as US job market strengthens, many don't feel it

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ECONOMY_NOT_FEELING_THE_RECOVERY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-07-31-13-48-23

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A closer look at the factors:

LAGGING INCOME

Most people are still earning less, adjusted for inflation, than before the recession struck at the end of 2007. Even many who kept their jobs through the recession - or easily found work after being let go - are no better off. The typical family income in current dollars is $52,959, according to Sentier Research. Factoring in inflation, that's $3,303 less than before the recession - a nearly 6 percent drop.

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FEWER FULL-TIME JOBS

Finding a steady full-time job has become harder. There are 27.4 million part-time jobs, representing 18.8 percent of jobs in the U.S. economy, according to the Labor Department. Before the recession, 16.5 percent of all jobs were part time.

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EMPLOYERS SLOW TO HIRE

The "Help Wanted" signs are out: There were 4.6 million available jobs in May, according to government data, the most in seven years and 20 percent more than a year ago. Yet not enough of those jobs are being filled.

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BEHIND ON MORTGAGES

Whatever wealth most Americans have is mainly tied up in their homes. But roughly seven years after the housing bust, owning a home has still been a bad investment for many.