A question for employers and those who know about job pay - why is it that some jobs are paid so minimally?

For example, the other day I came across a job for a dental receptionist. This poor woman had 25 tasks to do everyday, work 6 days a week and always have a smile on her face - to only make $10 an hour! These tasks all dealt with other people, insurance and billing companies - it wasn't like she'd be painting her nails all day long. It really burns me that a dentist will make in access $300 or more an hour but can't afford to pay the receptionist at least $18 an hour. Is it really that difficult to throw the office staff some decent pay? This is why I hate everything corporate - some old man at the top, who can't even work a fax machine or copier is getting millions and meanwhile the hard working people on the bottom get paid literally nothing. If you don't get married these days, you can't even afford your own place - not on $10 an hour. I want to know what employers figure in making salaries for their employees?

A question for employers and those who know about job pay - why is it that some jobs are paid so minimally?
absolutely agree with you. it seems that the more money that is associated with the job/industry, the more pay. so the fact that people are paying loads of money for dental work, means the dentist rakes it in, but this doesn't get passed on. anything that involves looking after people also seems to mean low pay... take a look at childcare workers. here in australia, they are one of the lowest paid occupations. salary has nothing to do with how important the job really is in terms of improving / saving lives.
Reply:Unfortunately, it's as simple as supply and demand. It takes a long time and lots of expensive schooling to become a dentist, and then you have to build your practice over a period of years. That's a big enough barrier to entry that there just aren't that many dentists so they can command high salaries. The receptionist, on the other hand, needs far less training. Lots of people have the ability to do that job and apparently lots are willing as well, or the dentist would be forced to pay more for the job to get someone to do it.





I'm not saying it's right, and I believe the receptionist works harder than the dentist, but that's how it is. To get paid more you need to obtain specialized skills that are in high demand and/or limited supply. And, like the dentist that builds a practice, the more experience you get the more you can demand for your services.

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