Just how badly does a decent job in New Mexico pay?

I know of a big US company that are world famous looking to pay really s*** wages for a job that the basic entry level of qualification is degree level.

Are they just ripping of their overseas staff so that they will turn down the chance to move to America with their job?

Or are wages in New Mexico really that poor?

Well, the wages probably are less than other places.

The cost of living is also going to be quite a bit less from where you are.

So it's all relative. There are numerous "cost of living" and "salary comparison" calculators available that might shed light on the situation.

I suspect the "weakness" of the US dollar relative to the Pound or Euro also has something to do with your perception.

Can you have a reasonable standard of living if you earn $22,000 and live in New Mexico

I was single and living on $16,000/year in a small apartment driving an old truck. I was paying $400/mo in rent. A nice-ish apartment in Rio Rancho will probably not be had for less than $600/mo I'm thinking. I also didn't have a car payment, which can be a big deal.

I'm not sure I would necessarily advise moving 8,000 miles for a job that pays $22,000/yr.

$22,000 being offered just say to me "we don't want you"

Well, it's $11/hr, or about 150% of the minimum wage. The "living wage" which is supposedly what you need to live on in nearby Santa Fe (more expensive than Rio Rancho), is less than $11/hr.

I think HP will pay the lowest they can and still hire workers. If they can't fill those positions for $11/hr they'll have to offer more. I'm guessing they won't have much trouble filling the positions.

Are there any "benefits" associated with the job? Health insurance, etc?

They are offering sod all in benefits.

I'd negotiate.

That's the name of the game.

It's like playing poker but the stakes are really high.

A salary of $22,000 in Rio Rancho would need to be over $38,000 in NYC.

link [www.bestplaces.net]

$11 an hour isnt that bad out here, not great but liveable if your single. It is entry level though,

When I started entry level at my job just out of college it was at $10.50 at entry level and considered a "good" job, thought the benefits made it better. Min wage was about $6 then.

Min wage out here now is $7.25.

I do live in Rio Rancho, I can look stuff up for you. (and I just saw the other thread, so I'll answer there too)

wages maybe low out here but you have to take cost of living into effect. though im not sure i'd advise living in rio rancho and working at HP without a car. unless you really liked walking biking miles a day, so factor that in.