The Household Living Wage Study

Brevard County

Updated 2005

Student Presentation

DefinitionsLiving WageLiving Wage

The hourly salaryhourly salary that must be earned in

Brevard County to support a family at a level of

self- sufficiencyself- sufficiency

Self-SufficiencySelf-Sufficiency

The ability to meet a family’s basic needsbasic needs

without assistance from government programs

What it Is / What it’s NotA living wageliving wage is about a fair wage an

employer should offer.

A living wageliving wage is about meeting the basic costs of livingbasic costs of living

without Federal, State, or local assistance.

The local living wagelocal living wage is forever changing

because the cost of livingcost of living always fluctuates,

usually

Household Incomes(for Living Wage Study)

Very conservative

Cover only minimumminimum basicbasic necessitiesnecessities

Household Income

What the Living Wage

does not cover...

Household Income• Food consumed away from home• Credit card debt• Savings

• Social / recreation activities

• Insurance – renters, homeowners, life• Car payment• Cell phone, cable, Internet, pets . . . and all of those other

things most of us are fond of!

Scenario #1• 2 Parents, 2 Children (under 18)

• Both parents working outside of the home• Paying for childcare

• Both parents covered by employer’s health/dental insurance

Wage 2005

Annually $57,575.40

Monthly $4,797.95

Hourly $27.68

Scenario #2• 2 Parents, 2 Children (under 18)

• Both parents working different shifts outside of the home• Parents providing childcare while other works

• Both parents covered by employer’s health/dental insurance

Wage 2005

Annually $42,178.68

Monthly $3,514.89

Hourly $20.28

Scenario #3• 2 Parents, 2 Children (under 18)

• Both parents working outside of the home• Paying for childcare

• One parent covered by employer’s health/dental insurance

Wage 2005

Annually $59,054.04

Monthly $4,921.17

Hourly $28.39

Scenario #4• 2 Parents, 2 Children (under 18) • Both working different shifts outside of the home

• Each parent providing childcare while the other works

• One parent covered by employer’s health/dental insurance

Wage 2005

Annually $45,915.72

Monthly $3,826.31

Hourly $22.07

Scenario #5• 1 Parent, 2 Children (under 18) • Parent working outside of the home

• Paying for childcare

• Parent covered by employer health/dental insurance

Wage 2005

Annually $48,812.88

Monthly $4,067.74

Hourly $23.47

Scenario #6• 1 Parent, 2 Children (under 18) • Parent working outside of the home

• Childcare provided by family member at no cost

• Parent covered by employer’s health/dental insurance

Wage 2005

Annually $32,870.52

Monthly $2,739.21

Hourly $15.80

Scenario #7• Single adult• Employed outside of the home• Covered by employer’s health/dental insurance

Wage 2005

Annually $19,003.32

Monthly $1,583.61

Hourly $9.14

Beyond Self-SufficiencyRemember all of those items that the Living Wage didn’t cover?

What happens to a person’s What happens to a person’s budget when these items budget when these items are added?are added?

Budget Changes• Add 3% inflation• Add car payment of $200 a month• Add basic cable for $15 a month• Add $200 a month for any of the following items:

Living Comfortably

The results . . .

Household Hourly Income

$11.84 an hour!

What kind of jobs and skills do you need to make

$11.84 an hour?

Jobs / Skills

Jobs with Average Entry Wages

$11.50 - $12.50*Most jobs listed require minimum of HS diploma or GED and some require 1-2 years of work experience

Customer Service Representatives 12.37Security Guards 12.14Truck Drivers, Light or Delivery Services 11.93Assemblers & Fabricators 11.86Library Technicians 11.69Hairdressers, Hairstylists, & Cosmetologists 11.54Construction Laborers 10.83Stock Clerks & Order Fillers 10.53

LIVE LARGE!

With additional education and training you can . . .

Fastest Growing Jobs In Florida

Dental Hygienists $24.33

Radiation Therapists $23.85

Nuclear Medicine Technologists $23.36

Registered Nurses $21.78

Occupational Therapist Assistants $19.55

Respiratory Therapists $18.75

Physical Therapist Assistants $18.33

Computer Support Specialists $15.41

Cardiovascular Technologists/Technicians $15.63

Environmental Science & Protection Techs $15.56

These jobs require a HS Diploma or GED, 2-4 years of college and a technical certification or professional license

What Have You Learned?• A living wage isn’t about whether an employer pays well,

but rather about being able to meet the costs associated with a basic budget without Federal, State, or local intervention.

• The Household Living Wage Study is very conservative and only covers the basics.

• A living wage increases when the cost of living increases.

What Have You Learned?• A living wage is a dollar range taking into account family make-up

and lifestyle.

• The availability of family members to care for minor children, and an employer’s benefit package are major elements that impact a living wage.

• To live “comfortably” or “LARGE” requires education and training beyond high school.

The Household Living Wage Study – Student Presentation has been adapted for use from the Brevard Household Living Wage Study funded by the Brevard Workforce Development Board.

This presentation is free of copyright restrictions and may be downloaded or reprinted for use with youth as a teaching tool.