20 years ago, the local pay for that type of work was $17.50 including benefits. This was in a not very high COL living area relative to Silicon Valley or the l

20 years ago, the local pay for that type of work was $17.50 including benefits. This was in a not very high COL living area relative to Silicon Valley or the like. I look at the pay over there every few years and it has always gone down, while the benefits and career advancement have vanished. It has always been a PITA to be the low person on the totem pole, but these days the pay isn't there, the benefits aren't there, and the treatment can be rather appalling.