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Low-income jobs on the rise, but outlook remains bleak

Lower-income jobs may be in the highest supply since the 2007-09 recession, but Americans remain unconvinced that things are improving.
Written by Charlie Osborne, Contributing Writer

Lower-income jobs may be in the highest supply since the 2007-09 recession, but Americans remain unconvinced that things are improving.

As reported by the AP, U.S. citizens that are on a wage bracket of less than $35,000 a year are pessimistic about their long-term options. As a workforce, according to a recent study, many believe they are worse off now than before the recession, and many believe they are stuck in "dead end" jobs with few career prospects.

Worryingly, only 41 percent of those who stayed at the same post for over a decade ever received a promotion. In addition, 67 percent of all low-wage workers said they saw "a little" or "no opportunity" at their jobs for advancement, even though 72 percent of employers at large firms and 58 percent at SMBs believe there is a "great deal" or "some" chance to advance.

See also: Ten tech skills you must have for a $100k salary

Survival is also more difficult, according to the survey respondents. The majority of low-paid workers, 74 percent, said that it is now "difficult" or "very difficult" to stay afloat, and most worry about unpaid bills, unexpected medical costs, losing their jobs and keeping up with the mortgage.

44 percent and 20 percent reported stagnant or declining wage packets respectively over the past five years.

Labor economist Heidi Shierholz of the Economic Policy Institute commented:

"Lower-wage jobs are coming back first. But it's all bleak and it's all due to lack of demand for work to be done. We're still not getting more than just what we need to hang on, these last few months have looked better, but we cannot yet claim robust recovery by any stretch."

The surveys were sponsored by the Joyce Foundation, the Hitachi Foundation and NORC at the University of Chicago.

Via: Associated Press

Image credit: Flickr

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This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com

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