- Pennsylvania is the 22nd most optimistic state about future earnings, with young people expecting to earn an average of $64,313 per year.
- Massachusetts has the highest expectations for salary among 18-24-year-olds at $97,000 per year and Oklahoma has the lowest at $45,486.
- 48% of those surveyed feel they need to move to a city in order to reach their potential when it comes to earning power due to higher job opportunities and median salaries than in rural areas.
- Two-thirds of 18-24-year-olds are willing to settle for a job that isn’t their preferred career path just for a higher salary due to financial pressures or stability reasons.
Pennsylvania is the 22nd most optimistic state when it comes to residents’ expectations for future earnings. A recent survey by Teachable found that Pennsylvanians anticipate earning an average salary of $87,000 in five years, which is significantly higher than the national average of $82,000. But what financial implications does this optimism have on young people’s job search strategies and career choices? Let’s take a look.
Expectations of 18-24-Year-Olds in the U.S.
Across America, young people are constantly pushing themselves to reach their goals and make a better future for themselves. This is evidenced in the expectations of 18-24-year-olds looking to make an impact in their respective states. In Massachusetts, young adults expect to earn a staggering $97,000 per year, an aspirational leap from the state average of 77%. In stark contrast, Oklahoma’s youth hope to bring in $45,486 – still 21% above the state average but much lower than that of Massachusetts’. It is remarkable how much positivity and ambition are contained within America’s youth today; one can only imagine what incredible feats are yet to come from them.
List of states from most to least optimistic:
- Massachusetts
- Hawaii
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- New York
- Virginia
- Connecticut
- California
- New Jersey
- Washington
- Illinois
- Wyoming
- Delaware
- Colorado
- Alaska
- Michigan
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Vermont
- Maryland
- Arizona
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Wisconsin
- Georgia
- Florida
- Indiana
- New Mexico
- Montana
- Ohio
- Kansas
- North Carolina
- Nebraska
- South Carolina
- Missouri
- Nevada
- Utah
- Kentucky
- Arkansas
- Iowa
- Alabama
- Louisiana
- Tennessee
- Mississippi
- West Virginia
- Idaho
- South Dakota
- Oklahoma
The Financial Implications of Ambition and Opting For Stability
These high salary expectations can majorly impact young people’s job search strategies. If they are expecting a certain level of pay right out of college or university, they are likely not willing to settle for anything less than that amount. This means that they may be more likely to opt for positions with lower salaries if they think they will be able to get a higher-paying job soon after starting the new role.
On the other hand, some may opt for financial stability instead of pursuing their preferred career path if it means securing a steady paycheck sooner rather than later – particularly if these jobs offer better benefits than those with desired career paths but lower salaries. This could lead them down a different path altogether, one that may not necessarily lead them toward achieving their long-term goals or life ambitions.
Pennsylvania’s optimism about future earnings presents both opportunities and challenges for its younger population as they enter the workforce or make decisions about their careers later on in life. While Pennsylvanians may have high salary expectations – leading them to opt for jobs with preferred career paths over ones with greater financial security – this optimism could also open up new possibilities when it comes to pursuing roles in other parts of the country or taking advantage of positions offering better benefits despite lower salaries. Ultimately, understanding the implications of ambition versus opting for stability is key when making decisions about one’s job search strategies and career paths going forward – regardless if you live in Pennsylvania or elsewhere!
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