Low Pay in Larger Markets-Where's the money going to?

[newsismylife]

Question:

If a television station (Larger market-usually Southern non-union markets) are paying "less" because of the so-called "sunshine pay and supposed lower cost of living," where is the money going to? It must be to the bottom line-"More Profit." The ad rates can't be different because of the location. It's all based on Demos and market size. Is it fair to say that the tech staff is getting unfairly sqeezed here? Smaller northern markets in a lot of cases simply pay more. What gives?

[shootercub]

What gives?

That money is going to the ND and GM as a BONUS at the end of the year!

[cameradog]

Is it fair to say that the tech staff is getting unfairly sqeezed here?

No.

These companies pay what the market will bear. If they aren't paying enough, they won't be able to find and keep good people. The fact that there are other people lined up to take the jobs keeps the wages low. They only pay poorly because they can.

If you don't think they pay enough, don't take a job with them. If enough good people refuse to work for them, they'll have to raise their rates.

[NEWSSHOOTER3]

Larger staffs. And, that equals more expenses. More batteries to buy, more equipment breaking and being repaired, and higher vehicle maintenance/repair. That's my guess, but I wouldn't call the money bad, either.

[Birdy]

Southern markets generally pay lower wages all across the board except in areas like medicine where the larger older population helps to keep it high. Traditionally, there's a lack of union support there too. As someone else noted, there are lots of people lined up to take their pay in sunshine and there always will be.

[svp]

Cameradog is correct. We live in a world of supply and demand. If there is a supply of photographers willing to work for the low pay, then why pay more??? Its simple economics, especially in a day and age where stations are caring less and less about journalism and being number 1. Its the Sinclair model, JUST MAKE MONEY!!! Of course, when the laws of supply and demand start to work AGAINST the large mediia corporations, the ol' prez can step in for them and say we need to let more illegals in the country to fill the jobs american photogs don't want.

[Movin and Groovin]

Not that it substantiates the dramatic decrease in pay ... but many (not all) of the southern cities are much cheaper to live in than their northern counterparts ... it plays a role

[A Step Above Productions]

South Florids is not cheap to live - and the stations down here are paying noting. Why? Because they can. They are giving the jobs to kids just out of school. The key words are young and chaep. That is it. If you are out of school and you have a choice of taking a job in market 140 for 15 grand a year or in Miami for 26 grand a year what job do you take?

[Chicago Dog]

If you are out of school and you have a choice of taking a job in market 140 for 15 grand a year or in Miami for 26 grand a year what job do you take?

I would hope newbie shooters would realize that you can make a living off $15k in market 140 a hell of a lot easier than $26k in Miami -- not to mention you'd probably have an easier time learning the ropes of our profession.

But, I've been surprised before.

It's been said a few times already: if you're not getting offered what you're worth, don't go. While it's true there may be a line of folks who will readily take the job if you don't, that doesn't mean they're any good.

You get what you pay for.

[Baltimore Shooter]

South Florids is not cheap to live - and the stations down here are paying noting. Why? Because they can. They are giving the jobs to kids just out of school. The key words are young and chaep. That is it. If you are out of school and you have a choice of taking a job in market 140 for 15 grand a year or in Miami for 26 grand a year what job do you take?
Sounds like schools need a course, or at least a guest speaker who can tell these kids not to take a job that pays so low and why it's important to hold out for more reasonable pay. However, I can understand that the kids know how hard it is to get started in this business and think that if they bite the bullet for a couple of years, their pay will improve or they can move on. It's only after they're already in the business do they realize the mistake they made.

I hope that made sense.

Warren