CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE

CBO

The Role of 

Immigrants in the 

U.S. Labor Market:

An Update 

© JupiterImages Corp.
Pub. No. 4159
The Congress of the United States 

O Congressional Budget Office

CBO

The Role of Immigrants in the 

U.S. Labor Market: An Update

July 2010
CBO

Notes

Unless otherwise noted, all years referred to are calendar years.Numbers in the text and tables may not add up to totals because of rounding.
Preface

CBO

People born in other countries are a growing presence in the U.S. labor force. In 1994, 1 in 

10 people in the U.S. labor force was born elsewhere, but in 2009, 1 in 7 was foreign born. About 40 percent of the foreign-born labor force in 2009 was from Mexico and Central America, and more than 25 percent was from Asia.This document updates the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO’s) November 2005 paper The 

Role of Immigrants in the U.S. Labor Market. That earlier report included data through 2004; this update, the first of several on various aspects of immigration, incorporates data through 2009. It focuses on the growing number of foreign-born workers, the countries from which they have come, their educational attainment, the types of jobs they hold, and their earnings. In keeping with CBO’s mandate to provide objective, nonpartisan analysis, this report makes no recommendations.Nabeel Alsalam of CBO’s Health and Human Resources Division wrote the report. Sarah Axeen provided research assistance. The report benefited from the comments of Gregory Acs, Melissa Merrell, Jonathan Morancy, David Rafferty, Jonathan Schwabish, and Bruce Vavrichek.John Skeen edited the report, and Sherry Snyder and Kate Kelly proofread it. Maureen Costantino and Jeanine Rees prepared the report for publication, and Maureen Costantino designed the cover. Monte Ruffin produced the printed copies, and Simone Thomas produced the electronic version for CBO’s Web site (www.cbo.gov).

Douglas W. Elmendorf

Director

July 2010
Contents

Tables

1. Size and Growth of the U.S. Labor Force, by Birthplace, 1994, 2004, and 2009 2. Composition and Educational Attainment of the U.S. Labor Force, by Birthplace, 2009 3. Geographic Distribution of the U.S. Labor Force, by Birthplace, 1994, 2004, and 2009 4. Educational Attainment of the U.S. Labor Force Age 25 and Older, by Birthplace, 2009 5. Selected Characteristics of the U.S. Population and Labor Force, by Birthplace, 2009 6. Labor Force Status of Men and Women, by Birthplace, 2009 7. Occupations of Workers Ages 25 to 64, by Birthplace, 2009 8. Percentage of Workers Ages 25 to 64 in Occupations Grouped by the Average Education Level of Workers in 

Those Occupations, by Birthplace, 2009 

9. Distribution of Workers Ages 25 to 64, by Industry and Birthplace, 2009 

10. Average Weekly Earnings of Full-Time Workers Ages 25 to 64, by Educational Attainment, Birthplace, and 

Parents’ Birthplace, 2009 

11. Differences in Average Weekly Earnings Between Foreign- and Native-Born Full-Time Workers Ages 25 to 64, 

Adjusted for Educational Attainment and Experience, 2009 

12. Selected Characteristics of Workers Ages 25 to 64, by Birthplace and Parents’ Birthplace, 2009 
CBO

CONTENTS THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN THE U.S. LABOR M

Figures

1. Geographic Distribution of the Foreign-Born Labor Force, 1994, 2004, and 2009 2. Percentage of Men and Women Employed, by Birthplace and Age, 2009 3. Percentage of Men and Women Employed, Ages 25 to 64, by Birthplace and Educational Attainment, 2009 4. Average Weekly Earnings of Full-Time Foreign-Born Workers Ages 25 to 64, by When They Came to the 

United States to Stay, 2009 
CBO

People born in other countries represent a substantial and growing segment of the U.S. labor force—that is, people with a job or looking for one. In 2009, 24 million members of the labor force—more than one in seven—were foreign born, up from 21 million in 2004. However, the growth of the foreign-born labor force was much slower between 2004 and 2009 than between 1994 and 2004. In that earlier period, the size of the foreign-born labor force grew at an average annual rate of more than 5 percent, whereas from 2004 to 2009, the rate was about 2 percent. As a share of the total, the foreign-born labor force grew from 10.0 percent in 1994 to 14.5 percent in 2004 and to 15.5 percent in 2009.Among members of the foreign-born labor force in the United States in 2009, about half came to this country before 1994. In 2009, 40 percent of the foreign-born labor force was from Mexico and Central America, and more than 25 percent was from Asia. In 2009, over half of the foreign-born workers from Mexico and Central America did not have a high school diploma or GED credential, as compared with just 6 percent of nativeborn workers. In contrast, nearly half of the foreign-born workers from places other than Mexico and Central America had at least a 

