Do you recall my article about the IRS hiring bodies? (Can’t really call them specialists, since the requirements were so low, as was the pay.)
I mentioned that the IRS pay was very low- especially in light of the fact that Ogden (Salt Lake City suburb) UT is one of the hot spots for unemployment and wages in the US.
It turns out that the pandemic has changed the hot spots for employment in the US. Right now, we don’t know if this change is permanent or not- but it is looking like it.
The hot spots for jobs in the USA are now in 5 states- and these are all mid-size cities, none with a population that exceeds 2.5 million, have low income tax rates, and have great weather for outdoor activities year-round. That’s a big change fro the best places for employment earlier in this (and last) century!
[Just so you know- those places are Salt Lake City, Jacksonville (FL), Raleigh (NC), Nashville (TN), and Austin (TX). Did you notice something else about these places? They have reasonably sized universities and are either high-tech semi-hubs or state capitals.]
At the same time, America’s largest cities have dropped to the bottom of the rankings. They have higher tax rates and have lost their bloom once remote working became the norm. Because now folks can live where they want- and still have those top-tier jobs. And, while wages may be zooming in these big-city regions of the West- that’s because firms are desperate to keep their staff on-board and are paying premiums not to lose their qualified performers.
We’ll have to see if this is a long term change or still just pandemic reflective. After all, we have been a nation of migrants until the beginning of this century. Could that be the new norm?
Interesting! I lived in Nashville and almost moved to Austin. I can understand why they are places people want to live. I had been wondering when folks were going to accept that remote working worked well. My last 2 positions with companies were both remote positions. I think it’s here to stay…
I haven’t digested whether big business will allow this trend to remain, Dominique.
A lot of things are changing everywhere, including my country. My son will go back to school in June for the face-to-face classes because of the demand (by parents) to go back to the old norm.
As to work, many companies are conforming to the new norm of work from home (unfortunately, not our company). Sadly, only a few are willing to pay more with this situation.
We’ll see if your nation adopts our current process- or both of our countries revert to the old ways.
The trend of working remotely, studying and shopping has exploded during the outbreak as people scramble to find ways to stay connected and productive. In many ways it was already on the rise but the pandemic has accelerated this shift.
The forced migration online has led to new opportunities for growth and development. It surely will continue to change the way we access and share knowledge, conduct business and where we live.
I think you may be right- but I also think big business is going to attempt to reel in this new found benefit.
I live in a place that’s definitely not one of those hot spots. Or maybe, it’s not hot. Or maybe, it’s just cold. Nevertheless, the employment market has changed dramatically, even here. I struggled to find a job for years. And now, I have one. It’s amazing.
That’s simply super, Alice! Glad you found a place for yourself!
I think many employers want to go back to the “old ways”. Whether they can get away with it remains to be seen. Not only that but we aren’t done with COVID where I live (80% of the U.S. may be low per the CDC but we are high/red on their county tracker) and my company has had to change plans yet again. Meanwhile, I know one person who moved from here to Austin, and have a cousin who moved from Pennsylvania to the Tampa Bay, Florida, area This reshuffling is not going to disappear for a while, I suspect.
I have an article coming up soon that will provide more ammunition why in-person work is important, Alana.