Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers: 2007

Bureau of Labor Statistics

U.S. Department of Labor

March 24, 2008
Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers: 2007

According to Current Population Survey estimates for 2007, 75.9 million American workers were paid at hourly rates, representing 

58.5 percent of all wage and salary workers.

1

 On July 24, 2007, the Federal minimum wage increased to $5.85 per hour from $5.15 per hour. 

Data in this report reflect the average number of workers earning the prevailing Federal minimum wage or less for the year (those who earned 

$5.15 or less from January 2007 through July 2007 and those who earned $5.85 or less from August 2007 through the end of the year). 

Among those paid by the hour in 2007, 267,000 were reported as earning exactly the prevailing Federal minimum wage. Nearly 1.5 million 

were reported as earning wages below the minimum. 2 Together, these 1.7 million workers with wages at or below the minimum made up 2.3

percent of all hourly-paid workers. Tables 1-10 present data on a wide array of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics for hourlypaid workers earning at or below the Federal minimum wage. The following are some highlights from the 2007 data.

-- Minimum wage workers tend to be young. Although workers under age 25 represented only about one-fifth of hourly paid workers, they 

made up almost half of those paid the Federal minimum wage or less. Among employed teenagers paid by the hour, about 7 percent earned

the minimum wage or less, compared with fewer than 2 percent of workers age 25 and over. (See table 1 and table 7.)

-- About 3 percent of women paid hourly rates reported wages at or below the prevailing Federal minimum, compared with about 1 percent of 

men. (See table 1.)

-- The percent of workers earning the minimum wage did not vary much across the major race and ethnic groups. About 2 percent of white, 

black, Asian, and Hispanic hourly-paid workers earned the Federal minimum wage or less. (See table 1.)

-- Among hourly-paid workers age 16 and over, about 3 percent of those who had less than a high school diploma earned the minimum wage 

or less, compared to 2 percent of those who had a high school diploma (with no college) and 1 percent of college graduates. (See table 6.)

-- Never-married workers, who tend to be young, were several times more likely than married workers to earn the minimum wage or less. 

(See table 8.)

-- Part-time workers (persons who usually work less than 35 hours per week) were more likely than their full-time counterparts to be paid the 

Federal minimum wage or less (about 5 percent versus 1 percent). (See table 1 and table 9.)

-- By major occupational group, the highest proportion of workers earning at or below the Federal minimum wage was in service occupations, 

about 7 percent. Nearly three in four workers earning the minimum wage or less in 2007 were employed in service occupations, mostly in 

food preparation and service jobs. (See table 4.) 

-- The industry with the highest proportion of workers with reported hourly wages at or below the Federal minimum wage was leisure and 

hospitality (about 12 percent). About three-fifths of all workers paid at or below the Federal minimum wage were employed in this industry, 

primarily in the food services and drinking places component. For many of these workers, tips and commissions supplement the hourly 

wages received. (See table 5.)

-- Among the States, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas had the highest proportions of hourly-paid workers 

earning at or below the Federal minimum wage (at about 4 percent). The percentage of workers earning at or below the Federal minimum 

wage was lowest (1 percent or less) in Alaska, California, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. It should be noted that some states have 

minimum wage laws establishing standards that exceed the Federal minimum wage. (See table 2 and table 3.)

-- The proportion of hourly-paid workers earning the prevailing Federal minimum wage or less has trended downward since 1979, when data 

first began to be collected on a regular basis. (See table 10.) 

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ data on minimum wage earners are derived from the 

Current Population Survey (CPS), a nationwide sample survey of households that includes questions enabling the identification of hourly-paid 

workers and their hourly wage rate. Data in this summary are 2007 annual averages. 

 

1

 Data are for wage and salary workers, excluding the unincorporated and incorporated self-employed, and refer to earnings on a person's sole or principal job. 

2

 It should be noted that the presence of a sizable number of workers with reported wages below the minimum does not necessarily indicate violations of the 

Fair Labor Standards Act, as there are exemptions to the minimum wage provisions of the law. The estimates of the numbers of minimum and subminimum 

wage workers presented in the accompanying tables pertain to workers paid at hourly rates; salaried and other non-hourly workers are excluded. As such, the 

actual number of workers with earnings at or below the prevailing minimum is undoubtedly understated. Research has shown that a relatively smaller number 

and share of salaried workers and others not paid by the hour have earnings that, when translated into hourly rates, are at or below the minimum wage. 

However, BLS does not routinely estimate hourly earnings for non-hourly workers because of data concerns that arise in producing these estimates. For further 

information, see Steven Haugen and Earl Mellor, "Estimating the number of minimum wage workers," Monthly Labor Review, January 1990.
Table 1. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by 

selected characteristics, 2007 annual averages

Number of workers (in thousands) Percent distribution Percent of workers paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

AGE AND SEX

Total, 16 years and over................. 75,873 1,729 267 1,462 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.3 0.4 1.9

 16 to 24 years.............................. 16,275 814 145 669 21.5 47.1 54.3 45.8 5.0 0.9 4.1

 16 to 19 years.............................. 5,434 373 93 280 7.2 21.6 34.8 19.2 6.9 1.7 5.2

 25 years and over.......................... 59,597 915 122 793 78.5 52.9 45.7 54.2 1.5 0.2 1.3

 

Men, 16 years and over................. 37,790 546 86 460 49.8 31.6 32.2 31.5 1.4 0.2 1.2

 16 to 24 years.............................. 8,314 242 52 190 11.0 14.0 19.5 13.0 2.9 0.6 2.3

 16 to 19 years.................................2,652 136 37 99 3.5 7.9 13.9 6.8 5.1 1.4 3.7

 25 years and over....................... 29,476 304 34 270 38.8 17.6 12.7 18.5 1.0 0.1 0.9

 

Women, 16 years and over............ 38,082 1,183 181 1,002 50.2 68.4 67.8 68.5 3.1 0.5 2.6

 16 to 24 years............................... 7,961 572 93 479 10.5 33.1 34.8 32.8 7.2 1.2 6.0

 16 to 19 years............................ 2,782 238 56 182 3.7 13.8 21.0 12.4 8.6 2.0 6.5

 25 years and over........................ 30,121 611 88 523 39.7 35.3 33.0 35.8 2.0 0.3 1.7