bachelor’s degree, as compared with 35 percent of native-born workers. Over time, participants in the U.S. labor force from Mexico and Central America have become more educated. In 2009, they had completed an average of 9.8 years of schooling—up from 9.5 years in 2004; 55 percent lacked a high school diploma or GED credential—down from 59 percent in 2004; and among 16- to 24-year-olds, 50 percent were not in school and were not high school graduates—down from 60 percent in 2004. Nevertheless, those born in Mexico and Central 

America are constituting an increasingly large share of the least educated portions of the labor force. For example, in 2009 they made up 64 percent of labor force participants with at most an 8th grade education—a figure that was 58 percent in 2004.To a considerable extent, educational attainment determines the role of foreign-born workers in the labor market. In 2009, 70 percent of workers born in Mexico and Central America were employed in occupations that have minimal educational requirements, such as construction laborer and dishwasher; only 23 percent of native-born workers held such jobs. On average, the weekly earnings of men from Mexico and Central America who 

worked full time wenative-born men; wCentral America earthe average weekly ewomen.Foreign-born workeStates from places otral America were emrange of occupationtwice as likely as natfields such as compuences, which generaeducation. Their avsimilar to those of nwomen.The information on comes from the Cursurvey of U.S. houseby the Census Bureadents where they anThose who were boasked when they camstay and if they have naturalization. They legal immigration st

The Role of Immigrants in the U.S. Labor Market: An 
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 1.

Size and Growth of the U.S. Labor Force, by Birthplace, 

1994, 2004, and 2009Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 1994, 2004, and 2009.

Note: Changes are calculated from unrounded data and then rounded.

1994- 2004- 1994- 1994- 2004- 1994-

1994 2004 2009 2004 2009 2009 2004 2009 2009

Total Labor Force 131.1 147.4 154.1 16.3 6.7 23.1 1.2 0.9 1.1

Native born 118.1 126.0 130.2 7.8 4.3 12.1 0.6 0.7 0.7Foreign born 12.9 21.4 23.9 8.5 2.5 11.0 5.2 2.2 4.2

Mexico and Central America 4.6 8.3 9.6 3.7 1.3 5.0 6.1 2.9 5.0Rest of world 8.3 13.1 14.3 4.8 1.2 6.0 4.7 1.8 3.7

Number 

(Millions)

Change

(Millions)

Average Annual Growth Rate

(Percentage)

In 2009, 24 million were foreign born, up 13 million in 1994. Bboth the native-born increased by about 8 different between 20period, the native-bo4.3 million, while thgrew by only 2.5 milAlthough the growth force slowed appreciaperiod to the 2004–2erably faster than the labor force. The averforeign-born labor fo5.2 percent to about periods. In contrast, labor force was less thtwo periods.The composition of also changed between workers from Mexico tuted a minority in thduring that period, thrate than did the numof the world. The totlabor force increased ber, 5 million were frAmerica, and 6 milliworld—correspondinrates of 5.0 percent aa result, the share of from Mexico and Ce36 percent in 1994 t
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 2.

Composition and Educational Attainment of the U.S. Labor Force, 

by Birthplace, 2009

Continued

Total Labor Force 154.1 100.0 n.a. 13.7

Native born 130.2 84.5 n.a. 13.9Foreign born 23.9 15.5 100.0 12.5

Mexico and Central America 9.6 6.3 40.3 9.8

Mexico 7.7 5.0 32.0 9.7El Salvador 0.9 0.6 3.6 9.9Guatemala 0.5 0.3 2.1 8.9Honduras 0.3 0.2 1.4 9.9Nicaragua, Panama, 

Costa Rica, Belize, Other from Central America 0.3 0.2 1.2 13.1

Rest of World 14.3 9.3 59.7 14.3

Asia 6.3 4.1 26.2 14.8

Philippines 1.1 0.7 4.7 14.9India 1.1 0.7 4.7 16.3China and Hong Kong 0.9 0.6 3.9 14.8Vietnam 0.6 0.4 2.7 12.9Korea 0.5 0.3 2.2 14.9Other from Asia 1.9 1.2 8.0 14.5

