Residents React To Latest Census Numbers On Salaries - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

SALISBURY, Md. - Folks in Salisbury admit it's hard to get excited about unemployment numbers going down.  Even when people have jobs, they see their salaries slipping.    

According to the latest Census Bureau data, full-time workers are earning around 2.5 percent less in 2011 than the previous year.  

"I know prices have gone up.  I know my salary has not gone up with that," said Angela Knarr, a local teacher.  "It's all something we deserve, versus men or women - I think regardless of the work you do you need to have an increase.  Our economy is suffering, we need to do something about it."       

Small business owner Brian Auchter says he is trying not to lower pay for any of his workers.  But he admits keeping salaries at least consistent is not easy.

"We've noticed that insurance keeps going up and it's hitting companies more and more in the pockets, so we try to not pass those costs down to the employees."    

Also found in the latest Census is the difference in salary earned for men and women.  As far as the gap is concerned, it appears consistent.  For the last four years, women earned an average of 23 percent less than men.  Residents say they hope to see the gap close in the near future.