 

RACE, SEX, AND 

HISPANIC OR LATINO ETHNICITY

White 1....................................... 61,061 1,420 204 1,216 80.5 82.1 76.4 83.2 2.3 0.3 2.0

 Men........................................... 30,944 471 73 398 40.8 27.2 27.3 27.2 1.5 0.2 1.3

 Women...................................... 30,117 949 131 818 39.7 54.9 49.1 56.0 3.2 0.4 2.7

Black or African American 1.................................... 9,965 205 55 150 13.1 11.9 20.6 10.3 2.1 0.6 1.5

 Men........................................... 4,482 49 10 39 5.9 2.8 3.7 2.7 1.1 0.2 0.9

 Women...................................... 5,483 156 45 111 7.2 9.0 16.9 7.6 2.8 0.8 2.0

Asian 1.......................................... 2,730 51 1 50 3.6 2.9 0.4 3.4 1.9 0.0 1.8

 Men........................................... 1,260 14 - 14 1.7 0.8 - 1.0 1.1 - 1.1

 Women...................................... 1,469 37 1 36 1.9 2.1 0.4 2.5 2.5 0.1 2.5

Hispanic or Latino 1....................... 13,168 246 41 205 17.4 14.2 15.4 14.0 1.9 0.3 1.6

 Men........................................... 7,796 114 19 95 10.3 6.6 7.1 6.5 1.5 0.2 1.2

 Women...................................... 5,372 132 22 110 7.1 7.6 8.2 7.5 2.5 0.4 2.0

FULL- AND PART-TIME

STATUS AND SEX

Full-time workers 2......................... 57,745 752 94 658 76.1 43.5 35.2 45.0 1.3 0.2 1.1

 Men........................................... 32,003 283 30 253 42.2 16.4 11.2 17.3 0.9 0.1 0.8

 Women...................................... 25,743 469 64 405 33.9 27.1 24.0 27.7 1.8 0.2 1.6

Part-time workers 2.......................... 17,997 971 172 799 23.7 56.2 64.4 54.7 5.4 1.0 4.4

 Men........................................... 5,721 260 56 204 7.5 15.0 21.0 14.0 4.5 1.0 3.6

 Women...................................... 12,276 711 117 594 16.2 41.1 43.8 40.6 5.8 1.0 4.8

 

1 Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. 

Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.

2 The distinction between full- and part-time workers is based on hours usually worked. These data will not sum to totals because 

full- or part-time status on the principal job is not identifiable for a small number of multiple jobholders.

 NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data that do not

meet publication criteria.

Total paid 

hourly 

rates

Characteristic Total paid 

hourly 

rates
Table 2. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by 

census region and division, 2007 annual averages

Number of workers (in thousands) Percent distribution Percent of workers paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total, 16 years and over.... 75,873 1,729 267 1,462 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.3 0.4 1.9

 Northeast......................... 12,903 292 20 272 17.0 16.9 7.5 18.6 2.3 0.2 2.1

 New England................... 3,694 105 5 100 4.9 6.1 1.9 6.8 2.8 0.1 2.7

 Middle Atlantic................ 9,209 187 15 172 12.1 10.8 5.6 11.8 2.0 0.2 1.9

 Midwest........................... 18,846 410 39 371 24.8 23.7 14.6 25.4 2.2 0.2 2.0

 East North Central........... 12,989 280 21 259 17.1 16.2 7.9 17.7 2.2 0.2 2.0

 West North Central.......... 5,856 130 18 112 7.7 7.5 6.7 7.7 2.2 0.3 1.9

 South.............................. 26,335 817 180 637 34.7 47.3 67.4 43.6 3.1 0.7 2.4

 South Atlantic................. 13,710 374 57 317 18.1 21.6 21.3 21.7 2.7 0.4 2.3

 East South Central.......... 4,577 141 49 92 6.0 8.2 18.4 6.3 3.1 1.1 2.0

 West South Central......... 8,048 302 74 228 10.6 17.5 27.7 15.6 3.8 0.9 2.8

 West............................... 17,789 209 28 181 23.4 12.1 10.5 12.4 1.2 0.2 1.0

 Mountain....................... 5,576 105 14 91 7.3 6.1 5.2 6.2 1.9 0.3 1.6

 Pacific.......................... 12,214 105 14 91 16.1 6.1 5.2 6.2 0.9 0.1 0.7

 

 NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. 

 The four major regions and nine census divisions of the United States are as follows:

Northeast: 

 New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont

 Middle Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

Midwest:

 East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin

 West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota

South:

 South Atlantic: Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia

 East South Central: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee

 West South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas

West:

 Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming

 Pacific: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington

Total paid 

hourly 

rates

Region and division Total paid 

hourly 

rates
Table 3. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by 

State, 2007 annual averages

Number of workers (in thousands) Percent distribution Percent of workers paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total, 16 years and over.. 75,873 1,729 267 1,462 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.3 0.4 1.9

Alabama........................ 1,132 37 14 23 1.5 2.1 5.2 1.6 3.3 1.2 2.0

Alaska........................... 197 2 - 2 0.3 0.1 - 0.1 1.0 - 1.0

Arizona.......................... 1,560 28 2 26 2.1 1.6 0.7 1.8 1.8 0.1 1.7

Arkansas........................ 677 17 1 16 0.9 1.0 0.4 1.1 2.5 0.1 2.4

California........................ 8,785 74 9 65 11.6 4.3 3.4 4.4 0.8 0.1 0.7

Colorado........................ 1,164 25 1 24 1.5 1.4 0.4 1.6 2.1 0.1 2.1

Connecticut.................... 923 14 - 14 1.2 0.8 - 1.0 1.5 - 1.5

Delaware........................ 234 5 - 5 0.3 0.3 - 0.3 2.1 - 2.1

District of Columbia.......... 109 3 1 2 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.1 2.8 0.9 1.8

