Dear /sci/.

I wanted to ask about how things looks like in US or western Europe about job perspectives for people who managed to earn their phd degrees in STEM fields.

Myself I defended my own thesis in solid state physics few weeks ago, which along with engineer degree and knowledge about various experimental methods (including impedance spectroscopy and modeling, various methods for measuring ionic transference numbers, XRD or SEM) should give me some base. Yet I found only two post-doc offers in either my specialization or at least something I have basic knowledge, both requiring already having post-doc experience. Best offer in private company I found was about 50 hours per week for equivalent of around 800$ per month.

At the same time, when I mention my degree to people from US or Canada, they flat out ask why I won't go working at some private company and "earn thousands".

Is it really like this here? Or its just common misconception? What can I do to improve my chances and living conditions?

I just don't want to earn as much as grocery store clerk, it would be pretty depressing.