• 𝕾𝖕𝖎𝖈𝖞 𝕿𝖚𝖓𝖆@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      I graduated college in ‘14 and got my first professional job that August. I made $17.09 an hour and I was an 85% FTE. I was still in grad school at the time (never finished, whoops). That inflates to right about $22 today, if the BLS’ inflation numbers are to be trusted. Or about $39k at 85% FTE

      My rent was $800 in uptown Oklahoma City.

      Again, I was doing alright for a single guy with a bachelor’s degree at 22 with little work experience. I kept my bills and rent paid. I got to buy a PC component every once in a while. Sure, I wasn’t going on vacation every year, but I wasn’t starving.

      But I was a long way away from hiring cleaners. I couldn’t really afford a therapist back then. Which I desperately needed more than I realized.

      Oklahoma’s minimum wage still follows federal, but most places do start at $9 or $10 anymore. Still not nearly enough. And that’s really in the city. Out in the sticks, you’re making $7.25.