Michigan Pay Rate

Yesterday, I received my first paycheck from the temp agency I'm working for. I commented to LM that it wasn't much, but it was nice to see money coming in for a change of pace. He asked how much it was for. "$14.52" I answered. LM looked up from his dinner, stunned.

"What?! Do those people pay you like two cents an hour or something?!?"

I had to laugh. "No, LM. This check is for the brief training I went to last week, not for the full week of work I'm currently doing."

Man, we knew the cost of living was a bit lower in Michigan but two cents an hour?!