Florida........................... 4,261 114 15 99 5.6 6.6 5.6 6.8 2.7 0.4 2.3

Georgia.......................... 2,216 70 11 59 2.9 4.0 4.1 4.0 3.2 0.5 2.7

Hawaii............................ 338 4 - 4 0.4 0.2 - 0.3 1.2 - 1.2

Idaho.............................. 424 12 4 8 0.6 0.7 1.5 0.5 2.8 0.9 1.9

Illinois............................ 3,335 74 3 71 4.4 4.3 1.1 4.9 2.2 0.1 2.1

Indiana........................... 1,826 36 7 29 2.4 2.1 2.6 2.0 2.0 0.4 1.6

Iowa.............................. 933 24 2 22 1.2 1.4 0.7 1.5 2.6 0.2 2.4

Kansas.......................... 796 25 5 20 1.0 1.4 1.9 1.4 3.1 0.6 2.5

Kentucky....................... 1,152 35 9 26 1.5 2.0 3.4 1.8 3.0 0.8 2.3

Louisiana...................... 937 40 17 23 1.2 2.3 6.4 1.6 4.3 1.8 2.5

Maine............................ 399 9 - 9 0.5 0.5 - 0.6 2.3 - 2.3

Maryland........................ 1,317 27 2 25 1.7 1.6 0.7 1.7 2.1 0.2 1.9

Massachusetts................ 1,505 60 2 58 2.0 3.5 0.7 4.0 4.0 0.1 3.9

Michigan........................ 2,678 58 1 57 3.5 3.4 0.4 3.9 2.2 0.0 2.1

Minnesota....................... 1,565 21 2 19 2.1 1.2 0.7 1.3 1.3 0.1 1.2

Mississippi...................... 691 31 16 15 0.9 1.8 6.0 1.0 4.5 2.3 2.2

Missouri......................... 1,577 33 3 30 2.1 1.9 1.1 2.1 2.1 0.2 1.9

Montana......................... 289 1 - 1 0.4 0.1 - 0.1 0.3 - 0.3

Nebraska.......................... 553 17 3 14 0.7 1.0 1.1 1.0 3.1 0.5 2.5

Nevada.......................... 747 12 3 9 1.0 0.7 1.1 0.6 1.6 0.4 1.2

New Hampshire................ 372 9 1 8 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 2.4 0.3 2.2

New Jersey..................... 1,697 29 4 25 2.2 1.7 1.5 1.7 1.7 0.2 1.5

New Mexico.................... 479 11 2 9 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.6 2.3 0.4 1.9

New York........................ 4,078 88 7 81 5.4 5.1 2.6 5.5 2.2 0.2 2.0

North Carolina.................. 2,156 46 4 42 2.8 2.7 1.5 2.9 2.1 0.2 1.9

North Dakota................... 191 5 2 3 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.2 2.6 1.0 1.6

Ohio.............................. 3,422 79 5 74 4.5 4.6 1.9 5.1 2.3 0.1 2.2

Oklahoma....................... 849 25 10 15 1.1 1.4 3.7 1.0 2.9 1.2 1.8

Oregon........................... 1,050 9 2 7 1.4 0.5 0.7 0.5 0.9 0.2 0.7

Pennsylvania................... 3,434 69 3 66 4.5 4.0 1.1 4.5 2.0 0.1 1.9

Rhode Island................... 315 7 - 7 0.4 0.4 - 0.5 2.2 - 2.2

South Carolina................. 1,178 47 10 37 1.6 2.7 3.7 2.5 4.0 0.8 3.1

South Dakota................... 241 6 1 5 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.3 2.5 0.4 2.1

Tennesee....................... 1,602 39 10 29 2.1 2.3 3.7 2.0 2.4 0.6 1.8

Texas............................ 5,585 221 46 175 7.4 12.8 17.2 12.0 4.0 0.8 3.1

Utah............................... 748 11 1 10 1.0 0.6 0.4 0.7 1.5 0.1 1.3

Vermont......................... 181 4 - 4 0.2 0.2 - 0.3 2.2 - 2.2

Virginia.......................... 1,761 46 5 41 2.3 2.7 1.9 2.8 2.6 0.3 2.3

Washington.................... 1,844 17 3 14 2.4 1.0 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.2 0.8

West Virginia................... 478 16 9 7 0.6 0.9 3.4 0.5 3.3 1.9 1.5

Wisconsin...................... 1,730 32 4 28 2.3 1.9 1.5 1.9 1.8 0.2 1.6

Wyoming........................ 164 4 1 3 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.2 2.4 0.6 1.8

 NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless or whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Users are reminded that these data are

based on a sample and are therefore subject to sampling error; the degree of error may be quite large for less populous States. It is not possible to clearly

determine whether workers surveyed in the CPS are actually covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or by individual State minimum wage laws. 

Thus some workers reported as earning the prevailing Federal minimum wage may not in fact be covered by Federal or State minimum wage laws. Also,

there are a number of States that have minimum wages that exceed the Federal minimum wage. At the same time, the presence of a sizable number of

workers with wages below the prevailing Federal minimum wage does not necessarily indicate violations of the FLSA or applicable State laws, because

there are numerous exclusions and exemptions to these minimum wage statutes. Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet publication criteria.

State Total paid 

hourly 

rates

Total paid 

hourly 

rates
Table 4. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by 

major occupation group, 2007 annual averages

Number of workers (in thousands) Percent distribution Percent of workers paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total, 16 years and over.......................... 75,873 1,729 267 1,462 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.3 0.4 1.9

Management, professional, and related 

 occupations........................................14,447 75 12 63 19.0 4.3 4.5 4.3 0.5 0.1 0.4

 Management, business, and financial

 operations occupations..................................... 4,033 22 4 18 5.3 1.3 1.5 1.2 0.5 0.1 0.4

 Professional and related occupations......................... 10,413 53 8 45 13.7 3.1 3.0 3.1 0.5 0.1 0.4

Service occupations................................ 16,882 1,248 130 1,118 22.3 72.2 48.7 76.5 7.4 0.8 6.6

 Healthcare support occupations...................... 2,514 37 10 27 3.3 2.1 3.7 1.8 1.5 0.4 1.1

 Protective service occupations.............. 1,823 29 7 22 2.4 1.7 2.6 1.5 1.6 0.4 1.2

 Food preparation and serving related

 occupations.................................... 6,479 1,013 71 942 8.5 58.6 26.6 64.4 15.6 1.1 14.5

 Building and grounds cleaning and 

 maintenance occupations.......................................... 3,573 58 22 36 4.7 3.4 8.2 2.5 1.6 0.6 1.0

