Living wages for Ohioans the focus of Policy Matters Ohio study

Michael Shields, a Senior Researcher and Economist for Policy Matters Ohio joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the need to pay Ohio workers a living wage. Shields also talked about some occupations guilty of underpaying workers and what the state of Ohio could do to provide workers with safe and livable employment.

The Policy Matters Ohio (PMO) team has looked at the most common jobs in Ohio over the last several years and examined the average pay compared to living wages. PMO believes full-time employees should be allowed to work for a living wage. The study found that among the top 10 most common jobs in the state in 2019, six paid their average worker at a rate below the threshold for state-funded food assistance. In 2022, only three of the top 10 most common jobs fell in that category. However, several less common jobs still have low-wage issues, Shields said.

PMO found that three occupations led the way with unfair wages. Fast food and counter workers, cashiers and retail sales work were the three worst jobs based on wages. Waiters, waitresses, and home-health aides have fallen off the list recently, but they still struggle to be paid properly. Shields believes the jobs that fell off the list did so because of the employee shortage in their respective fields.

Ohio has tried to show its support for workers, but it hasn’t been enough, Shields said. The state minimum wage for workers provides a higher base pay for people in low-wage jobs. However, many low-wage jobs will only pay their workers the minimum wage and nothing more. Protecting people's right to join a union is crucial to improving and growing the number of middle-class workers in the state.

To hear more about the study, listen to the entire episode.