Policy Matters Ohio
05/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/01/2024 10:21
Common jobs still pay too little
Common jobs still pay too little
Posted May 01, 2024 in Press Releases
Despite improvements, too many Ohioans left out of jobs recovery and pay increases
Last year, four of Ohio's 10 largest occupations paid their median worker so little they would qualify for and likely depend on food aid to feed a family of three. That is among the findings in Still working for too little in Ohio, Policy Matters Ohio's annual review of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released today as workers in US cities and around the world celebrate International Workers Day, May Day. Those four occupations employ 476,000 Ohioans (8.7% of all workers in the state).
However, eight of the 10 most common jobs have seen wage increases at the median, and better-paying jobs have moved into the top ten, displacing some lower-paying ones.
"More Ohio workers are finally securing better pay for their work after decades of rising productivity but stagnant compensation," said report author Michael Shields. "But that progress hasn't been enough to turn low-paid jobs into good ones. Only two of the 10 most common jobs pay enough to qualify a family of three as 'economically stable.'"
Although Ohio has recovered the number of jobs lost during the COVID recession, the types and locations of those jobs have changed, resulting in an unbalanced recovery focused in a few communities. The report includes analyses of data from each of Ohio's 11 Metropolitan Statistical Areas: Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Lima, Mansfield, Springfield, Toledo, and Youngstown.
"Despite changes in the annual data, one fact has remained consistent: Too many of Ohio's jobs pay too little," said Shields. "For decades, working Ohioans have done their part, producing more wealth than ever before. Policymakers have failed working people, acquiescing as employers and the wealthiest grab a bigger piece for themselves. Pro-worker policy options exist; we need elected officials to step up - and stand up - for working people."