[demoknite]

Imagine two people who work in a strip casino, one a pit boss and one a shift manager at one of the casinos nicer restaurants. They would be able to make a decent living without any struggle if they managed their money well. And for whatever reason they are not widely known, but dont discount the two military bases up north, they pump a lot of money into the economy directly and indirectly.

[Willy702]

I can tell you professional work like finance, legal, doctors, etc pay about the same as you find in San Diego, LA is maybe 5-10% higher and Bay Area is only 15% higher. After taxes and with shorter commutes this class of people does quite well. Those at the higher end of this work though dont care about paying twice as much to live or more so they still end up in places like California or Seattle where they find a lifestyle they prefer.

[Buzz123]

The wage range in Las Vegas is minimum wage up to buzzillions of dollars; same as just about everywhere else. Cost of living is probably lower here than most places. But unskilled, uneducated, people here easily make up to and over six figures parking cars, dealing craps, serving drinks, walking around on stage half naked, etc. Jeez, it's the entertainment capital of the world. Every hotel has several shows going on at lounges and multiple showrooms. That takes a zillion stage hands, musicians, dancers, etc. That's the real reason for the high school dropout rate here; you can get a high paying job without a diploma.

As I've said, there are thousands of people who do set up/tear down at the various conventions centers; they are all on call, and they make very good money. We have several thousand conventions per year (if Osama O'Bama doesn't kill that industry too). 40 million people visit us each year. They gotta eat, sleep, and pee, and somebody's gotta serve them. Hospitality is our main industry here, like steel mills were in Pittsburgh. But that's not all people do here. There are also thousands of different occupations in Las Vegas, and about half have nothing to do with the service/hospitality industry. Look how many school teachers we have. It's the fifth largest school district in the country; so there are several hundred schools for 300,000 students, and all schools have janitors don't they? There are huge plants that package ready to eat foods for various institutions; there are people who make fake rocks, and dig holes for pools. I know a guy who is one of the scuba diver/electricians that keep the light show in Lake Bellagio working. The phone book has so many pages of lawyers and outcall services that I always lose count when I try to figure out how many.

Why do you people out there in the neither lands think all we have here are minimum wage, unskilled laborers? It's a major city for God's sake. And one of the most important in the country.

[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

The phone book has so many pages of lawyers and outcall services that I always lose count when I try to figure out how many.

Shouldn't they both be on the same pages?????????????????

[anvilpw]

I've always thought that the nice car thing was a "keeping up with the Joneses" effect that happens here. Yes, the people earn enough to drive the car that they drive but just barely.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

Shouldn't they both be on the same pages?????????????????

In the 'P' section? I think you're right.

[SportyandMisty]

Anyone can lease a car. My neighbor has a Ferrari (he drives 4 times/year, but washes/waxes it once/week), 3 BMWs, 2 Harleys, a huge 1 ton pickup truck -- and he just picked up a Porsche Cabriolet S.

[binionrat]

...and don't forget that a large portion of residents (baby boomers) using services and spending are pensioners now who have always planned on moving to LV (increasing as we speak) from all over the US, Canada, and other countries that finally retired and have their cheques auto deposited into their accounts. We don't work but spend it all in LV :-)

As of n Jan. 1, 2011, the oldest members of the Baby Boom generation celebrated their 65th birthday. In fact, on that day, today, and for every day for the next 19 years, 10,000 baby boomers will reach age 65. The aging of this huge cohort of Americans (26% of the total U.S. population are Baby Boomers) will dramatically change the composition of the country. Currently, just 13% of Americans are ages 65 and older. By 2030, when all members of the Baby Boom generation have reached that age, fully 18% of the nation will be at least that age, according to Pew Research Center population projections.

[JoostP]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

The wage range in Las Vegas is minimum wage up to buzzillions of dollars; same as just about everywhere else. Cost of living is probably lower here than most places. But unskilled, uneducated, people here easily make up to and over six figures parking cars, dealing craps, serving drinks, walking around on stage half naked, etc. Jeez, it's the entertainment capital of the world. Every hotel has several shows going on at lounges and multiple showrooms. That takes a zillion stage hands, musicians, dancers, etc. That's the real reason for the high school dropout rate here; you can get a high paying job without a diploma.

So far so good for the people without a diploma, but what about the people who do? Are they 'wanted' in Vegas or are they - as there are tons of jobs for which a diploma isn't required - not that necessary as you might expect when comparing to other parts of the country?

[Willy702]

Originally Posted by JoostP

So far so good for the people without a diploma, but what about the people who do? Are they 'wanted' in Vegas or are they - as there are tons of jobs for which a diploma isn't required - not that necessary as you might expect when comparing to other parts of the country?

Pretty similar demand as other markets. Non-degreed roles are about the same everywhere where those who have specialized training or experience can find themselves in high demand while the sales and administrative roles are competing with outsourcing to and the rise of sales on the internet.

For the degree holder many IT and higher level accounting/finance roles are unfilled. But most of the bigger employers have been forced to go leaner so its variable as it is most everywhere.

Construction and service have most definitely taken the biggest hit and that has driven the unemployment rate so high for non-diploma/GED folks.