Canada and Europe 2.8 1.8 11.8 14.7

Canada 0.3 0.2 1.5 15.2Great Britain 0.4 0.3 1.6 15.2Poland 0.3 0.2 1.4 13.8Other from Europe 1.8 1.1 7.3 14.6

Percentage ofForeign-Born

Labor Force

Average Years of 

Education Completed

Number

(Millions)

Percentage of

Labor Force

More than one in slabor force (15.5 pe2009. Of the foreigfrom Mexico and Cthan one-quarter caNative-born particicompleted an averaing. Foreign-born pan average of 12.5 varied greatly by cople, the average mewas born in Mexico completed 9.8 yearaverage Asian-born completed 14.8 yeapant from Canada 
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 2. ContinuedComposition and Educational Attainment of the U.S. Labor Force, by Birthplace, 2009Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

Note: n.a. = not applicable.

Rest of World (continued)

Caribbean 2.2 1.4 9.3 13.1

Cuba 0.6 0.4 2.6 13.5Dominican Republic 0.5 0.3 2.2 12.2Jamaica 0.4 0.3 1.9 13.2Haiti 0.3 0.2 1.4 13.1Other from Caribbean 0.3 0.2 1.3 13.5

South America 1.7 1.1 7.0 13.5

Colombia 0.4 0.3 1.7 13.6Other from South America 1.3 0.8 5.3 13.4

Other Regions 1.3 0.8 5.3 14.2

Africa 1.1 0.7 4.5 14.3Oceana 0.1 0.1 0.6 13.3Rest from other regions 0 0 0.2 13.5

Percentage of

Number Percentage of Foreign-Born Average Years of 

(Millions) Labor Force Labor Force Education Completed
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 3.

Geographic Distribution of the U.S. Labor Force, by Birthplace, 

1994, 2004, and 2009Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 1994, 2004, and 2009.

Total Labor Force 18 42 94 154 100 100 100 100

Native born 12 33 86 130 66 78 91 84Foreign born 6 9 8 24 34 22 9 16

Mexico and Central America 3 3 3 10 19 8 3 6Rest of world 3 6 5 14 15 15 6 9

Total Labor Force 18 39 90 147 100 100 100 100

Native born 12 31 83 126 68 79 92 85Foreign born 6 8 8 21 32 21 8 15

Mexico and Central America 3 3 3 8 17 7 3 6Rest of world 3 6 5 13 15 14 5 9

Total Labor Force 15 35 81 131 100 100 100 100

Native born 11 30 77 118 72 85 96 90Foreign born 4 5 3 13 28 15 4 10

Mexico and Central America 2 2 1 5 16 4 1 4Rest of world 2 4 3 8 11 11 3 6

Distribution in 2004Distribution in 1994

N.Y., Fla.,

Tex., N.J., Rest of

Cal. Ill. Country

Distribution in 2009

Number (Millions) Percentage of the Labor Force

Cal.

N.Y., Fla.,

Tex., N.J.,

Ill.

Rest of

Country Total Total

The foreign-born lately located in cerstates, its members of the total labor fothe 24 million forelabor force resided another 9 million lstates—New York, and Illinois. A third California was foreof the labor force in comparison, in the foreign born made the labor force.The composition oforce differs among born in Mexico and accounted for a malabor force in 2009those born in Mexirepresented about oborn labor force.
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Figure 1.

Geographic Distribution of the Foreign-Born Labor Force, 

1994, 2004, and 2009(Percent)Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

1994 2004 2009

0

20406080

100

334126

273835

263935

California New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois Rest of Country

Between 1994 and labor force became cally concentrated. foreign-born labor fell from 33 percenproportion in New New Jersey, and Ill41 percent to 38 pethe proportion in tabout the same.
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 4.

Educational Attainment of the U.S. Labor Force Age 25 and Older, by 

Birthplace, 2009(Percent)Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

a. States award high school completion credentials to people who have not completed the requirements for a 

regular high school diploma but have passed the GED tests.

