Pittsburgh area unemployment lowest since 1970 (apartments, home, safe neighborhood)

[gladhands]

Slightly lower than the national average.

https://www.wesa.fm/post/pittsburgh-...-its-been-1970

[SteelCityRising]

Good. Maybe at some point Pittsburghers' wages will begin to increase to match the rapidly rising rents?

I mean I've worked at my office for roughly three years. We've been understaffed since at least that time. I've been soaking up a ton of overtime because we can't attract enough qualified applicants to apply at the starting wage (~$15/hr.) that is offered who don't have a needle hanging out of their arms.

Pittsburgh's not a "cheap" city anymore where $30,000/year is "good money". Pittsburgh's employers REALLY need to start loosening their purse strings. I worked at PNC just several years ago and made ~$10/hr., too, while wearing a tie. Meanwhile PNC is one of the largest banks in the country. It's literally insulting how low the hourly wages are that many Pittsburghers that aren't in the "tech" scene/sector are paid.

[PghYinzer]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Good. Maybe at some point Pittsburghers' wages will begin to increase to match the rapidly rising rents?

I mean I've worked at my office for roughly three years. We've been understaffed since at least that time. I've been soaking up a ton of overtime because we can't attract enough qualified applicants to apply at the starting wage (~$15/hr.) that is offered who don't have a needle hanging out of their arms.

Pittsburgh's not a "cheap" city anymore where $30,000/year is "good money". Pittsburgh's employers REALLY need to start loosening their purse strings. I worked at PNC just several years ago and made ~$10/hr., too, while wearing a tie. Meanwhile PNC is one of the largest banks in the country. It's literally insulting how low the hourly wages are that many Pittsburghers that aren't in the "tech" scene/sector are paid.

Wages will begin to rise after rents for older apartments begin to fall. Just gotta keep waiting....

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Good. Maybe at some point Pittsburghers' wages will begin to increase to match the rapidly rising rents?

I mean I've worked at my office for roughly three years. We've been understaffed since at least that time. I've been soaking up a ton of overtime because we can't attract enough qualified applicants to apply at the starting wage (~$15/hr.) that is offered who don't have a needle hanging out of their arms.

Pittsburgh's not a "cheap" city anymore where $30,000/year is "good money". Pittsburgh's employers REALLY need to start loosening their purse strings. I worked at PNC just several years ago and made ~$10/hr., too, while wearing a tie. Meanwhile PNC is one of the largest banks in the country. It's literally insulting how low the hourly wages are that many Pittsburghers that aren't in the "tech" scene/sector are paid.

You’re half-right. Wages are relatively low, but Pittsburgh is still cheap. You can still purchase a single-family home in a safe neighborhood or first ring suburb for under 100k. The US median home price is 200k.

As far as your organization goes; you’re a government employee lower wages come with the territory. Traditionally, people have been willing to take wages lower than those of the private sector, in exchange for the stability and benefits of a government job.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Good. Maybe at some point Pittsburghers' wages will begin to increase to match the rapidly rising rents?

I mean I've worked at my office for roughly three years. We've been understaffed since at least that time. I've been soaking up a ton of overtime because we can't attract enough qualified applicants to apply at the starting wage (~$15/hr.) that is offered who don't have a needle hanging out of their arms.

Pittsburgh's not a "cheap" city anymore where $30,000/year is "good money". Pittsburgh's employers REALLY need to start loosening their purse strings. I worked at PNC just several years ago and made ~$10/hr., too, while wearing a tie. Meanwhile PNC is one of the largest banks in the country. It's literally insulting how low the hourly wages are that many Pittsburghers that aren't in the "tech" scene/sector are paid.

Much better chance of finding a better paying job than expecting wages to go up.

[Knepper3]

Yeah I have a buddy from NJ Transit, don't know his salary but he lives average but he started early and at like 53 he gets basically full salary pension

[PghYinzer]

I would also like to add, you cannot sit and wait for your salary to rise. If you are not seeing the gains you would like, or expect, after a few years of quality performance, you need to move on. The money is out there, you just have to chase it.

[_Buster]

Yep I always understood that the pensions were the big reason people want government jobs, they're usually much better than anything you can do with a 401k

[Knepper3]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

I would also like to add, you cannot sit and wait for your salary to rise. If you are not seeing the gains you would like, or expect, after a few years of quality performance, you need to move on. The money is out there, you just have to chase it.

This is very true, people now are lucky to get 2-3% raise each year. Its nice for a slow steady increase and keep up with inflation but it doesnt really afford you to move up in life. I had a friend who year in and year out just crushed it at work yet each year the raise was no different. Promotions were just title changes resulting in the same annual raise. People who well under performed got 1% less. He eventually split and got a nice 20% bump in new salary.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

I would also like to add, you cannot sit and wait for your salary to rise. If you are not seeing the gains you would like, or expect, after a few years of quality performance, you need to move on. The money is out there, you just have to chase it.

Excellent advice.