 Personal care and service occupations.. 2,495 111 20 91 3.3 6.4 7.5 6.2 4.4 0.8 3.6

Sales and office occupations............................. 20,951 240 85 155 27.6 13.9 31.8 10.6 1.1 0.4 0.7

 Sales and related occupations............................... 7,851 125 50 75 10.3 7.2 18.7 5.1 1.6 0.6 1.0

 Office and administrative support 

 occupations.................................... 13,099 115 35 80 17.3 6.7 13.1 5.5 0.9 0.3 0.6

Natural resources, construction, and 

 maintenance occupations................................. 10,116 44 4 40 13.3 2.5 1.5 2.7 0.4 0.0 0.4

 Farming, fishing, and forestry

 occupations.................................... 628 12 4 8 0.8 0.7 1.5 0.5 1.9 0.6 1.3

 Construction and extraction

 occupations.................................... 6,009 27 - 27 7.9 1.6 - 1.8 0.4 - 0.4

 Installation, maintenance, and 

 repair occupations.......................................... 3,480 5 - 5 4.6 0.3 - 0.3 0.1 - 0.1

Production, transportation, and 

 material moving occupations.............. 13,477 121 35 86 17.8 7.0 13.1 5.9 0.9 0.3 0.6

 Production occupations....................... 7,373 42 13 29 9.7 2.4 4.9 2.0 0.6 0.2 0.4

 Transportation and material moving

 occupations.................................... 6,104 79 22 57 8.0 4.6 8.2 3.9 1.3 0.4 0.9

 

 NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet

publication criteria.

Total paid 

hourly 

rates

Occupation Total paid 

hourly 

rates
Table 5. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by 

major industry group, 2007 annual averages

Number of workers (in thousands) Percent distribution Percent of workers paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total, 16 years and over.......................... 75,873 1,729 267 1,462 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.3 0.4 1.9

 Private sector......................................... 66,432 1,618 232 1,386 87.6 93.6 86.9 94.8 2.4 0.3 2.1

 Agriculture and related industries.................................... 688 9 - 9 0.9 0.5 - 0.6 1.3 - 1.3

 Nonagricultural industries.................... 65,744 1,609 232 1,377 86.7 93.1 86.9 94.2 2.4 0.4 2.1

 Mining............................................... 436 - - - 0.6 - - - - - -

 Construction.........................................6,041 34 3 31 8.0 2.0 1.1 2.1 0.6 0.0 0.5

 Manufacturing.................................... 9,862 38 10 28 13.0 2.2 3.7 1.9 0.4 0.1 0.3

 Durable goods ................................. 6,226 25 4 21 8.2 1.4 1.5 1.4 0.4 0.1 0.3

 Nondurable goods ........................... 3,637 12 5 7 4.8 0.7 1.9 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.2

 Wholesale and retail trade................. 12,658 151 52 99 16.7 8.7 19.5 6.8 1.2 0.4 0.8

 Wholesale trade............................ 1,986 9 2 7 2.6 0.5 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.4

 Retail trade.................................. 10,671 142 50 92 14.1 8.2 18.7 6.3 1.3 0.5 0.9

 Transportation and utilities................. 3,160 18 4 14 4.2 1.0 1.5 1.0 0.6 0.1 0.4

 Information..................................... 1,505 19 6 13 2.0 1.1 2.2 0.9 1.3 0.4 0.9

 Financial activities...................................... 3,409 24 7 17 4.5 1.4 2.6 1.2 0.7 0.2 0.5

 Professional and business services.......... 5,767 43 6 37 7.6 2.5 2.2 2.5 0.7 0.1 0.6

 Education and health services............................................ 11,455 144 41 103 15.1 8.3 15.4 7.0 1.3 0.4 0.9

 Leisure and hospitality........................... 8,520 1,059 93 966 11.2 61.2 34.8 66.1 12.4 1.1 11.3

 Other services.................................. 2,932 80 10 70 3.9 4.6 3.7 4.8 2.7 0.3 2.4

 Public sector....................................... 9,441 111 35 76 12.4 6.4 13.1 5.2 1.2 0.4 0.8

 Federal............................................ 1,729 15 4 11 2.3 0.9 1.5 0.8 0.9 0.2 0.6

 State................................................ 2,596 43 16 27 3.4 2.5 6.0 1.8 1.7 0.6 1.0

 Local.................................................. 5,115 53 15 38 6.7 3.1 5.6 2.6 1.0 0.3 0.7

 

 NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet

publication criteria.

Total paid 

hourly 

rates

Industry Total paid 

hourly 

rates
Table 6. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by 

educational attainment, 2007 annual averages

Number of workers (in thousands) Percent distribution Percent of workers paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total, 16 years and over............................ 75,873 1,729 267 1,462 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.3 0.4 1.9

 Less than a high school diploma.................. 12,202 419 100 319 16.1 24.2 37.5 21.8 3.4 0.8 2.6

 Less than 1 year of high school.............. 3,438 62 14 48 4.5 3.6 5.2 3.3 1.8 0.4 1.4

 1 to 3 years of high school....................... 7,442 319 79 240 9.8 18.4 29.6 16.4 4.3 1.1 3.2

 4 years of high school, no diploma............. 1,323 38 7 31 1.7 2.2 2.6 2.1 2.9 0.5 2.3

 High school graduates or more................ 63,670 1,311 167 1,144 83.9 75.8 62.5 78.2 2.1 0.3 1.8

 High school graduates, no college.............27,701 566 94 472 36.5 32.7 35.2 32.3 2.0 0.3 1.7

 Some college or associate degree........ 24,707 602 73 529 32.6 34.8 27.3 36.2 2.4 0.3 2.1

 Some college, no degree.......................16,983 506 59 447 22.4 29.3 22.1 30.6 3.0 0.3 2.6

 Associate degree................................. 7,724 97 14 83 10.2 5.6 5.2 5.7 1.3 0.2 1.1

 Occupational program....................... 3,970 40 9 31 5.2 2.3 3.4 2.1 1.0 0.2 0.8

 Academic program............................. 3,754 56 5 51 4.9 3.2 1.9 3.5 1.5 0.1 1.4

 College graduates, total......................... 11,262 142 - 142 14.8 8.2 - 9.7 1.3 - 1.3

 Bachelor's degree........................... 8,923 127 - 127 11.8 7.3 - 8.7 1.4 - 1.4

 Master's degree............................... 1,844 11 - 11 2.4 0.6 - 0.8 0.6 - 0.6

 Professional degree......................... 327 2 - 2 0.4 0.1 - 0.1 0.6 - 0.6

 Doctoral degree............................... 167 2 - 2 0.2 0.1 - 0.1 1.2 - 1.2

 

 NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet

publication criteria.