Total Labor Force 3 6 29 28 22 12 100

Native born 1 5 30 30 23 12 100Foreign born 16 11 25 17 19 12 100

Mexico and Central America 34 21 27 11 5 2 100Rest of world 4 5 23 21 28 19 100

Total Labor Force 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Native born 23 69 86 90 86 83 83Foreign born 77 31 14 10 14 17 17

Mexico and Central America 64 23 6 3 2 1 6Rest of world 13 8 8 7 13 16 10

Graduate

Courses or

Graduate

Degree

Some

College or an

Associate's

Degree

Bachelor's

Degree

Share of Educational Attainment Group

Distribution of Educational Attainment

All Levels of

Educational

Attainment

8th Grade

 or Less

9th to 12th

Grade and

No Diploma

High School

Diploma or

GEDa

Although the foreig17 percent of the lain 2009, they accoumembers with no meducation. Over haand Central Americlabor force lacked a GED credential, cothose born in other 6 percent of the naof the distribution, from Mexico and Ca bachelor’s degree, (47 percent) of thoworld and 35 perce
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 5.

Selected Characteristics of the U.S. Population and Labor Force, by 

Birthplace, 2009Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

Note: n.a. = not applicable.

Total 58 19 13.8 44 54 91 n.a. n.a.

Native born 59 16 14.1 45 52 100 n.a. n.a.Foreign born 46 38 12.6 43 59 45 22 55

Mexico and

Central America 28 50 9.7 40 67 28 23 54

Rest of world 62 18 14.4 45 54 56 21 55

 to Stay in 

Who Came 

School or Age 15 or 

College

High School

Graduates

Average

Age

Who Are

Men

Percentage

to Stay in U.S.

Before 1994

Population

Ages 16 to 24

Average

Years of

Percentage

Enrolled in

Percentage Not Enrolled

Who Are Not Percentage

Labor Force

Age 25 and Older

Percentage

Education

Completed

Who Are

Citizens

Percentage

Who Came

 U.S. at 

Younger

School enrollment youth suggest that ment (as shown in close in the near fuple ages 16 to 24, tCentral America wbe in school as thosother parts of the wcent of those young and Central Amerischool had not finiswith about 16 percthis country and 18 parts of the world.Only a small fractioforce participants asome part of their eeducation in the Unthe foreign born agforce in 2009, only United States to staThe proportion of who are naturalized of origin. In 2009, bers of the labor foCentral America wcompared with 56 other countries. ThAmerican-born labtionately male (mein 2009) when comof the labor force bwhich men constitunative-born labor ftuted 52 percent).
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 6.

Labor Force Status of Men and Women, by Birthplace, 2009

Continued

Total 72 65 10.3 59 54 8.1

Native born 70 63 10.4 60 55 7.9Foreign born 80 73 9.9 55 50 9.1 Mexico and Central America 87 77 11.4 52 46 12.1 Rest of world 75 69 8.6 57 53 7.7

Total 58 47 20.1 55 47 14.9

Native born 58 46 20.8 56 48 14.7Foreign born 65 56 14.5 46 38 16.9 Mexico and Central America 78 67 13.5 44 36 18.4 Rest of world 52 44 16.1 47 40 15.8

Total 90 80 10.8 75 69 8.4

Native born 90 80 11.0 78 72 8.3Foreign born 91 82 10.0 60 55 8.8 Mexico and Central America 94 83 11.6 52 47 10.7 Rest of world 88 81 8.1 67 62 7.6

Total 92 84 8.8 76 70 7.2

Native born 91 83 8.7 78 72 6.8Foreign born 94 86 9.0 68 62 8.9 Mexico and Central America 96 87 10.0 60 53 11.1 Rest of world 93 85 8.1 73 68 7.7

Percentage in

the Labor Force

Percentage

Employed

Unemployment

Men Women

Rate

Percentage in Percentage Unemployment

the Labor Force Employed Rate

Age 16 and Older

Ages 16 to 24Ages 25 to 34Ages 35 to 44

Among men age 16 Mexico and Centralikely to participate to have a job or to are those born in othose born in this chigh rate of participthey are also much even though they hployment rate. In 2born in Mexico and employed, compareborn in other parts cent of the native bEven though the ecweaker than in 200participation and eunemployment maof employment ratsimilar in those yea
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 6. ContinuedLabor Force Status of Men and Women, by Birthplace, 2009Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

Total 87 80 8.2 76 71 6.2

Native born 87 80 8.0 77 72 5.8Foreign born 92 83 9.2 72 66 8.4 Mexico and Central America 92 81 11.4 65 57 12.9 Rest of world 92 84 8.0 76 71 6.6

