What is a “living wage” and defines “living?” Should a coffee jockey get paid the same as a nurse or teacher?

Because the jobs you speak of are meant for teenagers and college students to get out into the working world 🤦‍♂️

Because a living wage doesn't exist. Not everyone has the same lifestyle and therefore the same standard of living. Two people making the same wage do not necessarily have the same expenses. So if I spend twice what my colleague spends, based on your logic, I should get paid more. That makes zero sense. A wage is an expense for the employer and needs to be calculated based on business revenue, not based on the employees lifestyle.

Because it’s meant for a teenager

The real question is why are you working at starbucks to support yourself. Invest in your education. You are paid for your experience, education, certification and lisence from your state,, and skill level.

Everyone gets a raise to afford a decent standard of living overnight. Corporations raise prices to save profit margin. Cost of living shoots up. Bye bye to that decent standard of living. Rinse. Repeat. Scenario 2: some corporations don’t raise prices. Their stock price takes a hit. Shareholders (you and me) not happy. CEO gets replaced. Raise price. Everything not affordable again. Scenario 3: you wake up from a dream where everyone is happy