How long does it take workers to earn the equivalent of $1,200?

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  • Workers in the food and service industries have to work the most hours to earn $1,200, according to research by LendingTree.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – The federal government has distributed economic stimulus checks to millions of Americans via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

But some people have to work much longer than others do to earn that $1,200.

LendingTree researchers analyzed the 100 most common occupations in which workers earn less than $75,000 per year, using 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This analysis calculated how long it takes workers of various occupations to earn an amount equivalent to the $1,200 stimulus payment in pre-tax income.

Workers in the food and service industries have to work the most hours to earn $1,200. Some of these employees have been deemed essential and continue to work under risk of exposure to the coronavirus, but millions of others were laid off and are only gradually return to work, if at all.

• According to Lending- Tree, fast food and counter workers, restaurant hosts and hostesses, and cashiers all earn an average of $11+ per hour and need to work 102 to 107 hours to earn $1,200.

• Hotel, motel and resort desk clerks are paid an average of $12.47/hour, so they have to work a little over 96 hours to earn $1,200.

• Bartenders make an average of $13.46/hour, so they have to work 89 hours to make $1,200.

• Barbers, hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists make an average of $15.25/hour, so they have to work almost 79 hours to earn $1,200.

• Plumbers receive an average of $28.16/hour, so they have to work 42.6 hours to earn the same amount.

• Electricians are paid nearly a dollar more, an average of $29.02/hour, so they need to work 41.35 hours to earn $1,200.

• Secondary school teachers have to work almost 38 hours, while elementary and middle school teachers have to work a little more than 39 hours, to earn $1,200. Their wages average $30.68/hour to $31.66/hour.

• Insurance sales agents and police officers are paid $32.51 per hour, on average, so they need to work almost 37 hours to earn $1,200.

• In contrast, credit counselors and loan officers, compliance officers, and property, real estate and community association managers need to work only 34 to 35 hours to make $1,200. Those professionals are paid an average of $34.46 to $35.48 per hour.