If you work for a living, you have probably discussed the cost of living in recent years. It’s a hot topic debated on social media and in the news. Recently, Fox News host Jesse Watters made a comment about the cost of living that has sparked a lot of conversation.
During a PBD podcast promoting his new book, Watters discussed the wages of people working in the fast food industry. He asked, “If you’re making $20 an hour to work in a fast-food restaurant, is that six figures?” Many people were left wondering why he couldn’t do the math.
Let’s set the record straight – $20 an hour is not a six-figure salary. The interviewer, Patrick Betz-David, corrected Watters and said, “No, no, $40,000 a year.” Watters then tried to argue that if both a husband and wife work at a fast food restaurant, they would be making $100,000 as a family. But let’s be real, that’s crazy! Working at a fast food restaurant doesn’t require much skill, so inflating the entire labor sector and the value of a Happy Meal is absurd.
The video of the interview quickly went viral on Twitter, and commenters wasted no time in doing the math themselves. While Watters claims that $20 an hour is the average salary for fast food workers, the reality is that the average salary is closer to $12. Additionally, wages vary based on location and experience.
There has been ongoing discussion about setting a minimum wage floor for fast food workers, ensuring they make at least $15 per hour. Some states and cities have successfully implemented this, but a nationwide standard has not been established yet.
Watters’ comment also implies that fast food workers make too much money for a job that supposedly doesn’t require much effort. But let’s challenge that perspective – working in a fast food restaurant is demanding and stressful. Dealing with customers and their constant demands is not an easy task. Just check social media, and you’ll find countless videos of rude customers.
This debate will likely continue until a resolution is reached, if ever. In the meantime, it’s certainly going to be interesting to see how it unfolds.
