What professions do you feel are underpaid? (Inspired by luvmarypoppins)

[jinxed]

I have to comment about how little teachers get paid. I agree totally! I was only a substitute teacher for a few months and "walked in their shoes." I always felt that teaching is one of the hardest jobs, but after my short time as a substitute, I realized even more so that they are underpaid and not given enough credit.

It's tough trying to not only teach children, but add to the mix the many learning disabilities. I also noticed that every child has their own way of learning, so what may work for one child, doesn't work for another.

Kids are tough today. Teachers also have to be discipliners and babysitters. How many times have we said after the long summer, "I can't wait until the kids go back to school!"

Teachers don't get the respect that they deserve. After all, they are spending more than half of the day for 180 days with our children, who also happens to be this country's future.

Ok, had to get that out, now back to the question, what profession is underpaid? I agree with everyone here. Why is it that the professions that are "Community Helpers," such as police, firefighters, teachers, nurses, etc, are the lowest paid?

 

[missypie]

Years ago I heard something on the radio that was funny but so true. I wish I had a copy of it. Someone was saying how people should be paid according to how indespensible they are to society - the folks we can't do without were the highest paid and it went from there. All I remember was that garbage collectors were the highest paid and professional basketball players were the lowest paid.

 

[barbeml]

I've never heard it put better!

 

[Dizkneenurse]

Originally posted by gometros
I'd be curious if you were per diem or full-time. Either way, from my recent expereince you can't be paid enough.

I work 2 13 hour shifts a week..that is equal to part time. I guess my point is that I didn't pick this job for the pay, I do it because that is what I was drawn to do. I could have done many things that pay more.

I never complain about my pay, just the stupid things I have to do that have nothing to do with caring for patients.

Not that I would turn down a raise!!


heidi

 

[JVL1018]

Originally posted by jinxed


Ok, had to get that out, now back to the question, what profession is underpaid? I agree with everyone here. Why is it that the professions that are "Community Helpers," such as police, firefighters, teachers, nurses, etc, are the lowest paid?

I believe it's because firefighters/police officers and teachers are paid through our taxes...and quite frankly $9000 a year is enough for me to pay. I can't afford another property tax increase to raise salaraies anymore than they are(and they do get paid well here).
I understand that these occupations are historically underpaid, but quite frankly, we all know that, and we all have a choice in what we want to do with our careers, sadly we sometimes have to choose between what we would love to do and what we can afford to do.
DH is not a firefighter because the salary is too low, so he gives up on getting his dream job and has a job that he likes a lot, he's not miserable, but more than anything he'd rather be a full time FF. But it's not to be.

 

[Sirius]

Here's something that's been around for some time.

Teachers get paid way too much! I'm fed up with teachers and their hefty salary schedules. What we need here is a little perspective.

If I had my way, I'd pay these teachers myself! I'd pay them babysitting wages. That's right! Instead of paying these outrageous school taxes, I'd give them $3 an hour out of my own pocket. And I'm only going to pay them for five hours, too... not for any coffee breaks. That would be $15 a day. Yup. Each parent should pay $15 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their child. Even if they have more than one child, it's still a lot cheaper than private day care.

Now, how many children do they teach every day? Maybe 25? That's $15x25=$375 a day. But remember, those darn teachers only work 180 days a year! I am not going to pay them for all those vacations! Now, let's see... $375x180=$67,500. (Hey, wait a minute, I think my calculator needs new batteries.)

I know, I know... some teachers will whine "But what about those of us who have 10 years experience and a Master's degree?" Well, maybe (to be fair) they could get the minimum wage, and instead of just baby-sitting. And maybe they could read the kids a story while they're at it, too. We could round that off to about $5 an hour, times five hours, times 25 children. That's $625 a day times 180 days. Let's see... that's $112,500... HUH?!?

Wait a minute, let's get a little perspective here. Maybe baby-sitting wages are too good for these teachers. Hey... did anyone see a salary schedule around here?

(Sorry, source unknown.)

For me, it works like this (we are on block scheduling):

Masters (actually I'll have a PhD in September) $5.00 per hour
Teaching Hours per class = 1.5
Classes per day = 3
Number of teaching days per year = 180
Number of student per class = 30 (average)

1 class x 30 students x 1.5 hours x $5.00 per hour = $225 per class
180 days x 3 classes = 540 classes per year
540 classes x $225 per class = $121,500 per year.

And I don't even teach math!

 

[CourtasanSatine]

CNA's,my DBF is one and he was telling me how hard it is to find a apartment on the pay

 

[tinkerbeth]

Originally posted by missypie
Years ago I heard something on the radio that was funny but so true. I wish I had a copy of it. Someone was saying how people should be paid according to how indespensible they are to society - the folks we can't do without were the highest paid and it went from there. All I remember was that garbage collectors were the highest paid and professional basketball players were the lowest paid.

 

[disneyluvers]

I read through all the posts and not one person mentioned Corrections Officers. Anyone in that profession works shifts in prisons that are so loud they come home shouting like they've been to a rock concert. That's not to mention the danger they're in every time they step foot in the place. And did I mention that they are behind locked doors until their shift ends?

C.O.s have one of the highest rates of divorce and alcoholism due to the stressful working conditions they have. My DH is a C.O. and I know firsthand how stressful his job is. And to top it all off, the trainees that have just been hired in are starting out with pay that grows with inflation. With DH being a Sgt. with 10 years in that means in another 5 years the only thing that will separate him from the new guys in how much quicker he can bid for vacation slots.

