Comments on: Academics salaries lower than automobile industry worker salary?

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:29:40 +0000

The average auto worker makes $52K a year in salary. The numbers you cited are bogus.

By: Mr.Angry

Mr.Angry — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:45:46 +0000

I agree, they are somewhat insulting considering that there is a lot more work, money and time involved with earing a PHD

By: Academic Productivity » The economist: Academia ranked last as source of innovative ideas and my thoughts on startups vs grant money

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:31:42 +0000

[...] have posted before on how academics are not ‘in it’ for the money. If anyone has doubts, just (re)read Phillip [...]

By: Che

Che — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:34:15 +0000

Finally! We’re starting to see the hypocrisy of the modern American union! Why bother going to college and trying to grow your brain when the average trailer monkey is getting a six figure salary? Or the ability to drop a wrench on his foot and spend the rest of his life on “disability” payments and not have to work another day? This is the trash that was given more money than they know what to do with, access to the stock market via eTrade accounts, McMansions, etc. Time for an Educated Workers Revolution…a White Collar Rebellion.

Throw all the Detroit bums out on their asses, from the criminal CEOs to the overpaid laborers. Sure, put a million guys out and let them eat a little humble pie for a couple of years. We’ll all have to tighten, but the smarter ones among us will truly survive. And those who don’t, because they are both spoiled AND uneducated? They can flip burgers or cut lawns…take back the jobs they were meant for, the ones that they thought they were too good for.

Put unions in Walmart to save lives and get them out of the industries where they’ve overstayed their welcome. Down with the Rich Underclass!

By: factory professor

factory professor — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:09:20 +0000

This site came up when I searched for info about UAW pay. I’ve been told by a couple people that the average salary has been stated as over $75/hr, and I was wondering if that was correect. It must include all benefits and …???? There must be something else…

I worked in manufacturing (not automotive) on the shop floor for about 25 years (at various levels) before continuing my education further and accepting a position in a community college. I lost over $10K/year to take it, but I like the flexibility and needed a change. I have been there 10 years now and recently made Associate professor. (I put a lot of extra work into my job and apparently my real world experience was valued – that is a quick promotion rate from instructor to assistant to Assoc in 10 yrs). Publishing means virtually nothing hear; we are not a research college. I have one promtion left, and can hope to get it in another 5 years or so. The raise will be another $2,500 or so. The sky is surely not the limit.

$75/hr translates to over $150K per year. I don’t know anyone in industry making much more than 1/2 that (including overtime) doing “blue collar” work, and I don’t mean just assemblers, but highly skilled, well trained craftsmen who have served 4 year apprenticeships, often have an associate degree, and years of experience.

Sure I’m jealous. People I train today can end up making more than me in a few years, but three times my salary? That’s not good negotiation. That’s crazy. UAW should agree to give back a lot if they want the companies to make it, just as CEO’s should. No company, no job.

By: MICHAEL

MICHAEL — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:38:11 +0000

I just graduated from University of California, and i am only getting paid eleven dollars an hour. I am outraged about the $40 an hour for the UAW worker. I will not send my children to school. It is better for them to become an UAW worker. An UAW worker’s benefit alone beats my wage on itself hands down. I feel bad for going to school, i should have become an UAW worker.

By: Doug

Doug — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:10:05 +0000

Wow, you give a union in this day enough rope it will hang itself. The problem with the pay is the market cannot afford to pay it. Couple that with the Big Three’s refusal to make quality vehicles for years and you have a giant castrophe. The UAW has gotten greedy and you people cannot even see that unions are what is driving industry out of the north and into the south. That IS WHY foreign companies are no longer builing up north… and I do work for an Engineering / Procurement / Construction company so I am not pulling this information out of thin air. Also, as a southerner, I say stay greedy. You will only drive your area further into economic despair, helping rejunvenate the south.

By: incentive script

incentive script — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:56:44 +0000

if they are lowered, then where is the value of academics gone?

By: career advice

career advice — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:32:35 +0000

Interesting figures. I wonder if they still hold up a year later, or if the gap has widened?

By: Socrates

Socrates — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:27:09 +0000

It’s not WRONG that UAW workers get more than academics, It’s facts. A graduate will only think about him or herself and will negotiate on an individual basis. He or she will work harder or cheaper than their peers to gain a competitive edge. A UAW worker stands together with other UAW workers and negotiates as a united front. You think that’s unfair? Don’t blame the UAW for being better negotiators