This week is National News Literacy week, and I want to share with you a great example of how we together can fight misinformation.

This picture has been shared thousands of times online. Turns out those who share it unwittingly share misinformation.

The photo suggests entry level wages for a plumber is $27.96. But let's look deeper. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the median income is $26.52. Bottom 10% make below $15.43. Top 90% make above $45.05.

It can be found easily on Google.

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters.htm

We can go down the list.

HVAC tech:
10%: $14.16
Median: $22.89
90%: $36.65
-
Welder:
10%: $14.17
Median: $20.43
90%: $30.89
-
Crane operator
10%: $15.51
Median: $27.26
90%: $44.15
-
10%: $18.17
Median: $26.14
90%: $37.38

Commercial driver:
10%: $14:01
Median: $21.76
90%: $32.13
-
Heavy equipment mechanic:
10%: $15.99
Median: $24.45
90%: $36.23
-
Auto body repair:
10%: $12.48
Median: $20.55
90%: $34.60
-
Carpenter:
10% $14.51
Median: $23.24
90%: $40.72

Auto Mechanic:
10%: $11.73
Median: $20.24
90%: $33.11

These are still decent paying jobs. But to a 17YO deciding between college or trade, thinking you could start out making $21.33 as a welder versus $14.16 might change that person's calculus. That is why we must battle misinformation and be sure to vet what we share online!

All of the statistics can be verified through the BLS website for 2019 data.