I'm telling ya. Police, FF, Paramedics, EMTs, Case Workers, C.O.s, Teachers, anyone in the public sector that has direct dealings with people is not paid enough in this country. I say raise the wages of public servants and stop letting the politicians give themselves pay raises every other year. We'd all be alot better off.

Whew! I feel better now.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by Tigger1

During the school year there is no time to grade papers, make lesson plans, ect during 7:40 am to 3:15 pm. Oh we do get a planning period but occasionally we watch someones class if a substitute is not there. When we do get the planning period it is never long enough to call parents, make copies ect. That results to working after hours.

I also work night school and tutor after school to earn extra $$$.

During this summer I am working full time for a oil company.

I still make under $33,000 a year with all the extra jobs I find. At least twice a week I work from 7:40 am to 9 pm. Oh, that does not include grading papers once I get home.

Tigger

See now, that varies so much from state to state...my brother makes over 70,000 as a teacher here and he NEVER has to grade papers on his own time, he only teaches 3 classes a day and the rest of the time he has to grade papers and do other things like be senior class advisor. He also only gets the honors classes to teach so he doesn't have to deal with the trouble kids (it goes by seniority) Sure some nights like teachers conferance or prom he gets home late but normally he is home in the door by 3pm and then the rest of the time is his. He tells me he does his class planner during all his free time at school! He also gets to go to Disney on class trips and up to a ski resort so as a teacher he doesn't have such a bad life or pay for only working 3/4 of a year!
At 180 days of work that works out to 388.00 a DAY!!!!

 

[Talking Hands]

Teachers, Law Enforcement. Firefigthters, Paraprofessionals, Sign Language Interpreters, Nurses, Paramedicas/EMT, Daycare Workers, Secretaries

 

[EdiePA]

I'm a pharmacist in a State Mental Health Hospital. Right now, I'm making $30,000 LESS per year than I could in retail pharmacy.

Did I know that I would be underpaid when I went in? Yes. BUT in the last five years, the gap has widened exponentially. And as a single mom, with two sons now in college, it gets harder and harder to make ends meet.

The schedule is wonderful. Because of health problems, I don't think I could go back to retail -- with 12 hour days, no breaks, no lunch and you only get to sit down when you go to the bathroom. BUT, I am seriously reconsidering. Do I want to? NO! But I'm taking home less this year than I did two years ago. It hurts.

I'm under serious threat each time I step out of the pharmacy -- violence in the hallways is really up. And the strain is starting to show on everyone.

Just hoping for some relief,
Edie

 

[tidoublegger]

As an EMT, I can vouch that the pay for EMT's and paramedics is WAY below what it should be. I also agree that public servant jobs tend to pay far less they should be. Hospital housekeeping jobs and CNA's are also underpaid, IMHO.

 

[JayCT]

Talking Hands - DW is a Sign Language Interpreter and I think she gets paid fairly well for her services. She loves what she is doing and makes a decent pay. What more can you ask for? Well maybe benefits, since she works freelance. Jay

P.S. I should say that DW is a Medical Sign Language Interpreter. She loves going to hospitals and doctor's offices and interpreting for people. They are always so grateful and appreciative. Also, the situations are always different and interesting.

 

[Tigger1]

I teach in what is said to be one of the lowest paying states. We have been told that a bill has been pastd to put us at the reginal average in 5 years. why wait? Are they going for what the reginal average is now or what it will be in 5 years, I can guess what it will be. We can only dream.

Tigger

 

[JVL1018]

Originally posted by disneyluvers
I read through all the posts and not one person mentioned Corrections Officers. Anyone in that profession works shifts in prisons that are so loud they come home shouting like they've been to a rock concert. That's not to mention the danger they're in every time they step foot in the place. And did I mention that they are behind locked doors until their shift ends?

C.O.s have one of the highest rates of divorce and alcoholism due to the stressful working conditions they have. My DH is a C.O. and I know firsthand how stressful his job is. And to top it all off, the trainees that have just been hired in are starting out with pay that grows with inflation. With DH being a Sgt. with 10 years in that means in another 5 years the only thing that will separate him from the new guys in how much quicker he can bid for vacation slots.

My brother is a SGT in NJ with the Dept. of Corrections(just passed the LT test).
I know he's pretty happy with his salary..though he does live in PA and commutes to NJ because of the expense of living in NJ.
I am so with you on the loudness issue. The divorce rate I can see, though he has been married to his high school sweetheart for 14 years-she is a saint. LOL
I like to remind him(often) that he needs to remember that he is in the outside world when he's not at work. He's not in charge of all of us and that we don't actually have to do what he says.
I could never do that job, but he loves it.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I know that this thread has died down , and maybe shouldnt have life breathed into it again ... but here goes it

The statement was made to me that my DH has a great job and that it must be nice going to work every 3rd day .
I said "yeah it must be BUT since he has to work a extra job because the Fire Dept isnt just handing out lots of money to take a chance on being BURNED alive he has to work just like rest of us !"

No matter what you do I'm sure you are underpaid . As the wife of a FF I can tell you that we are not rolling in money .
Teachers ... You are teaching the future of our whole world . You need to be paid more .