27 

Women in the Labor Force:

A Databook

.

U.S. Department of Labor

Hilda L. Solis, Secretary

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Keith Hall, Commissioner

September 2009

Report 1018
ii

Contents

Page

Women in the Labor Force: A Databook 

 Introduction................................................................................................................................................................ 1

 Highlights ................................................................................................................................................................. 1

Statistical Tables

 01. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population by age and sex, 2008 annual averages ..... 4

 02. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years and over by sex, 

 1970–2008 annual averages........................................................................................................................ 7 

 03. Employment status by race, age, sex, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 2008 annual averages .............. 10 

 04. Employment status by marital status and sex, 2008 annual averages ....................................................... 12 

 05. Employment status by sex, presence and age of children, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 

 March 2008 .............................................................................................................................................. 13 

 06. Employment status of women by presence and age of youngest child, marital status, race, and Hispanic 

 or Latino ethnicity, March 2008 .............................................................................................................. 15 

 07. Employment status of women by presence and age of youngest child, March 1975–2008 ...................... 18 

 08. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population 25 to 64 years of age by educational 

 attainment and sex, 2008 annual averages ............................................................................................... 21

 09. Percent distribution of the civilian labor force 25 to 64 years of age by educational attainment and sex, 

 1970–2008 ............................................................................................................................................... 22 

 10. Employed persons by major occupation and sex, 2007 and 2008 annual averages ................................... 26 

 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation and sex, 2008 annual averages ................................................ 28

 12. Employed women by occupation, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 2008 annual averages ............ 39

 13. Employed persons by industry and sex, 2007 and 2008 annual averages................................................... 40

 14. Employed persons by detailed industry and sex, 2008 annual averages..................................................... 43

 15. Employed women by industry, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 2008 annual averages.................. 50

 16. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers in current dollars by race, 

 Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and sex, 1979–2008 annual averages ........................................................ 51

 17. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and over 

 by educational attainment and sex, 2008 annual averages ...................................................................... 53 

 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex, 

 2008 annual averages ............................................................................................................................... 55

 19. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by industry and sex, 

 2008 annual averages ............................................................................................................................... 68 

 20. Employed persons by full- and part-time status and sex, 1970–2008 annual averages.............................. 69

 21. Average weekly hours at work in all industries and in nonagricultural industries by sex, 

 1976–2008 annual averages ..................................................................................................................... 73

 22. Work experience of the population by sex and full- and part-time status, selected years, 1970–2007 ...... 74

 23. Married-couple families by number and relationship of earners, 1967–2007 ........................................... 75

 24. Contribution of wives’ earnings to family income, 1970–2007 ................................................................. 77

 25. Wives who earn more than their husbands, 1987–2007 ............................................................................. 78

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

 wage by selected characteristics, 2008 annual averages ......................................................................... 79 

 27. Working poor: Poverty status of persons in the labor force for 27 weeks or more by age, sex, race, and

 Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 2007 ........................................................................................................... 81 

 28. Percent distribution of employed persons by age, sex, and contingent and noncontingent status, 

 February 2005........................................................................................................................................... 83

 29. Percent distribution of employed persons by age, sex, and alternative work arrangements, 

 February 2005 .......................................................................................................................................... 84 
iii

Contents—Continued

 Page

Statistical Tables—Continued 

 30. Flexible schedules: Full-time wage and salary workers by selected characteristics, May 2004 ............... 85

 31. Job-related work at home on primary job: All workers by marital status, presence and age of children, 

 sex, and pay status, May 2004 .................................................................................................................. 86

 32. Displaced workers by age, sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and employment status in 

 January 2008 ............................................................................................................................................ 87

 33. Labor force status of 2008 high school graduates and 2007–08 high school dropouts 16 to 24 

 years old by school enrollment and sex, October 2008 ........................................................................... 88

 34. Labor force status of persons 16 to 24 years old by school enrollment, sex, and educational attainment, 

 October 2008 ........................................................................................................................................... 89 

 35. Multiple jobholders and multiple jobholding rates by sex and race, May of selected years, 1970–2008, 

 not seasonally adjusted ............................................................................................................................ 90 

 36. Unincorporated self-employed persons in nonagricultural industries by sex, 1976–2008 annual averages... 91

 37. Employment status of the native-born and foreign-born civilian noninstitutional population by age 

 and sex, 2008 annual averages ................................................................................................................. 92 

	 	 38. Union affiliation of employed wage and salary workers by sex, annual averages, 1983–2008 ................. 9

 Technical Note ....................................................................................................................................................... 96 


Women in the Labor Force: 

A Databook

Introduction

Highlights

The past several decades have been marked by notable 

changes in women’s labor force activities. Women’s 

labor force participation is significantly higher today 

than it was in the 1970s, particularly among women with

children, and a larger share of women work full time and 

year round than in past decades. In addition, women have 

increasingly attained higher levels of education: among 

women aged 25 to 64 who are in the labor force, the proportion with a college degree roughly tripled from 1970 to

2008. Women’s earnings as a proportion of men’s earnings 

also have grown over time. In 1979, women working full

time earned 62 percent of what men did; in 2008, women’s 

earnings were 80 percent of men’s.

This report presents historical and current labor force 

and earnings data for women and men from the Current 

Population Survey (CPS). The CPS is a national monthly 

survey of approximately 60,000 households conducted by the 

U.S. Census Bureau for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Unless otherwise noted, data are annual averages from the 

CPS. Users should note that the comparisons of earnings in 

this report are on a broad level and do not control for many 

factors that can be significant in explaining earnings differences. For a detailed description of the source of the data 

and an explanation of concepts and definitions used, see the 

Technical Note at the end of this report. 

• In 2008, 59.5 percent of women were in the labor 

force, and this share has been relatively stable over the 

past several years. Women’s labor force participation 

rate peaked at 60 percent in 1999, following several

decades in which women increasingly entered the labor 

market. (See tables  and 2.)

• In 2008, the overall unemployment rate for women was 

5.4 percent, but rates varied by race and Hispanic ethnicity. Asian women had the lowest rate (3.7 percent), followed by white (4.9 percent), Hispanic (7.7 percent), and 

black (8.9 percent) women. (See tables 1, 2, and 3.)

• From March 1975 to March 2000, the labor force participation rate of mothers with children under age 1

rose from 47 percent to a peak of 73 percent. (These 

data were collected in the March CPS.) By 2004, 

the participation rate for mothers had receded to 7

percent, where it remained through 2008. (See tables 

6 and 7.)

• In general, mothers with older children (6 to 17 years of

age, none younger) are more likely to participate in the 

labor force than mothers with younger children (under 

6 years of age), and unmarried mothers have higher 

participation rates than married mothers. In 2008, 76 

percent of unmarried mothers were in the labor force, 

compared with 69 percent of married mothers. (See 

tables 6 and 7.)

• The educational attainment of women aged 25 to 64 in 

the labor force rose substantially from 1970 to 2008.

Thirty-six percent of these women held college degrees 

in 2008, compared with 1 percent in 197.  Only

percent of women were high school dropouts in 2008, 

down from 34 percent in 1970. (See table 9.)

• In 2008, women accounted for 51 percent of all persons

employed in management, professional, and related 

occupations, somewhat more than their share of total 

employment (47 percent). The share of women in 

specific occupations within this broad category varied. 

For example, 8 percent of construction managers and 

34 percent of lawyers were women, while 61 percent

of accountants and 79 percent of social workers were 

women. (See table 11

• Employed Asian women were more likely (46 percent) 

to work in the higher paying management, professional, and related occupations in 2008 than were 

employed white (41 percent), black (31 percent), o

Hispanic (24 percent) women. Meanwhile, Hispanic 

women (31 percent) and black women (28 percent)

were more likely than white and Asian women (each 

19 percent) to work in service occupations. (See table

12.)

• In 2008, women accounted for more than half of all 

workers within several industry sectors: financial 

activities, education and health services, leisure and 

hospitality, and other services. However, women were 
substantially underrepresented (relative to their share 

of total employment) in agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, and transportation and utilities. 

(See table 14.)

• Women who worked full time in wage and salary jobs 

had median usual weekly earnings of $638 in 2008. 

This represented 80 percent of men’s median weekly 

earnings ($798). Earnings of Asian ($753) and white 

($654) women were substantially higher than the 

earnings of their black ($554) and Hispanic ($501)

counterparts. Women’s-to-men’s earnings ratios were 

higher among blacks (89 percent) and Hispanics (90 

percent) than among whites (79 percent) and Asians 

(78 percent). (See table 16.)

• In 2008, female full-time wage and salary workers 

aged 25 and older with only a high school diploma 

had median usual weekly earnings of $520. This represented 79 percent of the earnings for women with 

an associate degree ($661), and 54 percent of those

for women with a bachelor’s degree or higher ($955). 

(See table 17.)

• In 2008, 25 percent of employed women usually 

worked part time—fewer than 35 hours per week. 

In comparison, 1 percent of employed men usuall

worked part time. (See table 20.) 

• Women in nonagricultural industries worked an average of 36.1 hours per week in 2008. The average

workweek for men in nonagricultural industries was 

41.2 hours. (See table 21

• Of all women who worked at some point during calendar year 2007, 62 percent worked full time and year 

round, compared with 41 percent in 1970  Durin

the same period, the proportion of men who worked 

full time and year round grew from 66 to 75 percent. 

(See table 22.) (These data were collected in the 19

and 2008 Annual Social and Economic Supplement to 

the CPS and refer to work experience during the prior 

calendar year.) 

• Both the wife and husband had earnings from work 

in 58 percent of married-couple families in 2007, up 

from 44 percent in 1967. Couples in which only the

husband worked represented 18 percent of marriedcouple families in 2007, compared with 36 percent

in 1967. (See table 23.) (These data were collected

in the 1968 and 2008 Annual Social and Economic

Supplement to the CPS and reflect earnings and work 

experience of the prior calendar year.) 

• In 2007, working wives contributed 36 percent of 

their families’ incomes, up by 9 percentage points 

from 1970, when wives’ earnings accounted for 27

percent of their families’ total incomes. The proportion 

of wives earning more than their husbands also has 

grown. In 1987, 18 percent of working wives whos

husbands also worked earned more than their spouses; 

in 2007, the proportion was 26 percent. (See tables 24 

and 25.) (These data were collected in the 1971, 198

and 2008 Annual Social and Economic Supplement to 

the CPS and reflect earnings and work experience of 

the prior calendar year.) 

• In 2008, approximately 1.5 million women paid at an

hourly rate had earnings at or below the prevailing 

Federal minimum wage. This represented 4 percent of 

all women paid at an hourly rate. Among women 25 

years and older who were paid hourly rates, 3 percent 

had earnings at or below the minimum wage, compared 

with 10 percent of women aged 16 to 24  (On Jul

24, 2008, the Federal minimum wage level rose from 

$5.85 to $6.55 an hour. Data in this report reflect the 

average number of workers who earned $5.85 or less 

from January 2008 through July 2008 and those who 

earned $6.55 or less from August 2008 through the 

end of the year.) (See table 26.) 

• Among workers who were in the labor force for at least 

27 weeks in 2007, women were slightly more likely 

than men to live in poverty—6 percent, compared with 

5 percent. Black and Hispanic women who were in 

the labor force for 27 weeks or more were significantly 

more likely than their white or Asian counterparts to be 

among the working poor. The poverty rates for black 

and Hispanic working women were 12 percent and

percent, respectively, compared with 5 percent and 4 

percent, respectively, for white and Asian women. (See 

table 27.) (Data are from the 2008 Annual Social and 

Economic Supplement to the CPS and reflect earnings 

and work experience of the prior calendar year.) 

• Among 2008 high school graduates, young women 

(72 percent) were somewhat more likely than young 

men (66 percent) to be enrolled in college in October 

2008. (See table 33.) (Data are from the October 2008 

School Enrollment Supplement to the CPS.)

• In October 2008, 45 percent of women aged 16 to 24

who were enrolled in either high school or college 

were in the labor force. Young men of the same age 

group who were enrolled in school had a lower labor 

force participation rate (39 percent). Among those not 

enrolled in school, women were less likely to be in the 

labor force than men (74 percent, compared with 85 

percent). (See table 34.) (Data are from the October 

2008 School Enrollment Supplement to the CPS.)

• Among 16- to 24-year-old women who were not en
rolled in school, those who did not have a high school 

diploma were significantly less likely to participate in 

the labor force than those who had a high school diploma 

but no additional education (50 percent, compared with 

71 percent). Of those in the labor force, the high school

dropouts were more likely to be unemployed than the 

high school graduates (25 percent, compared with 13

percent). (See table 34.) (Data are from the October 

2008 School Enrollment Supplement to the CPS.)

• In May 2008, 5.6 percent of employed women held 

more than one job, nearly the same as the previous 

year. The May 2008 multiple jobholding rate for 

men was lower, at 4.9 percent. Multiple jobholding 

rates for both women and men have declined since the 

mid-1990s. (See table 35.) (Data were collected in

the May CPS.) 

• Since 1976, the percentage of working women who

were self-employed has trended up (from 4.4 percent 

in 1976 to 5.2 percent in 2008), while the percentage

of men who were self-employed has edged down (from 

8.4 percent to 7.6 percent). In 2008, 38 percent of all 

self-employed persons were women, compared with 

27 percent in 1976. (See table 36.)

• In 2008, foreign-born women were less likely than native-born women to be in the labor force (55 percent, 

compared with 60 percent). Of those in the labor force, 

native-born women were less likely to be unemployed 

(5.3 and 6.0 percent, respectively). Among men, the 

opposite was true. Foreign-born men were more likely 

than the native born to be in the labor force (81 percent,

compared with 71 percent) and somewhat less likely

to be unemployed (5.7 and 6.2 percent, respectively). 

(See table 37.) 

• Thirteen percent of female wage and salary workers 

were represented by unions in 2008, compared with 15

percent of men. Union attachment for both sexes had 

been on a downward trend since 1983, when unions

represented 18 percent of women and 28 percent of

men in wage and salary jobs. Over the past 2 years, 

however, union representation has increased slightly 

among both women and men, from lows in 2006 of 12

percent and 14 percent, respectively. (See table 38.)
Table 1. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population by age and sex, 2008 

annual averages 

(Numbers in thousands)

16 years and over ......... 233,788 154,287 66.0 145,362 62.2 8,924 5.8 79,501

16 to 19 years ............. 17,075 6,858 40.2 5,573 32.6 1,285 18.7 10,218

16 to 17 years......... 9,133 2,552 27.9 1,989 21.8 563 22.1 6,581

18 to 19 years......... 7,942 4,306 54.2 3,584 45.1 722 16.8 3,637

20 to 24 years............. 20,409 15,174 74.4 13,629 66.8 1,545 10.2 5,234

25 to 54 years............. 125,652 104,396 83.1 99,369 79.1 5,027 4.8 21,255

25 to 34 years......... 39,993 33,332 83.3 31,383 78.5 1,949 5.8 6,661

25 to 29 years......... 20,815 17,293 83.1 16,171 77.7 1,122 6.5 3,522

30 to 34 years......... 19,179 16,039 83.6 15,212 79.3 827 5.2 3,139

35 to 44 years......... 41,699 35,061 84.1 33,457 80.2 1,604 4.6 6,638

35 to 39 years......... 20,537 17,218 83.8 16,408 79.9 810 4.7 3,319

40 to 44 years......... 21,162 17,843 84.3 17,049 80.6 795 4.5 3,318

45 to 54 years......... 43,960 36,003 81.9 34,529 78.5 1,473 4.1 7,957

45 to 49 years....... 22,644 18,870 83.3 18,106 80.0 764 4.0 3,774

50 to 54 years......... 21,316 17,133 80.4 16,423 77.0 710 4.1 4,183

55 to 64 years............ 33,491 21,615 64.5 20,812 62.1 803 3.7 11,876

55 to 59 years......... 18,444 13,480 73.1 12,969 70.3 511 3.8 4,964

60 to 64 years......... 15,047 8,135 54.1 7,843 52.1 292 3.6 6,912

65 years and over....... 37,161 6,243 16.8 5,979 16.1 264 4.2 30,918

65 to 69 years......... 11,242 3,451 30.7 3,307 29.4 144 4.2 7,791

70 to 74 years......... 8,639 1,534 17.8 1,462 16.9 72 4.7 7,105

75 years and over...... 17,281 1,258 7.3 1,211 7.0 48 3.8 16,023

Age

Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population

Total Percent of 

population

Civilian labor force

Total Percent of 

labor force

Not in 

labor 

force

Employed Unemployed

Total Percent of 

population

Total, both sexes

4
Table 1. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population by age and sex, 2008 

annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

16 years and over ......... 120,675 71,767 59.5 67,876 56.2 3,891 5.4 48,908

16 to 19 years ............. 8,415 3,385 40.2 2,837 33.7 549 16.2 5,030

16 to 17 years......... 4,508 1,314 29.2 1,063 23.6 251 19.1 3,194

18 to 19 years......... 3,907 2,071 53.0 1,774 45.4 297 14.3 1,836

20 to 24 years............. 10,160 7,109 70.0 6,484 63.8 625 8.8 3,050

25 to 54 years............. 63,574 48,195 75.8 45,965 72.3 2,229 4.6 15,379

25 to 34 years......... 19,994 15,030 75.2 14,200 71.0 830 5.5 4,964

25 to 29 years......... 10,363 7,862 75.9 7,397 71.4 466 5.9 2,501

30 to 34 years......... 9,631 7,168 74.4 6,803 70.6 365 5.1 2,463

35 to 44 years......... 21,132 16,089 76.1 15,360 72.7 730 4.5 5,043

35 to 39 years......... 10,395 7,814 75.2 7,437 71.5 377 4.8 2,581

40 to 44 years......... 10,737 8,275 77.1 7,922 73.8 353 4.3 2,462

45 to 54 years......... 22,448 17,075 76.1 16,406 73.1 669 3.9 5,372

45 to 49 years....... 11,536 8,908 77.2 8,565 74.2 343 3.9 2,628

50 to 54 years......... 10,912 8,167 74.8 7,841 71.9 326 4.0 2,744

55 to 64 years............ 17,367 10,270 59.1 9,893 57.0 377 3.7 7,097

55 to 59 years......... 9,515 6,445 67.7 6,199 65.2 246 3.8 3,070

60 to 64 years......... 7,852 3,825 48.7 3,694 47.0 132 3.4 4,027

65 years and over....... 21,160 2,808 13.3 2,697 12.7 111 3.9 18,352

65 to 69 years......... 5,995 1,585 26.4 1,528 25.5 57 3.6 4,410

70 to 74 years......... 4,728 676 14.3 644 13.6 32 4.7 4,052

75 years and over...... 10,437 547 5.2 525 5.0 22 4.0 9,890

Women

Total Percent of 

population Total Percent of labor force

Age

Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population

Total Percent of 

population

Civilian labor force

Not in 

labor 

force

Employed Unemployed

5
Table 1. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population by age and sex, 2008 

annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

16 years and over ......... 113,113 82,520 73.0 77,486 68.5 5,033 6.1 30,593

16 to 19 years ............. 8,660 3,472 40.1 2,736 31.6 736 21.2 5,188

16 to 17 years......... 4,625 1,238 26.8 926 20.0 312 25.2 3,387

18 to 19 years......... 4,035 2,235 55.4 1,810 44.9 425 19.0 1,800

20 to 24 years............. 10,249 8,065 78.7 7,145 69.7 920 11.4 2,184

25 to 54 years............. 62,078 56,202 90.5 53,404 86.0 2,798 5.0 5,876

25 to 34 years......... 19,999 18,302 91.5 17,183 85.9 1,119 6.1 1,697

25 to 29 years......... 10,451 9,431 90.2 8,774 84.0 657 7.0 1,020

30 to 34 years......... 9,548 8,871 92.9 8,409 88.1 462 5.2 677

35 to 44 years......... 20,567 18,972 92.2 18,097 88.0 875 4.6 1,595

35 to 39 years......... 10,142 9,404 92.7 8,971 88.4 433 4.6 739

40 to 44 years......... 10,425 9,568 91.8 9,126 87.5 442 4.6 857

45 to 54 years......... 21,512 18,928 88.0 18,124 84.2 804 4.2 2,584

45 to 49 years....... 11,108 9,962 89.7 9,541 85.9 420 4.2 1,146

50 to 54 years......... 10,404 8,966 86.2 8,582 82.5 383 4.3 1,438

55 to 64 years............ 16,123 11,345 70.4 10,919 67.7 425 3.8 4,779

55 to 59 years......... 8,929 7,035 78.8 6,770 75.8 265 3.8 1,894

60 to 64 years......... 7,194 4,310 59.9 4,149 57.7 160 3.7 2,885

65 years and over....... 16,002 3,436 21.5 3,282 20.5 153 4.5 12,566

65 to 69 years......... 5,246 1,866 35.6 1,779 33.9 87 4.7 3,380

70 to 74 years......... 3,912 858 21.9 818 20.9 40 4.7 3,053

75 years and over...... 6,844 711 10.4 685 10.0 26 3.6 6,133

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Men

Employed Unemployed

Total Percent of 

population Total Percent of labor force

Not in 

labor 

force

Age

Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population

Total Percent of 

population

Civilian labor force

6
Table 2. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years and over by sex,

1970-2008 annual averages 

(Numbers in thousands)

1970............. 137,085 82,771 60.4 78,678 57.5 4,093 4.9 54,315

1971............. 140,216 84,382 60.2 79,367 56.6 5,016 5.9 55,834

1972 1

......... 144,126 87,034 60.4 82,153 57.0 4,882 5.6 57,091

1973 1

......... 147,096 89,429 60.8 85,064 57.8 4,365 4.9 57,667

1974............. 150,120 91,949 61.3 86,794 57.8 5,156 5.6 58,171

1975............. 153,153 93,775 61.2 85,846 56.1 7,929 8.5 59,377

1976............. 156,150 96,158 61.6 88,752 56.8 7,406 7.7 59,991

1977............. 159,033 99,009 62.3 92,017 57.9 6,991 7.1 60,025

1978 1

.......... 161,910 102,251 63.2 96,048 59.3 6,202 6.1 59,659

1979............ 164,863 104,962 63.7 98,824 59.9 6,137 5.8 59,900

1980............ 167,745 106,940 63.8 99,303 59.2 7,637 7.1 60,806

1981............ 170,130 108,670 63.9 100,397 59.0 8,273 7.6 61,460

1982............ 172,271 110,204 64.0 99,526 57.8 10,678 9.7 62,067

1983............ 174,215 111,550 64.0 100,834 57.9 10,717 9.6 62,665

1984............ 176,383 113,544 64.4 105,005 59.5 8,539 7.5 62,839

1985............ 178,206 115,461 64.8 107,150 60.1 8,312 7.2 62,744

1986 1

.......... 180,587 117,834 65.3 109,597 60.7 8,237 7.0 62,752

1987............ 182,753 119,865 65.6 112,440 61.5 7,425 6.2 62,888

1988............ 184,613 121,669 65.9 114,968 62.3 6,701 5.5 62,944

1989............ 186,393 123,869 66.5 117,342 63.0 6,528 5.3 62,523

1990 1

.......... 189,164 125,840 66.5 118,793 62.8 7,047 5.6 63,324

1991............ 190,925 126,346 66.2 117,718 61.7 8,628 6.8 64,578

1992............ 192,805 128,105 66.4 118,492 61.5 9,613 7.5 64,700

1993............ 194,838 129,200 66.3 120,259 61.7 8,940 6.9 65,638

1994 1

.......... 196,814 131,056 66.6 123,060 62.5 7,996 6.1 65,758

1995............ 198,584 132,304 66.6 124,900 62.9 7,404 5.6 66,280

1996............ 200,591 133,943 66.8 126,708 63.2 7,236 5.4 66,647

1997 1

.......... 203,133 136,297 67.1 129,558 63.8 6,739 4.9 66,837

1998 1

.......... 205,220 137,673 67.1 131,463 64.1 6,210 4.5 67,547

1999 1

.......... 207,753 139,368 67.1 133,488 64.3 5,880 4.2 68,385

2000 1

.......... 212,577 142,583 67.1 136,891 64.4 5,692 4.0 69,994

2001 ............ 215,092 143,734 66.8 136,933 63.7 6,801 4.7 71,359

2002 ............ 217,570 144,863 66.6 136,485 62.7 8,378 5.8 72,707

2003 1

.......... 221,168 146,510 66.2 137,736 62.3 8,774 6.0 74,658

2004 1

.......... 223,357 147,401 66.0 139,252 62.3 8,149 5.5 75,956

2005............ 226,082 149,320 66.0 141,730 62.7 7,591 5.1 76,762

2006............ 228,815 151,428 66.2 144,427 63.1 7,001 4.6 77,387

2007............ 231,867 153,124 66.0 146,047 63.0 7,078 4.6 78,743

2008 1

.......... 233,788 154,287 66.0 145,362 62.2 8,924 5.8 79,501

 See footnote at end of table.

Year

Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population

Civilian labor force

Not in labor 

force Total Percent of 

population

Employed Unemployed

Total Percent of 

population Total Percent of 

labor force

Total, both sexes

7
Table 2. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years and over by sex,

1970-2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

1970............. 72,782 31,543 43.3 29,688 40.8 1,855 5.9 41,239

1971............. 74,274 32,202 43.4 29,976 40.4 2,227 6.9 42,072

1972 1

......... 76,290 33,479 43.9 31,257 41.0 2,222 6.6 42,811

1973 1

......... 77,804 34,804 44.7 32,715 42.0 2,089 6.0 43,000

1974............. 79,312 36,211 45.7 33,769 42.6 2,441 6.7 43,101

1975............. 80,860 37,475 46.3 33,989 42.0 3,486 9.3 43,386

1976............. 82,390 38,983 47.3 35,615 43.2 3,369 8.6 43,406

1977............. 83,840 40,613 48.4 37,289 44.5 3,324 8.2 43,227

1978 1

.......... 85,334 42,631 50.0 39,569 46.4 3,061 7.2 42,703

1979............ 86,843 44,235 50.9 41,217 47.5 3,018 6.8 42,608

1980............ 88,348 45,487 51.5 42,117 47.7 3,370 7.4 42,861

1981............ 89,618 46,696 52.1 43,000 48.0 3,696 7.9 42,922

1982............ 90,748 47,755 52.6 43,256 47.7 4,499 9.4 42,993

1983............ 91,684 48,503 52.9 44,047 48.0 4,457 9.2 43,181

1984............ 92,778 49,709 53.6 45,915 49.5 3,794 7.6 43,068

1985............ 93,736 51,050 54.5 47,259 50.4 3,791 7.4 42,686

1986 1

.......... 94,789 52,413 55.3 48,706 51.4 3,707 7.1 42,376

1987............ 95,853 53,658 56.0 50,334 52.5 3,324 6.2 42,195

1988............ 96,756 54,742 56.6 51,696 53.4 3,046 5.6 42,014

1989............ 97,630 56,030 57.4 53,027 54.3 3,003 5.4 41,601

1990 1

.......... 98,787 56,829 57.5 53,689 54.3 3,140 5.5 41,957

1991............ 99,646 57,178 57.4 53,496 53.7 3,683 6.4 42,468

1992............ 100,535 58,141 57.8 54,052 53.8 4,090 7.0 42,394

1993............ 101,506 58,795 57.9 54,910 54.1 3,885 6.6 42,711

1994 1

.......... 102,460 60,239 58.8 56,610 55.3 3,629 6.0 42,221

1995............ 103,406 60,944 58.9 57,523 55.6 3,421 5.6 42,462

1996............ 104,385 61,857 59.3 58,501 56.0 3,356 5.4 42,528

1997 1

.......... 105,418 63,036 59.8 59,873 56.8 3,162 5.0 42,382

1998 1

.......... 106,462 63,714 59.8 60,771 57.1 2,944 4.6 42,748

1999 1

.......... 108,031 64,855 60.0 62,042 57.4 2,814 4.3 43,175

2000 1

.......... 110,613 66,303 59.9 63,586 57.5 2,717 4.1 44,310

2001 ............ 111,811 66,848 59.8 63,737 57.0 3,111 4.7 44,962

2002 ............ 112,985 67,363 59.6 63,582 56.3 3,781 5.6 45,621

2003 1

.......... 114,733 68,272 59.5 64,404 56.1 3,868 5.7 46,461

2004 1

.......... 115,647 68,421 59.2 64,728 56.0 3,694 5.4 47,225

2005............ 116,931 69,288 59.3 65,757 56.2 3,531 5.1 47,643

2006............ 118,210 70,173 59.4 66,925 56.6 3,247 4.6 48,037

2007............ 119,694 70,988 59.3 67,792 56.6 3,196 4.5 48,707

2008 1

.......... 120,675 71,767 59.5 67,876 56.2 3,891 5.4 48,908

 See footnote at end of table.

Year

Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population

Civilian labor force

Not in labor 

force Total Percent of 

population

Employed Unemployed

Total Percent of 

population Total Percent of 

labor force

Women

8
Table 2. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years and over by sex, 

1970-2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

1970............. 64,304 51,228 79.7 48,990 76.2 2,238 4.4 13,076

1971............. 65,942 52,180 79.1 49,390 74.9 2,789 5.3 13,762

1972 1

......... 67,835 53,555 78.9 50,896 75.0 2,659 5.0 14,280

1973 1

......... 69,292 54,624 78.8 52,349 75.5 2,275 4.2 14,667

1974............. 70,808 55,739 78.7 53,024 74.9 2,714 4.9 15,069

1975............. 72,291 56,299 77.9 51,857 71.7 4,442 7.9 15,993

1976............. 73,759 57,174 77.5 53,138 72.0 4,036 7.1 16,585

1977............. 75,193 58,396 77.7 54,728 72.8 3,667 6.3 16,797

1978 1

.......... 76,576 59,620 77.9 56,479 73.8 3,142 5.3 16,956

1979............ 78,020 60,726 77.8 57,607 73.8 3,120 5.1 17,293

1980............ 79,398 61,453 77.4 57,186 72.0 4,267 6.9 17,945

1981............ 80,511 61,974 77.0 57,397 71.3 4,577 7.4 18,537

1982............ 81,523 62,450 76.6 56,271 69.0 6,179 9.9 19,073

1983............ 82,531 63,047 76.4 56,787 68.8 6,260 9.9 19,484

1984............ 83,605 63,835 76.4 59,091 70.7 4,744 7.4 19,771

1985............ 84,469 64,411 76.3 59,891 70.9 4,521 7.0 20,058

1986 1

.......... 85,798 65,422 76.3 60,892 71.0 4,530 6.9 20,376

1987............ 86,899 66,207 76.2 62,107 71.5 4,101 6.2 20,692

1988............ 87,857 66,927 76.2 63,273 72.0 3,655 5.5 20,930

1989............ 88,762 67,840 76.4 64,315 72.5 3,525 5.2 20,923

1990 1

.......... 90,377 69,011 76.4 65,104 72.0 3,906 5.7 21,367

1991............ 91,278 69,168 75.8 64,223 70.4 4,946 7.2 22,110

1992............ 92,270 69,964 75.8 64,440 69.8 5,523 7.9 22,306

1993............ 93,332 70,404 75.4 65,349 70.0 5,055 7.2 22,927

1994 1

.......... 94,355 70,817 75.1 66,450 70.4 4,367 6.2 23,538

1995............ 95,178 71,360 75.0 67,377 70.8 3,983 5.6 23,818

1996............ 96,206 72,087 74.9 68,207 70.9 3,880 5.4 24,119

1997 1

.......... 97,715 73,261 75.0 69,685 71.3 3,577 4.9 24,454

1998 1

.......... 98,758 73,959 74.9 70,693 71.6 3,266 4.4 24,799

1999 1

.......... 99,722 74,512 74.7 71,446 71.6 3,066 4.1 25,210

2000 1

.......... 101,964 76,280 74.8 73,305 71.9 2,975 3.9 25,684

2001 ............ 103,282 76,886 74.4 73,196 70.9 3,690 4.8 26,396

2002 ............ 104,585 77,500 74.1 72,903 69.7 4,597 5.9 27,085

2003 1

.......... 106,435 78,238 73.5 73,332 68.9 4,906 6.3 28,197

2004 1

.......... 107,710 78,980 73.3 74,524 69.2 4,456 5.6 28,730

2005............ 109,151 80,033 73.3 75,973 69.6 4,059 5.1 29,119

2006............ 110,605 81,255 73.5 77,502 70.1 3,753 4.6 29,350

2007............ 112,173 82,136 73.2 78,254 69.8 3,882 4.7 30,036

2008 1

.......... 113,113 82,520 73.0 77,486 68.5 5,033 6.1 30,593

Year

Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population

Civilian labor force

Not in labor 

force Total Percent of 

population

Employed Unemployed

Total Percent of 

population Total Percent of 

labor force

Men

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 Historical

Comparability section of the Household Data technical 

documentation provided at

http://www.bls.gov/cps/eetech_methods.pdf .

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S.

Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

9
Table 3. Employment status by race, age, sex, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 2008 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

 Civilian labor force 

 Employed Unemployed 

 Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

 Total Percent of 

labor force 

White

Total, 16 years and over......... 189,540 125,635 66.3 119,126 62.8 6,509 5.2 63,905

 16 to 19 years.................. 13,084 5,644 43.1 4,697 35.9 947 16.8 7,440

 20 to 24 years.................... 15,914 12,142 76.3 11,055 69.5 1,087 9.0 3,773

 25 to 54 years.................. 100,268 83,922 83.7 80,297 80.1 3,625 4.3 16,346

 55 to 64 years.................. 28,109 18,464 65.7 17,829 63.4 634 3.4 9,646

 65 years and over.............. 32,165 5,463 17.0 5,247 16.3 216 4.0 26,702

 Women, 16 years and over... 96,814 57,284 59.2 54,501 56.3 2,782 4.9 39,531

 16 to 19 years.................... 6,414 2,776 43.3 2,377 37.1 399 14.4 3,639

 20 to 24 years................... 7,842 5,616 71.6 5,197 66.3 419 7.5 2,226

 25 to 54 years.................... 49,954 37,866 75.8 36,291 72.6 1,575 4.2 12,088

 55 to 64 years................... 14,411 8,609 59.7 8,312 57.7 298 3.5 5,802

 65 years and over.............. 18,193 2,417 13.3 2,325 12.8 92 3.8 15,776

 Men, 16 years and over......... 92,725 68,351 73.7 64,624 69.7 3,727 5.5 24,374

 16 to 19 years................... 6,669 2,868 43.0 2,320 34.8 548 19.1 3,801

 20 to 24 years.................. 8,072 6,526 80.8 5,858 72.6 668 10.2 1,546

 25 to 54 years.................... 50,314 46,056 91.5 44,006 87.5 2,050 4.5 4,258

 55 to 64 years.................. 13,698 9,855 71.9 9,518 69.5 337 3.4 3,844

 65 years and over............... 13,972 3,046 21.8 2,922 20.9 124 4.1 10,926

Black or 

African American

Total, 16 years and over......... 27,843 17,740 63.7 15,953 57.3 1,788 10.1 10,103

 16 to 19 years.................. 2,676 787 29.4 541 20.2 246 31.2 1,889

 20 to 24 years.................. 2,914 1,981 68.0 1,625 55.8 355 17.9 933

 25 to 54 years.................. 15,643 12,589 80.5 11,555 73.9 1,034 8.2 3,054

 55 to 64 years.................. 3,429 1,908 55.6 1,791 52.2 117 6.1 1,521

 65 years and over............... 3,182 476 15.0 440 13.8 36 7.5 2,706

 Women, 16 years and over... 15,328 9,393 61.3 8,554 55.8 839 8.9 5,934

 16 to 19 years.................. 1,354 402 29.7 294 21.7 108 26.8 952

 20 to 24 years.................. 1,530 997 65.2 831 54.3 166 16.6 533

 25 to 54 years.................. 8,597 6,688 77.8 6,193 72.0 495 7.4 1,909

 55 to 64 years.................. 1,910 1,056 55.3 1,000 52.3 56 5.3 854

 65 years and over............... 1,937 251 13.0 236 12.2 15 5.8 1,686

 Men, 16 years and over......... 12,516 8,347 66.7 7,398 59.1 949 11.4 4,169

 16 to 19 years.................. 1,322 385 29.1 247 18.7 138 35.9 937

 20 to 24 years.................. 1,384 984 71.1 794 57.4 190 19.3 400

 25 to 54 years.................. 7,046 5,901 83.7 5,362 76.1 539 9.1 1,146

 55 to 64 years.................. 1,519 852 56.1 792 52.1 61 7.1 666

 65 years and over............... 1,245 225 18.1 204 16.4 21 9.5 1,020

Race, age, sex, and 

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

 Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population 

 Not in 

labor 

force Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

10
Table 3. Employment status by race, age, sex, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 2008 annual 

averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

 Civilian labor force 

 Employed Unemployed 

 Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

 Total Percent of 

labor force 

Asian

Total, 16 years and over......... 10,751 7,202 67.0 6,917 64.3 285 4.0 3,549

 16 to 19 years.................. 630 157 24.9 134 21.3 23 14.6 473

 20 to 24 years.................. 872 526 60.3 493 56.5 33 6.3 346

 25 to 54 years.................. 6,615 5,408 81.8 5,223 79.0 186 3.4 1,207

 55 to 64 years.................. 1,343 891 66.4 856 63.8 35 3.9 452

 65 years and over............... 1,291 219 17.0 211 16.3 8 3.8 1,072

 Women, 16 years and over... 5,639 3,350 59.4 3,225 57.2 125 3.7 2,289

 16 to 19 years.................. 306 72 23.6 63 20.7 9 12.3 234

 20 to 24 years.................. 443 258 58.2 242 54.7 16 6.1 185

 25 to 54 years.................. 3,426 2,488 72.6 2,405 70.2 83 3.3 938

 55 to 64 years..................... 726 434 59.7 418 57.6 15 3.5 293

 65 years and over............... 738 99 13.4 97 13.1 2 2.2 639

 Men, 16 years and over......... 5,112 3,852 75.3 3,692 72.2 160 4.1 1,260

 16 to 19 years.................. 324 85 26.2 71 21.9 14 16.6 239

 20 to 24 years..................... 429 268 62.5 251 58.5 17 6.5 161

 25 to 54 years.................. 3,189 2,921 91.6 2,818 88.4 103 3.5 268

 55 to 64 years.................. 616 457 74.2 438 71.1 19 4.3 159

 65 years and over............... 553 120 21.8 114 20.7 6 5.1 433

Hispanic or 

Latino ethnicity

Total, 16 years and over......... 32,141 22,024 68.5 20,346 63.3 1,678 7.6 10,116

 16 to 19 years.................. 3,042 1,121 36.9 870 28.6 251 22.4 1,921

 20 to 24 years.................. 3,620 2,668 73.7 2,361 65.2 307 11.5 952

 25 to 54 years.................. 20,030 16,117 80.5 15,110 75.4 1,007 6.2 3,913

 55 to 64 years.................. 2,840 1,701 59.9 1,619 57.0 81 4.8 1,139

 65 years and over............... 2,609 417 16.0 385 14.8 32 7.8 2,192

 Women, 16 years and over... 15,616 8,769 56.2 8,098 51.9 672 7.7 6,847

 16 to 19 years.................. 1,489 495 33.3 391 26.2 104 21.1 994

 20 to 24 years.................. 1,730 1,074 62.1 955 55.2 119 11.1 655

 25 to 54 years.................. 9,435 6,304 66.8 5,901 62.5 403 6.4 3,131

 55 to 64 years.................. 1,475 722 48.9 690 46.8 32 4.4 753

 65 years and over............... 1,488 174 11.7 161 10.8 13 7.7 1,314

 Men, 16 years and over......... 16,524 13,255 80.2 12,248 74.1 1,007 7.6 3,270

 16 to 19 years.................. 1,553 626 40.3 479 30.9 147 23.4 927

 20 to 24 years.................. 1,890 1,594 84.3 1,406 74.4 188 11.8 297

 25 to 54 years.................. 10,594 9,813 92.6 9,209 86.9 604 6.2 781

 55 to 64 years.................. 1,365 979 71.7 929 68.1 50 5.1 386

 65 years and over............... 1,121 243 21.7 224 20.0 19 7.8 878

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Race, age, sex, and 

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

 Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population 

 Not in 

labor 

force Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

11
Table 4. Employment status by marital status and sex, 2008 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

 Civilian labor force 

 Employed Unemployed 

 Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

 Total 

 Percent 

of labor 

force 

Total

Total, 16 years and over...... 233,788 154,287 66.0 145,362 62.2 8,924 5.8 79,501

 Married, spouse present...... 122,349 84,644 69.2 81,729 66.8 2,915 3.4 37,705

 Unmarried, total............... 111,439 69,643 62.5 63,634 57.1 6,010 8.6 41,796

 Never married............... 66,254 44,874 67.7 40,452 61.1 4,422 9.9 21,381

 Other marital status......... 45,185 24,769 54.8 23,182 51.3 1,587 6.4 20,415

 Divorced..................... 22,864 16,126 70.5 15,182 66.4 944 5.9 6,738

 Separated..................... 8,198 5,772 70.4 5,296 64.6 475 8.2 2,427

 Widowed...................... 14,122 2,872 20.3 2,704 19.1 168 5.9 11,251

Women

Total, 16 years and over...... 120,675 71,767 59.5 67,876 56.2 3,891 5.4 48,908

 Married, spouse present...... 60,554 37,194 61.4 35,869 59.2 1,325 3.6 23,360

 Unmarried, total................ 60,121 34,573 57.5 32,007 53.2 2,566 7.4 25,548

 Never married.................. 30,980 20,231 65.3 18,513 59.8 1,717 8.5 10,749

 Other marital status......... 29,141 14,342 49.2 13,494 46.3 849 5.9 14,799

 Divorced..................... 13,379 9,222 68.9 8,743 65.4 479 5.2 4,157

 Separated..................... 4,520 2,947 65.2 2,702 59.8 246 8.3 1,572

 Widowed..................... 11,242 2,173 19.3 2,048 18.2 125 5.7 9,069

Men

Total, 16 years and over...... 113,113 82,520 73.0 77,486 68.5 5,033 6.1 30,593

 Married, spouse present...... 61,794 47,450 76.8 45,860 74.2 1,590 3.4 14,345

 Unmarried, total............... 51,318 35,070 68.3 31,627 61.6 3,443 9.8 16,248

 Never married............... 35,274 24,643 69.9 21,938 62.2 2,705 11.0 10,631

 Other marital status......... 16,044 10,427 65.0 9,688 60.4 739 7.1 5,617

 Divorced..................... 9,486 6,905 72.8 6,439 67.9 465 6.7 2,581

 Separated................... 3,678 2,824 76.8 2,594 70.5 230 8.1 854

 Widowed..................... 2,880 698 24.3 655 22.7 43 6.2 2,181

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Marital status and sex

 Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population 

 Not in 

labor 

force Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

12
Table 5. Employment status by sex, presence and age of children, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 

March 2008 

(Numbers in thousands)

 Civilian labor force 

 Employed Unemployed 

 Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

 Total 

 Percent 

of labor 

force 

Total

Women, 16 years and over................. 120,300 71,515 59.4 68,054 56.6 3,462 4.8 48,784

 With children under 18 years old......... 36,410 25,930 71.2 24,637 67.7 1,294 5.0 10,479

 With children 6 to 17, none younger... 19,972 15,479 77.5 14,842 74.3 636 4.1 4,493

 With children under 6 years old......... 16,438 10,452 63.6 9,794 59.6 657 6.3 5,986

 With children under 3 years old...... 9,657 5,754 59.6 5,380 55.7 374 6.5 3,903

 With no children under 18 years old...... 83,890 45,585 54.3 43,417 51.8 2,168 4.8 38,305

Men, 16 years and over..................... 112,695 81,576 72.4 76,737 68.1 4,839 5.9 31,119

 With children under 18 years old......... 27,898 26,192 93.9 25,201 90.3 991 3.8 1,706

 With children 6 to 17, none younger... 15,301 14,181 92.7 13,710 89.6 471 3.3 1,119

 With children under 6 years old......... 12,597 12,011 95.3 11,491 91.2 520 4.3 587

 With children under 3 years old...... 7,514 7,198 95.8 6,871 91.4 328 4.6 316

 With no children under 18 years old...... 84,797 55,384 65.3 51,536 60.8 3,848 6.9 29,413

White

Women, 16 years and over.................. 96,576 57,044 59.1 54,604 56.5 2,440 4.3 39,532

 With children under 18 years old......... 28,428 20,085 70.7 19,213 67.6 871 4.3 8,343

 With children 6 to 17, none younger... 15,697 12,115 77.2 11,678 74.4 437 3.6 3,582

 With children under 6 years old.......... 12,731 7,970 62.6 7,536 59.2 434 5.4 4,761

 With children under 3 years old...... 7,544 4,458 59.1 4,207 55.8 251 5.6 3,086

 With no children under 18 years old...... 68,149 36,960 54.2 35,390 51.9 1,569 4.2 31,189

Men, 16 years and over..................... 92,469 67,675 73.2 64,105 69.3 3,570 5.3 24,794

 With children under 18 years old......... 23,321 22,070 94.6 21,310 91.4 760 3.4 1,252

 With children 6 to 17, none younger... 12,729 11,914 93.6 11,554 90.8 360 3.0 815

 With children under 6 years old......... 10,592 10,155 95.9 9,756 92.1 399 3.9 437

 With children under 3 years old...... 6,361 6,133 96.4 5,893 92.6 240 3.9 229

 With no children under 18 years old...... 69,148 45,605 66.0 42,795 61.9 2,810 6.2 23,543

Black or African American

Women, 16 years and over................. 15,261 9,386 61.5 8,600 56.4 786 8.4 5,875

 With children under 18 years old......... 5,100 3,848 75.4 3,503 68.7 345 9.0 1,252

 With children 6 to 17, none younger... 2,800 2,240 80.0 2,079 74.2 161 7.2 560

 With children under 6 years old......... 2,300 1,608 69.9 1,424 61.9 184 11.5 692

 With children under 3 years old...... 1,301 808 62.1 706 54.3 102 12.6 493

 With no children under 18 years old...... 10,160 5,538 54.5 5,097 50.2 441 8.0 4,622

Men, 16 years and over..................... 12,448 8,163 65.6 7,266 58.4 898 11.0 4,285

 With children under 18 years old......... 2,377 2,091 88.0 1,950 82.0 142 6.8 286

 With children 6 to 17, none younger... 1,401 1,196 85.4 1,134 80.9 62 5.2 205

 With children under 6 years old......... 976 895 91.7 816 83.6 79 8.9 81

 With children under 3 years old...... 553 510 92.2 456 82.4 54 10.6 43

 With no children under 18 years old...... 10,071 6,072 60.3 5,316 52.8 756 12.5 3,999

 See note at end of table.

Characteristic

 Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population 

Not 

in 

labor 

force 

 Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

13
Table 5. Employment status by sex, presence and age of children, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 

March 2008—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

 Civilian labor force 

 Employed Unemployed 

 Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

 Total 

 Percent 

of labor 

force 

Asian

Women, 16 years and over.................. 5,580 3,384 60.7 3,271 58.6 113 3.3 2,195

 With children under 18 years old......... 1,899 1,321 69.6 1,279 67.3 43 3.2 578

 With children 6 to 17, none younger... 1,005 756 75.2 731 72.8 24 3.2 249

 With children under 6 years old......... 895 566 63.2 547 61.2 18 3.2 329

 With children under 3 years old...... 513 314 61.3 306 59.7 8 2.6 198

 With no children under 18 years old...... 3,680 2,063 56.1 1,993 54.1 70 3.4 1,617

Men, 16 years and over..................... 4,992 3,753 75.2 3,607 72.3 146 3.9 1,239

 With children under 18 years old......... 1,522 1,424 93.6 1,387 91.1 37 2.6 97

 With children 6 to 17, none younger... 840 786 93.6 765 91.0 22 2.8 54

 With children under 6 years old......... 681 638 93.6 622 91.3 16 2.5 43

 With children under 3 years old...... 396 372 93.9 361 91.2 11 2.8 24

 With no children under 18 years old...... 3,470 2,328 67.1 2,220 64.0 108 4.6 1,142

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Women, 16 years and over.................. 15,465 8,708 56.3 8,115 52.5 593 6.8 6,757

 With children under 18 years old......... 6,820 4,165 61.1 3,891 57.0 274 6.6 2,655

 With children 6 to 17, none younger... 3,370 2,359 70.0 2,225 66.0 134 5.7 1,011

 With children under 6 years old......... 3,450 1,806 52.3 1,666 48.3 140 7.8 1,644

 With children under 3 years old...... 1,996 945 47.3 859 43.0 87 9.2 1,051

 With no children under 18 years old...... 8,645 4,543 52.5 4,224 48.9 319 7.0 4,102

Men, 16 years and over..................... 16,355 13,046 79.8 12,002 73.4 1,045 8.0 3,309

 With children under 18 years old......... 5,072 4,780 94.2 4,518 89.1 262 5.5 292

 With children 6 to 17, none younger... 2,393 2,219 92.7 2,109 88.1 111 5.0 174

 With children under 6 years old......... 2,679 2,561 95.6 2,409 89.9 151 5.9 118

 With children under 3 years old...... 1,578 1,516 96.1 1,424 90.2 92 6.1 62

 With no children under 18 years old...... 11,283 8,267 73.3 7,484 66.3 783 9.5 3,017

Characteristic

 Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population 

Not 

in 

labor 

force 

 Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

NOTE: Children are "own" children and include sons, daughters,

stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included are nieces,

nephews, grandchildren, and other related and unrelated children.

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. 

SOURCE: 2008 Annual Social and Economic Supplement,

Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

14
Table 6. Employment status of women by presence and age of youngest child, marital status, race, and Hispanic 

or Latino ethnicity, March 2008

(Numbers in thousands)

 Civilian labor force 

 Employed Unemployed 

Total, 16 years and over........................ 120,300 71,515 59.4 68,054 56.6 3,462 4.8 48,784

 With children under 18 years old............ 36,410 25,930 71.2 24,637 67.7 1,294 5.0 10,479

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 19,972 15,479 77.5 14,842 74.3 636 4.1 4,493

 With children under 6 years old............ 16,438 10,452 63.6 9,794 59.6 657 6.3 5,986

 With children under 3 years old............ 9,657 5,754 59.6 5,380 55.7 374 6.5 3,903

 With no children under 18 years old......... 83,890 45,585 54.3 43,417 51.8 2,168 4.8 38,305

Total, 16 years and over........................ 60,108 37,074 61.7 35,919 59.8 1,155 3.1 23,034

 With children under 18 years old............ 25,754 17,886 69.4 17,269 67.1 616 3.4 7,868

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 13,919 10,601 76.2 10,270 73.8 331 3.1 3,318

 With children under 6 years old............ 11,835 7,285 61.6 6,999 59.1 285 3.9 4,551

 With children under 3 years old............ 7,091 4,146 58.5 3,981 56.1 165 4.0 2,945

 With no children under 18 years old......... 34,354 19,188 55.9 18,650 54.3 539 2.8 15,166

Total, 16 years and over........................ 60,192 34,441 57.2 32,135 53.4 2,307 6.7 25,750

 With children under 18 years old............ 10,656 8,045 75.5 7,367 69.1 677 8.4 2,611

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 6,053 4,878 80.6 4,573 75.5 305 6.3 1,176

 With children under 6 years old............ 4,603 3,167 68.8 2,795 60.7 372 11.7 1,436

 With children under 3 years old............ 2,566 1,608 62.7 1,399 54.5 209 13.0 958

 With no children under 18 years old......... 49,536 26,397 53.3 24,767 50.0 1,629 6.2 23,139

Total, 16 years and over........................ 96,576 57,044 59.1 54,604 56.5 2,440 4.3 39,532

 With children under 18 years old............ 28,428 20,085 70.7 19,213 67.6 871 4.3 8,343

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 15,697 12,115 77.2 11,678 74.4 437 3.6 3,582

 With children under 6 years old............ 12,731 7,970 62.6 7,536 59.2 434 5.4 4,761

 With children under 3 years old............ 7,544 4,458 59.1 4,207 55.8 251 5.6 3,086

 With no children under 18 years old......... 68,149 36,960 54.2 35,390 51.9 1,569 4.2 31,189

Total, 16 years and over........................ 51,326 31,375 61.1 30,442 59.3 933 3.0 19,951

 With children under 18 years old............ 21,566 14,870 69.0 14,381 66.7 489 3.3 6,696

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 11,636 8,817 75.8 8,552 73.5 265 3.0 2,819

 With children under 6 years old............ 9,929 6,053 61.0 5,830 58.7 223 3.7 3,876

 With children under 3 years old............ 6,005 3,504 58.4 3,376 56.2 128 3.7 2,501

 With no children under 18 years old......... 29,760 16,505 55.5 16,061 54.0 445 2.7 13,255

Total, 16 years and over........................ 45,250 25,669 56.7 24,162 53.4 1,507 5.9 19,581

 With children under 18 years old............ 6,862 5,215 76.0 4,832 70.4 383 7.3 1,647

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 4,060 3,298 81.2 3,126 77.0 172 5.2 763

 With children under 6 years old............ 2,801 1,917 68.4 1,706 60.9 211 11.0 884

 With children under 3 years old............ 1,539 954 62.0 831 54.0 123 12.9 585

 With no children under 18 years old......... 38,388 20,454 53.3 19,330 50.4 1,124 5.5 17,934

 See footnote at end of table.

White, married, spouse present

White, other marital statuses1

Total, all marital statuses

Total, married, spouse present

Total, other marital statuses1

White, all marital statuses

Presence and age of children

 Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population 

Not 

in 

labor 

force 

 Total 

Percent 

of 

population Total

Percent 

of 

population 

 Total 

 Percent 

of labor 

force 

15
Table 6. Employment status of women by presence and age of youngest child, marital status, race, and Hispanic

or Latino ethnicity, March 2008—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

 Civilian labor force 

 Employed Unemployed 

Total, 16 years and over........................ 15,261 9,386 61.5 8,600 56.4 786 8.4 5,875

 With children under 18 years old............ 5,100 3,848 75.4 3,503 68.7 345 9.0 1,252

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 2,800 2,240 80.0 2,079 74.2 161 7.2 560

 With children under 6 years old............ 2,300 1,608 69.9 1,424 61.9 184 11.5 692

 With children under 3 years old............ 1,301 808 62.1 706 54.3 102 12.6 493

 With no children under 18 years old......... 10,160 5,538 54.5 5,097 50.2 441 8.0 4,622

Total, 16 years and over........................ 4,298 2,897 67.4 2,764 64.3 133 4.6 1,402

 With children under 18 years old............ 1,912 1,473 77.0 1,394 72.9 79 5.4 439

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 1,117 923 82.6 885 79.3 38 4.1 194

 With children under 6 years old............ 795 550 69.1 508 63.9 41 7.5 246

 With children under 3 years old............ 442 263 59.5 238 54.0 24 9.3 179

 With no children under 18 years old......... 2,386 1,424 59.7 1,370 57.4 54 3.8 962

Total, 16 years and over........................ 10,962 6,489 59.2 5,836 53.2 653 10.1 4,473

 With children under 18 years old............ 3,188 2,375 74.5 2,109 66.2 266 11.2 813

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 1,683 1,317 78.2 1,194 70.9 123 9.3 367

 With children under 6 years old............ 1,505 1,058 70.3 915 60.8 143 13.5 446

 With children under 3 years old............ 859 545 63.5 468 54.4 78 14.2 314

 With no children under 18 years old......... 7,774 4,114 52.9 3,727 47.9 387 9.4 3,660

Total, 16 years and over........................ 5,580 3,384 60.7 3,271 58.6 113 3.3 2,195

 With children under 18 years old............ 1,899 1,321 69.6 1,279 67.3 43 3.2 578

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 1,005 756 75.2 731 72.8 24 3.2 249

 With children under 6 years old............ 895 566 63.2 547 61.2 18 3.2 329

 With children under 3 years old............ 513 314 61.3 306 59.7 8 2.6 198

 With no children under 18 years old......... 3,680 2,063 56.1 1,993 54.1 70 3.4 1,617

Total, 16 years and over........................ 3,293 2,064 62.7 2,009 61.0 55 2.6 1,229

 With children under 18 years old............ 1,656 1,119 67.6 1,087 65.7 31 2.8 537

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 874 640 73.3 619 70.8 21 3.3 234

 With children under 6 years old............ 782 478 61.2 468 59.9 10 2.1 303

 With children under 3 years old............ 452 269 59.5 263 58.1 6 2.4 183

 With no children under 18 years old......... 1,637 945 57.7 922 56.3 23 2.5 692

Total, 16 years and over........................ 2,287 1,320 57.7 1,262 55.2 59 4.4 966

 With children under 18 years old............ 244 203 83.2 191 78.6 11 5.5 41

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 131 116 88.2 112 85.8 3 2.7 15

 With children under 6 years old............ 113 87 77.3 79 70.2 8 9.2 26

 With children under 3 years old............ 60 45 74.9 43 72.0 2 3.9 15

 With no children under 18 years old......... 2,043 1,118 54.7 1,070 52.4 47 4.2 925

 See footnote at end of table.

Asian, all marital statuses

Asian, married, spouse present

Asian, other marital statuses1

 Percent 

of labor 

force 

Black or African American, all marital statuses

Black or African American, married, spouse present

Black or African American, other marital statuses1

Presence and age of children

 Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population 

Not 

in 

labor 

force 

 Total 

 Percent 

of 

population Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

 Total 

16
Table 6. Employment status of women by presence and age of youngest child, marital status, race, and Hispanic

or Latino ethnicity, March 2008—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

 Civilian labor force 

 Employed Unemployed 

Total, 16 years and over........................ 15,465 8,708 56.3 8,115 52.5 593 6.8 6,757

 With children under 18 years old............ 6,820 4,165 61.1 3,891 57.0 274 6.6 2,655

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 3,370 2,359 70.0 2,225 66.0 134 5.7 1,011

 With children under 6 years old............ 3,450 1,806 52.3 1,666 48.3 140 7.8 1,644

 With children under 3 years old............ 1,996 945 47.3 859 43.0 87 9.2 1,051

 With no children under 18 years old......... 8,645 4,543 52.5 4,224 48.9 319 7.0 4,102

Total, 16 years and over........................ 7,557 4,103 54.3 3,874 51.3 229 5.6 3,454

 With children under 18 years old............ 4,663 2,625 56.3 2,482 53.2 143 5.4 2,038

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 2,259 1,482 65.6 1,414 62.6 67 4.5 778

 With children under 6 years old............ 2,403 1,143 47.6 1,067 44.4 76 6.6 1,260

 With children under 3 years old............ 1,407 614 43.6 564 40.1 50 8.1 793

 With no children under 18 years old......... 2,894 1,479 51.1 1,393 48.1 86 5.8 1,415

Total, 16 years and over........................ 7,908 4,605 58.2 4,241 53.6 364 7.9 3,304

 With children under 18 years old............ 2,157 1,540 71.4 1,409 65.3 131 8.5 617

 With children 6 to 17 years old, 

 none younger.................................. 1,110 877 79.0 810 73.0 67 7.6 233

 With children under 6 years old............ 1,047 663 63.3 599 57.2 64 9.7 384

 With children under 3 years old............ 589 331 56.2 294 49.9 37 11.1 258

 With no children under 18 years old......... 5,751 3,064 53.3 2,832 49.2 233 7.6 2,687

Hispanic or Latino, other marital statuses1

 Total 

 Percent 

of labor 

force 

Hispanic or Latino, all marital statuses

Hispanic or Latino, married, spouse present

Presence and age of children

 Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population 

Not 

in 

labor 

force 

 Total 

Percent 

of 

population Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

1 Includes never-married, divorced, separated, and widowed

persons.

NOTE: Children are "own" children and include sons,

daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included

are nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other related and

unrelated children. Detail 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.

SOURCE: 2008 Annual Social and Economic Supplement,

Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau

of Labor Statistics.

17
Table 7. Employment status of women by presence and age of youngest child, March 1975-2008

(Numbers in thousands)

1975......... 14,616 47.4 13,069 1,548 11.0 8,917 54.9 8,218 700 7.9 

1976......... 15,073 48.8 13,725 1,346 8.9 9,388 56.2 8,769 621 6.6 

1977......... 15,669 50.8 14,276 1,393 8.9 10,040 58.3 9,389 650 6.5 

1978......... 16,385 53.0 15,142 1,242 7.6 10,401 60.0 9,845 556 5.3 

1979......... 16,883 54.5 15,624 1,259 7.7 10,646 61.6 10,030 615 5.8 

1980......... 17,790 56.6 16,526 1,264 7.1 11,252 64.3 10,640 612 5.4 

1981......... 18,422 58.1 16,952 1,471 8.0 11,490 65.5 10,725 765 6.7 

1982......... 18,744 58.5 16,854 1,890 10.1 11,377 65.8 10,440 936 8.2 

1983......... 18,924 58.9 16,792 2,131 11.3 11,340 66.3 10,303 1,037 9.1 

1984......... 19,555 60.5 17,782 1,773 9.1 11,538 68.1 10,739 799 6.9 

1985......... 20,041 62.1 18,306 1,735 8.7 11,826 69.9 10,984 842 7.1 

1986......... 20,620 62.8 18,922 1,698 8.2 12,075 70.4 11,320 756 6.3 

1987......... 21,422 64.7 19,798 1,624 7.6 12,438 72.0 11,661 778 6.3 

1988......... 21,545 65.1 20,141 1,404 6.5 12,683 73.3 12,042 641 5.1 

1989......... 21,936 65.7 20,647 1,289 5.9 12,800 74.2 12,168 632 4.9 

1990......... 22,196 66.7 20,865 1,331 6.0 12,799 74.7 12,133 666 5.2 

1991......... 22,327 66.6 20,774 1,552 7.0 12,691 74.4 12,017 674 5.3 

1992......... 22,756 67.2 21,052 1,704 7.5 13,183 75.9 12,391 793 6.0 

1993......... 23,063 66.9 21,521 1,541 6.7 13,441 75.4 12,757 684 5.1 

1994......... 24,191 68.4 22,467 1,724 7.1 13,863 76.0 13,074 789 5.7 

1995......... 24,695 69.7 23,195 1,500 6.1 14,300 76.4 13,608 691 4.8 

1996......... 24,720 70.2 23,386 1,334 5.4 14,427 77.2 13,794 633 4.4 

1997......... 25,604 72.1 24,082 1,522 5.9 14,993 78.1 14,282 711 4.7 

1998......... 25,647 72.3 24,209 1,438 5.6 15,028 78.4 14,370 658 4.4 

1999......... 25,472 72.1 24,307 1,165 4.6 15,150 78.5 14,633 516 3.4 

2000......... 25,795 72.9 24,693 1,102 4.3 15,479 79.0 14,931 549 3.5 

2001......... 26,269 72.7 25,030 1,239 4.7 15,839 79.4 15,220 619 3.9 

2002......... 26,140 72.2 24,612 1,529 5.8 15,948 78.6 15,171 777 4.9 

2003......... 26,202 71.7 24,598 1,603 6.1 15,993 78.7 15,166 828 5.2 

2004......... 25,913 70.7 24,413 1,501 5.8 15,782 77.5 15,006 776 4.9 

2005......... 25,941 70.5 24,564 1,377 5.3 15,594 76.9 14,930 663 4.3 

2006......... 26,009 70.6 24,728 1,281 4.9 15,579 76.9 14,949 630 4.0 

2007......... 26,834 71.3 25,646 1,188 4.4 15,940 77.7 15,341 599 3.8 

2008......... 25,930 71.2 24,637 1,294 5.0 15,479 77.5 14,842 636 4.1 

 See note at end of table.

Year

With children under age 18 With children ages 6 to 17, none younger

Civilian labor force

Employed

Unemployed Civilian labor force

Employed

Unemployed

Total

Percent 

of 

population

Total

Percent 

of labor 

force

Total

Percent 

of 

population

Total

Percent 

of labor 

force

18
Table 7. Employment status of women by presence and age of youngest child, 

March 1975-2008—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

1975......... 5,699 39.0 4,851 848 14.9 2,824 34.3 2,326 500 17.7 

1976......... 5,684 40.1 4,957 727 12.8 2,702 34.1 2,285 418 15.5 

1977......... 5,629 41.2 4,887 742 13.2 2,795 35.4 2,371 424 15.2 

1978......... 5,983 44.0 5,297 687 11.5 3,179 39.4 2,768 411 12.9 

1979......... 6,238 45.7 5,594 644 10.3 3,380 41.1 2,979 401 11.9 

1980......... 6,538 46.8 5,886 652 10.0 3,565 41.9 3,167 398 11.2 

1981......... 6,933 48.9 6,227 706 10.2 3,826 44.3 3,380 446 11.7 

1982......... 7,367 49.9 6,414 953 12.9 4,133 45.6 3,542 591 14.3 

1983......... 7,583 50.5 6,489 1,094 14.4 4,233 46.0 3,551 682 16.1 

1984......... 8,017 52.1 7,043 974 12.1 4,401 47.6 3,839 562 12.8 

1985......... 8,215 53.5 7,322 893 10.9 4,601 49.5 4,089 513 11.1 

1986......... 8,545 54.4 7,602 943 11.0 4,786 50.8 4,227 559 11.7 

1987......... 8,983 56.7 8,137 846 9.4 5,064 52.9 4,570 494 9.8 

1988......... 8,862 56.1 8,099 763 8.6 4,947 52.4 4,477 470 9.5 

1989......... 9,136 56.7 8,478 657 7.2 5,053 52.4 4,671 381 7.5 

1990......... 9,397 58.2 8,732 664 7.1 5,216 53.6 4,823 393 7.5 

1991......... 9,636 58.4 8,758 878 9.1 5,417 54.5 4,868 550 10.1 

1992......... 9,573 58.0 8,662 911 9.5 5,329 54.5 4,776 553 10.4 

1993......... 9,621 57.9 8,764 857 8.9 5,349 53.9 4,857 492 9.2 

1994......... 10,328 60.3 9,394 935 9.0 5,724 57.1 5,165 559 9.8 

1995......... 10,395 62.3 9,587 809 7.8 5,650 58.7 5,172 478 8.5 

1996......... 10,293 62.3 9,592 701 6.8 5,619 59.0 5,222 397 7.1 

1997......... 10,610 65.0 9,800 810 7.6 5,839 61.8 5,366 473 8.1 

1998......... 10,619 65.2 9,839 780 7.3 5,882 62.2 5,454 428 7.3 

1999......... 10,322 64.4 9,674 648 6.3 5,645 60.7 5,285 359 6.4 

2000......... 10,316 65.3 9,763 553 5.4 5,670 61.0 5,350 320 5.6 

2001......... 10,430 64.4 9,810 620 5.9 5,743 60.7 5,350 393 6.8 

2002......... 10,193 64.1 9,441 752 7.4 5,600 60.5 5,160 440 7.9 

2003......... 10,209 62.9 9,433 776 7.6 5,568 58.7 5,112 456 8.2 

2004......... 10,131 62.2 9,407 724 7.1 5,401 57.3 4,983 417 7.7 

2005......... 10,347 62.6 9,634 714 6.9 5,704 58.9 5,299 405 7.1 

2006......... 10,430 63.0 9,779 651 6.2 5,842 59.9 5,458 384 6.6 

2007......... 10,894 63.5 10,305 589 5.4 6,006 60.1 5,679 327 5.5 

2008......... 10,452 63.6 9,794 657 6.3 5,754 59.6 5,380 374 6.5 

 See note at end of table.

