To the naysayers claiming there are no good jobs left and that nobody can live on $20 an hour: that’s simply not accurate, and this real-world example proves it. Take my son, for instance—he’s thriving in a manufacturing role in a Midwestern state with a base pay of just under $20/hour ($19.87, to be exact). But here’s the key: that’s not the full picture. With a $1.50/hour night shift premium (boosting his rate to $21.37 for those hours) and double time for Sundays ($39.74/hour), his bi-weekly gross comes to $3,481. That annualizes to about $90,500—more than double what a straight $20/hour without premiums would yield over a standard 40-hour week. This isn’t some unicorn job; it’s shift work in manufacturing, a sector that’s abundant in Wisconsin and often includes these built-in boosts for non-traditional hours.

Let’s talk numbers on why this is a solid, livable setup. Wisconsin’s median household income is around $77,500 to $82,500 annually, so $90k puts him well above average—actually in the 90th percentile for the state. 12 14 21 For a single person, studies show you need about $87,200 a year to live comfortably here, covering basics like housing, food, transportation, and some savings—my son’s right at or above that threshold. Breaking it down further: average monthly cost of living for a single adult in Wisconsin is roughly $2,450, including rent for a one-bedroom apartment at $886–$1,327, groceries around $385, utilities under the national average, and other essentials. His take-home pay after taxes and deductions is about $2,246 bi-weekly (annual ~$58,400), leaving plenty for a comfortable life without scraping by—think reliable housing, a car, dining out occasionally, and building savings.

And it’s not just the paycheck; the benefits elevate this to a truly good job. He gets an 8% employer match on his 401(k)—that’s free money adding thousands annually if he contributes fully, way above the national average. Plus, subsidized health insurance, dental, and vision through pre-tax deductions keep his out-of-pocket low. In Wisconsin’s manufacturing scene, these perks are common, and the sector is strong: average pay for production roles hits $36/hour or $75k/year, with entry-level spots starting around $65k and median wages at $25/hour.  Despite some job losses in goods-producing areas, the state hit record employment in 2025, and high-paying manufacturing gigs (like machine operators or welders at $15–$22/hour base, plus premiums) are plentiful in hubs like Milwaukee or Madison.

Prospects? Excellent. Manufacturing in Wisconsin offers stability, skill-building (often with on-the-job training), and upward mobility—many start at entry-level and climb to supervisory roles earning six figures. Nationally, $90k is considered a good salary even for singles, but in a moderate-cost state like Wisconsin (where housing and utilities are below average), it goes further. 20 0 19 If naysayers think $20/hour is unlivable, they’re ignoring real opportunities with overtime, shifts, and benefits that turn it into a pathway to middle-class security. My son’s living proof: no debt struggles, building retirement, and enjoying life on what started as a modest base rate. Good jobs exist—you just have to look beyond the headlines.

But what about Montana, where I live?

To these naysayers who insist there are no good jobs out there and nobody can live on $20 an hour in Montana, there are also opportunities mirroring my son’s Wisconsin manufacturing gig—base pay around $20/hour with night/second shift premiums, overtime (including potential double time or equivalents), and strong benefits—absolutely exist and can lead to solid six-figure-equivalent lifestyles when you factor in the full package. Montana’s manufacturing sector is growing, especially in areas like aerospace, wood products, food processing, and energy-related fabrication, with plenty of roles offering shift differentials to make up for non-standard hours. While the state’s economy is smaller than Wisconsin’s, it generated over $2 billion in manufacturing wages in 2024, outpacing many sectors, and wages are climbing faster than the national average (up to 6.7% for job-changers). My son’s setup (base $19.87/hour, $1.50 night premium to $21.37, double time Sundays at $39.74, bi-weekly gross $3,481 for ~$90k annual) isn’t an outlier—similar gigs in Montana can hit or exceed that with overtime and perks, putting you well above the state’s median income of ~$65k.

Here are real examples from current listings (as of December 2025), showing this scenario is very much available:

• In Bozeman, Belgrade, and Three Forks (hotspots for manufacturing due to companies like Boeing suppliers or tech fabs), entry-to-mid-level production roles start at $22.25/hour during probation, rising to $23.25, plus a $2/hour second-shift premium (that’s higher than my son’s $1.50). These often include overtime opportunities, and while not all specify double time for Sundays, many offer 1.5x overtime after 40 hours or weekend differentials—pushing bi-weekly grosses into the $3,000+ range for shift workers, annualizing to $80k–$100k with consistent OT.  Benefits? Competitive: health insurance, 401(k) matches (often 4–6%, though some hit 8% like my son’s), PTO, and even tuition reimbursement in larger firms.
• Weekend-focused roles, like a Manufacturing Technician in Kalispell (near Glacier National Park, with aerospace and semiconductor hubs), pay $18–$20/hour base plus shift differentials for Friday–Sunday 12-hour shifts (6 a.m.–6:30 p.m.), with potential overtime. This setup mimics the premium-heavy structure, easily reaching $70k–$90k annually if you work extras, and includes benefits like medical, dental, and retirement matching. 19 Similar 3-12-hour shift jobs across Montana emphasize differentials or OT pay to attract workers, with over 100 production openings statewide.
• In eastern Montana (e.g., Sidney, tied to oil and ag manufacturing), positions like spoolers or wellhead technicians offer pay based on experience (often starting $20–$25/hour) with “plenty of overtime,” benefits, PTO, and even a company truck—echoing the premium/OT boost to hit $90k+ grosses. Third-shift manufacturing gigs statewide range $13–$26/hour, but the upper end with premiums aligns closely with my son’s effective rates.

Average manufacturing wages in Montana? Around $18–$24/hour or $50k–$51k annually for factory/production workers, but that’s base—add shifts, OT, and premiums, and it climbs fast, especially in high-demand areas like Billings ($21/hour avg) or Butte ($50k/year). Prospects are strong too: Montana’s manufacturing is stable with low unemployment, on-the-job training, and paths to supervisory roles at $70k–$100k+. 5 Sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter list dozens of “best overtime” manufacturing jobs, proving these aren’t rare.

Now, is it livable? Absolutely—Montana’s cost of living is moderate (ranked 33rd most expensive state), making $90k go further than in Wisconsin. A single adult needs about $42k/year for basics (living wage ~$20.37/hour), but for a comfortable life budget: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings), it’s ~$89k pre-tax—right where these premium-heavy jobs land. Monthly costs: ~$2,074–$2,599 for a single, including $822 for a one-bedroom rent, $385 groceries, and affordable utilities/gas (below national averages). After taxes/deductions (similar to Wisconsin’s ~24% effective rate), take-home on $90k is ~$58k–$60k, leaving room for a nice apartment, truck payments, outdoor adventures (hiking, fishing—Montana perks!), and retirement building via those 401(k) matches.

Bottom line: If my son can thrive on this in Wisconsin, Montana offers even more bang for the buck with comparable (or better) jobs in scenic spots. Good opportunities are out there—ignore the pessimism, check listings on Indeed or the Montana Department of Labor, and you’ll see folks living well on what starts as “$20/hour.”

Bottom line! Don’t listen to the naysayers!