Total paid 

hourly 

rates

Educational attainment Total paid 

hourly 

rates
Table 7. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by 

age and sex, 2007 annual averages

Number of workers (in thousands) Percent distribution Percent of workers paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

BOTH SEXES

Total, 16 years and over...............75,873 1,729 267 1,462 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.3 0.4 1.9

 Under 25 years.................... 16,275 814 145 669 21.5 47.1 54.3 45.8 5.0 0.9 4.1

 16 to 19 years.................... 5,434 373 93 280 7.2 21.6 34.8 19.2 6.9 1.7 5.2

 20 to 24 years........................10,841 441 52 389 14.3 25.5 19.5 26.6 4.1 0.5 3.6

 25 years and over.......................... 59,597 915 122 793 78.5 52.9 45.7 54.2 1.5 0.2 1.3

 25 to 34 years........................16,912 401 35 366 22.3 23.2 13.1 25.0 2.4 0.2 2.2

 25 to 29 years................... 9,238 233 20 213 12.2 13.5 7.5 14.6 2.5 0.2 2.3

 30 to 34 years........................7,674 168 16 152 10.1 9.7 6.0 10.4 2.2 0.2 2.0

 35 to 44 years.................... 16,026 226 39 187 21.1 13.1 14.6 12.8 1.4 0.2 1.2

 35 to 39 years............................ 7,800 118 20 98 10.3 6.8 7.5 6.7 1.5 0.3 1.3

 40 to 44 years.................... 8,226 109 20 89 10.8 6.3 7.5 6.1 1.3 0.2 1.1

 45 to 54 years.......................... 15,551 148 20 128 20.5 8.6 7.5 8.8 1.0 0.1 0.8

 45 to 49 years.......................8,366 90 14 76 11.0 5.2 5.2 5.2 1.1 0.2 0.9

 50 to 54 years................... 7,186 56 5 51 9.5 3.2 1.9 3.5 0.8 0.1 0.7

 55 to 64 years...................... 8,613 92 17 75 11.4 5.3 6.4 5.1 1.1 0.2 0.9

 55 to 59 years......................5,416 49 6 43 7.1 2.8 2.2 2.9 0.9 0.1 0.8

 60 to 64 years.......................3,197 43 11 32 4.2 2.5 4.1 2.2 1.3 0.3 1.0

 65 years and over................. 2,495 49 11 38 3.3 2.8 4.1 2.6 2.0 0.4 1.5

 65 to 69 years.................... 1,378 24 6 18 1.8 1.4 2.2 1.2 1.7 0.4 1.3

 70 years and over................1,118 25 5 20 1.5 1.4 1.9 1.4 2.2 0.4 1.8

MEN

Total, 16 years and over............37,790 546 86 460 49.8 31.6 32.2 31.5 1.4 0.2 1.2

 Under 25 years...................... 8,314 242 52 190 11.0 14.0 19.5 13.0 2.9 0.6 2.3

 16 to 19 years.................... 2,652 136 37 99 3.5 7.9 13.9 6.8 5.1 1.4 3.7

 20 to 24 years.................... 5,662 106 14 92 7.5 6.1 5.2 6.3 1.9 0.2 1.6

 25 years and over..................29,476 304 34 270 38.8 17.6 12.7 18.5 1.0 0.1 0.9

 25 to 34 years..................... 9,114 148 10 138 12.0 8.6 3.7 9.4 1.6 0.1 1.5

 25 to 29 years.................. 5,081 94 6 88 6.7 5.4 2.2 6.0 1.9 0.1 1.7

 30 to 34 years................... 4,033 53 4 49 5.3 3.1 1.5 3.4 1.3 0.1 1.2

 35 to 44 years.................... 7,981 70 12 58 10.5 4.0 4.5 4.0 0.9 0.2 0.7

 35 to 39 years.................... 3,988 34 6 28 5.3 2.0 2.2 1.9 0.9 0.2 0.7

 40 to 44 years................... 3,993 35 6 29 5.3 2.0 2.2 2.0 0.9 0.2 0.7

 45 to 54 years.................. 7,372 40 4 36 9.7 2.3 1.5 2.5 0.5 0.1 0.5

 45 to 49 years................. 3,985 19 3 16 5.3 1.1 1.1 1.1 0.5 0.1 0.4

 50 to 54 years.................. 3,387 21 1 20 4.5 1.2 0.4 1.4 0.6 0.0 0.6

 55 to 64 years..................... 3,899 28 5 23 5.1 1.6 1.9 1.6 0.7 0.1 0.6

 55 to 59 years................ 2,478 13 - 13 3.3 0.8 - 0.9 0.5 - 0.5

 60 to 64 years.................. 1,421 14 5 9 1.9 0.8 1.9 0.6 1.0 0.4 0.6

 65 years and over............... 1,110 20 4 16 1.5 1.2 1.5 1.1 1.8 0.4 1.4

 65 to 69 years................... 606 8 2 6 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.4 1.3 0.3 1.0

 70 years and over.............. 504 12 2 10 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 2.4 0.4 2.0

WOMEN

Total, 16 years and over................... 38,082 1,183 181 1,002 50.2 68.4 67.8 68.5 3.1 0.5 2.6

 Under 25 years..................... 7,961 572 93 479 10.5 33.1 34.8 32.8 7.2 1.2 6.0

 16 to 19 years.................... 2,782 238 56 182 3.7 13.8 21.0 12.4 8.6 2.0 6.5

 20 to 24 years...................... 5,179 334 37 297 6.8 19.3 13.9 20.3 6.4 0.7 5.7

 25 years and over...................... 30,121 611 88 523 39.7 35.3 33.0 35.8 2.0 0.3 1.7

 25 to 34 years.................... 7,798 254 26 228 10.3 14.7 9.7 15.6 3.3 0.3 2.9

