Why Do Some Jobs Pay Better Than Others?
What do you do? That's generally one of the first questions people ask when they meet someone new. This is understandable considering that most adults spend the majority of their waking hours at work and that our professions can impact our lives even when we're not at work. Our employment can be a significant part of our identity and provide insights into what is important to us, making it a fertile topic of discussion and psychological research.
Several recent studies have focused on one facet of work: finding meaning in it. Experts have garnered fresh insights from their research, demonstrating that meaningful work is suitable for both the worker and the firm — and that even people in mundane occupations may discover methods to make their duties more meaningful.
However, the impact of work psychologically is one thing; financial benefits are another. To some, fulfilling what they love transcends all other factors. But it's no news that money plays a more prominent role in the reason for working. So, In this piece, we'd be addressing a significant elephant in the room on why some jobs pay better than others.
Why do some jobs pay better?
Pay is just the cost of labor, and as with other prices, it is determined by demand and supply forces. Employer demand is determined by the amount of value created by the job. Supply is mostly determined by skill: how many other people can do the job.
As a result, a high-value, high-skill position (doctor) pays very much, but a low-value, low-skill job (quick food worker) pays very little. Understanding how wages are set is useful for picking what vocation to pursue and determining how to increase your pay if you currently have one. So, it's established that Supply plays a lead role in financial benefits. So what factors determine Supply?
Factors that affect the Supply of workers
When you think about it, this makes logic. The difficulty of learning the job and the unpleasantness of working conditions determine the size of the labor pool that can do the job. The higher the wages, the fewer workers who are able or willing to execute the task. In addition, workers must be compensated for the cost of the training they received.
The difficulty of learning the job
Working at a fast-food restaurant necessitates no specialized skills or education; therefore, we'd anticipate their wages to be among the lowest, which they are. Anyone could do it; the pool of possible employees is vast.
Working as an electrician necessitates at least a two-year degree and some on-the-job training. Because of the required training, fewer people are qualified to work as electricians; thus their earnings will be higher. Because becoming a specialized doctor involves several years of college and training, the Supply of specialized doctors is extremely limited, and they command among the highest incomes.
It's worth noting that for every year an electrician or doctor spends in school, they not only have to pay tuition, but they also lose out on the money they could have earned if they worked instead. Another reason they are paid more in their positions is that they need to be reimbursed for the tuition they paid and the earnings they lost out on – otherwise, it wouldn't make sense to receive the training in the first place.
2. Unpleasantness Of Job Conditions
Both being an electrician and a paralegal take two years of study. However, the electrician's pay is higher. This is due to the second component in pay determination: employment conditions. The electrician works in subzero temperatures and suffocating heat, but the paralegal works in an air-conditioned office. Every day that the electrician goes to work, he puts himself in danger of death or harm. The paralegal is only concerned about eye strain and carpal tunnel syndrome.
What effect does this have on wages? Because of the unfavorable working conditions, fewer people would want to become electricians, and companies will need to give them greater rates to attract enough electricians. Jobs with unfavorable working circumstances pay more.
This factor explains why truck drivers, coal miners, and oil workers are paid so well concerning their skills.
Wages are also affected by market demand.
Just as the supply side of labor can significantly impact salaries, the demand for labor by enterprises can also have a significant impact. Assume that enterprises are seeing a surge in demand for programmers due to the tech sector's rising profitability. What effect will this have on programmers' wages? Short answer, their value will increase, especially in monetary benefits.
Take-Home
This piece briefly looked at some factors that determine why some jobs pay better than others from a significant perspective. There'd always be exceptions. However, these factors would help a great deal in understanding the business world and choosing a career. One thing that will always apply regardless of career is, always strive to be the best at what you do.
PS: Confused about how to write the perfect CV, Resume, or Cover Letter? Try MY CV Creator Today!