Year

With children under age 6 With children under age 3

Civilian labor force

Employed

Unemployed Civilian labor force

Employed

Unemployed

Total

Percent 

of 

population

Total

Percent 

of labor 

force

Total

Percent 

of 

population

Total

Percent 

of labor 

force

19
Table 7. Employment status of women by presence and

age of youngest child, March 1975-2008—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

1975......... 22,365 45.1 20,381 1,984 8.9 

1976......... 23,327 45.7 21,389 1,938 8.3 

1977......... 24,385 46.4 22,348 2,037 8.4 

1978......... 25,362 47.0 23,631 1,731 6.8 

1979......... 26,962 48.6 25,285 1,677 6.2 

1980......... 27,144 48.1 25,375 1,769 6.5 

1981......... 27,992 48.7 25,934 2,059 7.4 

1982......... 28,351 48.6 26,041 2,311 8.2 

1983......... 28,856 48.7 26,373 2,483 8.6 

1984......... 29,684 49.3 27,652 2,032 6.8 

1985......... 30,850 50.4 28,814 2,036 6.6 

1986......... 31,112 50.5 29,107 2,005 6.4 

1987......... 31,538 50.5 29,688 1,850 5.9 

1988......... 32,490 51.2 30,911 1,580 4.9 

1989......... 33,255 51.9 31,761 1,495 4.5 

1990......... 33,942 52.3 32,391 1,551 4.6 

1991......... 34,047 52.0 32,167 1,880 5.5 

1992......... 34,487 52.3 32,481 2,006 5.8 

1993......... 34,495 52.1 32,476 2,020 5.9 

1994......... 35,455 53.1 33,345 2,110 6.0 

1995......... 35,843 52.9 34,054 1,789 5.0 

1996......... 36,509 53.0 34,698 1,811 5.0 

1997......... 37,295 53.6 35,572 1,723 4.6 

1998......... 38,253 54.1 36,680 1,573 4.1 

1999......... 39,314 54.3 37,587 1,727 4.4 

2000......... 40,142 54.8 38,408 1,733 4.3 

2001......... 40,996 54.4 39,363 1,633 4.0 

2002......... 41,278 54.0 39,038 2,241 5.4 

2003......... 42,039 54.1 39,667 2,372 5.6 

2004......... 42,289 53.8 40,000 2,289 5.4 

2005......... 42,677 53.5 40,570 2,107 4.9 

2006......... 43,392 53.6 41,440 1,952 4.5 

2007......... 44,039 53.9 42,279 1,760 4.0 

2008......... 45,585 54.3 43,417 2,168 4.8 

Year

With no children under age 18

Civilian labor force

Employed

Unemployed

Total

Percent 

of 

population

Total

Percent 

of labor 

force

NOTE: Children are "own" children and include sons,

daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included are

nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other related and unrelated

children. Data for 1994 and subsequent years are not directly

comparable with data for 1993 and earlier years because of the

introduction of a major redesign of the Current Population

Survey. 

SOURCE: 2008 Annual Social and Economic Supplement,

Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S.

Bureau of Labor Statistics.

20
Table 8. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population 25 to 64 years of age by educational 

attainment and sex, 2008 annual averages 

(Numbers in thousands)

 Civilian labor force 

 Employed Unemployed 

 Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

 Total 

 Percent 

of labor 

force 

Total

Total, 25 to 64 years........................... 159,142 126,011 79.2 120,181 75.5 5,830 4.6 33,131

 Less than a high school diploma......... 17,959 11,400 63.5 10,353 57.6 1,047 9.2 6,559

 High school graduates, no college1

...... 47,528 36,263 76.3 34,181 71.9 2,082 5.7 11,265

 Some college or associate degree...... 43,487 35,251 81.1 33,639 77.4 1,612 4.6 8,236

 College graduates, total................... 50,168 43,097 85.9 42,008 83.7 1,089 2.5 7,071

 Bachelor's degree........................... 33,175 28,214 85.0 27,445 82.7 769 2.7 4,961

 Master's degree............................ 12,454 10,775 86.5 10,531 84.6 244 2.3 1,679

 Professional degree........................ 2,550 2,306 90.4 2,267 88.9 40 1.7 244

 Doctoral degree.............................. 1,989 1,801 90.6 1,766 88.8 35 2.0 188

Women

Total, 25 to 64 years......................... 80,941 58,465 72.2 55,858 69.0 2,607 4.5 22,476

 Less than a high school diploma......... 8,379 4,045 48.3 3,652 43.6 393 9.7 4,334

 High school graduates, no college1

...... 23,352 15,881 68.0 15,024 64.3 857 5.4 7,471

 Some college or associate degree...... 23,369 17,754 76.0 16,945 72.5 809 4.6 5,614

 College graduates, total..................... 25,842 20,785 80.4 20,237 78.3 548 2.6 5,057

 Bachelor's degree......................... 17,230 13,605 79.0 13,219 76.7 386 2.8 3,624

 Master's degree............................ 6,829 5,637 82.5 5,512 80.7 124 2.2 1,192

 Professional degree........................ 1,023 879 85.9 860 84.1 19 2.2 144

 Doctoral degree.............................. 760 664 87.4 646 85.0 18 2.8 96

Men

Total, 25 to 64 years........................... 78,202 67,546 86.4 64,323 82.3 3,223 4.8 10,655

 Less than a high school diploma......... 9,580 7,355 76.8 6,700 69.9 655 8.9 2,225

 High school graduates, no college1

...... 24,176 20,382 84.3 19,157 79.2 1,225 6.0 3,794

 Some college or associate degree...... 20,119 17,497 87.0 16,694 83.0 803 4.6 2,622

 College graduates, total..................... 24,326 22,312 91.7 21,772 89.5 540 2.4 2,014

 Bachelor's degree......................... 15,945 14,608 91.6 14,226 89.2 383 2.6 1,337

 Master's degree.............................. 5,625 5,139 91.4 5,019 89.2 120 2.3 486

 Professional degree....................... 1,528 1,428 93.5 1,407 92.1 21 1.5 100

 Doctoral degree.............................. 1,229 1,137 92.5 1,120 91.2 17 1.5 92

 1

 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent.

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Educational attainment and sex

 Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population 

Not 

in 

labor 

force 

 Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

21
Table 9. Percent distribution of the civilian labor force 25 to 64 years of age by 

educational attainment and sex, 1970-2008

High school College

Less than 4 

years

4 years, no 

college 1 to 3 years 4 years or more

1970 ............... 61,765 100.0 36.1 38.1 11.8 14.1

1971............... 62,344 100.0 34.5 38.4 12.3 14.8

1972............... 63,704 100.0 33.3 38.8 12.4 15.5

1973............... 64,775 100.0 30.9 39.7 13.0 16.4

1974............... 66,527 100.0 29.3 39.5 13.7 17.5

1975............... 67,774 100.0 27.5 39.7 14.4 18.3

1976............... 69,243 100.0 25.8 39.6 15.2 19.4

1977............... 71,324 100.0 24.9 39.2 15.7 20.2

1978............... 73,504 100.0 23.7 39.2 16.5 20.6

1979............... 75,781 100.0 21.8 39.5 17.3 21.3

1980............... 78,010 100.0 20.6 39.8 17.6 22.0

1981............... 80,273 100.0 19.7 40.6 17.7 22.0

1982............... 81,516 100.0 18.8 40.8 17.3 23.1

1983................ 83,615 100.0 17.8 39.9 18.1 24.2

1984................ 86,001 100.0 16.7 40.2 18.4 24.7

1985............... 88,424 100.0 15.9 40.2 19.0 24.9

1986............... 90,500 100.0 15.5 40.2 19.5 24.8

1987............... 92,966 100.0 14.9 40.2 19.7 25.3

1988................ 94,870 100.0 14.7 39.9 19.7 25.7

1989............... 97,318 100.0 14.0 39.6 20.0 26.4

1990................ 99,175 100.0 13.4 39.5 20.7 26.4

1991............... 100,480 100.0 13.0 39.4 21.1 26.5

Total

Less than a 

high school 

diploma

High school 

graduates, 

no college 2

Some 

college, no 

degree, or 

associate 

degree

College 

graduates 3

1992............... 103,018 100.0 12.1 35.7 25.6 26.6

1993............... 104,237 100.0 11.3 35.1 26.6 27.0

1994............... 105,610 100.0 10.8 33.9 27.7 27.6

1995................ 107,032 100.0 10.4 33.2 28.1 28.3

1996............... 108,932 100.0 10.6 32.9 27.8 28.7

1997................ 110,945 100.0 10.6 32.9 27.5 29.0

1998................ 111,932 100.0 10.5 32.4 27.4 29.8

1999............... 113,095 100.0 10.0 31.8 27.6 30.5

2000............... 115,750 100.0 10.1 31.4 27.8 30.7

2001............... 116,893 100.0 10.1 30.9 28.0 31.0

2002............... 118,028 100.0 10.0 30.7 27.7 31.6

2003................ 119,621 100.0 9.9 30.3 27.6 32.1

2004............... 120,135 100.0 9.7 30.1 27.7 32.4

2005............... 121,752 100.0 9.8 29.9 27.8 32.5

2006............... 123,550 100.0 9.7 29.6 27.7 33.0

2007............... 125,104 100.0 9.3 29.2 27.7 33.8

2008............... 126,011 100.0 9.0 28.8 28.0 34.2

 See footnotes at end of table.

Year

Civilian labor 

force 

(thousands)

Percent distribution

Total

Total, both sexes

Year

Civilian labor 

force 

(thousands)

Percent distribution

Total, both sexes

1

4

22
Table 9. Percent distribution of the civilian labor force 25 to 64 years of age by 

educational attainment and sex, 1970-2008—Continued

High school College

Less than 4 

years

4 years, no 

college 1 to 3 years 4 years or more

1970 ............... 22,462 100.0 33.5 44.3 10.9 11.2

1971............... 22,804 100.0 32.2 44.2 11.9 11.8

1972............... 23,606 100.0 30.7 45.1 11.8 12.4

1973............... 24,158 100.0 28.4 45.9 12.4 13.3

1974............... 25,203 100.0 26.7 45.3 13.4 14.6

1975............... 26,146 100.0 26.5 45.5 13.9 14.1

1976............... 27,166 100.0 24.0 45.1 14.7 16.2

1977............... 28,369 100.0 22.8 45.1 15.2 16.9

1978............... 29,738 100.0 22.0 44.9 16.1 17.0

1979............... 31,151 100.0 20.1 45.0 17.1 17.8

1980............... 32,593 100.0 18.4 45.4 17.4 18.7

1981............... 33,910 100.0 17.4 46.1 17.9 18.6

1982............... 34,870 100.0 16.6 45.6 18.3 19.5

1983................ 35,712 100.0 15.6 44.8 18.8 20.9

1984................ 37,234 100.0 14.5 44.9 18.9 21.7

1985............... 38,779 100.0 13.7 44.4 19.9 22.0

1986............... 39,767 100.0 13.2 44.3 20.3 22.2

1987............... 41,105 100.0 12.5 44.0 20.7 22.8

1988................ 42,254 100.0 12.4 43.3 21.2 23.1

1989............... 43,650 100.0 11.9 42.9 20.9 24.3

1990................ 44,699 100.0 11.3 42.4 21.9 24.5

1991............... 45,315 100.0 10.9 41.6 22.2 25.2

Total

Less than a 

high school 

diploma

High school 

graduates, 

no college2

Some 

college, no 

degree, or 

associate 

degree

College 

graduates3

1992............... 46,589 100.0 10.3 37.4 27.3 25.0

1993............... 47,245 100.0 9.3 36.6 28.4 25.7

1994............... 48,405 100.0 9.0 35.0 29.8 26.2

1995................ 49,247 100.0 8.8 34.1 30.2 26.9

1996............... 50,240 100.0 8.8 33.6 29.9 27.8

1997................ 51,261 100.0 8.7 33.5 29.4 28.4

1998................ 51,678 100.0 8.8 32.7 29.4 29.2

1999............... 52,525 100.0 8.5 32.1 29.5 29.9

2000............... 53,749 100.0 8.5 31.6 29.8 30.1

2001............... 54,229 100.0 8.4 31.0 30.2 30.4

2002............... 54,710 100.0 8.1 30.6 29.9 31.3

2003................ 55,596 100.0 7.9 30.0 29.9 32.2

2004............... 55,616 100.0 7.7 29.4 30.2 32.6

2005............... 56,322 100.0 7.7 28.7 30.2 33.3

2006............... 57,201 100.0 7.6 28.3 30.2 33.9

2007............... 57,791 100.0 7.1 27.9 30.1 34.9

2008............... 58,465 100.0 6.9 27.2 30.4 35.6

 See footnotes at end of table.

Year

Civilian labor 

force 

(thousands)

Percent distribution

Total

Women

Year

Civilian labor 

force 

(thousands)

Percent distribution

Women

1

4

23
Table 9. Percent distribution of the civilian labor force 25 to 64 years of age by 

educational attainment and sex, 1970-2008—Continued

High school College

Less than 4 

years

4 years, no 

college 1 to 3 years 4 years or more

1970 ............... 39,303 100.0 37.5 34.5 12.2 15.7

1971............... 39,539 100.0 35.9 35.1 12.5 16.5

1972............... 40,098 100.0 34.8 35.1 12.8 17.3

1973............... 40,617 100.0 32.4 36.0 13.4 18.2

1974............... 41,344 100.0 30.8 36.0 13.9 19.3

1975............... 41,628 100.0 28.9 36.1 14.8 20.2

1976............... 42,077 100.0 27.0 36.0 15.5 21.5

1977............... 42,954 100.0 26.3 35.3 16.1 22.3

1978............... 43,766 100.0 24.8 35.3 16.9 23.0

1979............... 44,630 100.0 23.0 35.7 17.5 23.8

1980............... 45,417 100.0 22.2 35.7 17.7 24.3

1981............... 46,363 100.0 21.5 36.5 17.4 24.6

1982............... 47,144 100.0 20.3 36.8 17.5 25.5

1983................ 47,903 100.0 19.4 36.3 17.7 26.6

1984................ 48,767 100.0 18.4 36.7 18.0 26.9

1985............... 49,647 100.0 17.7 36.9 18.3 27.1

1986............... 50,733 100.0 17.2 37.0 18.9 26.9

1987............... 51,860 100.0 16.8 37.1 18.9 27.2

1988................ 52,616 100.0 16.5 37.3 18.5 27.8

1989............... 53,668 100.0 15.7 36.9 19.2 28.2

1990................ 54,476 100.0 15.1 37.2 19.7 28.0

1991............... 55,165 100.0 14.7 37.5 20.2 27.6

 See footnotes at end of table.

Year

Civilian labor 

force 

(thousands)

Percent distribution

Total

Men

1

24
Table 9. Percent distribution of the civilian labor force 25 to 64 years of age by 

educational attainment and sex, 1970-2008—Continued

Total

Less than a 

high school 

diploma

High school 

graduates, 

no college2

Some 

college, no 

degree, or 

associate 

degree

College 

graduates3

1992............... 56,428 100.0 13.7 34.2 24.3 27.8

1993............... 56,992 100.0 12.9 33.9 25.1 28.1

1994............... 57,205 100.0 12.4 33.0 25.9 28.8

1995................ 57,784 100.0 11.8 32.4 26.3 29.4

1996............... 58,692 100.0 12.2 32.3 26.1 29.4

1997................ 59,684 100.0 12.2 32.4 25.9 29.6

1998................ 60,255 100.0 12.0 32.1 25.6 30.3

1999............... 60,570 100.0 11.4 31.6 26.0 31.0

2000............... 62,001 100.0 11.5 31.2 26.1 31.2

2001............... 62,664 100.0 11.5 30.9 26.2 31.4

2002............... 63,318 100.0 11.6 30.8 25.8 31.8

2003................ 64,025 100.0 11.7 30.6 25.6 32.1

2004............... 64,519 100.0 11.5 30.7 25.6 32.3

2005............... 65,430 100.0 11.5 30.9 25.7 31.9

2006............... 66,350 100.0 11.5 30.6 25.5 32.3

2007............... 67,313 100.0 11.2 30.4 25.6 32.9

2008............... 67,546 100.0 10.9 30.2 25.9 33.0

Men

Year

Civilian labor 

force 

(thousands)

Percent distribution

1 Data from 1970-1991 are based on the March

Current Population Survey. 2 Includes persons with a high school diploma or

equivalent. 3 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's,

professional, and doctoral degrees.

4 Beginning in 1992, data on educational

attainment are annual averages and are based

4

on the highest diploma or degree received

rather than the number of years of school

completed.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S.

Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics.

25
Table 10. Employed persons by major occupation and sex, 2007 and 2008 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

Number Percent Number Percent

Total

 Total, 16 years and over.................................................... 146,047 100.0 145,362 100.0

Management, professional, and related occupations ............................ 51,788 35.5 52,761 36.3

 Management, business, and financial operations occupations .......... 21,577 14.8 22,059 15.2

 Professional and related occupations ................................................ 30,210 20.7 30,702 21.1

Service occupations .............................................................................. 24,137 16.5 24,451 16.8

Sales and office occupations ................................................................ 36,212 24.8 35,544 24.5

 Sales and related occupations ........................................................... 16,698 11.4 16,295 11.2

 Office and administrative support occupations .................................. 19,513 13.4 19,249 13.2

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations ........... 15,740 10.8 14,806 10.2

 Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations ........................................ 960 .7 988 .7

 Construction and extraction occupations ........................................... 9,535 6.5 8,667 6.0

 Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ............................. 5,245 3.6 5,152 3.5

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations .............. 18,171 12.4 17,800 12.2

 Production occupations ...................................................................... 9,395 6.4 8,973 6.2

 Transportation and material moving occupations .............................. 8,776 6.0 8,827 6.1

Women

 Total, 16 years and over....................................................... 67,792 100.0 67,876 100.0

Management, professional, and related occupations ............................ 26,195 38.6 26,813 39.5

 Management, business, and financial operations occupations .......... 9,203 13.6 9,412 13.9

 Professional and related occupations ................................................ 16,992 25.1 17,401 25.6

Service occupations .............................................................................. 13,800 20.4 13,980 20.6

Sales and office occupations ................................................................ 22,948 33.8 22,477 33.1

 Sales and related occupations ........................................................... 8,275 12.2 8,073 11.9

 Office and administrative support occupations .................................. 14,673 21.6 14,404 21.2

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations ........... 662 1.0 626 .9

 Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations ........................................ 201 .3 208 .3

 Construction and extraction occupations ........................................... 258 .4 219 .3

 Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ............................. 202 .3 199 .3

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations .............. 4,188 6.2 3,980 5.9

 Production occupations ...................................................................... 2,832 4.2 2,661 3.9

 Transportation and material moving occupations .............................. 1,355 2.0 1,319 1.9

Occupation and sex

Year

2007 2008

26
Table 10. Employed persons by major occupation and sex, 2007 and 2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Number Percent Number Percent

Men

 Total, 16 years and over.................................................... 78,254 100.0 77,486 100.0

Management, professional, and related occupations ............................ 25,593 32.7 25,948 33.5

 Management, business, and financial operations occupations .......... 12,375 15.8 12,647 16.3

 Professional and related occupations ................................................ 13,218 16.9 13,301 17.2

Service occupations .............................................................................. 10,337 13.2 10,471 13.5

Sales and office occupations ................................................................ 13,264 16.9 13,067 16.9

 Sales and related occupations ........................................................... 8,424 10.8 8,221 10.6

 Office and administrative support occupations .................................. 4,840 6.2 4,845 6.3

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations ........... 15,078 19.3 14,181 18.3

 Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations ........................................ 759 1.0 780 1.0

 Construction and extraction occupations ........................................... 9,276 11.9 8,448 10.9

 Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ............................. 5,043 6.4 4,953 6.4

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations .............. 13,983 17.9 13,820 17.8

 Production occupations ...................................................................... 6,563 8.4 6,313 8.1

 Transportation and material moving occupations .............................. 7,420 9.5 7,507 9.7

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Occupation

Year

2007 2008

27
Table 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation and sex, 2008 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

 Total, 16 years and over................................................................................................ 145,362 46.7

Management, professional, and related occupations.......................................................................... 52,761 50.8

Management, business, and financial operations occupations........................................................ 22,059 42.7

Management occupations............................................................................................................. 15,852 37.4

Chief executives......................................................................................................................... 1,655 23.4

General and operations managers............................................................................................ 985 30.1

Legislators............................................................................................................. 23 -

Advertising and promotions managers...................................................................................... 77 62.1

Marketing and sales managers.................................................................................................. 922 42.0

Public relations managers.......................................................................................................... 64 60.3

Administrative services managers............................................................................................. 100 32.6

Computer and information systems managers.......................................................................... 475 27.2

Financial managers.................................................................................................................... 1,168 54.8

Human resources managers...................................................................................................... 293 66.3

Industrial production managers.................................................................................................. 243 14.5

Purchasing managers................................................................................................................ 193 40.4

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers.................................................................. 239 17.0

Farm, ranch, and other agricultural managers........................................................................... 217 23.9

Farmers and ranchers................................................................................................................ 751 24.4

Construction managers.............................................................................................................. 1,244 8.2

Education administrators........................................................................................................... 829 65.1

Engineering managers............................................................................................................... 109 6.3

Food service managers............................................................................................................. 1,039 44.8

Funeral directors.................................................................................................... 45 -

Gaming managers.................................................................................................. 18 -

Lodging managers..................................................................................................................... 177 46.7

Medical and health services managers...................................................................................... 561 69.4

Natural sciences managers...................................................................................... 15 -

Postmasters and mail superintendents...................................................................................... 41 -

Property, real estate, and community association managers.................................................... 558 49.6

Social and community service managers.................................................................................. 338 68.1

Managers, all other................................................................................................... 3,473 35.8

Business and financial operations occupations............................................................................ 6,207 56.2

Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes.................................... 50 36.5

Purchasing agents and buyers, farm products............................................................... 6 -

Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products................................................................... 191 47.6

Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products............................................... 264 56.5

Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators...................................................... 312 65.7

Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation... 179 52.3

Cost estimators.......................................................................................................................... 100 10.0

Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists........................................................ 803 70.7

Logisticians................................................................................................................................ 50 47.2

Management analysts................................................................................................................ 731 43.5

Meeting and convention planners.............................................................................. 55 79.2

Other business operations specialists........................................................................... 254 66.3

Accountants and auditors.......................................................................................................... 1,762 61.1

Appraisers and assessors of real estate.................................................................................... 102 33.4

Budget analysts......................................................................................................................... 64 57.1

Credit analysts......................................................................................................... 20 -

Financial analysts...................................................................................................................... 110 38.8

 See note at end of table.

Occupation Total 

employed

Percent 

women

28
Table 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued 

(Numbers in thousands)

Personal financial advisors........................................................................................................ 430 34.3

Insurance underwriters.............................................................................................................. 82 80.3

Financial examiners................................................................................................ 7 -

Loan counselors and officers..................................................................................................... 392 58.0

Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents........................................................................ 58 64.2

Tax preparers............................................................................................................................. 105 66.6

Financial specialists, all other.................................................................................... 78 57.0

Professional and related occupations............................................................................................... 30,702 56.7

Computer and mathematical occupations..................................................................................... 3,676 24.8

Computer scientists and systems analysts................................................................................ 837 27.5

Computer programmers............................................................................................................. 534 22.4

Computer software engineers.................................................................................................... 1,034 20.9

Computer support specialists..................................................................................................... 382 27.7

Database administrators............................................................................................................ 93 29.2

Network and computer systems administrators......................................................................... 227 21.4

Network systems and data communications analysts............................................................... 422 23.7

Actuaries............................................................................................................... 26 -

Mathematicians...................................................................................................... 3 -

Operations research analysts.................................................................................................... 75 47.6

Statisticians........................................................................................................... 41 -

Miscellaneous mathematical science occupations......................................................... 3 -

Architecture and engineering occupations.................................................................................... 2,931 13.5

Architects, except naval............................................................................................................. 233 24.8

Surveyors, cartographers, and photogrammetrists......................................................... 49 -

Aerospace engineers................................................................................................................. 137 10.3

Agricultural engineers................................................................................................ 3 -

Biomedical engineers................................................................................................ 9 -

Chemical engineers................................................................................................................... 64 13.1

Civil engineers........................................................................................................................... 346 10.4

Computer hardware engineers.................................................................................................. 69 19.4

Electrical and electronics engineers.......................................................................................... 350 7.7

Environmental engineers.......................................................................................... 37 -

Industrial engineers, including health and safety....................................................................... 177 14.9

Marine engineers and naval architects........................................................................ 17 -

Materials engineers................................................................................................ 40 -

Mechanical engineers................................................................................................................ 318 6.7

Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers................................. 10 -

Nuclear engineers................................................................................................... 9 -

Petroleum engineers................................................................................................ 18 -

Engineers, all other................................................................................................. 363 11.5

Drafters...................................................................................................................................... 162 23.4

Engineering technicians, except drafters................................................................................... 416 18.5

Surveying and mapping technicians.......................................................................................... 105 4.9

Life, physical, and social science occupations.............................................................................. 1,307 46.1

Agricultural and food scientists.................................................................................... 38 -

Biological scientists.................................................................................................................... 101 52.9

Conservation scientists and foresters........................................................................... 24 -

Medical scientists....................................................................................................................... 132 52.3

Astronomers and physicists....................................................................................... 19 -

Atmospheric and space scientists.............................................................................. 10 -

Chemists and materials scientists.............................................................................................. 118 33.1

 See note at end of table.

Occupation Total 

employed

Percent 

women

29
Table 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Environmental scientists and geoscientists............................................................................... 85 29.3

Physical scientists, all other...................................................................................... 136 40.7

Economists........................................................................................................... 19 -

Market and survey researchers................................................................................................. 134 57.0

Psychologists............................................................................................................................. 176 66.9

Sociologists............................................................................................................ 2 -

Urban and regional planners................................................................................... 32 -

Miscellaneous social scientists and related workers......................................................... 41 -

Agricultural and food science technicians.................................................................... 24 -

Biological technicians................................................................................................ 24 -

Chemical technicians................................................................................................................. 53 35.2

Geological and petroleum technicians........................................................................ 9 -

Nuclear technicians................................................................................................ 3 -

Other life, physical, and social science technicians......................................................... 129 48.3

Community and social services occupations................................................................................. 2,293 60.3

Counselors................................................................................................................................. 674 68.0

Social workers............................................................................................................................ 729 79.4

Miscellaneous community and social service specialists........................................................... 303 61.4

Clergy......................................................................................................................................... 441 14.8

Directors, religious activities and education............................................................................... 50 63.5

Religious workers, all other....................................................................................... 95 65.6

Legal occupations......................................................................................................................... 1,671 51.9

Lawyers...................................................................................................................................... 1,014 34.4

Judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers........................................................................ 54 43.6

Paralegals and legal assistants................................................................................................. 346 87.7

Miscellaneous legal support workers......................................................................................... 257 74.5

Education, training, and library occupations.................................................................................. 8,605 74.0

Postsecondary teachers............................................................................................................ 1,218 46.1

Preschool and kindergarten teachers........................................................................................ 685 97.6

Elementary and middle school teachers.................................................................................... 2,958 81.2

Secondary school teachers........................................................................................................ 1,210 56.0

Special education teachers........................................................................................................ 387 84.9

Other teachers and instructors................................................................................................... 751 66.9

Archivists, curators, and museum technicians............................................................... 35 -

Librarians................................................................................................................................... 197 83.5

Library technicians..................................................................................................................... 44 -

Teacher assistants..................................................................................................................... 1,020 91.7

Other education, training, and library workers........................................................................... 101 76.0

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations........................................................ 2,820 47.8

Artists and related workers........................................................................................................ 213 48.6

Designers................................................................................................................................... 834 57.5

Actors.................................................................................................................. 30 -

Producers and directors............................................................................................................. 154 38.5

Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers...................................................................... 252 32.5

Dancers and choreographers.................................................................................. 25 -

Musicians, singers, and related workers.................................................................................... 186 29.3

Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers, all other................................... 39 -

Announcers................................................................................................................................ 41 -

News analysts, reporters and correspondents........................................................................... 94 45.4

Public relations specialists......................................................................................................... 135 61.6

Editors........................................................................................................................................ 171 54.8

 See note at end of table.

Occupation Total 

employed

Percent 

women

30
Table 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Technical writers........................................................................................................................ 47 -

Writers and authors.................................................................................................................... 186 57.3

Miscellaneous media and communication workers.................................................................... 83 72.2

Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators.......................................... 98 16.1

Photographers........................................................................................................................... 181 44.1

Television, video, and motion picture camera operators and editors.................................... 50 15.3

Media and communication equipment workers, all other................................................... 1 -

Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations........................................................................ 7,399 74.6

Chiropractors............................................................................................................................. 60 15.3

Dentists...................................................................................................................................... 152 27.2

Dietitians and nutritionists.......................................................................................................... 100 90.0

Optometrists......................................................................................................... 37 -

Pharmacists............................................................................................................................... 243 51.8

Physicians and surgeons........................................................................................................... 877 30.5

Physician assistants................................................................................................................... 99 66.9

Podiatrists............................................................................................................... 12 -

Registered nurses...................................................................................................................... 2,778 91.7

Audiologists............................................................................................................ 12 -

Occupational therapists............................................................................................................. 87 95.9

Physical therapists..................................................................................................................... 197 69.0

Radiation therapists................................................................................................ 20 -

Recreational therapists............................................................................................. 17 -

Respiratory therapists................................................................................................................ 109 68.3

Speech-language pathologists................................................................................................... 133 98.1

Therapists, all other................................................................................................ 107 80.8

Veterinarians.............................................................................................................................. 56 56.7

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other...................................................... 20 -

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians...................................................................... 351 75.7

Dental hygienists........................................................................................................................ 143 97.7

Diagnostic related technologists and technicians...................................................................... 298 72.0

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics...................................................................... 138 30.2

Health diagnosing and treating practitioner support technicians............................................... 447 76.7

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.................................................................... 566 93.3

Medical records and health information technicians.................................................................. 98 95.0

Opticians, dispensing................................................................................................................. 50 63.4

Miscellaneous health technologists and technicians...................................................... 139 63.0

Other healthcare practitioners and technical occupations................................................ 52 42.1

Service occupations............................................................................................................................. 24,451 57.2

Healthcare support occupations....................................................................................................... 3,212 88.8

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides............................................................................. 1,889 88.7

Occupational therapist assistants and aides................................................................ 7 -

Physical therapist assistants and aides..................................................................................... 75 77.0

Massage therapists.................................................................................................................... 147 84.5

Dental assistants........................................................................................................................ 263 96.3

Medical assistants and other healthcare support occupations.......................................... 831 88.8

Protective service occupations......................................................................................................... 3,047 22.8

First-line supervisors/managers of correctional officers................................................... 42 -

First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives.......................................................... 117 14.7

First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers.................................... 54 8.7

Supervisors, protective service workers, all other.......................................................... 102 21.7

Fire fighters................................................................................................................................ 293 4.8

 See note at end of table.