Total 70 65 7.1 60 56 6.0

Native born 69 65 6.7 60 57 5.8Foreign born 75 68 9.5 57 53 7.5 Mexico and Central America 76 67 12.1 51 46 9.9 Rest of world 75 69 8.4 60 55 6.8

Total 22 20 6.9 14 13 6.3

Native born 22 20 6.6 14 13 6.2Foreign born 23 21 9.1 12 11 7.3 Mexico and Central America 27 24 14.1 12 10 13.8 Rest of world 23 21 7.7 12 11 5.9

Employed Rate the Labor Force Employed Rate

Ages 55 to 64

Age 65 and Older

Men Women

Percentage in Percentage Unemployment Percentage in Percentage

Ages 45 to 54

Unemployment

the Labor Force
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Figure 2.

Percentage of Men and Women Employed,

by Birthplace and Age, 2009Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

0

20406080

100

16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

0

20406080

100

Age (Years)

Born in Mexico and Central America Born in Rest of World Native Born

Men

Women

Differences in the pplace) who are empamong 16- to 24-ygroups. In 2009, amthirds of those born America were emplhalf of those from othose born in this cage groups, men froAmerica were slighemployed than natwomen, the patterngroups, those from ica were less likely counterparts born ifrom other parts of 
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Figure 3.

Percentage of Men and Women Employed, Ages 25 to 64, by 

Birthplace and Educational Attainment, 2009Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

0

20406080

100 Men

Women

8th Grade or Less 9th to 12th

Grade and

No Diploma

High School

Diploma or GED

Some College or

an Associate's

Degree

Bachelor's Degree Graduate 

Courses or

Graduate Degree

0

20406080

100

Born in Mexico and Central America Born in Rest of World Native Born

The employment rand women rise steHowever, that relatfor foreign-born mforeign-born men alevels of education to be employed thaterparts. In contrashave completed higeducation are less ltheir native-born c
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 7.

Occupations of Workers Ages 25 to 64, by 

Birthplace, 2009(Percent)Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

Note: Occupational groups—as defined in the 2002 census and derived from the 2000 Standard Occupational 

Classification System—are ordered by the percentage of foreign-born workers employed in them.

Occupational GroupConstruction and Extraction 5.5 4.9 8.8 17.0 3.7Production 5.8 5.2 8.7 12.8 6.0Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance 3.8 2.8 8.5 15.1 4.4

Sales and Related 10.2 10.5 8.4 5.9 9.9Management 12.1 12.9 8.2 3.7 11.0Office and Administrative Support 12.8 13.8 7.8 5.5 9.2Transportation and Material Moving 5.8 5.5 7.5 10.6 5.6Food Preparation and Serving Related 3.9 3.2 7.4 11.6 4.8Health Care Practitioner and Technical 6.0 6.1 5.4 1.1 8.1Personal Care and Service 3.3 3.0 4.5 2.9 5.5Computer and Mathematical Science 2.8 2.6 3.6 0.4 5.6Education, Training, and Library 6.4 7.0 3.4 1.3 4.7Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 3.7 3.8 3.1 3.5 2.8Business and Financial Operations 4.7 5.0 3.1 1.0 4.3Health Care Support 2.3 2.2 2.7 1.2 3.8Architecture and Engineering 2.1 2.1 2.1 0.4 3.2Farming, Fishing, and Forestry 0.6 0.4 1.6 3.9 0.2Life, Physical, and Social Science 1.0 1.0 1.4 0.3 2.1Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media 1.9 2.1 1.3 0.6 1.8Community and Social Service 1.8 1.9 1.0 0.5 1.3Protective Service 2.2 2.5 1.0 0.5 1.3Legal 1.3 1.5 0.5 0.2 0.7

______ ______ ______ ______ ______

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

All Workers Workers Workers

Foreign-Born Workers

America World

Mexico and

Native-Born Rest of Foreign-Born Central

All

Almost half (45 perMexico and Centraoccupational grouption; building and tenance; and produincludes operating rotary drills, mininters; production joband welder to butcinclude operators opackaging machineproduction-line supcent of native-born those from other paoccupations. Peoplworld work in a bralthough they are mnative-born workerand Central Amerigroups such as comsciences; life, physisonal care and servi
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 8.

