Are wages in LA high enough to support the high cost of living?

Question

I'll be looking for a job out there after I get my communication degree in oklahoma. I'll hope to get something in video producation or editing

Answer 1

I believe that the wages are high enough in LA to support the cost of living, but I am not sure about your field, really the only thing you have to worry about is the housing, general day to day expenses are about the same as the rest of the US, in some cases cheaper. 99 cent stores, dollar trees, are abundant, free activities such as the beach, hiking, mountain biking, etc. are everywhere. But as the previous posters have stated, housing is very costly. Dont expect to buy a house or a condo right away, and apartments are very spendy, I would say about $1000-1200 for a decent place in a good area for a one bedroom, its probably best to get a roommate, or a studio apartment at first until you earn a steady income, and have some sort of savings built up. You will definetely need a car, no way to get around that, in my opinion, unless you live close to work, and enjoy sitting at home for your free time. I would recommend being open to other jobs also, and not limiting yourself to that career field right away. There are many companies out here looking to pay decent salaries to college grads regardless of major, around 50k is about the norm, and jobs are pretty plenty out here. Good luck.

Answer 2

Yes and No. It all depends on how much money you want left over to do things with after paying rent and everything else and how comfortable you are with really small spaces if you are living on your own. You can find some small apartments for rent around the $600 to $800 range but they are difficult to get in and are usually small, sometimes located in "bad" areas. I don't know what your starting salary wil be, but most people can't buy a home in L.A. with $35,000 income. You usually have to buy outside LA .. really far - 60 miles ( but two hour commute becuase traffic sucks!) If you get roommates, you can find a nice place, the only problem then becomes parking- there is none in LA. Other than that... people are surviving in LA. I've done, a few of my friends are still doing it... just don't expect to have a big savings account unless you don't plan on eating. (My sister did that)

Answer 3

If you're in the right field, yes. If not, no. That's a hard questions.

Rents are extremely high, and buying is out of the question unless you make a couple hundred thousand a year, at least. One bedroom condos go for well over $200K.

Unless you have some financial security, you'll be looking at roommates for quite a while.

BTW -- Communications is a wide area. If you have practical experience in editing, immediately start checking into the unions. There are decent paying non-union gigs, but they come without benefits, but you have to know your stuff to get them.

Answer 4

Most young people who move out here to get into the business have to start with some pretty low wages---$10 to $15 per hour and then move up from there.

So lots of people share a house or apartment with friends or roommates to help pay the bills.

Rents on average in LA are around $1200+ for a smaller one bedroom.

Car insurance is expensive and you NEED a car in LA.

Taxes are high, traffic is horrible and crime is everywhere.

But in spite of all that.....this is a GREAT place to live....

Answer 5

IF (and that's a big if) you can find a job in "the industry," it will probably pay more than average.

However, most of the editors I've met work freelance, which means no steady paycheck so don't be surprised if you find yourself temping or waiting table or something. Just don't be surprised if you're broke alot like most of the rest of us.

Previous posters are right, housing prices are obscene. Insurance and gas are also high. Traffic is beyond awful.

But I think you should go for it, after all, you're young and nothing ventured nothing gained.

Answer 6

Unless you know someone, this field like any of them are very competitive and if you did get a job, in that background, you would start low, not really enough to live on your own in LA..
good luck...

Answer 7

No...but it really doesn't matter..even if the wages were raised....business would just take advantage of it and raise the prices of everything else..just forcing us into the same situation we are already in.

Its all a conspiracy.

Answer 8

No way. You need a degree from USC or UCLA to get that kind of job.

Answer 9

It is never enough here.