this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2023
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It’s not like the government is exactly paying fair wages themselves either. Ask any teacher, nurse, researcher or anyone else working in the public sector.
As a scientist, I’d get a major wage increase if I’d switch to the private sector. I mean I’ve got a PhD in physics, and I’m making $43k per year before taxes. Not meaning that as a complaint, just making the point that the government is not exactly treating their laborers much better.
After inflation being in double digits, I got a wage increase of 2%, at least the private sector averaged on 7% or so.
I hear you and I'm sorry that you have to deal with that. I haven't even gotten a 2% raise in years. Funny how the government has no issue giving themselves (i.e. the politicians) raises whenever they want.
I feel like you have a legitimate basis for complaint. I'm a fucking school bus driver and the only reason I make less than you is that I only get 20 hours a week. The more senior drivers who work 40+ hours a week make close to $60K (with health insurance and a pension).
Maybe Physicists should join the Teamsters with us lol.
Just a small bit of nuance that I neglected to give before, I do live in Sweden and $43k gets you much further in Sweden than in the US.
It’s a above median income, which is about $38k. (Both numbers are rounded, in total im line 6k above median per year). But still very significantly below what I can get with my same degree in industry.
It’s a known thing in academia, the pay is not great. Even very high ranking professors, who essentially could have a CEO-like position in industry, still don’t crack six digits here.