Percentage of Workers Ages 25 to 64 in Occupations Grouped by 

the Average Education Level of Workers in Those Occupations, by 

Birthplace, 2009Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

Notes: Occupations are ordered by the average number of years of school completed by native-born workers in them 

and then divided into the groups “low,” “middle,” and “high”—which, respectively, constitute about a quarter, a half, and a quarter of all workers. Examples of positions attracting the foreign born in relatively large numbers and filled by people with a low level of education include agricultural worker, dishwasher, maid, helper on construction sites, hand packager, cook, grounds maintenance worker, painter, and construction worker; with a middle level of education, food service manager; and with a high level, registered nurse, computer programmer, accountant, auditor, college teacher, physician and surgeon, and computer software engineer.

n.a. = not applicable.

Native Born 23 49 29 100Foreign Born

Mexico and Central America 70 26 4 100Rest of world 28 41 31 100

Native Born 30 44 26 100Foreign Born

Mexico and Central America 76 21 3 100Rest of world 31 38 31 100

Native Born 14 54 32 100Foreign Born

Mexico and Central America 58 36 6 100Rest of world 24 45 31 100

Memorandum:Average Number of Years of School Completed by Native-Born Workers 

in the Group n.a.

Range of the Average Number of Years of School Completed by

Native-Born Workers Across Occupations in the Group n.a.

Men

Women

16.2

All Occupational

Low Middle High Groups

All Workers

Education Level of Occupational Group

12.3

10.5 to 12.7

13.8

12.8 to 15.0 15.1 to 18.0

Many workers born America are emplorequire little forma70 percent of workCentral America wpeople with a relatieducation, but only workers were in suctively large percentMexico and Centrastruction, and food little formal educatIn contrast, foreignparts of the world hwith a high average similar to or somewnative-born worker31 percent of foreigplaces other than Mwere employed in swith 29 percent of only 4 percent of wCentral America.
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 9.

Distribution of Workers Ages 25 to 64, by Industry and 

Birthplace, 2009(Percent)

Continued

Major Industry Groups and Selected SubgroupsEducation and Health Services 23.5 24.6 18.2 8.9 24.2Manufacturing 11.0 10.7 12.7 15.0 11.2

Computer and electronic products 1.0 0.9 1.6 0.6 2.2Furniture and fixtures manufacturing 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.8 0.2Food manufacturing 1.2 0.9 2.2 3.8 1.1Textile, apparel, and leather manufacturing 0.5 0.3 1.0 1.4 0.8Rest of manufacturing 8.0 8.2 7.5 8.4 6.9

Professional and Business Services 11.1 10.9 12.1 11.8 12.3

Administrative and support services 3.8 3.4 5.9 9.7 3.5

Services to buildings and dwellings 0.9 0.7 2.2 3.6 1.3Landscaping services 0.8 0.6 1.9 4.5 0.3Rest of administrative and support services 2.0 2.1 1.7 1.6 1.8

Rest of professional and business services 7.3 7.5 6.3 2.1 8.9

Leisure and Hospitality 7.0 6.0 11.8 15.3 9.5

Accommodation 1.0 0.8 2.1 2.2 2.0Food services and drinking places 4.1 3.4 8.1 12.1 5.6Rest of leisure and hospitality 1.8 1.9 1.6 1.1 1.9

Construction 7.3 6.8 9.7 17.1 5.1Retail Trade 9.9 10.0 9.4 8.1 10.3Other Services 4.8 4.4 6.9 7.5 6.5

Personal and laundry services 1.6 1.4 2.5 1.5 3.1Private households 0.5 0.3 1.7 2.6 1.1Rest of other services 2.7 2.7 2.7 3.5 2.3

Central

America

Rest of

World

All

All Foreign-Born

Workers

Native-Born

Workers Workers

Foreign-Born Workers

Mexico and

Workers from Mexalso heavily concenIn 2009, just over hworkers ages 25 to following seven secservices and drinkinscaping; agricultureservices to building14 percent of workStates and 15 perceparts of the world windustries. In contrnative-born workergrated from other remployed in educamanufacturing, proservices, and retail 
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 9. ContinuedDistribution of Workers Ages 25 to 64, by Industry and Birthplace, 2009(Percent)Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

Note: Major industry groups—as defined in the 2002 census and derived from the 2002 North American Industry Classification System—are ordered by the percentage of total foreign-born workers employed in them.