Occupation Total 

employed

Percent 

women

31
Table 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Fire inspectors......................................................................................................... 27 -

Bailiffs, correctional officers, and jailers..................................................................................... 403 30.0

Detectives and criminal investigators......................................................................................... 139 19.2

Fish and game wardens.......................................................................................... 4 -

Parking enforcement workers.................................................................................... 6 -

Police and sheriff's patrol officers.............................................................................................. 674 14.7

Transit and railroad police........................................................................................ 5 -

Animal control workers............................................................................................. 9 -

Private detectives and investigators.......................................................................................... 89 39.4

Security guards and gaming surveillance officers...................................................................... 867 23.6

Crossing guards...................................................................................................... 68 73.5

Lifeguards and other protective service workers............................................................ 148 52.3

Food preparation and serving related occupations.......................................................................... 7,824 56.0

Chefs and head cooks............................................................................................................... 351 17.0

First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers................................ 635 57.8

Cooks......................................................................................................................................... 1,997 40.1

Food preparation workers.......................................................................................................... 724 60.7

Bartenders................................................................................................................................. 365 58.3

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food....................................... 323 68.5

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop............................................. 323 64.1

Waiters and waitresses.............................................................................................................. 2,010 73.2

Food servers, nonrestaurant...................................................................................................... 187 70.5

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers.................................................... 349 47.8

Dishwashers.............................................................................................................................. 289 22.7

Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop....................................................... 263 88.7

Food preparation and serving related workers, all other................................................... 7 -

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations......................................................... 5,445 40.2

First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers.............................. 296 39.9

First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers... 258 7.5

Janitors and building cleaners................................................................................................... 2,125 32.2

Maids and housekeeping cleaners............................................................................................ 1,434 89.8

Pest control workers.................................................................................................................. 71 8.2

Grounds maintenance workers.................................................................................................. 1,262 6.1

Personal care and service occupations............................................................................................ 4,923 78.4

First-line supervisors/managers of gaming workers.................................................................. 155 38.6

First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers.................................................... 174 73.2

Animal trainers....................................................................................................... 40 -

Nonfarm animal caretakers........................................................................................................ 157 73.5

Gaming services workers........................................................................................................... 111 51.5

Motion picture projectionists....................................................................................... 7 -

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers............................................................................... 42 -

Miscellaneous entertainment attendants and related workers.......................................... 166 43.0

Funeral service workers........................................................................................... 13 -

Barbers...................................................................................................................................... 87 20.8

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists........................................................................... 773 90.6

Miscellaneous personal appearance workers............................................................................ 229 82.3

Baggage porters, bellhops, and concierges............................................................................... 72 17.3

Tour and travel guides............................................................................................ 35 -

Transportation attendants.......................................................................................................... 139 71.0

Child care workers..................................................................................................................... 1,314 95.6

Personal and home care aides.................................................................................................. 871 85.4

 See note at end of table.

Occupation Total 

employed

Percent 

women

32
Table 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued 

(Numbers in thousands)

Recreation and fitness workers.................................................................................................. 353 68.1

Residential advisors................................................................................................................... 70 65.8

Personal care and service workers, all other.................................................................. 114 54.1

Sales and office occupations............................................................................................................... 35,544 63.2

Sales and related occupations......................................................................................................... 16,295 49.5

First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers............................................................. 3,471 43.3

First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers...................................................... 1,287 26.1

Cashiers..................................................................................................................................... 3,031 75.5

Counter and rental clerks........................................................................................................... 161 50.4

Parts salespersons.................................................................................................................... 119 10.8

Retail salespersons.................................................................................................................... 3,416 52.2

Advertising sales agents............................................................................................................ 216 54.7

Insurance sales agents.............................................................................................................. 573 46.9

Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents................................................... 388 27.9

Travel agents............................................................................................................................. 98 71.6

Sales representatives, services, all other.................................................................................. 521 34.4

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing................................................................ 1,343 27.3

Models, demonstrators, and product promoters........................................................................ 74 79.0

Real estate brokers and sales agents........................................................................................ 962 54.4

Sales engineers...................................................................................................... 40 -

Telemarketers............................................................................................................................ 139 66.3

Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers............................. 243 62.2

Sales and related workers, all other........................................................................... 212 61.1

Office and administrative support occupations................................................................................. 19,249 74.8

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers.......................... 1,641 71.2

Switchboard operators, including answering service...................................................... 49 -

Telephone operators............................................................................................... 48 -

Communications equipment operators, all other............................................................ 11 -

Bill and account collectors......................................................................................................... 232 68.0

Billing and posting clerks and machine operators...................................................................... 516 90.9

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks........................................................................... 1,434 91.5

Gaming cage workers............................................................................................. 16 -

Payroll and timekeeping clerks.................................................................................................. 158 90.1

Procurement clerks................................................................................................. 26 -

Tellers........................................................................................................................................ 466 84.8

Brokerage clerks...................................................................................................... 5 -

Correspondence clerks........................................................................................... 7 -

Court, municipal, and license clerks.......................................................................................... 100 75.6

Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks........................................................................ 64 71.1

Customer service representatives............................................................................................. 1,908 68.3

Eligibility interviewers, government programs............................................................................ 63 83.9

File clerks................................................................................................................................... 364 83.8

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks........................................................................................... 120 71.9

Interviewers, except eligibility and loan...................................................................................... 146 82.2

Library assistants, clerical.......................................................................................................... 107 83.8

Loan interviewers and clerks..................................................................................................... 122 84.7

New accounts clerks................................................................................................ 23 -

Order clerks............................................................................................................................... 112 58.8

Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping.......................................... 52 84.8

Receptionists and information clerks......................................................................................... 1,413 93.6

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks................................................. 136 60.9

 See note at end of table.

Occupation Total 

employed

Percent 

women

33
Table 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued 

(Numbers in thousands)

Information and record clerks, all other........................................................................ 107 91.1

Cargo and freight agents.......................................................................................... 19 -

Couriers and messengers.......................................................................................................... 261 17.4

Dispatchers................................................................................................................................ 286 57.4

Meter readers, utilities............................................................................................. 45 -

Postal service clerks.................................................................................................................. 167 53.7

Postal service mail carriers........................................................................................................ 373 33.0

Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators............................ 90 42.7

Production, planning, and expediting clerks.............................................................................. 269 58.2

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks........................................................................................ 543 32.8

Stock clerks and order fillers...................................................................................................... 1,481 35.4

Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping................................................ 63 44.7

Secretaries and administrative assistants.................................................................................. 3,296 96.1

Computer operators................................................................................................................... 134 51.4

Data entry keyers....................................................................................................................... 415 77.3

Word processors and typists...................................................................................................... 149 92.9

Desktop publishers................................................................................................... 4 -

Insurance claims and policy processing clerks.......................................................................... 275 83.4

Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service................................................. 123 49.0

Office clerks, general................................................................................................................. 1,176 84.4

Office machine operators, except computer.............................................................................. 43 -

Proofreaders and copy markers................................................................................. 13 -

Statistical assistants................................................................................................ 19 -

Office and administrative support workers, all other......................................................... 558 77.3

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations......................................................... 14,806 4.2

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations....................................................................................... 988 21.1

First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers........................... 48 -

Agricultural inspectors............................................................................................. 24 -

Animal breeders...................................................................................................... 12 -

Graders and sorters, agricultural products................................................................................. 63 65.3

Miscellaneous agricultural workers.............................................................................. 723 19.3

Fishers and related fishing workers.............................................................................. 36 -

Hunters and trappers................................................................................................ 1 -

Forest and conservation workers................................................................................. 8 -

Logging workers......................................................................................................................... 73 1.0

Construction and extraction occupations.......................................................................................... 8,667 2.5

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers........................ 844 2.7

Boilermakers......................................................................................................... 22 -

Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons......................................................................... 230 .4

Carpenters................................................................................................................................. 1,562 1.5

Carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers............................................................................. 224 2.3

Cement masons, concrete finishers, and terrazzo workers....................................................... 90 -

Construction laborers................................................................................................................. 1,651 3.1

Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators...................................................... 24 -

Pile-driver operators................................................................................................ 3 -

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators............................................ 398 1.5

Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers.................................................................... 209 2.1

Electricians................................................................................................................................. 874 1.0

Glaziers...................................................................................................................................... 49 -

Insulation workers...................................................................................................................... 38 -

Painters, construction and maintenance.................................................................................... 647 6.3

 See note at end of table.

Occupation Total 

employed

Percent 

women

34
Table 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued 

(Numbers in thousands)

Paperhangers......................................................................................................... 8 -

Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.................................................................... 606 1.4

Plasterers and stucco masons................................................................................................... 46 -

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers............................................................................ 15 -

Roofers...................................................................................................................................... 234 1.3

Sheet metal workers.................................................................................................................. 136 4.8

Structural iron and steel workers............................................................................................... 77 .9

Helpers, construction trades...................................................................................................... 113 4.1

Construction and building inspectors......................................................................................... 93 9.5

Elevator installers and repairers................................................................................. 38 -

Fence erectors......................................................................................................... 38 -

Hazardous materials removal workers........................................................................ 23 -

Highway maintenance workers.................................................................................................. 103 1.9

Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators................................................... 15 -

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners............................................................... 11 -

Miscellaneous construction and related workers............................................................ 38 -

Derrick, rotary drill, and service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining.................................... 40 -

Earth drillers, except oil and gas................................................................................. 35 -

Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters.......................................... 11 -

Mining machine operators.......................................................................................... 51 2.2

Roof bolters, mining................................................................................................ 4 -

Roustabouts, oil and gas.......................................................................................... 7 -

Helpers—extraction workers....................................................................................... 7 -

Other extraction workers.......................................................................................... 55 2.8

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations........................................................................... 5,152 3.9

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers................................... 300 8.0

Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers........................................................ 335 10.5

Radio and telecommunications equipment installers and repairers........................................... 200 11.4

Avionics technicians................................................................................................ 18 -

Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers............................................................ 24 -

Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment........................ 3 -

Electrical and electronics repairers, industrial and utility................................................... 18 -

Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles.......................................... 27 -

Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers........................................... 75 1.6

Security and fire alarm systems installers.................................................................................. 62 -

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians............................................................................... 153 1.7

Automotive body and related repairers...................................................................................... 157 2.1

Automotive glass installers and repairers..................................................................... 28 -

Automotive service technicians and mechanics........................................................................ 852 1.6

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists............................................................ 358 .9

Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians and mechanics................................ 217 1.1

Small engine mechanics............................................................................................................ 64 2.0

Miscellaneous vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers............... 86 1.9

Control and valve installers and repairers..................................................................... 21 -

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers........................................ 397 2.0

Home appliance repairers.......................................................................................................... 51 5.3

Industrial and refractory machinery mechanics......................................................................... 439 2.6

Maintenance and repair workers, general.................................................................................. 461 3.5

Maintenance workers, machinery.............................................................................................. 39 -

Millwrights.................................................................................................................................. 60 .9

Electrical power-line installers and repairers............................................................................. 109 1.4

 See note at end of table.

Occupation Total 

employed

Percent 

women

35
Table 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued 

(Numbers in thousands)

Telecommunications line installers and repairers...................................................................... 204 3.3

Precision instrument and equipment repairers.......................................................................... 58 15.4

Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers............................................. 41 -

Commercial divers................................................................................................... 3 -

Locksmiths and safe repairers.................................................................................... 31 -

Manufactured building and mobile home installers......................................................... 12 -

Riggers.................................................................................................................. 8 -

Signal and track switch repairers................................................................................. 5 -

Helpers—installation, maintenance, and repair workers................................................... 23 -

Other installation, maintenance, and repair workers......................................................... 213 7.5

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations............................................................. 17,800 22.4

Production occupations.................................................................................................................... 8,973 29.7

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers...................................... 874 18.1

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers.......................................... 18 -

Electrical, electronics, and electromechanical assemblers........................................................ 203 57.8

Engine and other machine assemblers........................................................................ 13 -

Structural metal fabricators and fitters........................................................................... 36 -

Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators..................................................................... 1,050 35.0

Bakers........................................................................................................................................ 194 55.7

Butchers and other meat, poultry, and fish processing workers................................................ 309 26.8

Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders.................. 11 -

Food batchmakers..................................................................................................................... 73 53.5

Food cooking machine operators and tenders............................................................... 7 -

Computer control programmers and operators.......................................................................... 68 8.7

Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............... 9 -

Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 9 -

Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 12 -

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic........ 105 20.2

Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............... 4 -

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal 

 and plastic................................................................................................................................ 50 19.7

Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............... 20 -

Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic..................... 8 -

Machinists.................................................................................................................................. 409 6.9

Metal furnace and kiln operators and tenders............................................................... 24 -

Model makers and patternmakers, metal and plastic...................................................... 10 -

Molders and molding machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................... 58 18.1

Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................. 4 -

Tool and die makers.................................................................................................................. 71 1.0

Welding, soldering, and brazing workers................................................................................... 598 4.7

Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 11 -

Lay-out workers, metal and plastic.............................................................................. 9 -

Plating and coating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic..................... 13 -

Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners........................................................................... 7 -

Metalworkers and plastic workers, all other.................................................................. 349 21.1

Bookbinders and bindery workers.............................................................................. 36 -

Job printers............................................................................................................ 47 -

Prepress technicians and workers............................................................................................. 44 -

Printing machine operators........................................................................................................ 213 19.8

Laundry and dry-cleaning workers............................................................................................. 239 60.8

Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials....................................................................... 57 79.2

 See note at end of table.

Total 

employed

Percent 

women Occupation

36
Table 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued 

(Numbers in thousands)

Sewing machine operators........................................................................................................ 226 78.2

Shoe and leather workers and repairers........................................................................ 8 -

Shoe machine operators and tenders......................................................................... 6 -

Tailors, dressmakers, and sewers............................................................................................. 71 84.2

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders.......................................... 3 -

Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders................................................... 6 -

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders................................. 5 -

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders............... 17 -

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders......... 2 -

Fabric and apparel patternmakers.............................................................................. 2 -

Upholsterers............................................................................................................................... 56 19.7

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other......................................................... 21 -

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters....................................................................................... 85 6.5

Furniture finishers................................................................................................... 19 -

Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood............................................................ 44 -

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing.............................. 22 -

Woodworkers, all other............................................................................................. 37 -

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers...................................................... 55 9.2

Stationary engineers and boiler operators................................................................................. 101 1.7

Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators.................................................. 71 8.6

Miscellaneous plant and system operators.................................................................. 34 -

Chemical processing machine setters, operators, and tenders.......................................... 52 15.4

Crushing, grinding, polishing, mixing, and blending workers..................................................... 108 13.3

Cutting workers.......................................................................................................................... 80 26.7

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders......... 29 -

Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders............................................. 16 -

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers................................................................. 751 41.3

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers............................................................ 59 47.0

Medical, dental, and ophthalmic laboratory technicians............................................................ 95 56.9

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................... 261 51.5

Painting workers........................................................................................................................ 183 13.6

Photographic process workers and processing machine operators.......................................... 53 47.8

Semiconductor processors....................................................................................... 7 -

Cementing and gluing machine operators and tenders................................................... 11 -

Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders........................... 10 -

Cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders................................................... 2 -

Etchers and engravers............................................................................................. 7 -

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic................................................ 38 -

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders...................................................... 42 -

Tire builders............................................................................................................ 14 -

Helpers—production workers.................................................................................... 34 -

Production workers, all other.................................................................................... 958 31.0

Transportation and material moving occupations............................................................................. 8,827 14.9

Supervisors, transportation and material moving workers......................................................... 208 20.5

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers.............................................................................................. 141 2.6

Air traffic controllers and airfield operations specialists................................................... 27 -

Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians........................ 16 -

Bus drivers................................................................................................................................. 651 49.0

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers....................................................................................... 3,388 4.9

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs........................................................................................................ 373 13.3

Motor vehicle operators, all other................................................................................. 66 18.0

 See note at end of table.

Occupation Total 

employed

Percent 

women

37
Table 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued 

(Numbers in thousands)

Locomotive engineers and operators......................................................................................... 58 2.8

Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators.................................................................. 5 -

Railroad conductors and yardmasters....................................................................................... 53 4.7

Subway, streetcar, and other rail transportation workers................................................... 18 -

Sailors and marine oilers.......................................................................................... 18 -

Ship and boat captains and operators........................................................................... 39 -

Ship engineers......................................................................................................... 5 -

Bridge and lock tenders............................................................................................. 7 -

Parking lot attendants................................................................................................................ 83 12.6

Service station attendants.......................................................................................................... 87 14.8

Transportation inspectors.......................................................................................... 51 11.3

Other transportation workers....................................................................................... 19 -

Conveyor operators and tenders............................................................................................... 5 -

Crane and tower operators........................................................................................................ 69 3.7

Dredge, excavating, and loading machine operators................................................................. 60 1.2

Hoist and winch operators.......................................................................................... 5 -

Industrial truck and tractor operators......................................................................................... 568 8.9

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment.......................................................................................... 317 9.5

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand............................................................ 1,889 17.1

Machine feeders and offbearers................................................................................. 34 -

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................... 391 58.1

Pumping station operators....................................................................................... 25 -

Refuse and recyclable material collectors................................................................................. 98 14.0

Shuttle car operators................................................................................................ 5 -

Tank car, truck, and ship loaders................................................................................. 2 -

Material moving workers, all other.............................................................................. 48 -

Occupation Total 

employed

Percent 

women

 NOTE: Dash indicates data not shown for occupations where employment base is less than 50,000.

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

38
Table 12. Employed women by occupation, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 2008 annual averages

(Percent distribution)

 Total, 16 years and over (thousands)................................... 54,501 8,554 3,225 8,098

 Percent.......................................................................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Management, professional, and related occupations ..................... 40.6 31.3 46.0 23.5

Management, business, and financial operations occupations ... 14.3 10.4 16.4 8.8

Professional and related occupations ......................................... 26.3 20.9 29.7 14.7

Service occupations ....................................................................... 19.3 28.2 19.4 31.3

Sales and office occupations .......................................................... 33.7 31.9 26.1 32.9

Sales and related occupations .................................................... 12.0 11.1 11.4 12.1

Office and administrative support occupations ........................... 21.7 20.7 14.7 20.7

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations .... .9 .7 .6 1.7

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations ................................. .3 .1 .2 .9

Construction and extraction occupations .................................... .3 .3 .1 .4

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations ...................... .3 .3 .3 .4

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations ........ 5.4 7.9 7.8 10.6

Production occupations ............................................................... 3.6 4.8 6.6 7.4

Transportation and material moving occupations ....................... 1.8 3.1 1.2 3.2

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Hispanic or 

Latino 

ethnicity

Occupation White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian

39
Table 13. Employed persons by industry and sex, 2007 and 2008 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

Number Percent Number Percent

Total, both sexes

 Total, 16 years and over........................................... 146,047 100.0 145,362 100.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting .................................. 2,095 1.4 2,168 1.5

Mining ........................................................................................ 736 .5 819 0.6

Construction ............................................................................... 11,856 8.1 10,974 7.5

Manufacturing ............................................................................ 16,302 11.2 15,904 10.9

 Durable goods ......................................................................... 10,363 7.1 10,273 7.1

 Nondurable goods ................................................................... 5,938 4.1 5,631 3.9

Wholesale and retail trade ......................................................... 20,937 14.3 20,585 14.2

 Wholesale trade ....................................................................... 4,367 3.0 4,052 2.8

 Retail trade .............................................................................. 16,570 11.3 16,533 11.4

Transportation and utilities ......................................................... 7,650 5.2 7,727 5.3

 Transportation and warehousing ............................................. 6,457 4.4 6,501 4.5

 Utilities ..................................................................................... 1,193 .8 1,225 0.8

Information ................................................................................. 3,566 2.4 3,481 2.4

Financial activities ...................................................................... 10,488 7.2 10,228 7.0

 Finance and insurance ............................................................ 7,306 5.0 7,279 5.0

 Real estate and rental and leasing .......................................... 3,182 2.2 2,949 2.0

Professional and business services ........................................... 15,621 10.7 15,540 10.7

 Professional and technical services ......................................... 9,208 6.3 9,362 6.4

 Management, administrative, and waste services.................... 6,412 4.4 6,178 4.3

Education and health services ................................................... 30,662 21.0 31,402 21.6

 Educational services ................................................................ 12,828 8.8 13,169 9.1

 Health care and social assistance ........................................... 17,834 12.2 18,233 12.5

 Hospitals ................................................................................ 5,955 4.1 6,241 4.3

 Health services, except hospitals .......................................... 8,733 6.0 8,865 6.1

 Social assistance ................................................................... 3,147 2.2 3,127 2.2

Leisure and hospitality ............................................................... 12,415 8.5 12,767 8.8

 Arts, entertainment, and recreation ......................................... 2,833 1.9 2,972 2.0

 Accommodation and food services .......................................... 9,582 6.6 9,795 6.7

Other services ............................................................................ 6,972 4.8 7,005 4.8

 Other services, except private households .............................. 6,159 4.2 6,200 4.3

 Private households .................................................................. 813 .6 805 0.6

Public administration .................................................................. 6,746 4.6 6,763 4.7

Industry and sex

Year

2007 2008

40
Table 13. Employed persons by industry and sex, 2007 and 2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Number Percent Number Percent

Women

 Total, 16 years and over........................................... 67,792 100.0 67,876 100.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting .................................. 490 .7 518 .8 

Mining ........................................................................................ 101 .1 105 .2 

Construction ............................................................................... 1,119 1.7 1,069 1.6

Manufacturing ............................................................................ 4,885 7.2 4,655 6.9

 Durable goods ......................................................................... 2,696 4.0 2,624 3.9

 Nondurable goods ................................................................... 2,189 3.2 2,030 3.0

Wholesale and retail trade ......................................................... 9,414 13.9 9,257 13.6

 Wholesale trade ....................................................................... 1,276 1.9 1,196 1.8

 Retail trade .............................................................................. 8,138 12.0 8,062 11.9

Transportation and utilities ......................................................... 1,878 2.8 1,786 2.6

 Transportation and warehousing ............................................. 1,621 2.4 1,547 2.3

 Utilities ..................................................................................... 257 .4 239 .4 

Information ................................................................................. 1,501 2.2 1,449 2.1

Financial activities ...................................................................... 5,807 8.6 5,605 8.3

 Finance and insurance ............................................................ 4,276 6.3 4,223 6.2

 Real estate and rental and leasing .......................................... 1,531 2.3 1,382 2.0

Professional and business services ........................................... 6,659 9.8 6,584 9.7

 Professional and technical services ......................................... 4,040 6.0 4,130 6.1

 Management, administrative, and waste services.................... 2,619 3.9 2,453 3.6

Education and health services ................................................... 22,906 33.8 23,603 34.8

 Educational services ................................................................ 8,866 13.1 9,174 13.5

 Health care and social assistance ........................................... 14,040 20.7 14,429 21.3

 Hospitals ................................................................................ 4,491 6.6 4,790 7.1

 Health services, except hospitals .......................................... 6,880 10.1 6,965 10.3

 Social assistance ................................................................... 2,669 3.9 2,674 3.9

Leisure and hospitality ............................................................... 6,377 9.4 6,575 9.7

 Arts, entertainment, and recreation ......................................... 1,320 1.9 1,372 2.0

 Accommodation and food services .......................................... 5,057 7.5 5,203 7.7

Other services ............................................................................ 3,628 5.4 3,615 5.3

 Other services, except private households .............................. 2,892 4.3 2,881 4.2

 Private households .................................................................. 737 1.1 735 1.1

Public administration .................................................................. 3,026 4.5 3,056 4.5

Industry and sex

Year

2007 2008

41
Table 13. Employed persons by industry and sex, 2007 and 2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Number Percent Number Percent

Men

 Total, 16 years and over........................................... 78,254 100.0 77,486 100.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting .................................. 1,604 2.0 1,650 2.1

Mining ........................................................................................ 635 .8 714 .9 

Construction ............................................................................... 10,738 13.7 9,905 12.8

Manufacturing ............................................................................ 11,416 14.6 11,249 14.5

 Durable goods ......................................................................... 7,667 9.8 7,649 9.9

 Nondurable goods ................................................................... 3,749 4.8 3,601 4.6

Wholesale and retail trade ......................................................... 11,523 14.7 11,327 14.6

 Wholesale trade ....................................................................... 3,091 3.9 2,856 3.7

 Retail trade .............................................................................. 8,433 10.8 8,471 10.9

Transportation and utilities ......................................................... 5,772 7.4 5,940 7.7

 Transportation and warehousing ............................................. 4,836 6.2 4,954 6.4

 Utilities ..................................................................................... 936 1.2 987 1.3

Information ................................................................................. 2,065 2.6 2,032 2.6

Financial activities ...................................................................... 4,681 6.0 4,623 6.0

 Finance and insurance ............................................................ 3,030 3.9 3,056 3.9

 Real estate and rental and leasing .......................................... 1,651 2.1 1,567 2.0

Professional and business services ........................................... 8,962 11.5 8,957 11.6

 Professional and technical services ......................................... 5,168 6.6 5,232 6.8

 Management, administrative, and waste services.................... 3,794 4.8 3,725 4.8

Education and health services ................................................... 7,756 9.9 7,799 10.1

 Educational services ................................................................ 3,962 5.1 3,994 5.2

 Health care and social assistance ........................................... 3,794 4.8 3,805 4.9

 Hospitals ................................................................................ 1,464 1.9 1,451 1.9

 Health services, except hospitals .......................................... 1,852 2.4 1,900 2.5

 Social assistance ................................................................... 478 .6 453 .6 

Leisure and hospitality ............................................................... 6,038 7.7 6,192 8.0

 Arts, entertainment, and recreation ......................................... 1,514 1.9 1,600 2.1

 Accommodation and food services .......................................... 4,525 5.8 4,592 5.9

Other services ............................................................................ 3,343 4.3 3,390 4.4

 Other services, except private households .............................. 3,267 4.2 3,319 4.3

 Private households .................................................................. 76 .1 70 .1 

Public administration .................................................................. 3,720 4.8 3,707 4.8

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Industry and sex

Year

2007 2008

42
Table 14. Employed persons by detailed industry and sex, 2008 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

 Total, 16 years and over................................................................................. 145,362 46.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting......................................................................... 2,168 23.9

Crop production......................................................................................................... 954 22.3

Animal production..................................................................................................... 864 25.5

Forestry, except logging............................................................................................ 59 35.2

Logging..................................................................................................................... 86 4.4

Fishing, hunting, and trapping................................................................................... 53 11.7

Support activities for agriculture and forestry............................................................ 152 35.8

Mining.............................................................................................................................. 819 12.9

Oil and gas extraction............................................................................................... 76 17.5

Coal mining............................................................................................................... 100 7.2

Metal ore mining........................................................................................................ 36 - 

Nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying................................................................ 101 14.4

Not specified type of mining...................................................................................... 7 - 

Support activities for mining...................................................................................... 498 13.0

Construction..................................................................................................................... 10,974 9.7

Manufacturing.................................................................................................................. 15,904 29.3

Durable goods.............................................................................................................. 10,273 25.5

Nonmetallic mineral products.................................................................................... 521 17.8

Pottery, ceramics, and related product manufacturing.......................................... 24 - 

Structural clay product manufacturing................................................................... 45 - 

Glass and glass products...................................................................................... 162 27.7

Cement, concrete, lime, and gypsum products..................................................... 205 7.5

Miscellaneous nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing................................... 85 16.4

Primary metals and fabricated metal products.......................................................... 1,798 16.9

Iron and steel mills and steel products.................................................................. 317 12.3

Aluminum production and processing.................................................................... 75 13.1

Nonferrous metal, except aluminum, production and processing.......................... 62 20.6

Foundries............................................................................................................... 80 13.6

Metal forgings and stampings................................................................................ 49 - 

Cutlery and hand tools........................................................................................... 47 - 

Structural metals and tanks and shipping containers............................................ 403 15.9

Machine shops; turned products; screws, nuts, and bolts..................................... 300 13.9

Coating, engraving, heat treating and allied activities........................................... 85 17.1

Ordnance............................................................................................................... 38 - 

Miscellaneous fabricated metal product manufacturing......................................... 332 23.4

Not specified metal industries................................................................................ 9 - 

Machinery manufacturing.......................................................................................... 1,308 22.2

Agricultural implements.......................................................................................... 107 19.8

Construction, mining, and oil field machinery........................................................ 149 16.3

Commercial and service industry machinery......................................................... 107 38.6

Metalworking machinery........................................................................................ 166 17.9

Engines, turbines, and power transmission equipment......................................... 60 29.0

Machinery manufacturing, n.e.c............................................................................. 706 22.0

Not specified machinery manufacturing................................................................. 12 - 

Computers and electronic products.......................................................................... 1,467 32.7

Computer and peripheral equipment..................................................................... 345 28.8

Communications, audio, and video equipment...................................................... 190 31.2

Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments........................ 214 32.8

Electronic component and product manufacturing, n.e.c....................................... 718 35.0

 See note at end of table.

Industry Total employed Percent women

43
Table 14. Employed persons by detailed industry and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Electrical equipment and appliances......................................................................... 492 32.8

Household appliances........................................................................................... 84 32.2

Electrical lighting, equipment, and supplies manufacturing, n.e.c......................... 408 32.9

Transportation equipment......................................................................................... 2,333 22.8

Motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment........................................................ 1,241 25.1

Aircraft and parts.................................................................................................... 432 21.8

Aerospace products and parts............................................................................... 428 20.7

Railroad rolling stock manufacturing...................................................................... 21 - 

Ship and boat building........................................................................................... 166 16.4

Other transportation equipment manufacturing..................................................... 45 - 

Wood products.......................................................................................................... 481 19.0

Sawmills and wood preservation........................................................................... 132 11.2

Veneer, plywood, and engineered wood products................................................. 48 - 

Prefabricated wood buildings and mobile homes.................................................. 48 - 

Miscellaneous wood products................................................................................ 253 23.7

Furniture and related products manufacturing....................................................... 582 28.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing.................................................................................... 1,291 39.3

Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing.................................................... 547 42.5

Toys, amusement, and sporting goods manufacturing.......................................... 147 32.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing, n.e.c...................................................................... 428 37.6

Not specified manufacturing industries.................................................................. 169 39.7

Nondurable goods........................................................................................................ 5,631 36.1

Food manufacturing.................................................................................................. 1,575 37.0

Animal food, grain, and oilseed milling.................................................................. 148 26.3

Sugar and confectionery products......................................................................... 82 45.6

Fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty foods.............................................. 171 31.5

Dairy products........................................................................................................ 138 26.2

Animal slaughtering and processing...................................................................... 488 35.4

Retail bakeries....................................................................................................... 151 63.0

Bakeries, except retail........................................................................................... 209 38.0

Seafood and other miscellaneous foods, n.e.c...................................................... 171 38.3

Not specified food industries.................................................................................. 17 - 

Beverages and tobacco products.............................................................................. 257 27.2

Beverages manufacturing...................................................................................... 230 25.6

Tobacco manufacturing......................................................................................... 27 - 

Textiles, apparel, and leather.................................................................................... 700 55.5

Fiber, yarn, and thread mills.................................................................................. 18 - 

Fabric mills, except knitting.................................................................................... 136 42.5

Textile and fabric finishing and coating mills......................................................... 19 - 

Carpet and rug mills............................................................................................... 51 38.3

Textile product mills, except carpets and rugs....................................................... 92 51.2

Knitting mills........................................................................................................... 15 - 

Cut and sew apparel.............................................................................................. 293 63.7

Apparel accessories and other apparel manufacturing......................................... 10 - 

Footwear manufacturing........................................................................................ 39 - 

Leather tanning and products, except footwear manufacturing............................. 27 - 

Paper and printing..................................................................................................... 1,087 32.5

Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills......................................................................... 214 21.5

Paperboard containers and boxes......................................................................... 118 27.9

Miscellaneous paper and pulp products................................................................ 77 35.9

Printing and related support activities.................................................................... 678 36.4

Petroleum and coal products.................................................................................... 169 21.1

Petroleum refining.................................................................................................. 145 21.6

 See note at end of table.

