How would you like to perform simple clerical tasks for $32/hour? Well there are lots of openings for these kinds of jobs. But the problem is not everyone knows they exist, or where to find them.
The government recently released the 2010 household income data. The median income for single people like myself is about $25K. This puts me in a relatively good position considering I’m making more than twice that amount right now. Which shouldn’t be a surprise because I work 2 jobs and receive investment income, whereas most unattached individuals have one job. That’s why it’s important to start building multiple income streams as early as possible. The median family however made about $70K. For a closer look at the differences between various cities, here’s the chart from Statscan.
Ottawa takes the lead with the highest median family income of $91K. Not sure if that’s because of all the generously paid politicians living in our capital city or just a coincidence (O_o). Toronto, your manufacturing sector has been hit hard recently, hang in there. And Vancouver, WTF happened? Largest decline out of all the major cities. I am so disappointed (-_-;)
So what can we do with all this information? Well since different cities pay different wages, we can make job searching decisions based on where the money’s at. For example in BC, we can either be a sales clerk working in Vancouver for $11/hr, or we can move to Fort st John and make $17/hr. How about Alberta? Well in Calgary we can be an admin assistant for $40K a year, or an office administrator for $43K a year. Or we can move to Wood Buffalo and make over $60,000 a year as a support clerk.
similar jobs like this one found at: https://rmwb.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl
This city of 65 thousand people isn’t very big, but you can still expect many first world staples like high-speed internet, satellite tv, various hospitality services, restaurants, shopping centers, etc. The only catch is the higher cost of living. A 2 bedroom apartment goes for $2K a month, but that’s not too bad considering tax filers in Wood Buffalo had a median family income of $169,790 in 2010.
It may be hard to find work in this tough economy but great paying jobs are available out there. For unattached and adventurous individuals these opportunities should not be missed. You just have to be willing to move. If you just want to check out Fort McMurray, but don’t want to live there permanently, take a look at their summer jobs option. The point is if you’re going to work at Starbucks anyway why not work in a Starbucks that pays more? I like my current full time job designing art and stuff, but if I were unemployed, you can bet your bottom dollar I’d be applying for jobs in those wealthy northern cities. However, I understand this is not an option for many of my readers who might have developed roots in their current locations.
Oh Vancouver, how expensive you are. They are, but as somebody in HR, most people are unlikely to get one. Typically the decently paying jobs in the lower levels are with municipalities, or gov’t run organizations. For a posting like that, we would normally get hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes.
That’s a lot of resumes. Just shows how badly the unemployment situation is for some people. The wage model for some lower level municipality jobs confuses me. I personally wouldn’t offer such large compensations when there is no shortage of competent candidates willing to compete with each other for less.
It is depressing how wages around here just aren’t increasing as the cost of living continues to balloon. One of these days I’ll have to move, but in my line of work there just isn’t much out there. Perhaps it’s time to go back to school again :S That or finally get around to properly monetizing my blog.
Great idea. Once your blog is making you enough online money you can move to and work from anywhere you want.
I’m always surprised at how low median incomes are. I do think it gives a better representation than average incomes though. I guess Brian and I don’t have a lot to complain about since we are doing quite well compared to the median.
You definitely pay a premium to live in Vancouver. I don’t mind really… there’s too much that Vancouver offers that I can’t get anywhere else 🙂 (Mostly good sushi…)
If I could only eat one type of food for the rest of my life it would be sushi :D.
[…] I told my readers about a permanent full-time position that paid $60,000 a year for doing menial clerical duties. I would have applied for that job myself if I wasn’t already working full […]