 25 to 29 years.................... 4,157 139 14 125 5.5 8.0 5.2 8.5 3.3 0.3 3.0

 30 to 34 years.................. 3,641 115 12 103 4.8 6.7 4.5 7.0 3.2 0.3 2.8

 35 to 44 years.................... 8,045 156 27 129 10.6 9.0 10.1 8.8 1.9 0.3 1.6

 35 to 39 years............... 3,812 83 14 69 5.0 4.8 5.2 4.7 2.2 0.4 1.8

 40 to 44 years.................. 4,233 73 13 60 5.6 4.2 4.9 4.1 1.7 0.3 1.4

 45 to 54 years................... 8,179 107 16 91 10.8 6.2 6.0 6.2 1.3 0.2 1.1

 45 to 49 years................... 4,381 72 12 60 5.8 4.2 4.5 4.1 1.6 0.3 1.4

 50 to 54 years.................. 3,799 36 4 32 5.0 2.1 1.5 2.2 0.9 0.1 0.8

 55 to 64 years.................. 4,714 65 12 53 6.2 3.8 4.5 3.6 1.4 0.3 1.1

 55 to 59 years................ 2,938 36 6 30 3.9 2.1 2.2 2.1 1.2 0.2 1.0

 60 to 64 years................... 1,776 29 6 23 2.3 1.7 2.2 1.6 1.6 0.3 1.3

 65 years and over.................... 1,386 29 7 22 1.8 1.7 2.6 1.5 2.1 0.5 1.6

 65 to 69 years................... 771 16 4 12 1.0 0.9 1.5 0.8 2.1 0.5 1.6

 70 years and over.............. 614 13 3 10 0.8 0.8 1.1 0.7 2.1 0.5 1.6

 NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data that do not

meet publication criteria.

Total paid 

hourly 

rates

Age and sex Total paid 

hourly 

rates
Table 8. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by 

marital status, age, and sex, 2007 annual averages

Number of workers (in thousands) Percent distribution Percent of workers paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

BOTH SEXES

Total, 16 years and over............... 75,873 1,729 267 1,462 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.3 0.4 1.9

 Never married......................26,868 1,088 179 909 35.4 62.9 67.0 62.2 4.0 0.7 3.4

 16 to 24 years.....................14,350 756 137 619 18.9 43.7 51.3 42.3 5.3 1.0 4.3

 25 years and over...................... 12,518 332 42 290 16.5 19.2 15.7 19.8 2.7 0.3 2.3

 25 to 54 years..................11,822 321 41 280 15.6 18.6 15.4 19.2 2.7 0.3 2.4

 Married, spouse present.................. 35,893 391 47 344 47.3 22.6 17.6 23.5 1.1 0.1 1.0

 16 to 24 years................... 1,493 43 7 36 2.0 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.9 0.5 2.4

 25 years and over..................... 34,399 346 39 307 45.3 20.0 14.6 21.0 1.0 0.1 0.9

 25 to 54 years............... 27,399 280 26 254 36.1 16.2 9.7 17.4 1.0 0.1 0.9

 Other marital status..............13,112 250 41 209 17.3 14.5 15.4 14.3 1.9 0.3 1.6

 16 to 24 years................... 432 14 - 14 0.6 0.8 - 1.0 3.2 - 3.2

 25 years and over................. 12,680 236 41 195 16.7 13.6 15.4 13.3 1.9 0.3 1.5

 25 to 54 years....................9,268 173 27 146 12.2 10.0 10.1 10.0 1.9 0.3 1.6

MEN

Total, 16 years and over.... 37,790 546 86 460 49.8 31.6 32.2 31.5 1.4 0.2 1.2

 Never married....................... 14,444 432 69 363 19.0 25.0 25.8 24.8 3.0 0.5 2.5

 16 to 24 years.................. 7,474 239 49 190 9.9 13.8 18.4 13.0 3.2 0.7 2.5

 25 years and over................6,970 193 20 173 9.2 11.2 7.5 11.8 2.8 0.3 2.5

 25 to 54 years...................6,656 177 18 159 8.8 10.2 6.7 10.9 2.7 0.3 2.4

 Married, spouse present.................... 18,265 113 16 97 24.1 6.5 6.0 6.6 0.6 0.1 0.5

 16 to 24 years..................... 670 2 2 - 0.9 0.1 0.7 - 0.3 0.3 -

 25 years and over................] 17,595 111 14 97 23.2 6.4 5.2 6.6 0.6 0.1 0.6

 25 to 54 years................... 13,921 80 7 73 18.3 4.6 2.6 5.0 0.6 0.1 0.5

 Other marital status.................... 5,081 46 3 43 6.7 2.7 1.1 2.9 0.9 0.1 0.8

 16 to 24 years..................... 170 1 - 1 0.2 0.1 - 0.1 0.6 - 0.6

 25 years and over........................ 4,911 45 3 42 6.5 2.6 1.1 2.9 0.9 0.1 0.9

 25 to 54 years...................3,891 35 2 33 5.1 2.0 0.7 2.3 0.9 0.1 0.8

WOMEN

Total, 16 years and over................ 38,082 1,183 181 1,002 50.2 68.4 67.8 68.5 3.1 0.5 2.6

 Never married......................... 12,424 702 113 589 16.4 40.6 42.3 40.3 5.7 0.9 4.7

 16 to 24 years............................ 6,875 518 88 430 9.1 30.0 33.0 29.4 7.5 1.3 6.3

 25 years and over.................... 5,548 184 25 159 7.3 10.6 9.4 10.9 3.3 0.5 2.9

 25 to 54 years.....................5,166 180 25 155 6.8 10.4 9.4 10.6 3.5 0.5 3.0

 Married, spouse present............17,628 277 30 247 23.2 16.0 11.2 16.9 1.6 0.2 1.4

 16 to 24 years.................... 823 41 5 36 1.1 2.4 1.9 2.5 5.0 0.6 4.4

 25 years and over..................16,804 237 26 211 22.1 13.7 9.7 14.4 1.4 0.2 1.3

 25 to 54 years.................... 13,479 200 19 181 17.8 11.6 7.1 12.4 1.5 0.1 1.3

 Other marital status................. 8,031 204 38 166 10.6 11.8 14.2 11.4 2.5 0.5 2.1

 16 to 24 years...................... 262 13 - 13 0.3 0.8 - 0.9 5.0 - 5.0

 25 years and over...............7,769 190 37 153 10.2 11.0 13.9 10.5 2.4 0.5 2.0

 25 to 54 years................ 5,377 138 25 113 7.1 8.0 9.4 7.7 2.6 0.5 2.1

 NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data 

that do not meet publication criteria.

