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These numbers seem implausibly low. How are they derived? It says they come from W-2 filings. But do they bother to match up different W-2 filings from the sam
by hugh3 15y ago
These numbers seem implausibly low. How are they derived?
It says they come from W-2 filings. But do they bother to match up different W-2 filings from the same person? i.e. if I work two part-time jobs, are those added up? Or even if I switch jobs part way through the year?
Of course it doesn't include income from non-work sources (investment income etc), though that shouldn't change the median that much since people in the lower half don't have all that much in passive income.
Of course it doesn't include tips either (or it can -- reporting of tips on W-2s is, as I understand it, complicated and whatever the law is, it isn't followed).
- tsotha 15y agoWhy do they seem low? $26k is $13/hr for someone working full time. There are a whole lot of people making less than $13/hr.
- hugh3 15y agoThere are a lot of 'em, but I doubt they account for 50% of the working population.
- geogra4 15y agoA lot of people live in a bubble where the only people they know where those who they went to (expensive private) college and (wealthy suburban) high school with. At that point you literally never get to come in contact with people not as fortunate as yourself. You get to believe that everyone had the same opportunities that you had, and that those who are earning less are just lazy or entitled. I'm not accusing the parent of that, just bringing some perspective to the debate.
- thret 15y agoThe legal minimum wage in Australia is $15.51, about $16 USD. I realise Americans are poor, but I had no idea it was so bad.
- getsat 15y agoMinimum wages vary per state in the USA. States with higher cost of living (e.g., California) typically have higher minimum wages.
- yummyfajitas 15y agoDon't feel bad for us, there are lots of places where things are worse. Australia, for example. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_household_income http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_household_income Adjusting for PPP, your $16 USD is only about $11.40. Australia is considerably more expensive than the US.
- thret 15y agoActually Australia has the highest median wealth in the world. http://au.ibtimes.com/news/234393/20111020/forex/australia-dislodges-switzerland-as-wealthiest-nation-in-the-world.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/news/234393/20111020/forex/australia-d... Not sure why you think Australia is more expensive than the US. I visit the US every year and do not find this to be the case at all.
- stonemetal 15y agoSorry for being off topic I always find it weird when people use $ for non US currency. After all $ is a U superimposed on an S. Is it a common thing to use that symbol for other currencies, or is it a just easier to type thing.
- jholman 15y agoTen seconds on wikipedia would have shown you that the use of this symbol to denote dollars and pesos predates (if just barely) the founding of the United States. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollar_sign http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollar_sign So, barring time travel, I suggest that your theory about a U superimposed on an S must be wrong (at least as a causal story). I've got to learn to stop caring about the rampant America-centrism on H.N.