist in the navy and end up with massive responsibility on a carrier deck but somehow many 18 year old HS grads seem to want to float through college and have no inkling how to put food in their stomach... Its incredible.

[108]

all part of the plan

serfs and lords

[gator421]

And my "specialized high level skills" now pays middle wages whereas about 8 years ago I'd nearly be making about 70% more. How in the world college grads are suppossed to deal with school loans when the jobs to pay them off are barely there.


Welcome to the 21st century. As long as we make tech advances and keep producing more people, none of this will get better.

[fredsanford]

What a hilarious thread.

Those jobs have been disappearing for decades. All being offshored to China and the Philippines or just plain eliminated to fund obscene CEO bonuses. The economic downturn was just an excuse to do it on a more massive scale all at once.

It's no coincidence that executive compensation has soared during the downturn.

[austingtr]

Yes, is always the evil corporate ceo.
Never mind the guvmint, with its cutting health care expenditures at any cost. Never mind guvmint picking winners and losers, and implementing tax policies that enrich those with lobbyists.

I blame this country's lawyers, and lawmakers.

[mocgator]

all part of the plan

serfs and lords

With the lords actually being the non producing serfs...

[ThePlayer]

What a hilarious thread.

Those jobs have been disappearing for decades. All being offshored to China and the Philippines or just plain eliminated to fund obscene CEO bonuses. The economic downturn was just an excuse to do it on a more massive scale all at once.

It's no coincidence that executive compensation has soared during the downturn.

The only thing hilarious is another Democrat who doesn't understand corporations, shareholders and business.
Lower executive compensation significantly and you get....Barack Obama.

[bluelang]

Let's be honest though, the day of easy money created a ton of jobs in construction. Every Tom, Dick and Harry were migrating into construction to get a piece of the action. Now that it busted they need to do something else.

Absolutely, spot on.