Total paid 

hourly 

rates

Marital status, age, 

and sex Total paid 

hourly 

rates
Table 9. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by 

usual hours worked on primary job per week, 2007 annual averages

Number of workers (in thousands) Percent distribution Percent of workers paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage At or below minimum wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total

At 

minimum 

wage

Below 

minimum 

wage

Total, 16 years and over............75,873 1,729 267 1,462 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.3 0.4 1.9

 Hours vary..................................... 4,866 219 38 181 6.4 12.7 14.2 12.4 4.5 0.8 3.7

 0 to 34 hours......................... 16,158 866 146 720 21.3 50.1 54.7 49.2 5.4 0.9 4.5

 0 to 4 hours....................... 294 16 2 14 0.4 0.9 0.7 1.0 5.4 0.7 4.8

 5 to 9 hours........................ 891 53 15 38 1.2 3.1 5.6 2.6 5.9 1.7 4.3

 10 to 14 hours.................... 1,461 82 13 69 1.9 4.7 4.9 4.7 5.6 0.9 4.7

 15 to 19 hours.....................2,212 135 26 109 2.9 7.8 9.7 7.5 6.1 1.2 4.9

 20 to 24 hours.................. 4,969 261 57 204 6.5 15.1 21.3 14.0 5.3 1.1 4.1

 25 to 29 hours................ 2,175 120 14 106 2.9 6.9 5.2 7.3 5.5 0.6 4.9

 30 to 34 hours............... 4,156 198 19 179 5.5 11.5 7.1 12.2 4.8 0.5 4.3

 35 hours or more...................54,848 644 83 561 72.3 37.2 31.1 38.4 1.2 0.2 1.0

 35 to 39 hours.................... 5,338 166 27 139 7.0 9.6 10.1 9.5 3.1 0.5 2.6

 40 hours or more..................49,510 478 56 422 65.3 27.6 21.0 28.9 1.0 0.1 0.9

 40 hours..........................42,656 410 48 362 56.2 23.7 18.0 24.8 1.0 0.1 0.8

 41 hours or more............... 6,854 70 9 61 9.0 4.0 3.4 4.2 1.0 0.1 0.9

 41 to 44 hours................... 760 6 2 4 1.0 0.3 0.7 0.3 0.8 0.3 0.5

 45 to 48 hours...................2,448 15 - 15 3.2 0.9 - 1.0 0.6 - 0.6

 49 to 59 hours...................2,536 37 6 31 3.3 2.1 2.2 2.1 1.5 0.2 1.2

 60 hours or more..................1,110 12 1 11 1.5 0.7 0.4 0.8 1.1 0.1 1.0

 NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data 

that do not meet publication criteria.

Total paid 

hourly 

rates

Usual hours worked per 

week on primary job Total paid 

hourly 

rates
Table 10. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum

wage by sex, 1979-2007 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

##

BOTH SEXES

1979.................................. 87,529 51,721 59.1 2,916 3,997 6,912 13.4

1980......................... 87,644 51,335 58.6 3,087 4,686 7,773 15.1

1981....................... 88,516 51,869 58.6 3,513 4,311 7,824 15.1

1982.......................... 87,368 50,846 58.2 2,348 4,148 6,496 12.8

1983...............................88,290 51,820 58.7 2,077 4,261 6,338 12.2

1984............................ 92,194 54,143 58.7 1,838 4,125 5,963 11.0

1985............................. 94,521 55,762 59.0 1,639 3,899 5,538 9.9

1986 1............................ 96,903 57,529 59.4 1,599 3,461 5,060 8.8

1987............................ 99,303 59,552 60.0 1,468 3,229 4,698 7.9

1988............................... 101,407 60,878 60.0 1,319 2,608 3,927 6.5

1989............................ 103,480 62,389 60.3 1,372 1,790 3,162 5.1

1990 1............................104,876 63,172 60.2 22,132 21,096 23,228 25.1

1991............................... 103,723 62,627 60.4 22,377 22,906 25,283 28.4

1992..............................104,668 63,610 60.8 1,939 2,982 4,921 7.7

1993........................... 106,101 64,274 60.6 1,707 2,625 4,332 6.7

1994 1...........................107,989 66,549 61.6 1,995 2,132 4,128 6.2

1995.................................110,038 68,354 62.1 1,699 1,956 3,656 5.3

1996............................... 111,960 69,255 61.9 21,863 21,861 23,724 25.4

1997 1................................ 114,533 70,735 61.8 22,990 21,764 24,754 26.7

