Local salaries below average but gaining, report says
By Dave Munday
Salaries, by the numbers
8.1 percent: Average increase in total personal income in the Charleston area last year.
6.2 percent: National average increase in total personal income last year.
$34,133: Per capita personal income in the Charleston area last year.
$40,536: Per capita personal income in the nation's metropolitan areas last year.
5.1 percent: National average increase in per capita personal income last year.
5.9 percent: Increase in per capita personal income in the Charleston area last year.
Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Economic Accounts
Local salaries are lower than the national average, but the tri-county area is making progress, according to a government report released Thursday.
Per capita personal income in the Charleston metropolitan area rose more than the national average last year, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported.
It's because more companies are creating higher-paying jobs here, according to an analyst with the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.
"This is something we've been working toward for several years," said Mary Graham, the chamber's senior vice president of public policy. "I'm just pleased to see it."
Many of the new jobs have come from defense contracts to support the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, such as SPAWAR and Force Protection, she said.
Other companies are also creating better jobs, such as Blackbaud hiring more engineers for its financial software, she said.
David Ginn, chief executive officer of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, works to attract new industries and tracks salaries. He also cited new jobs related to the Medical University of South Carolina.
The average hourly wage at new companies announced in the last two years is $21.32, compared with an average of $16.32 for the Charleston area, he said.
"We have been targeting industry sectors that pay above- average wages and are growing around the world," Ginn said. "This has been our strategy. I think thankfully it's starting to bear fruit. This is great news for our community."
The new jobs have fueled the area's growth spurt, Graham said. More retirees also are moving into area.
More people add up to more personal income. Total personal income in the Charleston area increased well above the national average last year.
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grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
Where Are these companies. someone needs to let my company know. Can you say I want a raise I knew that you could(in your dreams)
August 8, 2008 at 5:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paulie (anonymous) says...
Only these "new" elusive companies are offering higher wages. Unfortunately the vast majority of them, mine included know you are too old to enter the job market and compete with younger new workers. They then stick you with a low salary with little or no increase or advancement.
Such as a long time local employer by the river...
August 8, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
CB, what the hell are you doing on so early man?! How's everything?
Anyways, I would love to find said company offering higher wages...
August 8, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
amandamac (anonymous) says...
I work for a company and have been here for 9 years and only have got a 3.00 raise in 9 years. The benefits are horrible. Please let me know where the good paying jobs are.
August 8, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
CB you are a trip
Good Morning Tammie and CB
August 8, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
That is about right for one income. Two incomes may go up to as much as 50 to 60,000.00
August 8, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
The local salaries are below average because the local work force doesn't measure up! Try to find twenty or thirty locals (and I don't mean illegals) that will even show up five days a week. The local school systems crank out below average students that equate to below average workers and below average pay. Why would anyone with a business that required skilled labor want to operate in Charleston? Give me one reason besides the weather or the State and local tax breaks that are given to big business and laid on the taxpayers backs! Don't get me wrong I love Charleston but if I were young and looking for a career or if I was starting a business other than a roadside peanut or sweet grass stand I would look elsewhere.
August 8, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Clemson1979 (anonymous) says...
Posted by amandamac on August 8, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I work for a company and have been here for 9 years and only have got a 3.00 raise in 9 years. The benefits are horrible. Please let me know where the good paying jobs are.
---------
Sad to say, but the "good" jobs are in the Upstate (Greenville). So guess where I live. Although I miss the Lowcountry, the good jobs are up here.
August 8, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DoaMM (anonymous) says...
So war is good for our local economy? Is that essentially what part of the article is stating?
If that's the case, let's invade Mexico and Canada...
August 8, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Lmao @ CB and Tripsa
Morning Granny!
There is some truth in some of what Cranky is saying. Some people are lazy and have no value of having a job. There are people praying for a job but you have some morons making a lot of money but wasting space.
Prayerfully after graduation, back to Raleigh for me. Job market is better although I'll miss my Mommie. Lol
August 8, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
CB how do you do it? Every time we interview for a position we get the body piercers and tattoo artist's practice canvas to show up. Even had one gubber bring his wife to the interview (don't ask me why). They come dressed like their trying to win a hobo contest or smelling like they haven't bathed in months. Of coarse we are hiring engineers so you tend to get the mentally unstable!
August 8, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
Don't feel sorry for me, things aren't as bad as I make them sound. We do get a few good ones from time to time. Judging from the above corruption of my handle maybe it was me that didn't bath for that interview!
August 8, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kidmaster6 (anonymous) says...
I just wonder when SC will be at the top of a GOOD list???
August 8, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Newt, I agree with you. All of those things go hand in hand, but with SC being satified with "minimally adequate" education we won't get anywhere.
August 8, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
Gadsden,
Education is what you make of it, whether it is private or public. Public education has worked well for many that post on this board, including myself.
