10 most overpaid jobs

[krissel]

CEO of Microsoft should have been one...

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/10-m...dist=TNMostRead

[Gregg]

No argument there, or with the list.

[Mayo]

Keep in mind that the list was compiled in 2003... The number of airline pilots earning six-figure incomes has shrunk in recent years; even in 2003 they were becoming an endangered species. Factor-in the lack of job security and the fact that a pilot's years of experience are not transferred to a new airline so they fall to the bottom of the compensation ladder if forced to find a new job. I, for one, would like to see airline pilots paid a very good wage with sufficient time-off so they will be at the top of their game when I am back there in coach... Patrick Smith's "Ask The Pilot" columns have covered airline compensation issues in the past and the archive can be accessed at Salon.com.

As far as wedding photographers go... I was one years ago and they deserve every dime that they can get. Watch an episode or two of "Bridezillas" to get a good idea of what a photographer can go through.  The "newbie" photographers who don't charge very much are learning their trade and providing a service to the large number of people who cannot or will not budget enough money for an experienced shooter. The established wedding photographers generally have significant overhead and they tend to be very good at what they do, so I think that they are worth the cost if you want quality images.

On the other hand, I think that the entire wedding industry is b.s. and that includes the photography segment...  All that money and effort literally wasted on one "special day." Yuck!  People have been sold a bill of goods along the lines of "A diamond is forever."  If you buy into it, be prepared to get soaked...  I think that the money spent on a typical wedding would be much better spent on a long honeymoon, house down-payment and/or a mutual fund. Some of the weddings I have photographed would have easily funded all three options.

[Xairbusdriver]

Sounds a lot like sour grapes. Many of his 'arguments' are untrue or misstated or no longer relevant. Many average people would be happier with the value of a 2003 dollar! Some body or group is always going to be paid more than some one else. At least for a while. If some one or some company wasn't willing to pay them, their income would be lower. "Overpaid" is a relative term, IMHO.

Mayo, I suspect that most brides may have a different opinion about what to do with the money spent on their wedding. Not that I don't agree with you, of course. Judy and I avoided that problem by not having any money when we married!

Funny this 'writer' didn't seem to think a well published fiction writer might be overpaid! Nor did he mention 'famous people' autobiographies! "Here's how I lived my life and made more money and had more fun than the average guy. And I did it without any real talent!"

Most of the professions he mentioned are ones where there is an unbalanced supply versus demand. Not enough specialists compared to General practitioners, multi-million dollar athletes versus the hundreds of wanna-be's who didn't make the cut (even to the minor leagues!), etc.

I was told for the last 40 years that one day there would be a pilot shortage. It never happened mainly because people were willing to fly in almost any aircraft for any pay while waiting for a chance to be hired by the big guys. Many thought it beneath them, however, to fly 'freight.' Little did they know where the 'majors' would be now. There are fewer pilots but there are much fewer aircraft for them to fly. There have not been any three-man aircraft even built in the last 15 years (at least). That automatically requires one third less pilots about now or in the near future. Then, a few years ago, the Feds decided to raise the mandatory retirement age by five years to 65. In a few scribbles on some paper, they automatically lengthened the time most junior guys will be able to become a Captain! And there are still more pilots available than are needed.

Many of these occupations place a very large burden of responsibility on a person! That is what should be used to base the salary/benefits for that job. I don't want the fifth best surgeon operating on me. I don't want an inexperienced pilot(s) up front. I wouldn't want an inexperienced CEO running a company I invest in.

Makes me remember telling my sons they should become an orthodontist! Of course, suggesting a career is probably the worst thing a parent can do! Oh well, back to my other 'hot buttons!'

[Paddy]

Talk about sour grapes...what a lot of whining! (And the comments...every whacko has an opinion...and it didn't take them long to get around to teacher-bashing and parent-bashing either.)

I also don't know where he's getting his numbers from on some of this.

Orthodontists, for instance: http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouth...HC07000078.html

Granted, I don't know any poor orthodontists, but they've never struck me as particularly overpaid. They do have considerable overhead, and like all members of the medical/dental field, do have to keep up with continuing education. And I have two kids in the midst of orthodontia right now - no, it isn't cheap, but crooked teeth and the problems they can bring later on can be even more expensive/painful.

I do agree with him on the CEOs and mutual fund managers though...I liked Ben & Jerry's rule that no executive could earn more than 7X the lowest paid employee.

[Gregg]

The "worker's rights" issue in our fair city these days is whether or not to mandate that all employers must give paid sick time to employees. (not sure about part time employees) There are reasonable arguments on both sides of the issue, but I have my doubts about the council approving the proposal.