Industry Total employed Percent women

44
Table 14. Employed persons by detailed industry and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Miscellaneous petroleum and coal products.......................................................... 24 - 

Chemicals................................................................................................................. 1,293 34.7

Resins, synthetic rubber and fibers, and filaments................................................ 165 29.6

Agricultural chemical manufacturing...................................................................... 28 - 

Pharmaceuticals and medicines............................................................................ 457 46.4

Paints, coatings, and adhesives............................................................................ 71 19.0

Soaps, cleaning compounds, and cosmetics......................................................... 146 51.6

Industrial and miscellaneous chemicals................................................................ 425 22.5

Plastics and rubber products..................................................................................... 550 27.5

Plastics product manufacturing.............................................................................. 389 28.8

Tire manufacturing................................................................................................. 70 14.4

Rubber product, except tire, manufacturing........................................................... 92 31.9

Wholesale and retail trade............................................................................................... 20,585 45.0

Wholesale trade............................................................................................................ 4,052 29.5

Motor vehicles, parts and supplies, merchant wholesalers....................................... 216 27.6

Furniture and home furnishings, merchant wholesalers........................................... 90 40.0

Lumber and other construction materials, merchant wholesalers............................. 230 21.0

Professional and commercial equipment and supplies, merchant wholesalers........ 351 37.4

Metals and minerals, except petroleum, merchant wholesalers............................... 66 22.7

Electrical goods, merchant wholesalers.................................................................... 224 26.4

Hardware, plumbing and heating equipment, and supplies, merchant wholesalers. 172 28.4

Machinery, equipment, and supplies, merchant wholesalers.................................... 424 25.1

Recyclable materials, merchant wholesalers............................................................ 122 10.1

Miscellaneous durable goods, merchant wholesalers............................................... 123 38.2

Paper and paper products, merchant wholesalers.................................................... 82 46.0

Drugs, sundries, and chemical and allied products, merchant wholesalers.............. 255 40.2

Apparel, fabrics, and notions, merchant wholesalers................................................ 128 44.0

Groceries and related products, merchant wholesalers............................................ 829 23.7

Farm product raw materials, merchant wholesalers................................................. 68 23.8

Petroleum and petroleum products, merchant wholesalers...................................... 144 33.9

Alcoholic beverages, merchant wholesalers............................................................. 149 17.0

Farm supplies, merchant wholesalers....................................................................... 37 - 

Miscellaneous nondurable goods, merchant wholesalers......................................... 198 41.2

Wholesale electronic markets, agents and brokers.................................................. 74 47.3

Not specified wholesale trade................................................................................... 70 36.2

Retail trade................................................................................................................... 16,533 48.8

Automobile dealers................................................................................................... 1,350 19.8

Other motor vehicle dealers...................................................................................... 175 21.5

Auto parts, accessories, and tire stores.................................................................... 507 16.9

Furniture and home furnishings stores...................................................................... 655 42.5

Household appliance stores...................................................................................... 85 30.9

Radio, TV, and computer stores............................................................................... 629 31.7

Building material and supplies dealers...................................................................... 960 28.2

Hardware stores........................................................................................................ 222 32.9

Lawn and garden equipment and supplies stores..................................................... 279 31.8

Grocery stores........................................................................................................... 2,644 50.0

Specialty food stores................................................................................................. 254 43.9

Beer, wine, and liquor stores..................................................................................... 144 34.2

Pharmacies and drug stores..................................................................................... 859 64.8

Health and personal care, except drug, stores......................................................... 320 65.2

Gasoline stations....................................................................................................... 507 50.2

Clothing and accessories, except shoe, stores......................................................... 965 74.9

 See note at end of table.

Industry Total employed Percent women

45
Table 14. Employed persons by detailed industry and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Shoe stores............................................................................................................... 137 60.3

Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores.............................................................. 247 65.7

Sporting goods, camera, and hobby and toy stores.................................................. 470 44.5

Sewing, needlework, and piece goods stores........................................................... 76 74.7

Music stores.............................................................................................................. 80 36.5

Book stores and news dealers.................................................................................. 190 65.3

Department stores and discount stores.................................................................... 2,298 61.9

Miscellaneous general merchandise stores.............................................................. 491 56.1

Retail florists.............................................................................................................. 145 73.4

Office supplies and stationery stores........................................................................ 163 38.1

Used merchandise stores......................................................................................... 195 62.0

Gift, novelty, and souvenir shops.............................................................................. 189 80.0

Miscellaneous retail stores........................................................................................ 412 57.5

Electronic shopping................................................................................................... 92 47.8

Electronic auctions.................................................................................................... 27 - 

Mail order houses...................................................................................................... 96 65.5

Vending machine operators...................................................................................... 62 22.1

Fuel dealers.............................................................................................................. 114 24.6

Other direct selling establishments........................................................................... 230 70.0

Not specified retail trade........................................................................................... 263 56.4

Transportation and utilities............................................................................................... 7,727 23.1

Transportation and warehousing.................................................................................. 6,501 23.8

Air transportation....................................................................................................... 569 34.6

Rail transportation..................................................................................................... 284 5.9

Water transportation.................................................................................................. 76 30.9

Truck transportation.................................................................................................. 1,994 14.0

Bus service and urban transit.................................................................................... 574 38.9

Taxi and limousine service........................................................................................ 275 11.6

Pipeline transportation.............................................................................................. 35 - 

Scenic and sightseeing transportation...................................................................... 34 - 

Services incidental to transportation......................................................................... 733 26.5

Postal Service........................................................................................................... 831 39.3

Couriers and messengers......................................................................................... 710 19.9

Warehousing and storage......................................................................................... 385 25.1

Utilities.......................................................................................................................... 1,225 19.5

Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution......................................... 622 17.9

Natural gas distribution............................................................................................. 126 20.1

Electric and gas, and other combinations................................................................. 84 26.4

Water, steam, air-conditioning, and irrigation systems............................................. 259 20.9

Sewage treatment facilities....................................................................................... 108 15.5

Not specified utilities................................................................................................. 26 - 

Information....................................................................................................................... 3,481 41.6

Newspaper publishers............................................................................................... 407 45.8

Publishing, except newspapers and software........................................................... 303 55.2

Software publishing................................................................................................ 79 41.1

Motion pictures and video industries......................................................................... 397 33.0

Sound recording industries....................................................................................... 41 - 

Radio and television broadcasting and cable............................................................ 578 33.4

Internet publishing and broadcasting........................................................................ 34 - 

Wired telecommunications carriers........................................................................... 971 35.4

Other telecommunications services.......................................................................... 234 42.9

 See note at end of table.

Industry Total employed Percent women

46
Table 14. Employed persons by detailed industry and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Internet service providers.......................................................................................... 78 32.0

Data processing, hosting, and related services........................................................ 87 51.9

Libraries and archives............................................................................................... 218 81.5

Other information services........................................................................................ 55 49.6

Financial activities............................................................................................................ 10,228 54.8

Finance and insurance................................................................................................. 7,279 58.0

Banking and related activities................................................................................... 2,133 65.4

Savings institutions, including credit unions.............................................................. 290 74.7

Non-depository credit and related activities.............................................................. 949 52.7

Securities, commodities, funds, trusts, and other financial investments................... 1,359 39.2

Insurance carriers and related activities.................................................................... 2,548 62.0

Real estate and rental and leasing............................................................................... 2,949 46.9

Real estate................................................................................................................ 2,475 50.0

Rental and leasing services...................................................................................... 474 30.5

Automotive equipment rental and leasing.............................................................. 183 31.1

Videotape and disk rental...................................................................................... 78 46.6

Other consumer goods rental................................................................................ 86 28.4

Commercial, industrial, and other intangible assets rental and leasing................. 127 21.3

Professional and business services................................................................................. 15,540 42.4

Professional and technical services............................................................................. 9,362 44.1

Legal services........................................................................................................... 1,642 58.6

Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services.............................. 1,002 62.8

Architectural, engineering, and related services....................................................... 1,615 25.8

Specialized design services...................................................................................... 386 59.7

Computer systems design and related services....................................................... 1,945 25.5

Management, scientific, and technical consulting services....................................... 1,112 43.4

Scientific research and development services.......................................................... 543 47.4

Advertising and related services............................................................................... 520 49.9

Veterinary services.................................................................................................... 246 81.7

Other professional, scientific, and technical services................................................ 352 55.5

Management, administrative, and waste services........................................................ 6,178 39.7

Management of companies and enterprises............................................................. 67 60.7

Employment services................................................................................................ 984 58.5

Business support services........................................................................................ 801 62.9

Travel arrangement and reservation services........................................................... 272 61.6

Investigation and security services........................................................................... 814 26.6

Services to buildings and dwellings.......................................................................... 1,350 50.1

Landscaping services................................................................................................ 1,229 8.6

Other administrative and other support services....................................................... 226 45.3

Waste management and remediation services......................................................... 437 15.1

Education and health services......................................................................................... 31,402 75.2

Educational services..................................................................................................... 13,169 69.7

Elementary and secondary schools.......................................................................... 9,036 75.6

Colleges and universities, including junior colleges.................................................. 3,361 53.8

Business, technical, and trade schools and training................................................. 100 55.2

Other schools, instruction, and educational services................................................ 671 71.2

Health care and social assistance................................................................................ 18,233 79.1

Hospitals................................................................................................................... 6,241 76.7

 See note at end of table.

Industry Total employed Percent women

47
Table 14. Employed persons by detailed industry and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Health services, except hospitals.............................................................................. 8,865 78.6

Offices of physicians.............................................................................................. 1,562 76.0

Offices of dentists.................................................................................................. 774 82.4

Offices of chiropractors.......................................................................................... 139 58.3

Offices of optometrists........................................................................................... 110 78.0

Offices of other health practitioners....................................................................... 195 73.4

Outpatient care centers......................................................................................... 1,107 76.0

Home health care services.................................................................................... 881 89.1

Other health care services..................................................................................... 1,647 71.4

Nursing care facilities............................................................................................. 1,779 87.0

Residential care facilities, without nursing............................................................. 673 71.4

Social assistance...................................................................................................... 3,127 85.5

Individual and family services................................................................................ 1,284 78.0

Community food and housing, and emergency services....................................... 111 65.6

Vocational rehabilitation services.......................................................................... 169 64.6

Child day care services.......................................................................................... 1,563 95.3

Leisure and hospitality..................................................................................................... 12,767 51.5

Arts, entertainment, and recreation.............................................................................. 2,972 46.2

Independent artists, performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries......... 810 43.2

Museums, art galleries, historical sites, and similar institutions................................ 379 45.3

Bowling centers......................................................................................................... 52 45.9

Other amusement, gambling, and recreation industries........................................... 1,730 47.8

Accommodation and food services............................................................................... 9,795 53.1

Accommodation........................................................................................................ 1,523 56.9

Traveler accommodation....................................................................................... 1,423 57.4

Recreational vehicle parks and camps, and rooming and boarding houses......... 100 50.6

Food services and drinking places............................................................................ 8,272 52.4

Restaurants and other food services..................................................................... 8,032 52.4

Drinking places, alcoholic beverages.................................................................... 240 54.6

Other services.................................................................................................................. 7,005 51.6

Other services, except private households................................................................... 6,200 46.5

Repair and maintenance........................................................................................... 2,086 12.3

Automotive repair and maintenance...................................................................... 1,208 10.6

Car washes............................................................................................................ 175 14.7

Electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance................................ 177 14.8

Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment repair and maintenance.... 320 6.9

Personal and household goods repair and maintenance...................................... 199 26.4

Footwear and leather goods repair........................................................................ 6 - 

Personal and laundry services.................................................................................. 2,240 71.3

Barber shops.......................................................................................................... 95 25.2

Beauty salons........................................................................................................ 929 90.0

Nail salons and other personal care services........................................................ 365 75.1

Drycleaning and laundry services.......................................................................... 378 61.4

Funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematories....................................................... 124 27.6

Other personal services......................................................................................... 348 56.6

Membership associations and organizations............................................................ 1,874 54.8

Religious organizations.......................................................................................... 1,060 48.0

Civic, social, advocacy organizations, and grantmaking and giving services........ 601 67.3

Labor unions.......................................................................................................... 59 49.4

Business, professional, political, and similar organizations................................... 155 54.6

Private households....................................................................................................... 805 91.3

 See note at end of table.

Industry Total employed Percent women

48
Table 14. Employed persons by detailed industry and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Public administration........................................................................................................ 6,763 45.2

Executive offices and legislative bodies.................................................................... 890 54.8

Public finance activities............................................................................................. 350 67.1

Other general government and support.................................................................... 162 35.5

Justice, public order, and safety activities................................................................. 2,858 35.9

Administration of human resource programs............................................................ 922 71.0

Administration of environmental quality and housing programs................................ 319 39.4

Administration of economic programs and space research...................................... 558 41.2

National security and international affairs................................................................. 703 33.8

Industry Total employed Percent women

 n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified.

 

 NOTE: Dash indicates data not shown for industries where employment base is less than 50,000.

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

49
Table 15. Employed women by industry, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 2008 annual averages

(Percent distribution)

 Total, 16 years and over (thousands)....................... 54,501 8,554 3,225 8,098

 Percent............................................................ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Agriculture and related industries ....................................... 0.9 0.1 0.3 1.0

Mining ................................................................................. .2 .1 .1 .1

Construction ....................................................................... 1.7 .8 .7 1.3

Manufacturing ..................................................................... 6.8 6.0 10.7 8.8

 Durable goods .................................................................. 3.9 3.0 6.2 4.1

 Nondurable goods ............................................................ 2.9 3.0 4.4 4.7

Wholesale and retail trade ................................................. 14.0 11.5 12.7 14.7

 Wholesale trade ............................................................... 1.9 1.1 2.1 2.0

 Retail trade ....................................................................... 12.1 10.4 10.5 12.6

Transportation and utilities ................................................. 2.5 3.8 2.1 2.9

 Transportation and warehousing ...................................... 2.1 3.5 1.8 2.6

 Utilities .............................................................................. .4 .4 .3 .3

Information ......................................................................... 2.1 2.3 2.0 1.4

Financial activities .............................................................. 8.4 7.3 8.1 7.2

 Finance and insurance ..................................................... 6.3 5.8 6.6 5.4

 Real estate and rental and leasing ................................... 2.2 1.5 1.5 1.9

Professional and business services ................................... 9.9 8.1 10.4 10.0

 Professional and technical services ................................. 6.4 3.6 8.3 3.8

 Management, administrative, and waste services............ 3.5 4.6 2.1 6.2

Education and health services ........................................... 34.3 40.5 30.9 28.7

 Educational services ........................................................ 14.1 12.3 8.9 10.0

 Health care and social assistance .................................... 20.2 28.2 22.0 18.7

 Hospitals ......................................................................... 6.7 8.3 9.8 4.6

 Health services, except hospitals ................................... 9.8 13.7 9.4 9.4

 Social assistance ............................................................ 3.6 6.2 2.8 4.7

Leisure and hospitality ....................................................... 9.6 8.4 11.1 13.0

 Arts, entertainment, and recreation .................................. 2.1 1.3 2.0 1.6

 Accommodation and food services .................................. 7.5 7.2 9.2 11.5

Other services .................................................................... 5.4 4.1 7.5 7.3

 Other services, except private households ...................... 4.3 3.3 6.9 3.9

 Private households ........................................................... 1.1 .9 .7 3.5

Public administration .......................................................... 4.1 7.0 3.5 3.6

Hispanic or 

Latino 

ethnicity

Industry White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

50
Table 16. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers in current dollars by race, 

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and sex, 1979-2008 annual averages

1979....... $241 $248 $199 - $194 $182 $184 $169 - $157

1980....... 262 269 212 - 209 201 203 185 - 172

1981....... 284 291 235 - 223 219 221 206 - 190

1982....... 302 310 245 - 240 239 242 217 - 203

1983....... 313 320 261 - 250 252 254 232 - 215

1984....... 326 336 269 - 259 265 268 241 - 223

1985......... 344 356 277 - 270 277 281 252 - 230

1986 1

...... 359 371 291 - 277 291 294 264 - 241

1987....... 374 384 301 - 285 303 307 276 - 251

1988......... 385 395 314 - 290 315 318 288 - 260

1989....... 399 409 319 - 298 328 334 301 - 269

1990 1

...... 412 424 329 - 304 346 353 308 - 278

1991....... 426 442 348 - 312 366 373 323 - 292

1992....... 440 458 357 - 321 380 387 335 - 302

1993....... 459 475 369 - 331 393 401 348 - 313

1994 1

...... 467 484 371 - 324 399 408 346 - 305

1995....... 479 494 383 - 329 406 415 355 - 305

1996....... 490 506 387 - 339 418 428 362 - 316

1997 1

...... 503 519 400 - 351 431 444 375 - 318

1998 1

...... 523 545 426 - 370 456 468 400 - 337

1999 1

...... 549 573 445 - 385 473 483 409 - 348

2000 1

...... 576 590 474 $615 399 493 502 429 $547 366

2001....... 596 610 491 639 417 512 522 454 563 388

2002....... 608 623 498 658 424 529 547 473 566 397

2003 1...... 620 636 514 693 440 552 567 491 598 410

2004....... 638 657 525 708 456 573 584 505 613 419

2005...... 651 672 520 753 471 585 596 499 665 429

2006....... 671 690 554 784 486 600 609 519 699 440

2007....... 695 716 569 830 503 614 626 533 731 473

2008 1

...... 722 742 589 861 529 638 654 554 753 501

 See footnote at end of table.

Total White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian

Hispanic or 

Latino 

ethnicity

Total White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian

Year 

Total, both sexes Women

Hispanic or 

Latino 

ethnicity

51
Table 16. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers in current dollars by race, 

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and sex, 1979-2008 annual averages—Continued

1979....... $292 $298 $227 - $219 62.3 61.7 74.4 - 71.7 

1980....... 313 320 244 - 234 64.2 63.4 75.8 - 73.5 

1981....... 340 350 268 - 251 64.4 63.1 76.9 - 75.7 

1982....... 364 375 278 - 269 65.7 64.5 78.1 - 75.5 

1983....... 379 387 294 - 274 66.5 65.6 78.9 - 78.5 

1984....... 392 401 303 - 287 67.6 66.8 79.5 - 77.7 

1985......... 407 418 305 - 296 68.1 67.2 82.6 - 77.7 

1986 1

...... 419 433 319 - 299 69.5 67.9 82.8 - 80.6 

1987....... 434 450 327 - 306 69.8 68.2 84.4 - 82.0 

1988......... 449 465 348 - 308 70.2 68.4 82.8 - 84.4 

1989....... 468 482 348 - 315 70.1 69.3 86.5 - 85.4 

1990 1

...... 481 494 361 - 318 71.9 71.5 85.3 - 87.4 

1991....... 493 506 375 - 323 74.2 73.7 86.1 - 90.4 

1992....... 501 514 380 - 339 75.8 75.3 88.2 - 89.1 

1993....... 510 524 392 - 346 77.1 76.5 88.8 - 90.5 

1994 1

...... 522 547 400 - 343 76.4 74.6 86.5 - 88.9 

1995....... 538 566 411 - 350 75.5 73.3 86.4 - 87.1 

1996....... 557 580 412 - 356 75.0 73.8 87.9 - 88.8 

1997 1

...... 579 595 432 - 371 74.4 74.6 86.8 - 85.7 

1998 1

...... 598 615 468 - 390 76.3 76.1 85.5 - 86.4 

1999 1

...... 618 638 488 - 406 76.5 75.7 83.8 - 85.7 

2000 1

...... 641 662 510 $685 417 76.9 75.8 84.1 79.9 87.8 

2001....... 670 689 529 732 440 76.4 75.8 85.8 76.9 88.2 

2002....... 679 702 524 756 451 77.9 77.9 90.3 74.9 88.0 

2003 1...... 695 715 555 772 464 79.4 79.3 88.5 77.5 88.4 

2004....... 713 732 569 802 480 80.4 79.8 88.8 76.4 87.3 

2005...... 722 743 559 825 489 81.0 80.2 89.3 80.6 87.7 

2006....... 743 761 591 882 505 80.8 80.0 87.8 79.3 87.1 

2007....... 766 788 600 936 520 80.2 79.4 88.8 78.1 91.0 

2008 1

...... 798 825 620 966 559 79.9 79.3 89.4 78.0 89.6 

Hispanic or 

Latino 

ethnicity

Total White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian

Year 

Men Women's earnings as a percent of men's

Total White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian

Hispanic or 

Latino 

ethnicity

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 Historical Comparability documentation

provided at http://www.bls.gov/cps/eetech_methods.pdf. 

NOTE: Beginning in 2003, estimates for the above race

groups (white, black or African American, and Asian) include

persons who selected this race group only; persons who

selected more than one race group are not included. Prior 

to 2003, persons who reported more than one race were

included in the group they identified as the main race. Data for

2000-02 are for the category Asians and Pacific Islanders.

Starting in 2003, Asians constitute a separate category. For

more information, see the Historical Comparability

documentation. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to

2000.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of

Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

52
Table 17. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and 

salary workers 25 years and over by educational attainment 

and sex, 2008 annual averages

Total, both sexes

Total................................................. 96,027 $761

 Less than a high school diploma ............ 8,120 453

 High school graduate or more1

............. 87,907 800

 High school graduates, no college1

...... 27,392 618

 Some college or associate degree......... 26,526 722

 Some college, no degree................... 16,522 699

 Associate degree............................ 10,004 757

 Occupational program..................... 4,541 750

 Academic program......................... 5,463 762

 College graduates, total..................... 33,990 1,115

 Bachelor's degree............................ 22,033 1,012

 Master's degree.............................. 8,881 1,233

 Professional degree......................... 1,620 1,531

 Doctoral degree.............................. 1,455 1,561

Women

Total.................................................. 42,584 670

 Less than a high school diploma............ 2,566 378

 High school graduate or more1............. 40,018 697

 High school graduates, no college1

...... 11,451 520

 Some college or associate degree......... 12,756 628

 Some college, no degree................... 7,713 611

 Associate degree............................ 5,043 661

 Occupational program..................... 2,121 639

 Academic program......................... 2,922 676

 College graduates, total..................... 15,812 955

 Bachelor's degree........................... 10,202 878

 Master's degree.............................. 4,476 1,074

 Professional degree......................... 629 1,258

 Doctoral degree................................ 504 1,352

 Educational attainment and sex Total employed 

(in thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

53
Table 17. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and

salary workers 25 years and over by educational attainment

and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued

Men

Total................................................. 53,444 $857

 Less than a high school diploma............ 5,554 497

 High school graduate or more1............. 47,889 913

 High school graduates, no college1

...... 15,941 709

 Some college or associate degree......... 13,770 830

 Some college, no degree................... 8,809 803

 Associate degree............................ 4,961 883

 Occupational program..................... 2,420 871

 Academic program......................... 2,541 896

 College graduates, total..................... 18,178 1,285

 Bachelor's degree............................ 11,831 1,172

 Master's degree.............................. 4,405 1,442

 Professional degree........................... 991 1,758

 Doctoral degree............................... 951 1,736

Educational attainment and sex Total employed 

(in thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

 1 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent.

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics.

54
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex,

2008 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

Total, 16 years and older.......................................... 106,648 $722 47,209 $638 59,439 $798 79.9

Management, professional, and related occupations...... 40,154 1,025 20,535 892 19,619 1,238 72.1

Management, business, and financial 

 operations occupations.......................................... 16,310 1,128 7,463 941 8,847 1,343 70.1

Management occupations.................................... 11,223 1,204 4,535 979 6,687 1,384 70.7

Chief executives............................................. 1,044 1,903 251 1,603 793 1,999 80.2

General and operations managers..................... 919 1,229 274 993 646 1,315 75.5

Legislators...................................................... 16 ( 1 ) 7 ( 1 ) 9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Advertising and promotions managers.................. 69 1,097 52 1,000 17 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Marketing and sales managers........................... 867 1,345 357 1,024 510 1,601 64.0

Public relations managers................................. 57 1,232 31 ( 1 ) 26 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Administrative services managers........................ 92 1,003 26 ( 1 ) 66 1,012 ( 2 )

Computer and information systems managers...... 431 1,576 120 1,260 311 1,641 76.8

Financial managers.......................................... 1,063 1,134 583 945 480 1,457 64.9

Human resources managers.............................. 288 1,233 194 1,137 93 1,433 79.3

Industrial production managers........................... 222 1,253 30 ( 1 ) 192 1,285 ( 2 )

Purchasing managers....................................... 183 1,139 72 995 111 1,251 79.5

Transportation, storage, and 

 distribution managers.................................... 218 877 38 ( 1 ) 179 885 ( 2 )

Farm, ranch, and other agricultural managers......... 76 775 13 ( 1 ) 63 802 ( 2 )

Construction managers.................................... 586 1,189 49 ( 1 ) 536 1,219 ( 2 )

Education administrators.................................. 725 1,170 447 1,000 278 1,398 71.5

Engineering managers....................................... 99 1,752 5 ( 1 ) 95 1,758 ( 2 )

Food service managers.................................... 619 676 296 628 323 739 85.0

Funeral directors.............................................. 25 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) 18 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Gaming managers............................................ 14 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) 11 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Lodging managers.......................................... 119 788 56 720 63 877 82.1

Medical and health services managers.................. 500 1,170 351 1,066 150 1,504 70.9

Natural sciences managers.............................. 15 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 12 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Postmasters and mail superintendents.................. 36 ( 1 ) 19 ( 1 ) 17 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Property, real estate, and

 community association managers........... ......... 303 847 177 758 126 1,054 71.9

Social and community service managers............... 277 965 191 871 86 1,254 69.5

Managers, all other.......................................... 2,361 1,225 885 1,010 1,477 1,359 74.3

Business and financial operations occupations......... 5,087 974 2,928 885 2,159 1,167 75.8

Agents and business managers of

 artists, performers, and athletes........................ 28 ( 1 ) 11 ( 1 ) 17 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Purchasing agents and buyers, farm products...... 5 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Wholesale and retail buyers,

 except farm products....................................... 152 816 70 801 82 826 97.0

Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and 

 farm products................................................ 253 890 146 859 107 923 93.1

Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners,

 and investigators.......................................... 286 810 188 766 99 891 86.0

Compliance officers, except agriculture, 

 construction, health and safety, and 

 transportation................................................ 164 1,126 86 950 78 1,245 76.3

Cost estimators................................................ 82 1,055 9 ( 1 ) 73 1,082 ( 2 )

Human resources, training, and labor relations 

 specialists................................................... 717 918 504 850 213 1,158 73.4

Logisticians................................................... 39 ( 1 ) 19 ( 1 ) 21 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Management analysts....................................... 454 1,255 209 1,139 245 1,391 81.9

Meeting and convention planners........................ 47 ( 1 ) 37 ( 1 ) 10 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

See footnotes at end of table.

Occupation

Total, both sexes Women Men

Women's 

earnings 

as percent 

of men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

55
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex,

2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Other business operations specialists.................. 214 $931 145 $850 69 $1,157 73.5

Accountants and auditors................................. 1,494 981 904 908 591 1,178 77.1

Appraisers and assessors of real estate............... 61 1,089 22 ( 1 ) 39 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Budget analysts............................................. 62 1,197 37 ( 1 ) 26 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Credit analysts................................................ 20 ( 1 ) 11 ( 1 ) 9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Financial analysts............................................. 84 1,378 39 ( 1 ) 45 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Personal financial advisors................................. 313 1,194 117 935 197 1,370 68.2

Insurance underwriters.................................... 77 957 62 917 15 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Financial examiners.......................................... 6 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Loan counselors and officers.............................. 355 916 201 812 154 1,118 72.6

Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents...... 53 850 35 ( 1 ) 18 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Tax preparers................................................ 54 911 36 ( 1 ) 18 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Financial specialists, all other.............................. 66 964 35 ( 1 ) 30 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Professional and related occupations........................ 23,845 980 13,072 867 10,773 1,169 74.2

Computer and mathematical occupations............... 3,344 1,242 828 1,088 2,516 1,320 82.4

Computer scientists and systems analysts............ 752 1,184 213 1,082 538 1,240 87.3

Computer programmers.................................... 470 1,218 105 1,003 365 1,261 79.5

Computer software engineers........................... 955 1,529 196 1,351 759 1,555 86.9

Computer support specialists.............................. 379 893 105 878 274 903 97.2

Database administrators.................................... 93 1,274 25 ( 1 ) 68 1,289 ( 2 )

Network and computer systems administrators...... 212 1,189 46 ( 1 ) 166 1,209 ( 2 )

Network systems and data communications

 analysts...................................................... 353 1,130 82 961 271 1,184 81.2

Actuaries...................................................... 24 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) 18 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Mathematicians................................................ 2 ( 1 ) - -2 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Operations research analysts.............................. 69 1,259 36 ( 1 ) 34 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Statisticians................................................... 33 ( 1 ) 14 ( 1 ) 19 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Miscellaneous mathematical 

 science occupations....................................... 2 ( 1 ) - -1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Architecture and engineering occupations............... 2,652 1,244 334 1,001 2,319 1,286 77.8

Architects, except naval.................................... 150 1,128 35 ( 1 ) 115 1,273 ( 2 )

Surveyors, cartographers, and

 photogrammetrists.......................................... 34 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 32 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Aerospace engineers....................................... 131 1,554 12 ( 1 ) 120 1,622 ( 2 )

Agricultural engineers....................................... 4 ( 1 ) - -4 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Biomedical engineers....................................... 10 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 8 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Chemical engineers.......................................... 64 1,546 8 ( 1 ) 56 1,562 ( 2 )

Civil engineers................................................ 303 1,332 36 ( 1 ) 268 1,349 ( 2 )

Computer hardware engineers........................... 62 1,258 14 ( 1 ) 48 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Electrical and electronics engineers..................... 334 1,443 26 ( 1 ) 307 1,475 ( 2 )

Environmental engineers.................................... 29 ( 1 ) 8 ( 1 ) 21 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Industrial engineers, including health and safety... 163 1,311 23 ( 1 ) 140 1,364 ( 2 )

Marine engineers and naval architects.................. 15 ( 1 ) - - 15 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Materials engineers.......................................... 41 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) 35 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Mechanical engineers....................................... 300 1,433 23 ( 1 ) 276 1,445 ( 2 )

Mining and geological engineers, including

 mining safety engineers................................. 12 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 10 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Nuclear engineers.......................................... 9 ( 1 ) - -9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Petroleum engineers....................................... 18 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 17 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Engineers, all other.......................................... 347 1,418 39 ( 1 ) 308 1,425 ( 2 )

Drafters......................................................... 150 881 31 ( 1 ) 119 924 ( 2 )

Engineering technicians, except drafters............... 392 905 59 781 332 933 83.7

Surveying and mapping technicians..................... 87 794 6 ( 1 ) 80 801 ( 2 )

See footnotes at end of table.

Occupation

Total, both sexes Women Men

Women's 

earnings 

as percent 

of men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

56
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex,

2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Life, physical, and social science occupations......... 1,080 $1,035 477 $931 603 $1,156 80.5

Agricultural and food scientists........................... 34 ( 1 ) 11 ( 1 ) 23 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Biological scientists.......................................... 91 1,023 46 ( 1 ) 45 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Conservation scientists and foresters.................. 21 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 18 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Medical scientists............................................. 120 989 60 948 60 1,133 83.7

Astronomers and physicists.............................. 20 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 16 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Atmospheric and space scientists........................ 8 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Chemists and materials scientists........................ 103 1,118 38 ( 1 ) 65 1,430 ( 2 )

Environmental scientists and geoscientists............ 70 1,253 22 ( 1 ) 48 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Physical scientists, all other.............................. 122 1,363 50 1,061 72 1,535 69.1

Economists................................................... 17 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) 13 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Market and survey researchers........................... 109 1,071 60 990 49 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Psychologists................................................ 84 1,220 57 1,004 27 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Sociologists................................................... 1 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) - - ( 2 )

Urban and regional planners.............................. 31 ( 1 ) 17 ( 1 ) 13 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Miscellaneous social scientists and related

 workers......................................................... 36 ( 1 ) 13 ( 1 ) 23 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Agricultural and food science technicians............ 23 ( 1 ) 9 ( 1 ) 14 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Biological technicians....................................... 20 ( 1 ) 8 ( 1 ) 13 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Chemical technicians....................................... 56 872 20 ( 1 ) 36 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Geological and petroleum technicians.................. 9 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Nuclear technicians.......................................... 2 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Other life, physical, and social science

 technicians................................................... 103 752 50 752 54 751 100.1

Community and social services occupations............ 1,908 788 1,117 753 791 860 87.6

Counselors...................................................... 522 787 355 787 167 787 100.0

Social workers................................................ 639 784 503 779 135 812 95.9

Miscellaneous community and social service 

 specialists................................................... 261 736 159 680 102 874 77.8

Clergy............................................................ 388 882 43 ( 1 ) 346 899 ( 2 )

Directors, religious activities and education............ 38 ( 1 ) 21 ( 1 ) 18 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Religious workers, all other................................. 60 669 36 ( 1 ) 24 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Legal occupations............................................. 1,199 1,174 693 962 506 1,696 56.7

Lawyers......................................................... 645 1,751 247 1,509 398 1,875 80.5

Judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers...... 51 1,281 24 ( 1 ) 27 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Paralegals and legal assistants........................... 304 796 267 790 37 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Miscellaneous legal support workers.................. 198 738 155 702 43 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Education, training, and library occupations............ 6,677 866 4,883 818 1,794 1,020 80.2

Postsecondary teachers.................................... 862 1,149 379 1,056 483 1,245 84.8

Preschool and kindergarten teachers.................. 506 591 493 589 14 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Elementary and middle school teachers............... 2,627 890 2,127 871 500 994 87.6

Secondary school teachers................................. 1,086 949 596 920 490 995 92.5

Special education teachers................................. 343 944 291 949 52 914 103.8

Other teachers and instructors........................... 351 858 209 812 142 953 85.2

Archivists, curators, and museum technicians......... 25 ( 1 ) 13 ( 1 ) 11 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Librarians...................................................... 136 878 111 811 25 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Library technicians.......................................... 17 ( 1 ) 14 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Teacher assistants.......................................... 651 421 595 413 56 517 79.9

Other education, training, and library workers......... 74 1,071 55 886 19 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media 

 occupations................................................... 1,570 882 689 777 882 951 81.7

Artists and related workers................................. 74 985 23 ( 1 ) 51 1,103 ( 2 )

Designers...................................................... 540 811 268 744 271 899 82.8

See footnotes at end of table.

