Understanding Living Wage Jobs

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 147 views

The Evolution of Living Wage Jobs in Rochester: A 5-Year Analysis

The concept of a living wage has become increasingly important in recent years, as it provides a benchmark for determining whether a job pays enough for an individual to meet their basic needs. In this article, we will explore the trend of living wage jobs in Rochester, New York, over a 5-year period from 1997 to 2001. We will examine the data provided in the chart and discuss the implications of the findings.

Understanding Living Wage Jobs

A living wage is the minimum amount of money that an individual needs to earn in order to meet their basic needs, including housing, food, transportation, and healthcare. The concept of a living wage is often used as a benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of social policies and programs aimed at reducing poverty and income inequality.

The Data

The following chart shows the number of living wage jobs in Rochester per 1000 working-age adults over a 5-year period from 1997 to 2001.

Year	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001
Jobs	650	710	765	805	835

Analysis of the Data

The data in the chart shows a steady increase in the number of living wage jobs in Rochester over the 5-year period. In 1997, there were 650 living wage jobs per 1000 working-age adults, which represents a rate of 65%. By 2001, this number had increased to 835, representing a rate of 83.5%.

Trend Analysis

To better understand the trend in living wage jobs, we can calculate the annual percentage change in the number of jobs. The annual percentage change is calculated as follows:

1998-1997: (710-650)/650 x 100% = 9.85%
1999-1998: (765-710)/710 x 100% = 8.45%
2000-1999: (805-765)/765 x 100% = 4.95%
2001-2000: (835-805)/805 x 100% = 3.73%

The annual percentage change in the number of living wage jobs shows a steady increase over the 5-year period, with the largest increase occurring in 1998.

Implications of the Findings

The findings of this analysis have several implications for policymakers and social program administrators. The steady increase in the number of living wage jobs in Rochester over the 5-year period suggests that social policies and programs aimed at reducing poverty and income inequality are having a positive impact. However, the data also suggests that there is still much work to be done to ensure that all working-age adults in Rochester have access to living wage jobs.

In conclusion, the data in the chart shows a steady increase in the number of living wage jobs in Rochester over a 5-year period from 1997 to 2001. The annual percentage change in the number of jobs shows a steady increase over the 5-year period, with the largest increase occurring in 1998. The findings of this analysis have several implications for policymakers and social program administrators, and suggest that social policies and programs aimed at reducing poverty and income inequality are having a positive impact.

Based on the findings of this analysis, the following recommendations are made:

Continue to monitor the trend in living wage jobs in Rochester to ensure that social policies and programs aimed at reducing poverty and income inequality are having a positive impact.
Consider implementing policies and programs aimed at increasing the number of living wage jobs in Rochester, such as job training programs and tax incentives for businesses that pay living wages.
Continue to evaluate the effectiveness of social policies and programs aimed at reducing poverty and income inequality, and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that they are having a positive impact.

This study has several limitations. The data used in the analysis is limited to a 5-year period, and may not be representative of the trend in living wage jobs in Rochester over a longer period of time. Additionally, the study does not control for other factors that may be influencing the trend in living wage jobs, such as changes in the economy or population demographics. Future studies should aim to address these limitations and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the trend in living wage jobs in Rochester.
Frequently Asked Questions: Living Wage Jobs in Rochester

In our previous article, we explored the trend of living wage jobs in Rochester, New York, over a 5-year period from 1997 to 2001. We analyzed the data and discussed the implications of the findings. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about living wage jobs in Rochester.

Q: What is a living wage?

A: A living wage is the minimum amount of money that an individual needs to earn in order to meet their basic needs, including housing, food, transportation, and healthcare.

Q: How is the living wage calculated?

A: The living wage is calculated based on the cost of living in a particular area, including the cost of housing, food, transportation, and healthcare. The calculation takes into account the number of people in the household, the age of the children, and other factors that may affect the cost of living.

Q: What is the current living wage in Rochester?

A: The current living wage in Rochester is $14.25 per hour for a single person with no dependents. However, this number may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the individual.

Q: How many living wage jobs are there in Rochester?

A: According to the data, there were 835 living wage jobs per 1000 working-age adults in Rochester in 2001. This represents a rate of 83.5%.

Q: What are some of the factors that affect the number of living wage jobs in Rochester?

A: Some of the factors that affect the number of living wage jobs in Rochester include:

The state of the economy
The availability of job training programs
The level of funding for social programs
The cost of living in the area
The number of people in the workforce

Q: What can be done to increase the number of living wage jobs in Rochester?

A: Some strategies that can be used to increase the number of living wage jobs in Rochester include:

Implementing policies and programs aimed at increasing the minimum wage
Providing job training programs and education and training services
Offering tax incentives to businesses that pay living wages
Encouraging businesses to adopt living wage policies
Supporting social programs that help low-income individuals and families

Q: How can individuals and families in Rochester access living wage jobs?

A: Individuals and families in Rochester can access living wage jobs by:

Seeking out job training programs and education and training services
Applying for jobs at businesses that pay living wages
Contacting local social service agencies for assistance with job placement and training
Advocating for policies and programs that support living wage jobs

In conclusion, living wage jobs are an important issue in Rochester, and understanding the trend and factors that affect the number of living wage jobs is crucial for policymakers and social program administrators. By answering some of the most frequently asked questions about living wage jobs in Rochester, we hope to provide a better understanding of this complex issue and to encourage further discussion and action.

For more information on living wage jobs in Rochester, please visit the following resources:

The Rochester Living Wage Coalition
The City of Rochester's Department of Economic Development
The New York State Department of Labor
The United Way of Greater Rochester