This job in Wyoming lists a salary range of $35,000 to 40,000:



Parade magazine has its annual "What People Earn" issue today. The article says:



This job as a managing editor pays less and has way fewer benefits than many teaching jobs. Some teachers in the county where I work start above $38,000. They don't have to worry about what a "global outplacement firm" will do to their jobs.

I wonder how much longer candiates will be available for jobs like the one in Wyoming, where a wide range of skills are called for. More reporters leaving the company where I work are going into other fields.

If salaries get stuck in the mid-$30,000 range, which is what I have seen for most of the editing jobs that included salaries, the career may become one that people enter and then drop out of. The cost-cutting at many newspapers won't help copy editors to improve their skills and seek promotions, because the promotions won't exist.

Yeah, I saw that Wyoming ad and had similar thoughts. Perhaps they'd argue that salary range is decent for the area's presumably low cost of living --- sort of like how lots of job ads for states like Washington and others try to make the lack of state income tax a selling point so they can offer a low salary --- but those arguments get nowhere with anybody who can do basic math.

The link about productivity outlines a fundamental logical flaw that appears in just about all stories which report on productivity gains: Classical economic theory holds that wage gains can happen only when there is an improvement in productivity -- when the same output of energy can produce more widgets & gidgets.

While this is presumably true, it does not mention that no matter how much more productive a company may become, it remains up to the management to determine who shares in those productivity gains. In the past 15-20 year top managers have simply refused to pass along a share in the benefits of increased productivity -- which has been kind to stockholders and indifferent to everybody else. As anybody can tell you who's owned a share of stock, the more you own, the more benefits you accrue. Top managers cry "answering to market demands" all the way to the bank, where they deposit the free, no-risk money handed to them in the form of stock grants and options.

Our options come down to buying stock and/or voting with our feet.

That's why there are unions.

Lately when unions are in the news, it is because they have given concessions, not won favorable new contracts.

I think it is more likely that tax cuts for the rich will become more unpopular with voters. Whether the political fallout will actually help workers is another question.

Earlier this month while on a visit to my parents, I stopped by my old high school and spoke to the class that puts out the school paper about "careers" in journalism. The first question from the students was "how much do you make?" I think I might have reduced the future labor pool for our industry by 30 people, but I gave them a straight answer regarding salaries.

Arranging a special screening of His Girl Friday will get them comfortably away from reality.

Money has never been a problem in the 15 years that I've copy edited. I make a healthy salary. I've always focused on my work. My approach has always been straightforward:

* I go where the best job is. If I'm not willing to go, I understand that I'm trading off money.
* Whenever I consider a career move, I focus on what I can learn and how I can broaden my resume.
* I've worked at many papers with good editors. I've paid close attention to their work.
* When I rimmed, I checked all my slotted type. Even after years of slotting, I still look at others' edits so I can learn.
* I write headlines that make people want to read stories.
* I work especially hard to write friendly, approachable headlines that get people to read at least a few inches of even the most boring story before they turn away in horror.
* If my headline doesn't work, I don't hesitate to rewrite it.
* My priority is getting the best headline in the paper; it doesn't have to be my headline.
* I feel lucky to be doing this job. I'm usually in a good mood and am ready to joke around. That helps me write better headlines.
* I don't bring my bad moods to work and inflict them on others.
* I don't waste time on grammar and style, which I consider as basic as brushing my teeth -- I just do it. I don't talk about it.
* I focus on how to really improve stories. I edit aggressively.
* Reporters and editors know I ask smart questions and improve their stories, and I'm always friendly and low-key, so I get what I need.
* When I spot a problem, I try to think up a possible solution before I approach a reporter or editor.
* When I make a great catch, I don't lord it over someone. I just let people know I'm glad to help.
* I respect other people's work and I treat it as I'd want my copy to be treated.
* I don't expect to win every argument. I just make sure I make my point.
* When I disagree with someone about work, I make sure it's about the work and nothing else.
* I have to come back and work with the same people tomorrow, so I try hard not to leave bad impressions or let disagreements spiral. But I don't let people roll over me, because I can't do my job if I don't keep others' respect.
* When I screw up someone's story, I apologize. Even if reporters wouldn't otherwise know, I apologize. I let them know I don't take mistakes lightly, and they've always been gracious.
* When I screw up, I don't dwell on it. I learn whatever I can and move on.
* I edit more than my share of copy.
* I rarely gripe. If something sucks, I fix it; try to get others to help fix it; learn to deal with it; or switch jobs if it's insurmountable.
* When I apply for jobs, I apply for at least two. It drives up my pay when they compete for me.
* Because I do good work and am low maintenance, all my former bosses would hire me again. When people do reference checks and hear that, any job I want is a lock.
* Because I do good work and am low maintenance, I've been recruited for jobs. Even when I don't want the job, I make sure my boss knows I'm in demand.
* When recruited, I ask for the moon.
* I never count on a union to decide how much I'm worth. I know really good copy editors are hard to find, and I negotiate accordingly.

The Front Page is my all-time favorite play.