Occupation

Total, both sexes Women Men

Women's 

earnings 

as percent 

of men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

57
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex,

2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Actors............................................................ 2 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Producers and directors.................................... 108 $938 42 ( 1 ) 65 $983 ( 2 )

Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers... 117 825 25 ( 1 ) 91 837 ( 2 )

Dancers and choreographers.............................. 13 ( 1 ) 11 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Musicians, singers, and related workers............... 32 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) 27 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Entertainers and performers, sports and related

 workers, all other.......................................... 12 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Announcers................................................... 22 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 19 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

News analysts, reporters and correspondents...... 68 947 25 ( 1 ) 43 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Public relations specialists................................. 107 1,000 70 $935 37 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Editors......................................................... 132 971 69 941 63 1,062 88.6

Technical writers............................................. 48 ( 1 ) 22 ( 1 ) 26 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Writers and authors.......................................... 79 945 41 ( 1 ) 38 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Miscellaneous media and communication workers... 46 ( 1 ) 33 ( 1 ) 14 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Broadcast and sound engineering technicians 

 and radio operators....................................... 75 972 13 ( 1 ) 62 996 ( 2 )

Photographers................................................ 69 690 30 ( 1 ) 39 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Television, video, and motion picture camera

 operators and editors....................................... 26 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) 21 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Media and communication equipment workers, 

 all other...................................................... 1 ( 1 ) - -1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations...... 5,415 962 4,052 909 1,362 1,210 75.1

Chiropractors................................................... 9 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 8 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Dentists......................................................... 34 ( 1 ) 15 ( 1 ) 19 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Dietitians and nutritionists................................. 86 672 75 674 11 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Optometrists................................................... 11 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Pharmacists................................................... 196 1,883 94 1,647 102 1,914 86.1

Physicians and surgeons................................. 594 1,731 189 1,230 405 1,911 64.4

Physician assistants.......................................... 86 1,251 51 1,077 34 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Podiatrists...................................................... 6 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Registered nurses.......................................... 2,114 1,022 1,904 1,011 210 1,168 86.6

Audiologists................................................... 7 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Occupational therapists.................................... 55 1,019 54 1,016 1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Physical therapists.......................................... 129 1,176 78 1,019 51 1,329 76.7

Radiation therapists.......................................... 15 ( 1 ) 10 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Recreational therapists.................................... 16 ( 1 ) 12 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Respiratory therapists....................................... 90 881 64 819 26 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Speech-language pathologists........................... 88 1,121 87 1,124 - - ( 2 )

Therapists, all other.......................................... 74 791 56 796 18 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Veterinarians................................................... 26 ( 1 ) 16 ( 1 ) 10 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners,

 all other...................................................... 3 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) - - ( 2 )

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians... 301 783 223 750 78 942 79.6

Dental hygienists............................................. 75 976 73 988 2 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Diagnostic related technologists and technicians... 238 957 159 923 79 1,035 89.2

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics... 121 755 39 ( 1 ) 82 823 ( 2 )

Health diagnosing and treating practitioner 

 support technicians....................................... 340 585 258 564 82 677 83.3

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses... 439 692 408 679 31 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Medical records and health information

 technicians................................................... 77 537 71 551 6 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Opticians, dispensing....................................... 33 ( 1 ) 23 ( 1 ) 10 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Miscellaneous health technologists and

 technicians................................................... 105 671 61 615 44 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

See footnotes at end of table.

Occupation

Total, both sexes Women Men

Women's 

earnings 

as percent 

of men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

58
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex,

2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Other healthcare practitioners and technical

 occupations................................................... 49 ( 1 ) 17 ( 1 ) 32 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Service occupations............................................. 14,814 $475 7,458 $418 7,355 $537 77.8

Healthcare support occupations........................... 2,222 465 1,951 459 271 512 89.6

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides......... 1,370 429 1,201 424 169 485 87.4

Occupational therapist assistants and aides......... 7 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Physical therapist assistants and aides............... 51 700 39 ( 1 ) 12 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Massage therapists.......................................... 32 ( 1 ) 22 ( 1 ) 10 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Dental assistants............................................. 168 531 160 524 8 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Medical assistants and other healthcare support

 occupations................................................... 595 505 524 502 71 529 94.9

Protective service occupations.............................. 2,683 748 564 594 2,119 794 74.8

First-line supervisors/managers of correctional 

 officers......................................................... 43 ( 1 ) 16 ( 1 ) 27 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

First-line supervisors/managers of police and 

 detectives...................................................... 120 1,200 20 ( 1 ) 99 1,239 ( 2 )

First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and

 prevention workers.......................................... 53 1,327 4 ( 1 ) 49 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Supervisors, protective service workers, all other... 94 763 22 ( 1 ) 72 768 ( 2 )

Fire fighters................................................... 283 970 13 ( 1 ) 270 975 ( 2 )

Fire inspectors................................................ 24 ( 1 ) - - 24 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Bailiffs, correctional officers, and jailers............... 387 695 112 605 275 725 83.4

Detectives and criminal investigators.................. 139 1,053 28 ( 1 ) 112 1,112 ( 2 )

Fish and game wardens.................................... 4 ( 1 ) - -4 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Parking enforcement workers.............................. 5 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Police and sheriff's patrol officers........................ 674 893 101 731 573 929 78.7

Transit and railroad police................................. 3 ( 1 ) - -3 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Animal control workers.................................... 9 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Private detectives and investigators..................... 76 780 28 ( 1 ) 47 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Security guards and gaming surveillance officers... 695 516 173 478 523 540 88.5

Crossing guards............................................. 20 ( 1 ) 17 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Lifeguards and other protective service workers...... 54 401 23 ( 1 ) 31 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Food preparation and serving related occupations... 4,153 402 2,035 376 2,118 432 87.0

Chefs and head cooks....................................... 295 548 40 ( 1 ) 255 551 ( 2 )

First-line supervisors/managers of food 

 preparation and serving workers........................ 483 498 280 439 203 599 73.3

Cooks............................................................ 1,312 390 480 363 832 404 89.9

Food preparation workers................................. 325 352 197 338 128 368 91.8

Bartenders...................................................... 204 502 108 457 96 596 76.7

Combined food preparation and serving workers, 

 including fast food....................................... 141 349 99 341 42 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, 

 and coffee shop............................................. 84 307 54 299 30 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Waiters and waitresses.................................... 852 391 560 367 292 436 84.2

Food servers, nonrestaurant.............................. 91 451 62 424 29 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and 

 bartender helpers.......................................... 159 390 69 386 90 394 98.0

Dishwashers................................................... 152 361 44 ( 1 ) 108 367 ( 2 )

Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and 

 coffee shop................................................... 49 ( 1 ) 39 ( 1 ) 10 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Food preparation and serving related workers,

 all other...................................................... 6 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

See footnotes at end of table.

Occupation

Total, both sexes Women Men

Women's 

earnings 

as percent 

of men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

59
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex,

2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 

 occupations................................................... 3,506 $431 1,274 $383 2,232 $488 78.5

First-line supervisors/managers of 

 housekeeping and janitorial workers.................. 200 623 74 448 127 748 59.9

First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, 

 lawn service, and groundskeeping workers......... 86 687 4 ( 1 ) 82 712 ( 2 )

Janitors and building cleaners........................... 1,510 460 414 397 1,096 493 80.5

Maids and housekeeping cleaners..................... 847 378 742 371 105 436 85.1

Pest control workers.......................................... 61 611 4 ( 1 ) 57 596 ( 2 )

Grounds maintenance workers........................... 802 420 37 ( 1 ) 766 422 ( 2 )

Personal care and service occupations.................. 2,250 475 1,634 441 615 591 74.6

First-line supervisors/managers of gaming

 workers......................................................... 97 760 36 ( 1 ) 62 837 ( 2 )

First-line supervisors/managers of personal 

 service workers............................................. 61 618 38 ( 1 ) 23 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Animal trainers................................................ 12 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Nonfarm animal caretakers................................. 62 457 45 ( 1 ) 18 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Gaming services workers................................. 84 650 43 ( 1 ) 41 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Motion picture projectionists.............................. 5 ( 1 ) - -5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers............ 7 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Miscellaneous entertainment attendants and

 related workers............................................. 70 415 34 ( 1 ) 36 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Funeral service workers.................................... 6 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Barbers......................................................... 38 ( 1 ) 7 ( 1 ) 31 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists......... 306 496 269 489 37 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Miscellaneous personal appearance workers......... 130 462 102 444 28 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Baggage porters, bellhops, and concierges............ 55 581 11 ( 1 ) 44 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Tour and travel guides....................................... 20 ( 1 ) 11 ( 1 ) 9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Transportation attendants................................. 102 717 68 637 34 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Child care workers.......................................... 435 396 410 393 25 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Personal and home care aides........................... 485 414 394 404 91 475 85.1

Recreation and fitness workers........................... 176 514 105 487 70 639 76.2

Residential advisors.......................................... 52 584 32 ( 1 ) 20 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Personal care and service workers, all other......... 46 ( 1 ) 18 ( 1 ) 28 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Sales and office occupations.................................... 25,232 614 15,635 578 9,597 733 78.9

Sales and related occupations.............................. 10,113 656 4,518 516 5,594 796 64.8

First-line supervisors/managers of retail 

 sales workers................................................ 2,432 669 1,050 556 1,382 781 71.2

First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail 

 sales workers................... ........................... 788 882 233 765 555 947 80.8

Cashiers......................................................... 1,376 360 1,018 349 359 399 87.5

Counter and rental clerks................................. 93 586 35 ( 1 ) 58 671 ( 2 )

Parts salespersons.......................................... 111 519 12 ( 1 ) 99 555 ( 2 )

Retail salespersons.......................................... 1,996 521 848 440 1,148 623 70.6

Advertising sales agents.................................... 181 838 99 804 82 879 91.5

Insurance sales agents.................................... 379 767 198 652 182 994 65.6

Securities, commodities, and financial services 

 sales agents................................................ 290 1,127 84 760 206 1,272 59.7

Travel agents................................................... 64 685 45 ( 1 ) 19 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Sales representatives, services, all other............... 431 926 148 841 283 957 87.9

Sales representatives, wholesale and 

 manufacturing................................................ 1,143 986 299 846 844 1,064 79.5

See footnotes at end of table.

Occupation

Total, both sexes Women Men

Women's 

earnings 

as percent 

of men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

60
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex,

2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Models, demonstrators, and product promoters...... 25 ( 1 ) 18 ( 1 ) 8 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Real estate brokers and sales agents.................. 462 $794 251 $682 211 $952 71.6

Sales engineers............................................. 41 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 39 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Telemarketers................................................ 95 457 61 473 34 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Door-to-door salesworkers, news and street 

 vendors, and related workers........................... 55 507 26 ( 1 ) 29 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Sales and related workers, all other..................... 149 746 90 695 58 809 85.9

Office and administrative support occupations......... 15,119 601 11,117 590 4,003 651 90.6

First-line supervisors/managers of office and 

 administrative support workers........................ 1,500 731 1,029 688 470 848 81.1

Switchboard operators, including answering

 service......................................................... 40 ( 1 ) 34 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Telephone operators....................................... 37 ( 1 ) 27 ( 1 ) 10 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Communications equipment operators, all other...... 7 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Bill and account collectors................................. 206 605 139 597 67 618 96.6

Billing and posting clerks and machine operators... 428 584 386 575 42 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks......... 950 606 865 603 85 645 93.5

Gaming cage workers....................................... 15 ( 1 ) 13 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Payroll and timekeeping clerks........................... 127 690 110 700 17 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Procurement clerks.......................................... 23 ( 1 ) 15 ( 1 ) 8 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Tellers............................................................ 338 469 284 468 54 471 99.4

Brokerage clerks............................................. 3 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) - - ( 2 )

Correspondence clerks.................................... 7 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Court, municipal, and license clerks..................... 92 673 70 643 22 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks............... 58 556 39 ( 1 ) 19 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Customer service representatives........................ 1,511 577 1,015 568 496 607 93.6

Eligibility interviewers, government programs......... 60 665 50 668 9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

File clerks...................................................... 259 549 217 536 42 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks..................... 81 410 58 406 24 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Interviewers, except eligibility and loan.................. 110 581 88 573 22 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Library assistants, clerical................................. 41 ( 1 ) 35 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Loan interviewers and clerks.............................. 114 681 97 643 17 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

New accounts clerks....................................... 24 ( 1 ) 20 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Order clerks................................................... 98 548 54 541 45 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Human resources assistants, except payroll and

 timekeeping................................................... 48 ( 1 ) 40 ( 1 ) 9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Receptionists and information clerks..................... 960 503 896 502 64 537 93.5

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and

 travel clerks................................................... 120 572 70 538 50 752 71.5

Information and record clerks, all other.................. 94 639 87 624 7 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Cargo and freight agents.................................... 17 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) 12 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Couriers and messengers................................. 178 724 24 ( 1 ) 154 755 ( 2 )

Dispatchers................................................... 243 653 134 578 109 722 80.1

Meter readers, utilities....................................... 42 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) 36 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Postal service clerks....................................... 157 877 80 853 77 905 94.3

Postal service mail carriers................................. 338 908 101 803 237 939 85.5

Postal service mail sorters, processors, and

 processing machine operators........................... 84 830 35 ( 1 ) 49 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Production, planning, and expediting clerks............ 249 750 147 690 102 862 80.0

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks.................. 478 543 140 516 338 559 92.3

Stock clerks and order fillers.............................. 1,059 468 371 466 688 470 99.1

Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers,

 recordkeeping................................................ 59 604 26 ( 1 ) 34 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Secretaries and administrative assistants............ 2,575 616 2,485 614 90 736 83.4

See footnotes at end of table.

Occupation

Total, both sexes Women Men

Women's 

earnings 

as percent 

of men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

61
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex,

2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Computer operators.......................................... 112 $673 58 $632 55 $749 84.4

Data entry keyers............................................. 339 586 261 565 77 652 86.7

Word processors and typists.............................. 112 571 102 560 10 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Desktop publishers.......................................... 3 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Insurance claims and policy processing clerks...... 264 593 219 588 44 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Mail clerks and mail machine operators, 

 except postal service....................................... 98 494 50 446 48 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Office clerks, general....................................... 840 585 727 582 113 602 96.7

Office machine operators, except computer......... 30 ( 1 ) 15 ( 1 ) 15 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Proofreaders and copy markers........................... 11 ( 1 ) 8 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Statistical assistants.......................................... 18 ( 1 ) 14 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Office and administrative support workers, all

 other............................................................ 464 657 357 636 107 729 87.2

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance 

 occupations................................................... 11,609 702 450 607 11,159 705 86.1

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations............... 756 420 144 392 612 427 91.8

First-line supervisors/managers of farming,

 fishing, and forestry workers.............................. 35 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) 31 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Agricultural inspectors....................................... 28 ( 1 ) 14 ( 1 ) 14 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Animal breeders............................................. 4 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Graders and sorters, agricultural products............ 63 463 39 ( 1 ) 24 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Miscellaneous agricultural workers..................... 564 394 83 346 481 402 86.1

Fishers and related fishing workers..................... 9 ( 1 ) - -9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Hunters and trappers....................................... 1 ( 1 ) - -1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Forest and conservation workers........................ 5 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Logging workers............................................. 47 ( 1 ) - - 47 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Construction and extraction occupations.................. 6,432 688 139 747 6,293 688 108.6

First-line supervisors/managers of

 construction trades and extraction workers......... 631 947 15 ( 1 ) 615 945 ( 2 )

Boilermakers................................................... 23 ( 1 ) - - 23 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons...... 161 622 1 ( 1 ) 160 624 ( 2 )

Carpenters...................................................... 986 656 11 ( 1 ) 975 655 ( 2 )

Carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers......... 118 621 2 ( 1 ) 116 613 ( 2 )

Cement masons, concrete finishers, and 

 terrazzo workers............................................. 77 574 - - 77 574 ( 2 )

Construction laborers....................................... 1,210 564 31 ( 1 ) 1,180 558 ( 2 )

Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment 

 operators...................................................... 23 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 20 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Pile-driver operators.......................................... 2 ( 1 ) - -2 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Operating engineers and other construction 

 equipment operators....................................... 360 749 6 ( 1 ) 354 744 ( 2 )

Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers... 158 559 3 ( 1 ) 154 556 ( 2 )

Electricians................................................... 728 807 6 ( 1 ) 722 809 ( 2 )

Glaziers......................................................... 41 ( 1 ) - - 41 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Insulation workers............................................. 35 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 31 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Painters, construction and maintenance............... 386 554 20 ( 1 ) 366 556 ( 2 )

Paperhangers................................................ 4 ( 1 ) - -4 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters... 492 784 8 ( 1 ) 484 785 ( 2 )

Plasterers and stucco masons........................... 42 ( 1 ) - - 42 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers..................... 15 ( 1 ) - - 15 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Roofers......................................................... 153 558 1 ( 1 ) 152 560 ( 2 )

Sheet metal workers....................................... 112 732 7 ( 1 ) 105 733 ( 2 )

Structural iron and steel workers........................ 71 871 - - 71 871 ( 2 )

Helpers, construction trades.............................. 94 504 5 ( 1 ) 89 500 ( 2 )

See footnotes at end of table.

Occupation

Total, both sexes Women Men

Women's 

earnings 

as percent 

of men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

62
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex,

2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Construction and building inspectors.................. 84 $854 7 ( 1 ) 77 $849 ( 2 )

Elevator installers and repairers........................... 39 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 36 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Fence erectors................................................ 26 ( 1 ) - - 26 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Hazardous materials removal workers.................. 19 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 17 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Highway maintenance workers........................... 97 659 1 ( 1 ) 96 656 ( 2 )

Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment

 operators...................................................... 16 ( 1 ) - - 16 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners...... 9 ( 1 ) - -9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Miscellaneous construction and related workers...... 24 ( 1 ) - - 24 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Derrick, rotary drill, and service unit operators,

 oil, gas, and mining....................................... 36 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 36 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Earth drillers, except oil and gas........................ 37 ( 1 ) - - 37 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts,

 and blasters................................................... 10 ( 1 ) - -9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Mining machine operators................................. 49 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 48 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Roof bolters, mining.......................................... 4 ( 1 ) - -4 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Roustabouts, oil and gas.................................... 8 ( 1 ) - -8 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Helpers—extraction workers.............................. 6 ( 1 ) - -6 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Other extraction workers.................................... 47 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 47 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations...... 4,420 774 167 $779 4,253 774 100.6

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics,

 installers, and repairers.................................... 297 937 24 ( 1 ) 273 940 ( 2 )

Computer, automated teller, and office machine 

 repairers...................................................... 271 823 31 ( 1 ) 240 805 ( 2 )

Radio and telecommunications equipment 

 installers and repairers.................................... 199 866 27 ( 1 ) 172 881 ( 2 )

Avionics technicians.......................................... 15 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 13 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers...... 19 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 17 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Electrical and electronics installers and

 repairers, transportation equipment.................. 5 ( 1 ) - -5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Electrical and electronics repairers, industrial

 and utility...................................................... 18 ( 1 ) - - 17 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Electronic equipment installers and repairers,

 motor vehicles................................................ 26 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 25 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Electronic home entertainment equipment

 installers and repairers.................................... 52 787 1 ( 1 ) 51 796 ( 2 )

Security and fire alarm systems installers............ 50 745 - - 50 745 ( 2 )

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians............ 144 919 3 ( 1 ) 141 928 ( 2 )

Automotive body and related repairers.................. 116 713 1 ( 1 ) 115 715 ( 2 )

Automotive glass installers and repairers............... 26 ( 1 ) - - 26 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Automotive service technicians and mechanics...... 650 677 9 ( 1 ) 641 678 ( 2 )

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine 

 specialists................................................... 328 763 2 ( 1 ) 326 763 ( 2 )

Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service 

 technicians and mechanics.............................. 202 846 2 ( 1 ) 200 847 ( 2 )

Small engine mechanics.................................... 44 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 43 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Miscellaneous vehicle and mobile equipment

 mechanics, installers, and repairers.................. 69 489 - - 69 489 ( 2 )

Control and valve installers and repairers............ 22 ( 1 ) - - 22 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration 

 mechanics and installers................................. 311 804 5 ( 1 ) 306 805 ( 2 )

Home appliance repairers................................. 31 ( 1 ) - - 31 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Industrial and refractory machinery mechanics...... 419 801 12 ( 1 ) 407 806 ( 2 )

Maintenance and repair workers, general............ 420 720 16 ( 1 ) 404 719 ( 2 )

See footnotes at end of table.

Occupation

Total, both sexes Women Men

Women's 

earnings 

as percent 

of men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

63
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex,

2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Maintenance workers, machinery........................ 40 ( 1 ) - - 40 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Millwrights...................................................... 65 $956 1 ( 1 ) 64 $960 ( 2 )

Electrical power-line installers and repairers......... 97 1,093 1 ( 1 ) 96 1,090 ( 2 )

Telecommunications line installers and repairers... 187 848 7 ( 1 ) 181 836 ( 2 )

Precision instrument and equipment repairers...... 46 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) 40 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Coin, vending, and amusement machine 

 servicers and repairers.................................... 31 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) 27 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Commercial divers.......................................... 1 ( 1 ) - -1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Locksmiths and safe repairers........................... 21 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 20 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Manufactured building and mobile home installers... 7 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Riggers......................................................... 7 ( 1 ) - -7 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Signal and track switch repairers........................ 5 ( 1 ) - -5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Helpers—installation, maintenance, and repair

 workers......................................................... 16 ( 1 ) - - 16 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Other installation, maintenance, and repair

 workers......................................................... 166 639 9 ( 1 ) 156 638 ( 2 )

Production, transportation, and material moving 

 occupations................................................... 14,840 594 3,131 $462 11,709 637 72.5

Production occupations....................................... 8,008 595 2,245 464 5,763 659 70.4

First-line supervisors/managers of production 

 and operating workers.................................... 810 857 140 634 671 899 70.5

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems

 assemblers................................................... 23 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) 16 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Electrical, electronics, and electromechanical 

 assemblers................................................... 185 506 107 453 78 600 75.5

Engine and other machine assemblers.................. 14 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 11 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Structural metal fabricators and fitters.................. 29 ( 1 ) - - 29 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators............ 959 531 337 466 622 581 80.2

Bakers......................................................... 143 426 68 393 75 478 82.2

Butchers and other meat, poultry, and fish

 processing workers....................................... 303 490 81 430 223 512 84.0

Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying

 machine operators and tenders........................ 10 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Food batchmakers.......................................... 66 477 34 ( 1 ) 32 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Food cooking machine operators and tenders...... 5 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Computer control programmers and operators...... 65 810 6 ( 1 ) 59 820 ( 2 )

Extruding and drawing machine setters,

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 9 ( 1 ) - -9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders,

 metal and plastic............................................. 10 ( 1 ) - - 10 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders,

 metal and plastic............................................. 12 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 11 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 104 525 22 ( 1 ) 82 548 ( 2 )

Drilling and boring machine tool setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 2 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine 

 tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and

 plastic......................................................... 52 690 8 ( 1 ) 44 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators,

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 23 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 20 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Milling and planing machine setters, operators,

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 6 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Machinists...................................................... 376 708 25 ( 1 ) 351 715 ( 2 )

See footnotes at end of table.

Occupation

Total, both sexes Women Men

Women's 

earnings 

as percent 

of men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

64
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex,

2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Metal furnace and kiln operators and tenders......... 25 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 24 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Model makers and patternmakers, metal and

 plastic......................................................... 9 ( 1 ) - -9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Molders and molding machine setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 52 $589 11 ( 1 ) 40 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and

 tenders, metal and plastic................................. 3 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Tool and die makers.......................................... 64 946 1 ( 1 ) 64 $952 ( 2 )

Welding, soldering, and brazing workers............... 536 666 22 ( 1 ) 514 673 ( 2 )

Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and

 tenders, metal and plastic................................. 10 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 7 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Lay-out workers, metal and plastic..................... 8 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 7 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Plating and coating machine setters, operators,

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 12 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 11 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners..................... 5 ( 1 ) - -5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Metalworkers and plastic workers, all other............ 356 586 73 $515 283 605 85.1

Bookbinders and bindery workers........................ 29 ( 1 ) 12 ( 1 ) 17 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Job printers................................................... 36 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) 30 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Prepress technicians and workers........................ 37 ( 1 ) 20 ( 1 ) 17 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Printing machine operators................................. 197 631 40 ( 1 ) 157 669 ( 2 )

Laundry and dry-cleaning workers........................ 179 362 106 345 73 414 83.3

Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials... 47 ( 1 ) 37 ( 1 ) 9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Sewing machine operators................................. 175 386 131 383 45 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Shoe and leather workers and repairers............... 3 ( 1 ) - -3 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Shoe machine operators and tenders.................. 3 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) - - ( 2 )

Tailors, dressmakers, and sewers........................ 25 ( 1 ) 20 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators

 and tenders................................................... 3 ( 1 ) - -3 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and

 tenders......................................................... 4 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters,

 operators, and tenders.................................... 3 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out 

 machine setters, operators, and tenders............ 11 ( 1 ) 8 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, 

 and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers............... 3 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Fabric and apparel patternmakers........................ 2 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) - - ( 2 )

Upholsterers................................................... 30 ( 1 ) 7 ( 1 ) 23 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other... 20 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) 14 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters.................. 61 641 4 ( 1 ) 57 655 ( 2 )

Furniture finishers............................................. 9 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 7 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Sawing machine setters, operators, and 

 tenders, wood................................................ 38 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 35 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and

 tenders, except sawing................................... 18 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) 12 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Woodworkers, all other.................................... 17 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) 13 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Power plant operators, distributors, and

 dispatchers................................................... 53 960 6 ( 1 ) 47 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Stationary engineers and boiler operators............ 97 848 1 ( 1 ) 96 849 ( 2 )

Water and liquid waste treatment plant and 

 system operators.......................................... 73 705 4 ( 1 ) 69 693 ( 2 )

Miscellaneous plant and system operators............ 34 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 33 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Chemical processing machine setters, 

 operators, and tenders.................................... 51 918 6 ( 1 ) 45 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

See footnotes at end of table.

Occupation

Total, both sexes Women Men

Women's 

earnings 

as percent 

of men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

65
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex,

2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Crushing, grinding, polishing, mixing, and 

 blending workers.......................................... 106 $596 18 ( 1 ) 88 $576 ( 2 )

Cutting workers................................................ 72 502 18 ( 1 ) 55 514 ( 2 )

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting

 machine setters, operators, and tenders............ 29 ( 1 ) 8 ( 1 ) 21 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators

 and tenders................................................... 11 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 8 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and

 weighers...................................................... 711 660 301 $527 409 765 68.9

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers... 28 ( 1 ) 13 ( 1 ) 16 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Medical, dental, and ophthalmic laboratory 

 technicians................................................... 73 582 39 ( 1 ) 34 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Packaging and filling machine operators and 

 tenders......................................................... 240 449 131 401 109 501 80.0

Painting workers............................................. 163 565 19 ( 1 ) 144 579 ( 2 )

Photographic process workers and processing 

 machine operators.......................................... 32 ( 1 ) 16 ( 1 ) 16 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Semiconductor processors................................. 5 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Cementing and gluing machine operators and

 tenders......................................................... 9 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling

 equipment operators and tenders..................... 2 ( 1 ) - -2 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Cooling and freezing equipment operators and

 tenders......................................................... 1 ( 1 ) - -1 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Etchers and engravers....................................... 3 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal

 and plastic................................................... 33 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 30 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and

 tenders......................................................... 41 ( 1 ) 12 ( 1 ) 29 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Tire builders................................................... 12 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 9 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Helpers—production workers.............................. 31 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) 26 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Production workers, all other.............................. 866 545 251 485 615 592 81.9

Transportation and material moving occupations...... 6,832 593 886 455 5,946 615 74.0

Supervisors, transportation and material moving 

 workers......................................................... 215 761 38 ( 1 ) 177 796 ( 2 )

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers........................ 92 1,390 4 ( 1 ) 88 1,399 ( 2 )

Air traffic controllers and airfield operations

 specialists................................................... 26 ( 1 ) 7 ( 1 ) 19 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Ambulance drivers and attendants, except

 emergency medical technicians........................ 16 ( 1 ) 4 ( 1 ) 12 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Bus drivers...................................................... 372 561 171 507 201 605 83.8

Driver/salesworkers and truck drivers.................. 2,729 702 116 542 2,613 709 76.4

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs................................. 208 503 30 ( 1 ) 179 514 ( 2 )

Motor vehicle operators, all other........................ 33 ( 1 ) 6 ( 1 ) 27 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Locomotive engineers and operators.................. 53 1,223 2 ( 1 ) 51 1,207 ( 2 )

Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators......... 5 ( 1 ) - -5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Railroad conductors and yardmasters.................. 53 1,067 2 ( 1 ) 51 1,080 ( 2 )

Subway, streetcar, and other rail transportation

 workers......................................................... 22 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) 16 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Sailors and marine oilers.................................... 13 ( 1 ) - - 13 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Ship and boat captains and operators.................. 36 ( 1 ) 3 ( 1 ) 33 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Ship engineers................................................ 4 ( 1 ) - -4 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Bridge and lock tenders.................................... 7 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Parking lot attendants....................................... 50 436 3 ( 1 ) 46 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

See footnotes at end of table.

Occupation

Total, both sexes Women Men

Women's 

earnings 

as percent 

of men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

66
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex,

2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Service station attendants................................. 64 $373 7 ( 1 ) 56 $378 ( 2 )

Transportation inspectors................................. 44 ( 1 ) 7 ( 1 ) 37 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Other transportation workers.............................. 13 ( 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 11 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Conveyor operators and tenders........................ 6 ( 1 ) - -6 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Crane and tower operators................................. 68 925 2 ( 1 ) 66 933 ( 2 )

Dredge, excavating, and loading machine

 operators...................................................... 41 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 39 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Hoist and winch operators................................. 4 ( 1 ) - -4 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Industrial truck and tractor operators..................... 551 534 40 ( 1 ) 511 533 ( 2 )

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment..................... 227 428 19 ( 1 ) 208 437 ( 2 )

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, 

 hand............................................................ 1,392 501 198 $417 1,194 508 82.1

Machine feeders and offbearers........................ 29 ( 1 ) 13 ( 1 ) 16 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Packers and packagers, hand........................... 315 388 186 368 129 410 89.8

Pumping station operators................................. 23 ( 1 ) 1 ( 1 ) 22 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Refuse and recyclable material collectors............ 70 475 10 ( 1 ) 61 493 ( 2 )

Shuttle car operators....................................... 5 ( 1 ) - -5 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Tank car, truck, and ship loaders........................ 4 ( 1 ) - -4 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Material moving workers, all other........................ 43 ( 1 ) 8 ( 1 ) 35 ( 1 ) ( 2 )

Occupation

Total, both sexes Women Men

Women's 

earnings 

as percent 

of men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

 1 Data not shown where the employment base is less than 50,000.

 2 Data not shown where the employment base for either the numerator or denominator is less than 50,000.

 NOTE: Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet publication criteria.

