The cost of living continues to rise, but for many jobs, wages don’t keep up the pace, and one particular position for a Florida optometry office is a prime example of this. Reddit user Lovedd1 shared the job’s requirements on r/recruitinghell under the title “We are so cooked.” Based on the description, the position is a medical billing administrative assistant requiring a bachelor’s degree and a year of experience. The pay is what’s questionable: $16.00 to $16.01 an hour.
As Lovedd1 points out in her post, at the end of September this year, Florida’s minimum wage will be $15. In other words, this medical billing assistant position that requires a degree and a year of relevant work experience is only a dollar above minimum wage. On top of that, the employer requires applicants to have a driver’s license to commute to work.
Needless to say, plenty of Redditors felt like the job’s requirements and offered pay don’t match. “You gotta have a master’s degree if you wanna earn the big bucks,” remarked a commenter. “Master’s gets you to $16.02. Plus SOME paid time off for bereavement!” jokingly exclaimed another in response.
“They can sod off with these [expletive] salaries and wages. That ain’t sustainable anywhere,” groaned a third. “These employers should be paying a living wage, and I hope no one applies for that job,” wrote a fourth.
Other Users Working in Retail and Food Service Claim They Make More an Hour
Others chimed in, with some saying they work in retail or fast food and make the same as this degree-requiring position offers. This administrative position isn’t something simple either. The listing claims applicants will need to be able to help manage insurance claims, eligibility, and medical records, understand medical terminology, and be proficient in using electronic health systems.
At the very least, there is the possibility that whoever gets the job might be paid more than $16, one cent more. For anyone wondering why a penny increase in the wage offer was a thing, Lovedd1 explained that the job ad just needed a range to work with. Someone confirmed in response, “Yes, the system requires a range to post. What an insulting penny.”
To summarize, Lovedd1 and the countless other Redditors weren’t shocked about a position only paying $1 above minumum wage. They were appalled at the employer’s demanding list of requirements for such a low-paying job.