Major Industry Groups and Selected SubgroupsTransportation and Utilities 5.6 5.6 5.3 4.1 6.0Financial Activities 7.2 7.6 4.9 2.5 6.5Wholesale Trade 2.9 3.0 2.7 3.3 2.4Public Administration 5.4 6.0 2.4 1.1 3.3Agriculture 1.2 1.1 1.8 4.2 0.4Information 2.4 2.5 1.6 0.7 2.2Mining 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.4 0.2Forestry, Logging, Fishing, Hunting 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1

______ ______ ______ ______ ______

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

All

All

Foreign-Born

Foreign-Born Workers

Mexico and

Native-Born Central Rest of

Workers Workers Workers America World
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 10.

Average Weekly Earnings of Full-Time Workers Ages 25 to 64, by 

Educational Attainment, Birthplace, and Parents’ Birthplace, 2009

Continued

All Men 520 610 810 950 1,350 1,650 1,050

Native born 600 650 840 960 1,370 1,660 1,090

Parents native born 610 650 840 960 1,370 1,660 1,090Parent from Mexico or

Central Americab 530 640 740 830 1,250 1,610 850

Parents from rest of world c 790 830 950 1,400 1,690 1,220

Foreign born 510 530 690 820 1,230 1,590 870

Mexico and Central America 500 510 650 750 990 1,390 610Rest of world 540 630 730 850 1,270 1,600 1,090

All Women 400 440 610 720 1,020 1,270 820

Native born 460 460 620 720 1,020 1,270 830

Parents native born 480 470 620 720 1,020 1,260 830Parent from Mexico or

Central Americab 380 440 620 650 980 1,320 720

Parents from rest of world c 410 660 780 1,030 1,330 950

Foreign born 380 390 550 690 1,010 1,280 760

Mexico and Central America 370 380 490 620 850 1,170 500Rest of world 420 410 590 700 1,020 1,280 870

Degree Degree Attainment

Women

High School College or an All Levels of

8th Grade Grade and Diploma Associate's

9th to 12th

Men

Some Graduate

Courses or

Bachelor's Graduate

Average Weekly Earnings (Dollars)

 or Less No Diploma or GEDa Degree

Educational

Foreign-born workCentral America eaworkers. In 2009, tof men born in Meworking full time wnative born men ($$1,090). Part of thto their lower educis smaller when the among workers wittion. For example, school diploma or additional schoolinand Central Amerimuch as those who age of $650 as comThe patterns were sMexico and Centraearnings were 60 pnative-born women $830), but among diploma or GED c78 percent ($490 aAmong people with attainment, the avepeople born in othgenerally somewhatheir native-born caverage, they earnelarger percentages hmore education (se
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 10. ContinuedAverage Weekly Earnings of Full-Time Workers Ages 25 to 64, by Educational Attainment, Birthplace, and Parents’ Birthplace, 2009Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

a. States award high school completion credentials to people who have not completed the requirements for a 

regular high school diploma but have passed the GED tests.

b. Those with one parent from Mexico or Central America and one from another part of the world are classified 

as having a parent from Mexico or Central America.

c. The distribution of values renders the estimate statistically unreliable.

Native Born

Parent from Mexico or 

Central Americab 86 98 88 86 91 97 78

Parents from rest of world c c 99 99 102 102 112

Foreign Born

Mexico or Central America 82 79 78 78 73 84 56Rest of world 88 96 87 88 92 96 100

Native Born

Parent from Mexico or 

Central Americab 78 95 99 91 96 105 86

Parents from rest of world 71 89 106 108 101 106 115

Foreign Born

Mexico or Central America 78 82 78 87 83 93 60Rest of world 87 89 95 98 100 102 104

Average Weekly Earnings of Workers as a Percentage of the

Bachelor's Educational

or Less GEDa Degree Degree Attainment

College or an All Levels of

Average Earnings of Native-Born Workers with Native-Born Parents

Men

Women

No Diploma Degree

8th Grade Grade and Diploma or Associate's Graduate

9th to 12th

Some Graduate

High School Courses or

(Continued)Native-born workeare likely to earn suparents at comparaertheless, those whoand Central Amerithan native-born wparents. For exampmen with parents bAmerica earned an whereas foreign-boCentral America eaever, native-born ments earned an aver
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 11.