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

67
Table 19. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by industry and sex, 

2008 annual averages

 Total, 16 years and over......................... 106,648 $722 47,209 $638 59,439 $798 79.9

Agriculture and related industries .................... 944 462 171 436 773 469 93.0

Mining .............................................................. 764 1,007 88 814 676 1,042 78.1

Construction .................................................... 7,489 715 679 672 6,810 719 93.5

Manufacturing .................................................. 14,548 743 4,112 601 10,437 811 74.1

Durable goods .............................................. 9,435 774 2,322 633 7,113 834 75.9

Nondurable goods ........................................ 5,114 686 1,790 563 3,324 764 73.7

Wholesale and retail trade ............................... 14,204 603 5,637 510 8,566 683 74.7

Wholesale trade ........................................... 3,364 741 942 674 2,422 769 87.6

Retail trade ................................................... 10,840 565 4,695 486 6,144 642 75.7

Transportation and utilities .............................. 6,377 811 1,387 684 4,990 859 79.6

Transportation and warehousing .................. 5,178 775 1,155 662 4,023 812 81.5

Utilities .......................................................... 1,199 1,005 232 820 967 1,066 76.9

Information ....................................................... 2,822 891 1,130 761 1,692 999 76.2

Financial activities ........................................... 7,988 814 4,495 712 3,493 1,015 70.1

Finance and insurance ................................. 6,163 856 3,669 726 2,495 1,171 62.0

Real estate and rental and leasing ............... 1,825 704 826 653 999 750 87.1

Professional and business services ................ 10,733 839 4,437 724 6,296 954 75.9

Professional and technical services ............. 6,647 1,065 2,867 859 3,780 1,268 67.7

Management, administrative, and waste

 services...................................................... 4,085 550 1,569 521 2,516 569 91.6

Education and health services ......................... 23,324 739 17,264 690 6,060 910 75.8

Educational services .................................... 10,108 828 6,963 775 3,145 939 82.5

Health care and social assistance ................ 13,216 667 10,301 628 2,915 869 72.3

Leisure and hospitality ..................................... 7,036 477 3,214 421 3,822 510 82.5

Arts, entertainment, and recreation .............. 1,613 594 645 522 967 647 80.7

Accomodation and food services ................. 5,423 436 2,569 400 2,855 483 82.8

Other services ................................................. 4,058 610 1,798 516 2,260 698 73.9

Other services, except private households .. 3,660 629 1,444 555 2,215 700 79.3

Private households ....................................... 398 419 353 406 45 ( 1 ) ( 1 )

Public administration........................................ 6,362 887 2,798 756 3,563 993 76.1

Industry

Total, both sexes Women Men Women's 

earnings as 

percent of 

men's

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Total 

employed

Median 

weekly 

earnings

 1 Data not shown where the employment base is less than 50,000.

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

68
Table 20. Employed persons by full- and part-time status and sex, 1970-2008 annual averages 

(Numbers in thousands)

Total employed Usually full time 1 Usually part time 2 Percent usually

full time

Percent usually

part time

1970.................. 78,678 66,753 11,925 84.8 15.2

1971.................. 79,367 66,973 12,393 84.4 15.6

1972 3

............... 82,153 69,214 12,939 84.3 15.7

1973 3

............... 85,064 71,803 13,262 84.4 15.6

1974.................. 86,794 73,093 13,701 84.2 15.8

1975.................. 85,846 71,586 14,260 83.4 16.6

1976.................. 88,752 73,964 14,788 83.3 16.7

1977.................. 92,017 76,625 15,391 83.3 16.7

1978 3............... 96,048 80,193 15,855 83.5 16.5

1979................. 98,824 82,654 16,171 83.6 16.4

1980................. 99,303 82,562 16,740 83.1 16.9

1981................. 100,397 83,243 17,154 82.9 17.1

1982................. 99,526 81,421 18,106 81.8 18.2

1983................. 100,834 82,322 18,511 81.6 18.4

1984................. 105,005 86,544 18,462 82.4 17.6

1985.................. 107,150 88,534 18,615 82.6 17.4

1986 3............... 109,597 90,529 19,069 82.6 17.4

1987................... 112,440 92,957 19,483 82.7 17.3

1988.................. 114,968 95,214 19,754 82.8 17.2

1989.................. 117,342 97,369 19,973 83.0 17.0

1990 3............... 118,793 98,666 20,128 83.1 16.9

1991.................. 117,718 97,190 20,528 82.6 17.4

1992.................. 118,492 97,664 20,828 82.4 17.6

1993................ 120,259 99,114 21,145 82.4 17.6

1994 3

............... 123,060 99,772 23,288 81.1 18.9

1995.................. 124,900 101,679 23,220 81.4 18.6

1996................ 126,708 103,537 23,170 81.7 18.3

1997 3

.............. 129,558 106,334 23,224 82.1 17.9

1998 3

............... 131,463 108,202 23,261 82.3 17.7

1999 3............... 133,488 110,302 23,186 82.6 17.4

2000 3

............... 136,891 113,846 23,044 83.2 16.8

2001................. 136,933 113,573 23,361 82.9 17.1

2002.................. 136,485 112,700 23,785 82.6 17.4

2003 3.............. 137,736 113,324 24,412 82.3 17.7

2004 ............... 139,252 114,518 24,734 82.2 17.8

2005 ............... 141,730 117,016 24,714 82.6 17.4

2006 ............... 144,427 119,688 24,739 82.9 17.1

2007 ............... 146,047 121,091 24,956 82.9 17.1

2008 3

.............. 145,362 120,030 25,332 82.6 17.4

 See footnotes at end of table.

Year

Total, both sexes

69
Table 20. Employed persons by full- and part-time status and sex, 1970-2008 annual 

averages―Continued 

(Numbers in thousands)

Total employed Usually full time 1 Usually part time 2 Percent usually

full time

Percent usually

part time

1970.................. 29,688 21,929 7,758 73.9 26.1 

1971.................. 29,976 21,950 8,026 73.2 26.8 

1972 3............... 31,257 22,842 8,416 73.1 26.9 

1973 3

............... 32,715 23,960 8,756 73.2 26.8 

1974.................. 33,769 24,714 9,055 73.2 26.8 

1975.................. 33,989 24,598 9,391 72.4 27.6 

1976.................. 35,615 25,814 9,799 72.5 27.5 

1977.................. 37,289 27,076 10,213 72.6 27.4 

1978 3

............... 39,569 28,912 10,658 73.1 26.9 

1979................. 41,217 30,227 10,990 73.3 26.7 

1980................. 42,117 30,845 11,270 73.2 26.8 

1981................. 43,000 31,337 11,664 72.9 27.1 

1982................. 43,256 31,086 12,170 71.9 28.1 

1983................. 44,047 31,679 12,367 71.9 28.1 

1984................. 45,915 33,473 12,441 72.9 27.1 

1985.................. 47,259 34,672 12,587 73.4 26.6 

1986 3

............... 48,706 35,845 12,862 73.6 26.4 

1987................... 50,334 37,210 13,124 73.9 26.1 

1988.................. 51,696 38,398 13,298 74.3 25.7 

1989.................. 53,027 39,484 13,544 74.5 25.5 

1990 3

............... 53,689 40,165 13,524 74.8 25.2 

1991.................. 53,496 39,783 13,713 74.4 25.6 

1992.................. 54,052 40,301 13,751 74.6 25.4 

1993................ 54,910 40,991 13,919 74.7 25.3 

1994 3

............... 56,610 40,940 15,670 72.3 27.7 

1995.................. 57,523 41,743 15,779 72.6 27.4 

1996................ 58,501 42,776 15,725 73.1 26.9 

1997 3

.............. 59,873 44,076 15,797 73.6 26.4 

1998 3

............... 60,771 45,014 15,757 74.1 25.9 

1999 3

............... 62,042 46,372 15,670 74.7 25.3 

2000 3

............... 63,586 47,916 15,670 75.4 24.6 

2001................. 63,737 47,950 15,788 75.2 24.8 

2002.................. 63,582 47,494 16,088 74.7 25.3 

2003 3

.............. 64,404 47,946 16,459 74.4 25.6 

2004 ............... 64,728 48,073 16,654 74.3 25.7 

2005 ............... 65,757 49,158 16,598 74.8 25.2 

2006 ............... 66,925 50,380 16,545 75.3 24.7 

2007 ............... 67,792 51,056 16,736 75.3 24.7 

2008 3

.............. 67,876 51,178 16,698 75.4 24.6 

 See footnotes at end of table.

Year

Women

70
Table 20. Employed persons by full- and part-time status and sex, 1970-2008 annual 

averages―Continued 

(Numbers in thousands)

Total employed Usually full time 1 Usually part time 2 Percent usually

full time

Percent usually

part time

1970.................. 48,990 44,825 4,166 91.5 8.5

1971.................. 49,390 45,023 4,367 91.2 8.8

1972 3

............... 50,896 46,373 4,523 91.1 8.9

1973 3

............... 52,349 47,843 4,507 91.4 8.6

1974.................. 53,024 48,378 4,646 91.2 8.8

1975.................. 51,857 46,988 4,870 90.6 9.4

1976.................. 53,138 48,150 4,988 90.6 9.4

1977.................. 54,728 49,551 5,178 90.5 9.5

1978 3

............... 56,479 51,281 5,198 90.8 9.2

1979................. 57,607 52,427 5,180 91.0 9.0

1980................. 57,186 51,717 5,471 90.4 9.6

1981................. 57,397 51,906 5,492 90.4 9.6

1982................. 56,271 50,334 5,937 89.4 10.6

1983................. 56,787 50,643 6,145 89.2 10.8

1984................. 59,091 53,070 6,020 89.8 10.2

1985.................. 59,891 53,862 6,028 89.9 10.1

1986 3

............... 60,892 54,685 6,207 89.8 10.2

1987................... 62,107 55,746 6,360 89.8 10.2

1988.................. 63,273 56,816 6,457 89.8 10.2

1989.................. 64,315 57,885 6,430 90.0 10.0

1990 3............... 65,104 58,501 6,604 89.9 10.1

1991.................. 64,223 57,407 6,815 89.4 10.6

1992.................. 64,440 57,363 7,077 89.0 11.0

1993................ 65,349 58,123 7,226 88.9 11.1

1994 3

............... 66,450 58,832 7,617 88.5 11.5

1995.................. 67,377 59,936 7,441 89.0 11.0

1996................ 68,207 60,762 7,445 89.1 10.9

1997 3

.............. 69,685 62,258 7,427 89.3 10.7

1998 3

............... 70,693 63,189 7,504 89.4 10.6

1999 3

............... 71,446 63,930 7,516 89.5 10.5

 See footnotes at end of table.

Year

Men

71
Table 20. Employed persons by full- and part-time status and sex, 1970-2008 annual 

averages―Continued 

(Numbers in thousands)

Total employed Usually full time 1 Usually part time 2 Percent usually

full time

Percent usually

part time

2000 3

............... 73,305 65,930 7,375 89.9 10.1

2001................. 73,196 65,623 7,573 89.7 10.3

2002.................. 72,903 65,205 7,697 89.4 10.6

2003 3.............. 73,332 65,379 7,953 89.2 10.8

2004 ............... 74,524 66,444 8,080 89.2 10.8

2005 ............... 75,973 67,858 8,115 89.3 10.7

2006 ............... 77,502 69,307 8,194 89.4 10.6

2007 ............... 78,254 70,035 8,220 89.5 10.5

2008 3

.............. 77,486 68,853 8,634 88.9 11.1

Year

Men

1 Prior to 1994, total includes persons who usually

work part-time but who worked 35 or more hours

during the reference week; for 1994 and later years,

such persons were included in the part-time total. In

all years, the total includes those who usually work full

time but who worked less than 35 hours during the

reference week for noneconomic reasons, such as

illness or holiday, and those absent from work for the

entire reference week who usually work full time.

These groups are not shown separately. 2 For all years, total includes those who usually

work less than 35 hours a week but who were

absent from work for the entire reference week and

for 1994 and later years, those who worked 35 or more

hours during the reference week. These groups are

not shown separately. 3 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 Historical

Comparability documentation provided at 

http://www.bls.gov/cps/eetech_methods.pdf.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S.

Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

72
Table 21. Average weekly hours at work in all industries and in 

nonagricultural industries by sex, 1976-2008 annual averages 

All industries Nonagricultural industries

Total Women Men Total Women Men

1976....... 38.7 34.1 41.7 38.4 34.1 41.4

1977....... 38.8 34.2 41.9 38.5 34.2 41.6

1978 1

...... 39.0 34.5 42.1 38.7 34.4 41.8

1979......... 38.9 34.5 42.0 38.6 34.4 41.7

1980....... 38.5 34.5 41.5 38.3 34.4 41.2

1981....... 38.1 34.1 41.1 37.9 34.1 40.7

1982......... 38.0 34.1 40.9 37.7 34.0 40.6

1983....... 38.3 34.5 41.2 38.1 34.4 41.0

1984......... 38.8 34.9 41.8 38.6 34.9 41.5

1985......... 39.0 35.2 42.0 38.9 35.2 41.8

1986 1...... 39.1 35.4 42.1 38.9 35.3 41.9

1987....... 39.0 35.3 42.0 38.8 35.3 41.8

1988....... 39.4 35.7 42.4 39.3 35.7 42.2

1989......... 39.6 35.8 42.6 39.4 35.8 42.4

1990 1

...... 39.4 35.8 42.3 39.3 35.8 42.1

1991......... 39.2 35.8 42.0 39.1 35.8 41.9

1992....... 38.9 35.6 41.7 38.8 35.6 41.6

1993......... 39.4 36.0 42.2 39.3 36.0 42.1

1994 1...... 39.2 35.5 42.2 39.1 35.6 42.1

1995....... 39.3 35.6 42.3 39.2 35.7 42.2

1996......... 39.3 35.7 42.3 39.2 35.7 42.2

1997 1...... 39.5 36.0 42.4 39.4 36.0 42.3

1998 1...... 39.3 35.8 42.2 39.2 35.9 42.2

1999 1

...... 39.6 36.2 42.4 39.5 36.2 42.4

2000 1

...... 39.7 36.4 42.5 39.6 36.4 42.4

2001......... 39.2 36.1 41.9 39.2 36.1 41.8

2002....... 39.2 36.0 41.8 39.1 36.1 41.7

2003 1

...... 39.0 35.9 41.7 39.0 35.9 41.6

2004....... 39.0 35.9 41.7 39.0 35.9 41.6

2005....... 39.2 36.1 41.8 39.1 36.1 41.7

2006......... 39.2 36.2 41.8 39.2 36.2 41.7

2007......... 39.2 36.1 41.7 39.1 36.1 41.6

2008 1...... 38.9 36.1 41.3 38.8 36.1 41.2

 

Year

1 The comparability of historical data has been affected at various times by

methodological and conceptual changes in the Current Population Survey

(CPS). For an explanation, see the Historical Comparability documentation

provided at http://www.bls.gov/cps/eetech_methods.pdf.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau

of Labor Statistics. 

73
Table 22. Work experience of the population by sex and full- and part-time status, selected years, 1970-2007

(Percent distribution)

Year

Total

Total, both sexes 

1970...................... 138,953 93,850 67.5 100.0 79.4 55.6 23.8 20.6 6.7 13.9 

1975...................... 153,180 102,603 67.0 100.0 78.9 54.3 24.6 21.2 7.5 13.7 

1980...................... 169,452 115,752 68.3 100.0 78.5 56.1 22.4 21.4 7.7 13.7 

1985...................... 179,944 123,466 68.6 100.0 78.2 58.7 19.5 21.9 8.3 13.6 

1990 1

..................... 189,238 132,562 70.1 100.0 78.8 60.4 18.4 21.3 8.7 12.6 

1995...................... 199,925 138,971 69.5 100.0 78.6 62.9 15.7 21.3 9.1 12.2 

2000 1

..................... 214,292 150,787 70.4 100.0 80.4 66.7 13.7 19.5 9.3 10.2 

2005........................227,975 154,322 67.7 100.0 80.3 67.5 12.8 19.7 10.0 9.7 

2006........................231,033 156,658 67.8 100.0 80.9 68.4 12.5 19.1 9.7 9.4 

2007........................232,995 157,653 67.7 100.0 80.9 68.4 12.5 19.1 9.8 9.3 

Women

1970...................... 73,657 38,809 52.7 100.0 67.9 40.7 27.2 32.2 10.1 22.1 

1975...................... 80,834 43,511 53.8 100.0 67.1 41.4 25.7 32.8 11.7 21.1 

1980...................... 89,259 51,492 57.7 100.0 67.7 44.7 23.0 32.3 11.9 20.4 

1985...................... 94,490 56,165 59.4 100.0 68.1 48.9 19.2 31.8 12.3 19.5 

1990 1

..................... 98,970 61,494 62.1 100.0 69.8 51.5 18.3 30.2 12.8 17.4 

1995...................... 104,058 65,304 62.8 100.0 70.2 54.3 15.9 29.7 13.3 16.4 

2000 1

..................... 111,440 71,341 64.0 100.0 72.9 58.4 14.5 27.1 13.4 13.7 

2005........................117,814 72,309 61.4 100.0 72.7 59.9 12.8 27.3 14.1 13.2 

2006........................119,300 73,527 61.6 100.0 73.0 60.7 12.3 27.0 14.1 12.9 

2007........................120,300 74,115 61.6 100.0 73.6 61.5 12.1 26.4 14.2 12.2 

Men

1970...................... 65,296 55,041 84.3 100.0 87.6 66.1 21.5 12.4 4.4 8.0 

1975...................... 72,346 59,091 81.7 100.0 87.5 63.8 23.7 12.5 4.4 8.1 

1980...................... 80,193 64,260 80.1 100.0 87.2 65.2 22.0 12.8 4.4 8.4 

1985...................... 85,454 67,301 78.8 100.0 86.5 66.8 19.7 13.5 4.8 8.7 

1990 1

..................... 90,269 71,068 78.7 100.0 86.4 68.0 18.4 13.5 5.1 8.4 

1995...................... 95,867 73,667 76.8 100.0 86.2 70.6 15.6 13.9 5.5 8.4 

2000 1

..................... 102,853 79,446 77.2 100.0 87.5 74.2 13.3 12.6 5.5 7.1 

2005........................110,161 82,013 74.4 100.0 87.0 74.2 12.8 13.0 6.3 6.7 

2006........................111,733 83,131 74.4 100.0 87.8 75.2 12.6 12.2 5.7 6.5 

2007........................112,695 83,538 74.1 100.0 87.4 74.6 12.8 12.6 5.9 6.7 

50 to 52

weeks

1 to 49

weeks Total 50 to 52weeks

1 to 49

weeks

Population 

(in 

thousands)

With work experience Percent distribution by work experience

Total 

(in 

thousands)

Percent of 

population

Usually work full time Usually work part time

Total

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 Historical Comparability documentation

provided at http://www.bls.gov/cps/eetech_methods.pdf.

 NOTE: These data, collected in the Annual Social and

Economic Supplement, reflect the work experience of the

entire year. 

 SOURCE: Annual Social and Economic Supplements, 

1971-2008, Current Population Survey, U.S. Department

of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

74
Table 23. Married-couple families by number and relationship of earners, 1967-2007

(Numbers in thousands)

Married-couple families

Total Husband 

only

Wife 

only

Other 

family 

member

Total

Husband 

and 

wife

Husband 

and other 

family 

member

Wife and 

other 

family 

member

Husband 

and wife 

are not 

earners

1967....... 43,292 2,943 16,490 15,429 716 345 23,859 18,888 4,639 - -

1968....... 43,842 2,888 16,375 15,310 730 335 24,579 19,743 4,522 - -

1969....... 44,436 3,022 16,268 15,133 797 339 25,145 20,327 4,517 - -

1970......... 44,832 3,252 16,117 14,931 867 320 25,464 20,510 4,622 - -

1971......... 45,939 3,471 16,847 15,502 1,004 340 25,621 20,641 4,651 - -

1972....... 46,594 3,632 16,787 15,387 1,003 398 26,175 21,279 4,553 - -

1973......... 47,185 4,027 16,080 14,547 1,110 423 27,078 22,152 4,535 - -

1974......... 47,438 4,325 15,795 14,122 1,216 457 27,319 22,451 4,442 - -

1975......... 47,878 4,943 16,217 14,343 1,394 481 26,717 22,338 3,861 - -

1976....... 48,150 4,962 15,630 13,690 1,424 516 27,559 23,104 3,829 - -

1977......... 48,131 5,177 15,119 13,153 1,456 512 27,835 23,474 3,812 - -

1978......... 48,532 5,226 14,456 12,434 1,509 513 28,850 24,655 3,609 - -

1979......... 49,132 5,559 13,912 11,934 1,499 480 29,660 25,595 3,476 - -

1980....... 49,316 5,903 13,900 11,621 1,707 573 29,513 25,557 3,380 - -

1981....... 49,669 6,213 13,832 11,524 1,680 628 29,624 25,729 3,212 - -

1982....... 49,947 6,427 14,235 11,575 2,048 613 29,285 25,387 3,149 - -

1983......... 50,134 6,549 13,692 11,100 1,944 647 29,893 26,119 2,996 - -

1984....... 50,395 6,630 12,952 10,472 1,852 628 30,814 27,035 2,891 - -

1985......... 50,978 6,693 12,961 10,406 1,897 658 31,324 27,787 2,764 - -

1986....... 51,574 6,731 12,565 9,984 1,917 664 32,278 28,811 2,730 - -

1987....... 51,847 6,741 12,435 9,787 1,946 702 32,671 29,369 2,576 - -

1988....... 52,149 6,754 11,876 9,463 1,777 636 33,519 30,536 2,303 532 148 

1989......... 52,385 6,812 11,748 9,212 1,840 695 33,825 30,879 2,373 435 138 

1990....... 52,241 6,770 11,630 9,107 1,826 698 33,841 30,829 2,369 479 164 

1991....... 52,549 7,091 11,523 8,873 1,993 657 33,935 31,049 2,161 527 197 

1992....... 53,254 7,256 11,977 9,114 2,145 718 34,021 31,268 1,940 624 199 

1993......... 53,248 7,282 11,842 8,745 2,411 687 34,123 31,302 2,051 614 156 

1994......... 53,929 7,227 11,774 8,719 2,374 681 34,928 32,125 2,048 603 151 

1995....... 53,621 7,278 11,739 8,821 2,253 664 34,604 32,061 1,878 539 127 

1996....... 53,654 7,148 11,556 8,671 2,214 671 34,950 32,406 1,899 522 123 

1997....... 54,362 7,289 11,728 8,792 2,302 634 35,345 32,764 1,853 569 158 

1998......... 54,829 7,257 12,279 9,198 2,419 662 35,293 32,810 1,726 616 141 

1999....... 55,352 7,163 12,328 9,093 2,595 640 35,861 33,360 1,815 519 167 

2000......... 56,643 7,463 12,717 9,515 2,601 600 36,463 33,892 1,865 566 139 

2001....... 56,798 7,666 12,907 9,621 2,698 588 36,224 33,696 1,898 501 129 

2002....... 57,362 7,803 13,487 10,109 2,818 560 36,071 33,547 1,845 558 121 

2003....... 57,767 8,043 14,051 10,469 3,026 557 35,673 33,220 1,789 548 117 

2004......... 58,045 7,996 14,352 10,821 2,991 540 35,696 33,131 1,832 610 123 

2005......... 58,225 8,017 14,292 10,603 3,096 593 35,915 33,380 1,818 597 121 

2006......... 59,050 8,091 14,545 10,693 3,261 591 36,414 33,880 1,752 639 142 

2007......... 58,490 7,914 14,264 10,392 3,265 608 36,312 33,718 1,847 597 149 

 See note at end of table.

Two earners or more

Year

Total No 

earners

One earner

75
Table 23. Married-couple families by number and relationship of earners, 1967-2007—Continued

(Percent distribution)

Married-couple families

Total Husband 

only

Wife 

only

Other 

family 

member

Total Husband 

and wife

Husband 

and other 

family 

member

Wife and 

other 

family 

member

Husband 

and wife 

are not 

earners

1967........ 100.0 6.8 38.1 35.6 1.7 0.8 55.1 43.6 10.7 - -

1968......... 100.0 6.6 37.4 34.9 1.7 .8 56.1 45.0 10.3 - -

1969......... 100.0 6.8 36.6 34.1 1.8 .8 56.6 45.7 10.2 - -

1970......... 100.0 7.3 35.9 33.3 1.9 .7 56.8 45.7 10.3 - -

1971......... 100.0 7.6 36.7 33.7 2.2 .7 55.8 44.9 10.1 - -

1972......... 100.0 7.8 36.0 33.0 2.2 .9 56.2 45.7 9.8 - -

1973......... 100.0 8.5 34.1 30.8 2.4 .9 57.4 46.9 9.6 - -

1974......... 100.0 9.1 33.3 29.8 2.6 1.0 57.6 47.3 9.4 - -

1975......... 100.0 10.3 33.9 30.0 2.9 1.0 55.8 46.7 8.1 - -

1976......... 100.0 10.3 32.5 28.4 3.0 1.1 57.2 48.0 8.0 - -

1977....... 100.0 10.8 31.4 27.3 3.0 1.1 57.8 48.8 7.9 - -

1978....... 100.0 10.8 29.8 25.6 3.1 1.1 59.4 50.8 7.4 - -

1979....... 100.0 11.3 28.3 24.3 3.1 1.0 60.4 52.1 7.1 - -

1980....... 100.0 12.0 28.2 23.6 3.5 1.2 59.8 51.8 6.9 - -

1981....... 100.0 12.5 27.8 23.2 3.4 1.3 59.6 51.8 6.5 - -

1982....... 100.0 12.9 28.5 23.2 4.1 1.2 58.6 50.8 6.3 - -

1983....... 100.0 13.1 27.3 22.1 3.9 1.3 59.6 52.1 6.0 - -

1984....... 100.0 13.2 25.7 20.8 3.7 1.2 61.1 53.6 5.7 - -

1985....... 100.0 13.1 25.4 20.4 3.7 1.3 61.4 54.5 5.4 - -

1986....... 100.0 13.1 24.4 19.4 3.7 1.3 62.6 55.9 5.3 - -

1987....... 100.0 13.0 24.0 18.9 3.8 1.4 63.0 56.6 5.0 - -

1988....... 100.0 13.0 22.8 18.1 3.4 1.2 64.3 58.6 4.4 1.0 0.3 

1989....... 100.0 13.0 22.4 17.6 3.5 1.3 64.6 58.9 4.5 .8 .3 

1990......... 100.0 13.0 22.3 17.4 3.5 1.3 64.8 59.0 4.5 .9 .3 

1991......... 100.0 13.5 21.9 16.9 3.8 1.3 64.6 59.1 4.1 1.0 .4 

1992......... 100.0 13.6 22.5 17.1 4.0 1.3 63.9 58.7 3.6 1.2 .4 

1993......... 100.0 13.7 22.2 16.4 4.5 1.3 64.1 58.8 3.9 1.2 .3 

1994....... 100.0 13.4 21.8 16.2 4.4 1.3 64.8 59.6 3.8 1.1 .3 

1995....... 100.0 13.6 21.9 16.5 4.2 1.2 64.5 59.8 3.5 1.0 .2 

1996....... 100.0 13.3 21.5 16.2 4.1 1.3 65.1 60.4 3.5 1.0 .2 

1997....... 100.0 13.4 21.6 16.2 4.2 1.2 65.0 60.3 3.4 1.0 .3 

1998....... 100.0 13.2 22.4 16.8 4.4 1.2 64.4 59.8 3.1 1.1 .3 

1999....... 100.0 12.9 22.3 16.4 4.7 1.2 64.8 60.3 3.3 .9 .3 

2000......... 100.0 13.2 22.5 16.8 4.6 1.1 64.4 59.8 3.3 1.0 .2 

2001....... 100.0 13.5 22.7 16.9 4.8 1.0 63.8 59.3 3.3 .9 .2 

2002......... 100.0 13.6 23.5 17.6 4.9 1.0 62.9 58.5 3.2 1.0 .2 

2003....... 100.0 13.9 24.3 18.1 5.2 1.0 61.8 57.5 3.1 .9 .2 

2004......... 100.0 13.8 24.7 18.6 5.2 .9 61.5 57.1 3.2 1.0 .2 

2005......... 100.0 13.8 24.5 18.2 5.3 1.0 61.7 57.3 3.1 1.0 .2 

2006......... 100.0 13.7 24.6 18.1 5.5 1.0 61.7 57.4 3.0 1.1 .2 

2007......... 100.0 13.5 24.4 17.8 5.6 1.0 62.1 57.6 3.2 1.0 .3 

Year

Total No 

earners

One earner Two earners or more

NOTE: These data, collected in the Annual Social

and Economic Supplement, reflect the earnings and

work experience of the entire year. Dash indicates data

not available. 

SOURCE: Annual Social and Economic Supplements,

1968-2008, Current Population Survey, U.S. Department

of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

76
Table 24. Contribution of wives' earnings to 

family income, 1970-2007

1970............................... 26.6

1971............................... 27.5

1972................................. 26.7

1973............................... 26.0

1974............................... 25.4

1975............................... 26.3

1976............................... 26.4

1977............................... 26.1

1978................................. 26.1

1979................................. 26.0

1980............................... 26.7

1981................................. 27.3

1982................................. 28.4

1983............................... 28.8

1984............................... 28.4

1985............................... 28.3

1986................................. 29.0

1987................................. 29.5

1988................................. 29.6

1989............................... 29.9

1990............................... 30.7

1991............................... 31.3

1992............................... 32.4

1993............................... 32.2

1994............................... 31.9

1995............................... 31.9

1996............................... 32.6

1997............................... 32.7

1998............................... 32.8

1999............................... 32.8

2000............................... 33.5

2001............................... 34.4

2002............................... 34.8

2003............................... 35.2

2004................................. 34.9

2005................................. 35.1

2006................................. 35.6

2007................................. 36.0

Year

Contribution to 

family income 

(median percent)

NOTE: These data, collected in the Annual Social

and Economic Supplement, reflect the earnings and

work experience of the entire year. 

SOURCE: Annual Social and Economic

Supplements, 1971-2008, Current Population Survey,

U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics. 

77
Table 25. Wives who earn more than their husbands, 1987-2007

(Numbers in thousands)

Married-couple 

families in which 

wife (but not 

necessarily 

husband) had 

earnings from 

work

Wives who earn

more than 

their 

husbands 1

Percent of wives

who earn more 

than their 

husbands 1

Married-couple 

families in which 

both wife and 

husband had 

earnings from 

work

Wives who earn

more than 

their

husbands 2

Percent of wives

who earn more 

than their 

husbands 2

1987.................. 32,025 7,581 23.7 29,755 5,311 17.8

1988.................. 32,810 7,827 23.9 30,503 5,520 18.1

1989.................. 33,119 8,068 24.4 30,848 5,796 18.8

1990.................. 33,093 8,221 24.8 30,794 5,923 19.2

1991.................. 33,516 8,983 26.8 30,998 6,465 20.9

1992.................. 33,987 9,715 28.6 31,221 6,948 22.3

1993.................. 34,286 10,000 29.2 31,264 6,978 22.3

1994.................. 35,066 10,184 29.0 32,091 7,209 22.5

1995.................. 34,819 9,822 28.2 32,030 7,033 22.0

1996.................. 35,120 10,070 28.7 32,389 7,340 22.7

1997.................. 35,613 10,309 28.9 32,745 7,441 22.7

1998.................. 35,806 10,467 29.2 32,782 7,443 22.7

1999.................. 36,454 10,548 28.9 33,340 7,434 22.3

2000.................. 37,037 11,070 29.9 33,873 7,906 23.3

2001.................. 36,864 11,329 30.7 33,665 8,130 24.1

2002.................. 36,905 11,765 31.9 33,531 8,391 25.0

2003.................. 36,761 11,923 32.4 33,189 8,351 25.2

2004.................. 36,710 11,985 32.6 33,110 8,386 25.3

2005.................. 37,055 12,215 33.0 33,364 8,524 25.5

2006.................. 37,733 12,601 33.4 33,838 8,707 25.7

2007.................. 37,536 12,570 33.5 33,678 8,712 25.9

Year

Families in which wives have earnings 

but husbands may not

Families in which both wives and husbands 

have earnings

1 Includes families in which husband had no earnings

from work. 2 Excludes families in which husband had no earnings

from work.

NOTE: These data, collected in the Annual Social

and Economic Supplement, reflect the earnings and work

experience of the entire year. 

SOURCE: Annual Social and Economic

Supplements, 1988-2008, Current Population Survey,

U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics.

78
Table 26. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal 

minimum wage by selected characteristics, 2008 annual averages 

(Numbers in thousands)

Age and sex

Total, 16 years and over................................ 75,305 2,226 3.0 286 1,940

 16 to 24 years............................................ 15,680 1,122 7.2 161 961

 25 years and over...................................... 59,626 1,104 1.9 125 979

Women, 16 years and over............................. 37,972 1,498 3.9 196 1,302

 16 to 24 years............................................ 7,701 738 9.6 103 635

 25 years and over...................................... 30,270 759 2.5 93 666

Men, 16 years and over................................ 37,334 728 1.9 90 638

 16 to 24 years............................................ 7,978 384 4.8 58 326

 25 years and over...................................... 29,356 345 1.2 32 313

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White........................................................ 60,464 1,783 2.9 215 1,568

 Women...................................................... 29,931 1,224 4.1 151 1,073

 Men......................................................... 30,533 560 1.8 65 495

Black or African American.............................. 9,866 308 3.1 49 259

 Women...................................................... 5,457 186 3.4 32 154

 Men......................................................... 4,408 122 2.8 17 105

Asian........................................................ 2,844 69 2.4 11 58

 Women...................................................... 1,543 42 2.7 8 34

 Men......................................................... 1,301 27 2.1 3 24

Hispanic or Latino ....................................... 13,070 324 2.5 39 285

 Women...................................................... 5,313 191 3.6 23 168

 Men......................................................... 7,756 132 1.7 15 117

Characteristic

Workers paid hourly rates

Total

Total at or below prevailing Federal minimum wage

Total

Percent of 

hourly paid 

workers

At prevailing 

Federal 

minimum 

wage

Below 

prevailing 

Federal 

minimum 

wage

79
Table 26. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal 

minimum wage by selected characteristics, 2008 annual averages―Continued 

(Numbers in thousands)

Full- and part-time status 1

Full-time workers......................................... 56,837 873 1.5 95 778

 Women.................................................... 25,474 532 2.1 68 464

 Men........................................................ 31,363 340 1.1 27 313

Part-time workers......................................... 18,334 1,353 7.4 191 1,162

 Women...................................................... 12,431 965 7.8 128 837

 Men........................................................ 5,903 388 6.6 63 325

 

 

 

Characteristic

Workers paid hourly rates

Total

Total at or below prevailing Federal minimum wage

Total

Percent of 

hourly paid 

workers

At prevailing 

Federal 

minimum 

wage

Below 

prevailing 

Federal 

minimum 

wage

1 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: The prevailing Federal minimum wage rose from

$5.85 to $6.55 an hour on July 24, 2008. Data in this table

reflect the average number of workers who earned $5.85 or

less from January 2008 through July 2008 and those who

earned $6.55 or less from August 2008 through the end of

the year. Data are for wage and salary workers, excluding

the incorporated self-employed. They refer to a person's

earnings on his or her sole or principal job, and pertain

only to workers who are paid hourly rates. Salaried

workers and other nonhourly workers are not included.

