What Utahns earn: Analysis of wages shows education pays off — usually

Smith, president of the Utah Society of Anesthesiologists, notes that medical school costs are enormous, and many students go into debt up to $60,000 a year for it. "Many consider it similar to another mortgage," he said. Smith said that if people are looking just to make money, other options are probably smarter.

While in medical school and residency, Smith said he saw friends from his college days starting to make big money and get ahead while he was still living like a poor student. He said most anesthesiologists age into their 40s before they work off their debt and really start to get ahead.

"But the positives are that we have the opportunity to make meaningful differences in people's lives," he said, noting an example of how he had just provided help to an older man to deal with pain from an arthritic leg, allowing the man to do more.

"Also, those we work with are just some of the best people in the community. You also get to see and take part in things that are cutting-edge. For example, historically gall bladder surgery required two or three weeks for recovery. Now they use scopes, make small incisions, and people go home in a day. It's fun, good stuff."

Smith adds, "You do miss kids' ball games and concerts all the time. And there is stress. ... But you feel like you really make a difference."

Life at the bottom

Galloway, 31, has worked for years at several theater chains as a food concessions helper or in management. She said Utah's lowest-paying occupation can be fun but is glad that it is only a secondary income for her family. "I don't have to live on it. That would be hard."

She said, "Customers are usually happy to be here. They are with their family and hanging out. So they are happy to see you — but you have to be quick." But she adds that at the bottom of the wage scale, "Sometimes people are rude to you, or you are ignored."

She said that at the theater where she first worked, she was given only a few minutes of training. "You were pretty much thrown to the wolves. They put you on a till and said, 'Good luck."' At the Megaplex 12 at the Gateway where she now works, she said new workers are trained for four days, four hours a day.

"It's fun here. You see people from every walk of life. It's fun to talk to them. You also get to see free movies," she said. Because the Megaplex is owned by the Larry H. Miller companies, she said it "adds benefits, like car discounts" at its dealerships "and things like tickets to a Buzz game, with a barbecue for employees in the outfield."

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