[scarface74]

I only have a few anecdotal data points of what well paid hourly work is like in the US. But, most well paid hourly jobs with benefits etc. have some combination of:

Holidays: Federal holidays where people are off and they still get paid as if they were working.

Vacation: Time off work that is paid that is accrued during the time you are working. When you submit your time, you can use your vacation hours.

Sick: Days that you are suppose to either be unable to work or have a dependent (or spouse) that you need to take care of. Depending on the company, they can require doctor’s notes.

Many companies lump sick and vacation as “paid time off”.

Companies usually have paid bereavement leave.

I’ve worked as a contractor occasionally with none of these types of time off, but fortunately, I am in a position to adjust my rate accordingly.

Even when I was in college and working retail we had some type of minimum holiday pay.