MIT says $12 minimum isn’t livable in this metro-east county. These jobs pay a living wage
The minimum wage is not livable in St. Clair County, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s living wage calculator. With the costs of food, housing and gas increasing, it’s becoming even more difficult to take care of basic needs with low wages.
The minimum wage a St. Clair County resident needs to make in order to afford food, housing, medical care, transportation and similar necessary expenses is $16.66 for one adult with no children, according to MIT.
Illinois’ minimum wage for non-tipped workers is currently $12, while tipped workers can make a base pay of $7.20 per hour. While the Illinois minimum wage is set to increase to $15 per hour by 2025, it still won’t meet MIT’s calculation of a livable salary for a single person.
What constitutes a livable wage depends on the number of dependents someone supports, as well as whether another adult in the household works full-time.
Here are a few of MIT’s livable wage calculations for St. Clair County:
$16.66 is livable for one adult without children
$32.68 for one adult with one child
$40.97 for one adult with two children
$25.57 for two adults with one working full-time (no children)
$31.19 for two adults and one child with one adult working
$12.79 for two adults, both working, with no children
$18.07 for two adults, both working, with one child
The News-Democrat has rounded up metro-east area job postings with minimal education and experience requirements that advertise wages of $16.66 or more per hour. The listings are current as of Nov. 16.
Job listings in southwest Illinois
Position: Grain sampler at North Dakota Grain Inspection
Sauget, Ill.
$18 to $36 per hour
No experience required, but physical ability requirements apply, such as lifting more than 50 pounds and working 12 or more hours in a single shift.
Position: Delivery driver with FedEx Express
Collinsville, Ill.
$18.71 per hour
No experience required. A high school diploma or GED is required.
Position: Aircraft detailer at Sharp Details LLC
Cahokia, Ill.
$19 to $21 per hour, based on experience
English-speaking proficiency and physical requirements apply.
Position: Production worker/machine operator at Cerro Flow Products LLC
Cahokia, Ill.
$20 to $23 per hour
High school diploma or equivalent required; physical requirements apply. Prior experience preferred.
Position: Lawn care technician trainee with Munie Greencare Professionals
Caseyville, Ill.
$17 to $20 per hour
No experience required.
This story was originally published November 21, 2022 at 10:45 AM.
