Bare Minimum

Laila Stewart

01/23/24

Many workers in Pa are still stuck with a minimum wage of 7.25, while other surrounding states such as Jersey and Delaware are increasing their wages. Yet, many Carver students work during their spare time but does this amount have an effect on them?

It is fairly common for high school students to work on school days and weekends. Some may think it takes away time from school and affects them academically while others may assume it gives independence and how to value money.

"Yeah, it does. Because I work on weekends and do sports, my track meets are on Saturdays for outdoor season and indoor season it's on Fridays. So that kind of gets me right there.I work from Saturday to Sunday. So I kind of have to get all my work done during the week". said Malene Jenkins when asked if her job affects her school work & extracurriculars.

"I feel like it's manageable. Well, yes, it does. But I've found a way to make it work." stated Eddie Harris, A senior at G.W Carver after asked if his job takes time away from schoolwork.

Pennsylvania had a minimum wage of $1.15 in 1968. By 1968, the rate had risen to $3.35. It reached $4.25 in 1992 and $5.15 in 1998. It went to $7.25 an hour in 2009 to comply with the federal minimum

Minimum wage is the lowest amount you can legally pay an employee per work. Workers can get paid more than minimum wage but no less than what the minimum is.

A lot of students at Carver work but most of the hourly pay for each is different. Though the minimum wage may be at 7.25 in Pennslyvania, it doesn’t seem to affect their pay as much as they think it does.

“I get paid about 16 an hour.” said Micah Jean Pierre a student at G.W Carver, “I get paid nine.” said Jenkins, “I get paid $13” stated Harris when asked how much they get paid.

“Not the minimum wage no,my pay is affected by me being in high school still,” said Jean Pierre after being asked if the low minimum messes with his pay.

“ Yes, I feel like my job is affected. I work in like a fabricated hair store. So that's kind of like a consistent job that if someone is always kind of going to like, you know, go to so I feel like they are going to put me at the minimum.” stated Jenkins when asked the same.

Although some workers get paid a little more than minimum wage, many barely get a dollar above. However if with a higher minimum wage, many would be able to work one job and help people who are or on the road to poverty a lot more.

A graph made to show the differences in minimum through states.

In surrounding states such as New Jersey and Delaware, they will start seeing an increase 2024 paychecks due to a higher minimum, while Pa will not.

While recently, a bill was passed by the state's House of Representatives that would change Pa's minimum wage to $15 an hour in 2026.

" I feel like any progress is better than no progress. But I feel like they could probably make it happen sooner than that. But if there's any way to make that come faster, it'll help." Harris stated after his opinion on the new bill."

"Might be a little too late with the bill because a lot of people are starting to get more jobs now. Most be in need of money now." said Jean Pierre. "No one's really going to stand for 7.25. I think it should be higher so that there's some type of balance between the system and request."

As we have to wait to see a change in minimum wage, it shouldn't deter students from wanting to work. The balance of school and work can seem like a challenge but ultimately can be conquered.

"If you working right, stick on your craft, and stay in them books, because education is also where it's at." Eddie Harris, Senior at Carver.