Exploring McDonald’s Wages in Arizona: What You Need to Know
Introduction
McDonald’s is a well-known fast-food chain well-liked by millions, but an issue that has been buzzing for a while now is the wages paid to employees working at the outlets. As per recent reports, the average hourly wage of McDonald’s in the United States ranges from $9 -$15. However, the state of Arizona, where the minimum wage is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, allows us to take a closer look at the wages paid to McDonald’s employees. In this write-up, we will explore McDonald’s wages in Arizona and what you need to know about them.
Arizona’s Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Arizona is currently higher than the federal minimum wage, at $12 per hour, and has seen a gradual increase in the past few years. The minimum wage in Arizona increased to $11 in 2020, and it will continue to increase to $15 per hour in 2025. Although the minimum wage mandates a pay rate above McDonald’s starting wage, some employees have expressed concern that the fast-food chain is not doing enough to match the state minimum wage standards.
McDonald’s Wages in Arizona
According to reports obtained from Glassdoor, a website focused on helping employees find jobs and corporate transparency, the average wage of McDonald’s employees in Arizona is $9 per hour. Though McDonald’s claims to have upped its starting wage from $10 to $11 in 2021, it is still below the current minimum wage in Arizona. This implies that McDonald’s employees are earning below the state’s minimum wage, an issue that has raised eyebrows from policymakers and workers’ unions.
Lack of Transparency about Wages
Another wage-related issue that has garnered attention surrounding McDonald’s and its employees is the lack of transparency about wages paid to employees. In 2020, the National Employment Law Project (NELP ) assessed pay practices at fast-food chains, including McDonald’s. They found that workers are unaware of their wages and often receive paychecks that are inaccurate or missing work hours. The NELP’s report mentioned that McDonald’s could address this by implementing an electronic system that would update workers’ information in real-time and prevent mistakes in payroll.
The Wage Structure at McDonald’s
In a bid to understand the McDonald’s wage structure, The Economic Policy Institute conducted a study to reveal how McDonald’s structured wages paid to its employees. The report revealed that only 17% of employees in the fast-food industry earn more than $15 per hour, with many employees working on the lowest rung of the wage scale, earning $10 or less. The report also noted that McDonald’s CEO earns 2,124 times more than the average McDonald’s worker, a fact that further highlights the wage disparity within the company. On this note, it is noteworthy to mention that labor unions are pushing for better wages and working conditions for fast-food workers, including at McDonald’s.
McDonald’s Efforts to Increase Wages
Despite the wage-related issues, there are reports showing that McDonald’s is making a change. In 2020, McDonald’s announced that it would increase wages and benefits for over 36,000 employees through the “Archways to Opportunity” program. The program will increase wages by almost $1 per hour, offer five paid leave days, and improve eligibility for tuition-assistance benefits. Although this seems like a good and promising initiative from McDonald’s, some workers’ unions and policymakers argue that it is not enough.
Conclusion
In conclusion, McDonald’s wages in Arizona have been a subject of controversy for years, with reports indicating that many employees earn below minimum wage. Although the fast-food chain has announced a wage increase and improvement in benefits, many workers’ unions and policymakers believe it is still not enough to address the wage disparity issue. The ultimate goal should be to raise the minimum wage to provide all workers with a living wage. It is time for policymakers to put in initiatives that would create an equitable wage structure where workers are fairly compensated.
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