Good-Paying Jobs?

I saw a news blurb in the Indianapolis Business Journal a while back, and it got me thinking. What exactly is a "good job" pay-wise in Greene County, Indiana? Of course, everyone will have their own opinion, most likely based on their own education, experience, and financial obligations. Nonetheless, the news story seems to help define it -- at least in the area of manufacturing around Greensburg, Indiana. See the story quoted below:

"The pay system to be used by Honda Manufacturing of Indiana at its new assembly plant in Greensburg will start workers at $14.84 an hour and automatically ratchet up wages over two years to $18.55. The Japanese automaker also plans to include annual bonuses based on how individuals perform and how the company fares, according to the Greensburg Daily News. Honda nearly a month ago began fielding the first of what totaled 30,296 applications for 2,000 production positions. The $550 million plant, which will turn out Civic sedans, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008."

Considering the overwhelming response of 30,000+ applications for the 2,000 jobs they have -- and given Greene County's lower cost-of-living -- would a lower dollar per hour job be our "target" for economic development here? Or, is bringing in cost-of-living an incorrect assumption entirely? Are there other measures that people consider?

The common theme around Greene County recently has been, "We need some decent-paying jobs here," but there hasn't been any definition or general consensus of what that really means to people. The answer could weigh in on what industries should really be pursued. Technology-based jobs are generally different pay-wise from manufacturing, which has different pay scales than service, retail, and hospitality industries.

Of course, the sky is the limit on what someone would accept, but obviously companies will be looking in the other direction as to the least they can pay. So, I guess the question is really more about meeting in the middle, or what is the least amount most people would consider "good-paying" in Greene County?

There are also criteria beyond pay, such as number of hours in the work week, availability of flexible schedules, and other perks to consider.

Thoughts?