1998 1......................... 116,730 71,440 61.2 2,834 1,593 4,427 6.2

1999 1......................... 118,963 72,306 60.8 2,194 1,146 3,340 4.6

2000 1......................... 122,089 73,496 60.2 1,752 898 2,650 3.6

2001......................... 122,229 73,392 60.0 1,518 656 2,174 3.0

2002......................... 121,826 72,508 59.5 1,579 567 2,146 3.0

2003 1....................... 122,358 72,946 59.6 1,555 545 2,100 2.9

2004 1....................... 123,554 73,939 59.8 1,483 520 2,003 2.7

2005......................... 125,889 75,609 60.1 1,403 479 1,882 2.5

2006......................... 128,237 76,514 59.7 1,283 409 1,692 2.2

2007......................... 129,767 75,873 58.5 21,462 2267 21,729 22.3

MEN #

1979.................................. 49,400 28,392 57.5 846 1,353 2,199 7.7

1980......................... 48,700 27,709 56.9 983 1,696 2,678 9.7

1981....................... 48,844 27,576 56.5 1,119 1,533 2,652 9.6

1982.......................... 47,591 26,481 55.6 697 1,587 2,284 8.6

1983...............................47,856 26,831 56.1 585 1,658 2,243 8.4

1984............................ 50,022 28,140 56.3 490 1,626 2,116 7.5

1985............................. 51,015 28,893 56.6 440 1,544 1,984 6.9

1986 1............................ 51,942 29,666 57.1 408 1,336 1,743 5.9

1987............................ 52,938 30,474 57.6 364 1,283 1,647 5.4

1988...............................53,912 31,058 57.6 311 1,066 1,377 4.4

1989............................ 54,789 31,687 57.8 379 733 1,112 3.5

1990 1............................ 55,553 32,104 57.8 2712 2385 21,097 23.4

1991...............................54,618 31,639 57.9 2795 21,114 21,909 26.0

1992..............................54,826 32,155 58.6 653 1,231 1,885 5.9

1993........................... 55,475 32,337 58.3 573 1,091 1,664 5.1

1994 1........................... 56,570 33,528 59.3 674 891 1,565 4.7

1995.................................57,669 34,420 59.7 542 796 1,338 3.9

1996...............................58,473 34,838 59.6 2619 2755 21,374 23.9

1997 1................................ 59,825 35,521 59.4 21,147 2673 21,820 25.1

1998 1......................... 60,973 35,761 58.7 1,039 628 1,667 4.7

1999 1......................... 61,914 36,073 58.3 768 446 1,214 3.4

2000 1......................... 63,662 36,720 57.7 582 319 901 2.5

2001......................... 63,647 36,544 57.4 497 247 744 2.0

2002......................... 63,272 36,000 56.9 582 217 799 2.2

2003 1....................... 63,236 35,853 56.7 493 213 706 2.0

2004 1....................... 64,145 36,806 57.4 470 210 680 1.8

2005......................... 65,466 37,652 57.5 459 189 648 1.7

2006......................... 66,811 38,193 57.2 422 146 568 1.5

2007......................... 67,468 37,790 56.0 2460 286 2546 21.4

See footnotes at end of table.

Year and sex

Total

wage and

salary

workers

Total

Percent of 

total wage 

and salary

workers

Below

prevailing

Federal

minimum 

wage

At 

prevailing

Federal

minimum 

wage

Number

Percent

of hourly

paid

workers

Total at or below prevailing 

Federal minimum wage
Table 10. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum

wage by sex, 1979-2007 annual averages -- Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

WOMEN

1979.................................. 38,129 23,329 61.2 2,070 2,644 4,714 20.2

1980......................... 38,944 23,626 60.7 2,104 2,990 5,095 21.6

1981....................... 39,672 24,294 61.2 2,394 2,778 5,172 21.3

1982.......................... 39,777 24,365 61.3 1,651 2,561 4,212 17.3

1983............................... 40,433 24,989 61.8 1,492 2,603 4,095 16.4

1984............................ 42,172 26,003 61.7 1,348 2,499 3,847 14.8

1985............................. 43,506 26,869 61.8 1,198 2,356 3,554 13.2

1986 1............................ 44,961 27,863 62.0 1,192 2,125 3,317 11.9

1987............................ 46,365 29,078 62.7 1,105 1,946 3,051 10.5

1988...............................47,495 29,820 62.8 1,008 1,542 2,550 8.6

1989............................ 48,691 30,702 63.1 994 1,056 2,050 6.7

1990 1............................ 49,323 31,069 63.0 21,420 2711 22,131 26.9

1991...............................49,105 30,988 63.1 21,582 21,792 23,374 210.9

1992..............................49,842 31,454 63.1 1,286 1,751 3,036 9.7

1993........................... 50,626 31,937 63.1 1,133 1,534 2,667 8.4

1994 1........................... 51,419 33,021 64.2 1,322 1,241 2,563 7.8

1995.................................52,369 33,934 64.8 1,157 1,161 2,318 6.8

1996...............................53,488 34,418 64.3 21,244 21,106 22,350 26.8

1997 1................................ 54,708 35,214 64.4 21,843 21,092 22,935 28.3

1998 1......................... 55,757 35,680 64.0 1,794 965 2,760 7.7

1999 1......................... 57,050 36,233 63.5 1,426 700 2,126 5.9

2000 1......................... 58,427 36,777 62.9 1,170 579 1,749 4.8

2001......................... 58,582 36,848 62.9 1,021 409 1,430 3.9

2002......................... 58,555 36,508 62.3 997 350 1,347 3.7

2003 1....................... 59,122 37,093 62.7 1,062 332 1,394 3.8

2004 1....................... 59,408 37,133 62.5 1,013 310 1,323 3.6

2005......................... 60,423 37,957 62.8 944 290 1,234 3.3

2006......................... 61,426 38,321 62.4 861 263 1,124 2.9

2007......................... 62,299 38,082 61.1 21,002 2181 21,183 23.1

Year and sex

Total

wage and

salary

workers Total

Percent of 

total wage 

and salary

workers Number

Percent

of hourly

paid

workers

1 The comparability of historical labor force data has been

affected at various times by methodological and conceptual

changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). For an

explanation, see the Explanatory Notes and Estimates of Error

section of Employment and Earnings .

2 Data for 1990-91, 1996-97, and 2007 reflect changes in the

minimum wage that took place in those years.

NOTE: The prevailing Federal minimum wage was $2.90

in 1979, $3.10 in 1980, and $3.35 in 1981-89. The minimum

wage rose to $3.80 on April 1, 1990, to $4.25 on April 1, 1991, to

$4.75 on October 1, 1996, to $5.15 on September 1, 1997, and

to $5.85 on July 24, 2007. Data exclude all self-employed

persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are

incorporated. The presence of a sizable number of workers

with reported wages below the minimum does not

necessarily indicate violations of the Fair Labor

Standards Act, as there are numerous exemptions to

the minimum wage provisions of the law. The

relatively large number of workers with reported

wages below the minimum in 1998-2006 includes

some hourly-paid workers reported as earning exactly

$5.00 per hour (about 1.4 million in 1998, about

900,000 in 1999, about 600,000 in 2000, about

500,000 in 2001 and in 2002, about 350,000 in 2003

and in 2004, 300,000 in 2005, and about 200,000 in

2006); to some extent, this may reflect rounding on

the part of survey respondents. 

Below

prevailing

Federal

minimum 

wage

At 

prevailing

Federal

minimum 

wage

Total at or below prevailing 

Federal minimum wage