Life is expensive, especially in south florida (getting more expensive)(after this weeks fed move it's going to accelerate more), your new hire has bills. Bills your salary likely won't cover, not to mention his largest expense, healthcare (I didn't see that you were offering that). If he's married and has kids...no way he's covering his expenses with his salary...even if his wife is working (and not making great money), they still come up short. If he's single and young, he likely has a lot of school or other debt...again same as above. OR he can collect welfare "the single mom is better off earnings gross income of $29,000 with $57,327 in net income & benefits than to earn gross income of $69,000 with net income and benefits of $57,045." see link below for full story. Also both persons you are looking for can work freelance and make a lot more...IF they are good. Sorry you're having a hard time filling the spots, but I can totally see why spots like yours (and the plumbers) are hard to fill and why you are getting the applicants you are getting. You do great work. Hang in there. I've heard the same thing a lot.
PS. without going political on your thread, you have 3 main problems, the FED, an egregiously large government, overwhelmingly disproportionate healthcare costs.
great article here...title says it all
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2012-1...-welfare-state
great video on health care costs
http://www.upworthy.com/his-first-4-...-little-sick-2