Sonoma, maybe in Canada that is the case, but for example in Australia in retail you got certain large companies paying experienced workers (say 3-5 years relevant retail experience) a base salary (they get paid hourly but its a salary equivalent measurement for full timers) of $50,000 AUD pre-tax plus bonuses + penalty rates + overtime (these guys get paid hourly unlike salaried professionals). When you add in the penalty rates, overtime and bonuses (and sometimes free company shares and gift vouchers on top) often its around $60,000 AUD.
For example somebody who works a little bit in a call centre and then gets a job in a debt collection call centre and then works his way up to team leader (all doable within 5 years) would probably get around a $55,000 AUD base salary plus commission and bonuses which ends up being $60,000 to $65,000 AUD (pre-tax)
A lot of bank tellers with no qualifications get a base salary of around $50,000 to $55,000 AUD (pre-tax) plus bonuses and sometimes free company shares on top. So after a few years if they become a senior team member or specialized team member (e.g. home loan specialist) with bonuses and company shares they can easily make $60,000 AUD pre-tax.
For example somebody that does a few short and cheap certificate courses to become a security guard/bouncer if they get a few years of experience by the time they get penalty rates, over-time etc could easily be earning pre-tax $60,000 to $65,000 AUD. A traffic controller who gets a few cheap and short certifications and works a few hours and becomes a entry level traffic control supervisor/foreman again by the time you add in overtime and penalty rates could easily be earning at least $60,000 to $65,000 AUD. Salaried guys (as opposed to unskilled guys) in Australia usually do unpaid overtime.
In Australia a lot of truck drivers regularly work 50-70 hour weeks (lots of overtime and penalty rates) and often earn $65,000 AUD to $85,000 pre tax a year. Experienced full time Forklift drivers working in large Warehouses often make pre-tax $60,000 AUD plus per year due to the penalty rates and overtime, etc.
Basically in Australia many (but certainly not all) unskilled jobs can earn a semi-decent salary ($55,000 to $65,000 AUD pre-tax) if you specialize in one thing and have 3-5 years experience doing it. After that though your pay as an uskilled guy has usually hit its ceiling and its far too competitive and difficult for most people to get a promotion.
For example somebody who works a little bit in a call centre and then gets a job in a debt collection call centre and then works his way up to team leader (all doable within 5 years) would probably get around a $55,000 AUD base salary plus commission and bonuses which ends up being $60,000 to $65,000 AUD (pre-tax)
A lot of bank tellers with no qualifications get a base salary of around $50,000 to $55,000 AUD (pre-tax) plus bonuses and sometimes free company shares on top. So after a few years if they become a senior team member or specialized team member (e.g. home loan specialist) with bonuses and company shares they can easily make $60,000 AUD pre-tax.
For example somebody that does a few short and cheap certificate courses to become a security guard/bouncer if they get a few years of experience by the time they get penalty rates, over-time etc could easily be earning pre-tax $60,000 to $65,000 AUD. A traffic controller who gets a few cheap and short certifications and works a few hours and becomes a entry level traffic control supervisor/foreman again by the time you add in overtime and penalty rates could easily be earning at least $60,000 to $65,000 AUD. Salaried guys (as opposed to unskilled guys) in Australia usually do unpaid overtime.
In Australia a lot of truck drivers regularly work 50-70 hour weeks (lots of overtime and penalty rates) and often earn $65,000 AUD to $85,000 pre tax a year. Experienced full time Forklift drivers working in large Warehouses often make pre-tax $60,000 AUD plus per year due to the penalty rates and overtime, etc.
Basically in Australia many (but certainly not all) unskilled jobs can earn a semi-decent salary ($55,000 to $65,000 AUD pre-tax) if you specialize in one thing and have 3-5 years experience doing it. After that though your pay as an uskilled guy has usually hit its ceiling and its far too competitive and difficult for most people to get a promotion.