Differences in Average Weekly Earnings Between Foreign- and 

Native-Born Full-Time Workers Ages 25 to 64, Adjusted for 

Educational Attainment and Experience, 2009(Percentage difference from native-born workers with native-born parents)Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

Note: When adjusting the differences in average weekly earnings for educational attainment, CBO calculated 

what the average earnings of all foreign-born workers would have been if the distribution of educational attainment of foreign-born workers were the same as the distribution among native-born workers with native-born parents. CBO then compared that hypothetical average with the average earnings of all nativeborn workers with native-born parents. When adjusting for educational attainment and experience, CBO followed a similar procedure but calculated what the average earnings of all foreign-born workers would have been if the distribution of educational attainment and potential experience (defined as a worker's age minus 18 for high school graduates and minus 22 for college graduates) of foreign-born workers were the same as the distribution among native-born workers with native-born parents.

a. Those with one parent from Mexico or Central America and one from another part of the world are classified 

as having a parent from Mexico or Central America.

Native Born

Parent from Mexico or

Central America -22 -10 -9 -14 -4 -2

Parents from rest of world 12 1 4 15 5 6

Foreign-Born

Parent from Mexico or

Central America -44 -23 -21 -40 -16 -14

Parents from rest of world 0 -10 -6 4 -2 -1

Unadjusted Attainment Experience

Women

Adjusted for

Adjusted for Educational

Educational Attainment and

Men

Unadjusted

Adjusted for

Educational

Educational

Attainment and

Attainment Experience

Adjusted for

Although differencence account for soworkers’ earnings, a between the earninwith native-born pworkers born in Meven after adjusting example, in 2009, Central America eaaverage, than nativborn parents. If theeducation and expewith native-born paearned 21 percent lwomen, the gap in 2009; after all adjuthe effects of differexperience, the gap Foreign-born workworld earn slightly born counterparts, more than disappeaof education are tak
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Figure 4.

Average Weekly Earnings of Full-Time Foreign-Born Workers 

Ages 25 to 64, by When They Came to the United States to Stay, 2009(Dollars)Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

a. The sample of women from Mexico and Central America arriving since 2006 is too small to produce a reliable 

estimate of their earnings.

1989 or Earlier 1990–1999 2000–2005 2006–2009

Men from

Rest of World

Women from

Rest of World

Women from

Mexico and

Central America

Men from

Mexico and

Central America

1,100

950 950

920

860

790

760

700

580

510

560

450

410

480

1,180

a

1989 or Earlier 1990–1999 2000–2005 2006–2009

Men from

Rest of World

Women from

Rest of World

Women from

Mexico and

Central America

Men from

Mexico and

Central America

1,100

950 950

920

860

790

760

700

580

510

560

450

410

480

1,180

a

The length of time have been in the Uearnings. Foreign-bthe United States mearn more than thorecently. For exampfull time, those from America who came 2006 and 2009 ear$480 per week, comwho arrived before There are several prelationship betweepeople arrived in thearnings. Workers wUnited States longeof the skills that are market than have incountry more recenhave been in the Unlikely to be naturalopen up more job oFinally, those who atically different frorecently; they may, in English or may bimmigrant enclave.Workers who came ago are older, on avmore recently, and, more experience anever, age differencesmall part of the potime of entry and e
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRANTS IN 

CBO

Table 12.

Selected Characteristics of Workers Ages 25 to 64, by Birthplace and 

Parents’ Birthplace, 2009Source: Congressional Budget Office based on monthly data from Census Bureau, Current Population 

Surveys, Outgoing Rotation Groups, 2009.

a. Those with one parent from Mexico or Central America and one from another part of the world are classified 

as having a parent from Mexico or Central America.

All Workers 61,500 13.8 43 23 54,700 14.1 43 23Foreign Born

Parent from Mexico or

Central Americaa 5,000 9.7 39 22 2,500 10.1 41 23

Parents from rest of 

world 6,300 14.5 43 23 5,400 14.4 44 23

Native Born

Parents native born 47,200 14.1 44 24 44,400 14.3 44 24Parent from Mexico or

Central Americaa 900 12.9 36 17 700 13.3 37 18

Parents from rest of 

world 2,000 14.9 42 21 1,700 15.1 41 21

Education

Experience

Years of Labor

Market Market Number Average Education

Potential

Labor

Years ofAverage Average

Years of

Average Average PotentialYears of

Completed

Average

Age (Thousands) Completed Age

Number

(Thousands) Experience

Men Women

Although foreign-bearn substantially lworkers during theis much smaller for children (as shown the progress by the generation results fof education. For inworkers born in Maveraged 9.7 years U.S.-born male woMexico and Centra12.9 years of schoois substantial, that less education than for native-born me