How much SHOULD I be earning an hour?

I work as a Professional Floral Designer. I have a degree in Horticulture and 10+ years work experience. My work experience includes but is not limited to:(this is what I do every day) Designing/arranging fresh cut and silk flowers per customer order; answering phones; waiting on customers; plant care (watering etc); processing fresh cuts when they first come in, cleaning and basic shop up-keep; occasional delivery, some basic computer work; ordering some product from wholesalers (not too often though..) and managing the shop when the boss isn't here...which seems like most of the time......I am her only employee and get $8.10/ hour...am I getting screwed or what? If she gives me a raise, she cuts back the number of hours I work.





Oh, I live in Central NY State....not near the city

How much SHOULD I be earning an hour?
Sounds like you need to find someone else to work for.
Reply:Check around with other local companies and see what the average rate is. Pay rates have an extremly wide range throughout the US and sometimes even inside the states so asking on here will probably not help you all too much. In my opinion it sounds like you should be making more though.
Reply:Sounds like you need to ask for a raise or get a better paying job!
Reply:I wonder why with a college degree and 10 year experience you are only working for $8 an hour. You obviously have the talent, the experience and the knowledge. Why don't you start your own flower business? Yes it will require a lot of hard work and sacrifice. However, do you want to depend on someone else the rest of your life to determine your fate and how much you get paid. I also realize that business start up costs are very expensive, and getting a business loan also requires great credit and collateral.


However, if running your own business is not for you, then you should be the one managing a flower shop. Yes, I agree that you are getting screwed, but you are the one allowing it to happen. Don't blame your boss, because she is simply following labor laws and is more concerned about your paying customers. Take charge of your life and vision yourself being successful. I wish you great success.
Reply:Your degree has nothing to do with your job, you know that right. Our floral shops hire people off the street and then train them. I would say that is good amount of money for someone that works in a retail flower shop.