August 8, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
Seems like we are dancing around the issue. Greedy employers who know higher paying jobs are hard to find probably ranks as hig as employees not adequately trained for better paying jobs. Service jobs (tourism and Walmart) never will afford a livable income to workers, the problem is systemic. This is a right to work state and you serve at the pleasure of the boss, they know this and use it as a hammer to ensure adherance to low or no pay raise and a host of less than friendly worker's benefits (insurance).
August 8, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
commonsence (anonymous) says...
If any of you have a 70K+ job that you need to fill with an experienced, educated, professional, feel free to let me know. My current job situation is shaky and falling fast!
August 8, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
Gadsden~
I think you answered your own question. You stated 90% of the employers you have worked for.....Either you are a pizz poor worker, or they saw the light and sent your butt marching! Unions, well just maybe?????
August 8, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Newt
How many industries are relocating to the heavily unionize states in the rust belt? I have worked for companies with unions and while unions do protect workers, they also create problems for companies and where industries have a choice they go off shore. Look at our auto industry - the big three is almost dead.
August 8, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
An educated population is key to creating/attracting good jobs for the local folks, unfortunately the elite of our community do not provide the leadership to improve the situation - we end up with the likes of cousin Arthur and John Graham. Perhaps the elite want an ignorant population to fill their needs. Look at the profiles in the paper and elsewhere, most of the important jobs are filled by outsiders and the locals get the menial work.
August 8, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Posted by archdude on August 8, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CB
Understood. I was hoping it could be done without giving out too much info, but you definitely don't want some crazed, revenge seeking P&C psychopath coming into your workplace demanding to tap the keg.
LMAO....tap the keg
August 8, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Dmoney (anonymous) says...
If more money is coming in, how will this effect those living in poverty? mainly the black people working as maids and janitors in the local hotels? will they be included in this money coming into Charleston, or will they continue to be left out? Just asking :)
August 8, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cid95 (anonymous) says...
I think the area has a lot of good employee potential at the junior end. I've seen how lots of smart Charleston area college grads come home after graduation and try to find decent, professional - and fail. And I've seen how lots of people from off that went to CofC, the Cid, and even USC and Clemson fall in love with Charleston and try to relocate here after graduation and get a start - and fail.
They either end up as bartenders / F&B, some other low-paying tourist industry job, or something else like working for a car rental place where no degree is required.
Then, they either fade into that or, and this is usually what happens, they go to the upstate or Atlanta or Charlotte or up north to find their first "real" job.
Or, if mommy and daddy have money, they run back to student life in grad school.
Entry level white collar jobs could find a lot of talent here. Also, for more experience and seniority, I don't think it's hard to get people to transfer here. I've met people all over the world, Americana and even non-Americans, who say they would love to live in Charleston.
But, the reality is that we have doctors and lawyers and some architects and some insurance agents and...that's about it. Yeah, MeadWestvaco and Blackbaud and a handfull of others but they are few and far between.
I don't know the answer, but I do think we could have a lot more industry with the employee base to support it.
August 8, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
redman1959 (anonymous) says...
No kidding, duh.....this is NEWS?
August 8, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fred_durst (anonymous) says...
TP - you say, " would argue that salaries are lower in Charleston because there are very few large employers. There's one computer company for computer guys, one SPAWAR for engineers, one NOAA for marine scientists........"
just off the top of my head there are a ton of places for engineers here. SPAWAR, Bosch, Force protection, Behr, AAI, SAIC, Cummins Turbo, Boeing (787).....
August 8, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MCornerGirl (anonymous) says...
The job market in Charleston is driving me crazy! Well, it's driving my fiance crazy, so therefore, it's driving me crazy! My fiance graduated from CSU in '07 with a Bachelor's in Computer Science, he's been to more job interviews than I count. Do you know where he works? Verizon. Which, I'm not knocking, but come on, a 4 year degree and he's answering phones?
And for a 24 year old, he's more responsible than anyone I know. He could make Mr. Rogers look like a bum. Doesn't layout of work, punctual, doesn't even drink. But do you think people give him a chance? No. "Sorry son, you need more experience?" Well how the hell is he going to get some if nobody will hire him?! ARGH! Thank God I don't have that problem. I'm a Nurse & I told him he should go back to school for that. So far hasn't happened.
August 8, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
In Chucktown, you have to know someone or get lucky to get a good job that pays what you are worth. I've been turned out of a couple of good manufacturing jobs because I'm a retired Air Force person. The ex-Navy interviewer "knew" the AF didn't do what my resume said I had experienced. I couldn't convince him otherwise. I digress.
You have to know someone on the inside to get a good paying job.
They pay dirt wages around here so they can keep their cost of living low which in turns retards growth and all the good and bad that go with it. What a state.
August 8, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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