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. 

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department

of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

80
Table 27. Working poor: Poverty status of persons in the labor force for 27 weeks or more by age, sex, race, 

and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 2007

(Numbers in thousands)

Total, 16 years and older...... 146,567 119,792 16,586 6,766 20,461 7,521 5,357 1,612 262 2,139

16 to 19 years............... 4,079 3,397 416 94 664 416 318 71 9 99

20 to 24 years............... 13,315 10,736 1,694 433 2,346 1,413 1,038 296 20 302

25 to 34 years............... 31,963 25,377 3,973 1,698 6,204 2,126 1,460 514 65 713

35 to 44 years............... 34,211 27,346 4,165 1,892 5,458 1,716 1,212 381 67 595

45 to 54 years............... 35,187 29,060 3,885 1,577 3,684 1,175 869 211 55 312

55 to 64 years............... 21,658 18,476 1,982 860 1,682 569 385 117 44 102

65 years and older......... 6,155 5,401 471 212 422 106 75 24 3 16

 Women, 16 years and older... 67,624 53,999 8,902 3,167 7,997 3,890 2,592 1,036 123 856

16 to 19 years............... 2,032 1,679 235 39 262 212 162 38 1 42

20 to 24 years............... 6,147 4,919 833 209 893 828 600 187 15 133

25 to 34 years............... 14,428 11,067 2,155 791 2,225 1,125 676 367 37 251

35 to 44 years............... 15,560 12,070 2,259 858 2,171 840 554 228 30 255

45 to 54 years............... 16,502 13,367 2,057 756 1,559 539 379 119 22 122

55 to 64 years............... 10,221 8,539 1,112 416 730 290 183 79 16 47

65 years and older......... 2,734 2,359 251 98 158 55 37 16 1 5

 Men, 16 years and older...... 78,944 65,794 7,684 3,599 12,464 3,631 2,765 576 140 1,283

16 to 19 years............... 2,048 1,718 181 54 402 204 156 33 7 57

20 to 24 years............... 7,168 5,817 861 224 1,453 584 438 108 4 169

25 to 34 years............... 17,535 14,310 1,818 907 3,978 1,001 783 147 28 462

35 to 44 years............... 18,651 15,276 1,906 1,035 3,288 876 658 152 37 340

45 to 54 years............... 18,685 15,693 1,828 821 2,126 637 490 91 33 190

55 to 64 years............... 11,437 9,937 870 445 953 278 202 38 28 55

65 years and older......... 3,421 3,042 220 114 264 51 38 7 2 11

Black or 

African 

American

Asian

Hispanic 

or Latino 

ethnicity

Age and sex

Total Below poverty level

Total White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian

Hispanic 

or Latino 

ethnicity

Total White

81
Table 27. Working poor: Poverty status of persons in the labor 

force for 27 weeks or more by age, sex, race, and Hispanic or 

Latino ethnicity, 2007—Continued

Total, 16 years and older...... 5.1 4.5 9.7 3.9 10.5

16 to 19 years............... 10.2 9.4 17.0 9.2 14.9

20 to 24 years............... 10.6 9.7 17.4 4.5 12.9

25 to 34 years............... 6.7 5.8 12.9 3.8 11.5

35 to 44 years............... 5.0 4.4 9.1 3.5 10.9

45 to 54 years............... 3.3 3.0 5.4 3.5 8.5

55 to 64 years............... 2.6 2.1 5.9 5.1 6.1

65 years and older......... 1.7 1.4 5.0 1.3 3.7

 Women, 16 years and older... 5.8 4.8 11.6 3.9 10.7

16 to 19 years............... 10.4 9.7 16.3 ( 2 ) 16.1

20 to 24 years............... 13.5 12.2 22.5 7.3 14.9

25 to 34 years............... 7.8 6.1 17.0 4.7 11.3

35 to 44 years............... 5.4 4.6 10.1 3.5 11.8

45 to 54 years............... 3.3 2.8 5.8 2.9 7.8

55 to 64 years............... 2.8 2.1 7.1 3.9 6.4

65 years and older......... 2.0 1.6 6.5 .6 3.2

 Men, 16 years and older...... 4.6 4.2 7.5 3.9 10.3

16 to 19 years............... 10.0 9.1 18.0 ( 2 ) 14.1

20 to 24 years............... 8.2 7.5 12.6 2.0 11.6

25 to 34 years............... 5.7 5.5 8.1 3.1 11.6

35 to 44 years............... 4.7 4.3 8.0 3.5 10.3

45 to 54 years............... 3.4 3.1 5.0 4.0 8.9

55 to 64 years............... 2.4 2.0 4.3 6.2 5.8

65 years and older......... 1.5 1.3 3.3 1.9 4.0

Age and sex

Rate 1 

Total White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian

Hispanic 

or Latino 

ethnicity

1 Number below the poverty level as a percent of the total in the labor force

for 27 weeks or more.

 2 Data not shown where labor force base is less than 80,000.

 

NOTE: These data, collected in the Annual Social and Economic

Supplement, reflect the earnings and work experience of the entire year.

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. 

SOURCE: 2008 Annual Social and Economic Supplement, Current

Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

82
Table 28. Percent distribution of employed persons by age, sex, and contingent and 

noncontingent status, February 2005

Total, 16 years and over......... 138,952 1.8 2.3 4.1 95.9

 16 to 19 years................... 5,510 5.6 6.1 8.6 91.4

 20 to 24 years................... 13,114 4.6 5.2 8.2 91.8

 25 to 34 years..................... 30,103 2.3 2.9 4.8 95.2

 35 to 44 years..................... 34,481 1.2 1.7 3.0 97.0

 45 to 54 years................... 32,947 .8 1.2 2.7 97.3

 55 to 64 years..................... 17,980 .8 1.1 3.0 97.0

 65 years and over............... 4,817 1.6 2.3 5.2 94.8

Women, 16 years and over... 65,006 1.8 2.4 4.3 95.7

 16 to 19 years..................... 2,931 5.6 6.2 8.4 91.6

 20 to 24 years..................... 6,186 4.0 4.8 7.8 92.2

 25 to 34 years..................... 13,480 2.2 2.7 4.6 95.4

 35 to 44 years..................... 15,958 1.1 1.7 3.2 96.8

 45 to 54 years................... 15,754 1.1 1.6 3.2 96.8

 55 to 64 years................... 8,495 .9 1.1 3.2 96.8

 65 years and over.............. 2,202 2.6 3.5 7.2 92.8

Men, 16 years and over......... 73,946 1.8 2.2 3.9 96.1

 16 to 19 years..................... 2,579 5.6 6.1 8.9 91.2

 20 to 24 years..................... 6,928 5.2 5.7 8.6 91.4

 25 to 34 years..................... 16,624 2.4 3.1 5.0 95.0

 35 to 44 years..................... 18,523 1.3 1.6 2.9 97.1

 45 to 54 years..................... 17,193 .6 .8 2.1 97.9

 55 to 64 years..................... 9,485 .7 1.1 2.8 97.2

 65 years and over............... 2,615 .7 1.3 3.5 96.5

Estimate 1 Estimate 2 Estimate 3

Age and sex

Total 

employed 

(in 

thousands)

Contingent workers1

Noncontingent 

workers1

1 Contingent workers are those who do not have

an implicit or explicit contract for ongoing

employment. Persons who do not expect to continue

in their jobs for personal reasons, such as retirement

or returning to school, are not considered contingent

workers, provided that they would have the option of

continuing in the job were it not for these personal

reasons. Estimate 1 includes wage and salary

workers who expect their jobs will last for an

additional year or less and who had worked at their

jobs for 1 year or less. Estimate 2 includes wage

and salary workers, the self-employed, and

independent contractors who expect their

employment to last for an additional year or less and

who had worked at their jobs (or been selfemployed) for 1 year or less. Estimate 3 includes

all workers who do not expect their jobs to last.

This is the broadest definition of contingency and

estimates 1 and 2 of contingency are included in

estimate 3. Noncontingent workers are those

workers who do not fall into any of the three

definitions of contingency.

 

SOURCE: Contingent and alternative work

arrangements supplement to the Current

Population Survey, last conducted in February

2005, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of

Labor Statistics. 

83
Table 29. Percent distribution of employed persons by age, sex, and alternative work arrangements, 

February 2005

Total, 16 years and over......... 138,952 100.0 7.4 1.8 0.9 0.6 89.1

 16 to 19 years.................... 5,510 100.0 1.6 2.4 .6 .1 94.3

 20 to 24 years..................... 13,114 100.0 2.7 2.7 1.5 .7 91.9

 25 to 34 years................... 30,103 100.0 5.0 1.8 1.2 .7 91.1

 35 to 44 years.................... 34,481 100.0 8.0 1.7 .7 .6 88.9

 45 to 54 years.................... 32,947 100.0 8.5 1.3 .6 .6 89.0

 55 to 64 years................... 17,980 100.0 10.8 1.5 .8 .6 86.2

 65 years and over................ 4,817 100.0 18.3 3.6 .7 .4 76.8

Women, 16 years and over... 65,006 100.0 5.6 1.9 1.0 .4 91.0

 16 to 19 years..................... 2,931 100.0 1.9 1.8 .3 - 95.7

 20 to 24 years.................... 6,186 100.0 2.6 2.5 1.5 .4 92.5

 25 to 34 years.................... 13,480 100.0 3.8 1.8 1.3 .5 92.6

 35 to 44 years..................... 15,958 100.0 5.8 2.0 .8 .4 91.0

 45 to 54 years................... 15,754 100.0 6.6 1.3 .8 .3 90.9

 55 to 64 years.................... 8,495 100.0 7.7 1.9 1.0 .5 88.8

 65 years and over............... 2,202 100.0 13.3 3.8 .8 .7 81.1

Men, 16 years and over......... 73,946 100.0 9.1 1.7 .8 .8 87.5

 16 to 19 years.................... 2,579 100.0 1.2 3.2 .9 .3 92.6

 20 to 24 years.................... 6,928 100.0 2.8 2.9 1.5 .9 91.4

 25 to 34 years.................... 16,624 100.0 6.1 1.8 1.1 .8 89.9

 35 to 44 years................... 18,523 100.0 9.8 1.4 .6 .8 87.1

 45 to 54 years................... 17,193 100.0 10.3 1.2 .4 .8 87.3

 55 to 64 years..................... 9,485 100.0 13.6 1.1 .5 .7 83.9

 65 years and over............... 2,615 100.0 22.5 3.5 .6 .1 73.3

Workers with 

traditional 

arrangements Independent 

contractors

On-call 

workers

Temporary 

help agency 

workers

Workers 

provided by 

contract 

firms

Age and sex

Total 

employed 

(in 

thousands)

Total 

Percent of workers with alternative arrangements 1

1 Independent contractors are workers who were

identified as independent contractors, independent

consultants, or freelance workers, whether they were selfemployed or wage and salary workers. On-call workers are 

workers who are called to work only as needed, although

they can be scheduled to work for several days or weeks in

a row. Temporary help agency workers are workers who

were paid by a temporary help agency, whether or not their

job was temporary. Workers provided by contract firms are 

workers who are employed by a company that provides

them or their services to others under contract and who are

usually assigned to only one customer and usually work at

the customer's worksite.

NOTE: Workers with traditional arrangements are

those who do not fall into any of the "alternative

arrangements" categories. Detail may not sum to totals

because the total employed includes day laborers (an

alternative arrangement, not shown separately) and a

small number of workers who were both "on-call" and

"provided by contract firms." Dash represents zero.

SOURCE: Contingent and alternative work

arrangements supplement to the Current Population

Survey, last conducted in February 2005, U.S.

Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

84
Table 30. Flexible schedules: Full-time wage and salary workers by selected characteristics, May 2004

(Numbers in thousands)

Total 16 years and over.................. 99,778 27,411 27.5 43,366 11,558 26.7 56,412 15,853 28.1

16 to 19 years.......................... 1,427 336 23.6 524 151 28.9 903 185 20.5

20 years and over.................... 98,351 27,075 27.5 42,842 11,406 26.6 55,509 15,668 28.2

20 to 24 years.................. 9,004 2,058 22.9 3,856 993 25.8 5,147 1,065 20.7

25 to 34 years.................. 24,640 6,902 28.0 10,283 2,851 27.7 14,358 4,051 28.2

35 to 44 years.................... 26,766 7,807 29.2 11,342 3,202 28.2 15,424 4,605 29.9

45 to 54 years.................. 24,855 6,651 26.8 11,415 2,882 25.2 13,440 3,769 28.0

55 to 64 years.................. 11,745 3,181 27.1 5,361 1,316 24.5 6,383 1,865 29.2

65 years and over............... 1,341 475 35.4 585 161 27.6 757 314 41.4

16 to 24 years........................ 10,431 2,394 23.0 4,380 1,144 26.1 6,050 1,250 20.7

25 to 54 years.......................... 76,261 21,360 28.0 33,040 8,935 27.0 43,222 12,425 28.7

55 years and over.................. 13,086 3,656 27.9 5,946 1,477 24.8 7,140 2,179 30.5

White.................................... 80,498 23,121 28.7 34,276 9,539 27.8 46,222 13,582 29.4

Black or African American......... 12,578 2,476 19.7 6,131 1,283 20.9 6,447 1,193 18.5

Asian................................... 4,136 1,132 27.4 1,836 412 22.4 2,300 720 31.3

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.........14,110 2,596 18.4 5,489 1,166 21.2 8,621 1,430 16.6

Married, spouse present............ 57,630 16,270 28.2 22,704 5,888 25.9 34,926 10,382 29.7

Never married.......................... 25,144 6,693 26.6 10,676 3,088 28.9 14,469 3,605 24.9

Other marital status.................. 17,004 4,448 26.2 9,986 2,582 25.9 7,018 1,866 26.6

With no own children under 18... 61,761 16,759 27.1 27,081 7,349 27.1 34,680 9,410 27.1

With own children under 18........ 38,018 10,652 28.0 16,285 4,209 25.8 21,733 6,443 29.6

 With own children 6 to 17,

 none younger..................... 21,739 5,960 27.4 10,262 2,619 25.5 11,477 3,341 29.1

 With own children under 6...... 16,279 4,692 28.8 6,023 1,590 26.4 10,256 3,102 30.2

or Latino ethnicity

Characteristic

Both sexes Women Men

Total 1

With flexible 

schedules 2

Total 1

With flexible 

schedules 2

Total 1

With flexible 

schedules 2

Marital status

Presence and age of children

Number Percent 

of total

Age

Race and Hispanic

Number Percent 

of total Number Percent of total

1 Includes persons who did not provide information on

flexible schedules. 2 Persons with flexible schedules are able to vary or

make changes in their beginning and ending hours of work,

whether or not they have a formal flexitime program on their

job.

NOTE: Data relate to the sole or principal job of full-time

wage and salary workers who were at work during the

survey reference week and exclude all self-employed

persons, regardless of whether their businesses were

incorporated. 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.

Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and

adopted children. Not included are nieces, nephews,

grandchildren, and other related and unrelated children.

SOURCE: Flexible schedules and shift work supplement to

the Current Population Survey, last conducted in May 2004,

U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

85
Table 31. Job-related work at home on primary job: All workers by marital status, presence and age 

(Numbers in thousands)

Total, 16 years and over.................. 136,602 20,673 15.1 16.2 49.3 33.7

Married, spouse present............ 77,243 14,623 18.9 16.4 48.1 34.6

Not married.............................. 59,359 6,050 10.2 15.7 52.2 31.5

Never married..................... 36,857 3,087 8.4 17.7 58.1 23.2

Other marital status............... 22,502 2,963 13.2 13.6 46.1 40.2

With own children under 18......... 50,011 8,584 17.2 17.4 47.5 34.0

 With own children under 6... 21,373 3,599 16.8 19.2 47.3 32.8

With no own children under 18...... 86,591 12,090 14.0 15.4 50.5 33.4

Total, 16 years and over.................. 64,185 9,893 15.4 17.8 51.4 29.4

Married, spouse present............ 33,750 6,509 19.3 18.2 48.8 31.4

Not married................................ 30,435 3,384 11.1 17.1 56.5 25.5

Never married..................... 16,754 1,522 9.1 19.2 66.2 12.7

Other marital status............... 13,681 1,862 13.6 15.3 48.6 35.9

With own children under 18......... 24,108 4,051 16.8 19.9 46.6 31.5

 With own children under 6... 9,331 1,614 17.3 23.4 42.6 32.6

With no own children under 18...... 40,077 5,842 14.6 16.3 54.8 27.9

Total, 16 years and over.................. 72,417 10,780 14.9 14.7 47.3 37.6

Married, spouse present............ 43,493 8,114 18.7 15.0 47.5 37.1

Not married................................ 28,924 2,666 9.2 13.9 46.8 39.1

Never married..................... 20,104 1,565 7.8 16.2 50.3 33.3

Other marital status............... 8,820 1,101 12.5 10.5 41.8 47.4

With own children under 18.......... 25,903 4,533 17.5 15.1 48.4 36.3

 With own children under 6... 12,042 1,986 16.5 15.8 51.0 33.0

With no own children under 18...... 46,514 6,247 13.4 14.5 46.5 38.6

 

of children, sex, and pay status, May 2004

Characteristic Total 

employed 3

Persons who usually worked at home 1

Total Rate

Percent distribution by class of worker 2

Wage and salary Selfemployed 4

Paid Unpaid

Total

Women

Men

1 Persons who usually work at home are defined as

those who work at home at least once per week as part

of their primary job. 2 Unpaid family workers and wage and salary workers

who did not report pay status are included in total but not

shown separately. 3 Includes persons who did not provide information on

work at home. 

4 Includes both the incorporated and unincorporated

self-employed.

NOTE: Data refer to employed persons in

nonagricultural industries. Own children include sons,

daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not

included are nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other

related and unrelated children.

SOURCE: Work at home supplement to the Current

Population Survey, last conducted in May 2004, U.S.

Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

86
Table 32. Displaced workers1

 by age, sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and 

employment status in January 2008

Total

Total, 20 years and over.................. 3,641 100.0 67.1 18.0 15.0

 20 to 24 years.............................. 127 100.0 67.5 22.8 9.7

 25 to 54 years.............................. 2,602 100.0 72.6 17.4 10.0

 55 to 64 years.............................. 708 100.0 60.8 20.7 18.5

 65 years and over........................ 204 100.0 18.4 12.6 69.0

Women, 20 years and over............ 1,617 100.0 63.5 16.9 19.6

 20 to 24 years.............................. 53 100.0 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 

 25 to 54 years............................. 1,112 100.0 70.1 15.1 14.8

 55 to 64 years............................. 352 100.0 53.4 23.6 23.0

 65 years and over....................... 101 100.0 22.4 9.8 67.8

Men, 20 years and over................. 2,024 100.0 69.9 18.8 11.2

 20 to 24 years............................. 75 100.0 66.4 22.5 11.1

 25 to 54 years............................. 1,490 100.0 74.4 19.1 6.5

 55 to 64 years............................. 356 100.0 68.0 17.9 14.0

 65 years and over....................... 103 100.0 14.4 15.4 70.2

White

Total, 20 years and over................. 3,032 100.0 67.9 16.8 15.3

 Women.................................... 1,348 100.0 64.4 14.9 20.7

Men 1 684 100 0 70 8 18 2 11 0

Age, sex, race, and Hispanic 

or Latino ethnicity

Total 

(in 

thousands)

Percent distribution by employment status

Total Employed Unemployed Not in labor 

force

 Men........................................... 1,684 100.0 70.8 18.2 11.0

Black or African American

Total, 20 years and over.................. 408 100.0 58.6 28.2 13.3

 Women..................................... 187 100.0 56.3 31.1 12.6

 Men........................................... 221 100.0 60.5 25.7 13.8

Asian

Total, 20 years and over.................. 122 100.0 67.3 11.7 21.0

 Women..................................... 57 100.0 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 

 Men......................................... 65 100.0 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Total, 20 years and over................ 423 100.0 68.4 17.4 14.1

 Women.................................... 153 100.0 65.5 6.9 27.6

 Men......................................... 270 100.0 70.1 23.4 6.6

1 Data refer to persons who had 3 or more years

of tenure on a job they had lost or left between

January 2005 and December 2007 because of plant

or company closings or moves, insufficient work, or

the abolishment of their positions or shifts. 2 Data not shown where base is less than 75,000.

NOTE: 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.

SOURCE: January 2008 Displaced Worker

supplement to the Current Population Survey, U.S.

Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

87
Table 33. Labor force status of 2008 high school graduates and 2007-08 high school dropouts 

16 to 24 years old by school enrollment and sex, October 2008

(Numbers in thousands)

Total, 2008 high school graduates1

...... 3,151 1,644 52.2 1,310 41.6 334 20.3 1,507

 Women........................................... 1,511 817 54.1 668 44.2 148 18.2 694

 Men................................................. 1,640 827 50.4 641 39.1 186 22.5 813

 Enrolled in college.............................. 2,161 888 41.1 756 35.0 132 14.9 1,274

Percent of total 2008 graduates......... 68.6 54.0 - 57.7 - 39.5 - 84.5

Women......................................... 1,081 499 46.1 428 39.6 70 14.1 583

Percent of female 2008 graduates... 71.5 61.1 - 64.1 - 47.3 - 84.0

Men.............................................. 1,080 389 36.0 327 30.3 62 15.9 691

Percent of male 2008 graduates...... 65.9 47.0 - 51.0 - 33.3 - 85.0

 Not enrolled in college....................... 989 756 76.4 554 56.0 202 26.7 234

Percent of total 2008 graduates......... 31.4 46.0 - 42.3 - 60.5 - 15.5

 Women......................................... 430 318 74.1 240 55.9 78 24.6 111

Percent of female 2008 graduates... 28.5 38.9 - 35.9 - 52.7 - 16.0

 Men............................................. 560 438 78.1 314 56.1 124 28.2 122

Percent of male 2008 graduates...... 34.1 53.0 - 49.0 - 66.7 - 15.0

Total, 2007-08 high school dropouts2

... 400 194 48.4 117 29.3 77 39.5 206

 Women......................................... 210 91 43.4 61 29.2 30 32.7 119

 Men.............................................. 191 103 53.9 56 29.3 47 45.6 88

Characteristic

 Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population 

 Civilian labor force 

 Not in 

labor 

Total force 

Percent 

of 

population 

 Employed Unemployed 

 Total 

Percent 

of 

population 

Total

Percent 

of labor 

force

 1 Data refer to persons who graduated from high school between October 2007 and October 2008. 2 Data refer to persons who dropped out of school between October 2007 and October 2008. 

 

 NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. 

SOURCE: October 2008 School Enrollment supplement to the Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S.

Bureau of Labor Statistics.

88
Table 34. Labor force status of persons 16 to 24 years old by school enrollment, sex, and educational 

attainment, October 2008

(Numbers in thousands)

Enrolled in school........................... 21,348 8,974 42.0 7,907 37.0 1,067 11.9 12,374 

 Women........................................ 10,865 4,888 45.0 4,426 40.7 463 9.5 5,977 

 Men.............................................. 10,483 4,086 39.0 3,482 33.2 604 14.8 6,397 

 Enrolled in high school 1

..................... 9,677 2,661 27.5 2,099 21.7 562 21.1 7,016 

 Women........................................ 4,686 1,389 29.6 1,139 24.3 251 18.0 3,297 

 Men........................................... 4,991 1,272 25.5 960 19.2 311 24.5 3,720 

 Enrolled in college.......................... 11,671 6,313 54.1 5,809 49.8 505 8.0 5,358 

 Women........................................ 6,179 3,499 56.6 3,287 53.2 212 6.1 2,680 

 Men........................................... 5,492 2,814 51.2 2,522 45.9 293 10.4 2,678 

Not enrolled in school....................... 16,220 12,957 79.9 11,113 68.5 1,845 14.2 3,263 

 Women........................................ 7,756 5,728 73.9 5,084 65.6 644 11.2 2,028 

 Less than a high school diploma ...... 1,403 697 49.6 523 37.2 174 25.0 707 

 High school graduates, no college 2 . 3,200 2,274 71.1 1,982 61.9 292 12.8 926 

 Some college or associate degree ... 1,953 1,629 83.4 1,525 78.1 104 6.4 324 

 Bachelor’s degree and higher ........... 1,200 1,128 94.1 1,054 87.9 74 6.6 71 

 Men............................................. 8,465 7,229 85.4 6,028 71.2 1,201 16.6 1,236 

 Less than a high school diploma ...... 1,606 1,204 74.9 887 55.2 317 26.3 403 

 High school graduates, no college 2 . 4,121 3,487 84.6 2,874 69.7 613 17.6 634 

 Some college or associate degree ... 1,859 1,696 91.3 1,498 80.6 198 11.7 162 

 Bachelor’s degree and higher ........... 879 842 95.8 769 87.5 73 8.7 37 

 Not in 

labor 

Total force 

Percent 

of 

population 

 Employed Unemployed 

Total

Percent 

of 

population 

Total

Percent 

of labor 

force

Characteristic

 Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population 

 Civilian labor force 

 1 Includes a small number of persons enrolled in grades below high school. 

 2 Includes high school diploma or equivalent.

 NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals. 

SOURCE: October 2008 School Enrollment supplement to the Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

89
Table 35. Multiple jobholders and multiple jobholding rates by sex and race, May of selected years, 

1970-2008, not seasonally adjusted

(Numbers in thousands)

Multiple jobholders

Number

Percent of 

all multiple 

jobholders

1970........ 78,358 4,048 636 15.7 3,412 5.2 2.2 7.0 5.3 4.4 

1971......... 78,708 4,035 765 19.0 3,270 5.1 2.6 6.7 5.3 3.8 

1972......... 81,224 3,770 735 19.5 3,035 4.6 2.4 6.0 4.8 3.7 

1973....... 83,758 4,262 869 20.4 3,393 5.1 2.7 6.6 5.1 4.7 

1974......... 85,786 3,889 867 22.3 3,022 4.5 2.6 5.8 4.6 3.8 

1975......... 84,146 3,918 956 24.4 2,962 4.7 2.9 5.8 4.8 3.7 

1976....... 87,278 3,948 911 23.1 3,037 4.5 2.6 5.8 4.7 2.8 

1977......... 90,482 4,558 1,241 27.2 3,317 5.0 3.4 6.2 5.3 2.6 

1978......... 93,904 4,493 1,281 28.5 3,212 4.8 3.3 5.8 5.0 3.1 

1979....... 96,327 4,724 1,407 29.8 3,317 4.9 3.5 5.9 5.1 3.0 

1980......... 96,809 4,759 1,549 32.5 3,210 4.9 3.8 5.8 5.1 3.2 

1985......... 106,878 5,730 2,192 38.3 3,537 5.4 4.7 5.9 5.7 3.2 

1989......... 117,084 7,225 3,109 43.0 4,115 6.2 5.9 6.4 6.5 4.3 

1991........ 116,626 7,183 3,129 43.6 4,054 6.2 5.9 6.4 6.4 4.9 

1994........ 122,946 7,316 3,343 45.7 3,973 6.0 5.9 6.0 6.1 4.9 

1995....... 124,554 7,952 3,727 46.9 4,225 6.4 6.5 6.3 6.6 5.2 

1996........ 126,391 7,846 3,494 44.5 4,352 6.2 6.0 6.4 6.4 5.1 

1997........ 129,565 8,197 3,800 46.4 4,398 6.3 6.4 6.3 6.5 5.7 

1998........ 131,476 8,126 3,688 45.4 4,438 6.2 6.1 6.3 6.3 5.5 

1999........ 133,411 7,895 3,778 47.9 4,117 5.9 6.1 5.8 6.0 5.5 

2000........ 136,685 7,751 3,667 47.3 4,084 5.7 5.8 5.6 5.9 4.9 

2001........ 137,121 7,540 3,626 48.1 3,914 5.5 5.7 5.3 5.6 5.3 

2002........ 136,559 7,247 3,511 48.4 3,736 5.3 5.5 5.1 5.5 4.7 

2003........ 137,567 7,338 3,498 47.7 3,841 5.3 5.4 5.3 5.5 4.3 

2004........ 138,867 7,258 3,605 49.7 3,653 5.2 5.6 4.9 5.3 5.1 

2005.........141,730 6,895 3,402 49.3 3,493 4.9 5.2 4.6 5.4 4.4 

2006.........144,041 7,641 3,778 49.4 3,863 5.3 5.7 5.0 5.3 5.4 

2007.........145,864 7,693 3,858 50.1 3,835 5.3 5.7 4.9 5.5 4.4 

2008.........145,927 7,653 3,812 49.8 3,842 5.2 5.6 4.9 5.4 4.9 

White

Black or 

African 

American 2

Year Total 

employed

Multiple jobholding rate1

Total

Women

Men Total Women Men

1 Multiple jobholders as a percent of all employed

persons in specified group.

2 Data for years prior to 1977 refer to the black-andother population group.

NOTE: Data beginning in 1994 are not strictly

comparable with data for prior years. For an explanation, 

see the Historical Comparability documentation provided

at http://www.bls.gov/cps/eetech_methods.pdf.

Comprehensive surveys of multiple jobholders were not

conducted in 1981-84, 1986-88, 1990, and 1992-93.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S.

Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

90
Table 36. Unincorporated self-employed persons in nonagricultural industries by sex, 1976-2008 

annual averages 

(Numbers in thousands)

Total 

employed

Selfemployed

Selfemployed 

as a 

percent of 

total

Total 

employed

Selfemployed

Selfemployed 

as a 

percent of 

total

Total 

employed

Selfemployed

Selfemployed 

as a 

percent of 

total

1976...... 85,421 5,782 6.8 35,027 1,549 4.4 50,394 4,233 8.4 26.8 

1977..... 88,734 6,115 6.9 36,677 1,692 4.6 52,057 4,423 8.5 27.7 

1978..... 92,661 6,428 6.9 38,900 1,814 4.7 53,761 4,614 8.6 28.2 

1979..... 95,477 6,792 7.1 40,556 1,982 4.9 54,921 4,810 8.8 29.2 

1980..... 95,938 7,001 7.3 41,461 2,097 5.1 54,477 4,904 9.0 30.0 

1981..... 97,030 7,097 7.3 42,333 2,192 5.2 54,697 4,905 9.0 30.9 

1982..... 96,125 7,263 7.6 42,591 2,309 5.4 53,534 4,954 9.3 31.8 

1983..... 97,450 7,575 7.8 43,367 2,439 5.6 54,083 5,136 9.5 32.2 

1984...... 101,685 7,785 7.7 45,262 2,566 5.7 56,423 5,219 9.2 33.0 

1985..... 103,971 7,810 7.5 46,615 2,603 5.6 57,356 5,207 9.1 33.3 

1986..... 106,435 7,881 7.4 48,054 2,610 5.4 58,381 5,271 9.0 33.1 

1987..... 109,232 8,201 7.5 49,668 2,778 5.6 59,564 5,423 9.1 33.9 

1988...... 111,800 8,519 7.6 51,020 2,955 5.8 60,780 5,564 9.2 34.7 

1989..... 114,143 8,605 7.5 52,341 3,043 5.8 61,802 5,562 9.0 35.4 

1990...... 115,570 8,719 7.5 53,011 3,122 5.9 62,559 5,597 8.9 35.8 

1991..... 114,449 8,850 7.7 52,815 3,150 6.0 61,634 5,700 9.2 35.6 

1992..... 115,246 8,576 7.4 53,380 2,963 5.6 61,866 5,613 9.1 34.5 

1993..... 117,144 8,959 7.6 54,273 3,065 5.6 62,871 5,894 9.4 34.2 

1994..... 119,651 9,003 7.5 55,755 3,443 6.2 63,896 5,560 8.7 38.2 

1995..... 121,460 8,901 7.3 56,642 3,440 6.1 64,818 5,461 8.4 38.6 

1996..... 123,264 8,971 7.3 57,630 3,506 6.1 65,634 5,465 8.3 39.1 

1997..... 126,159 9,056 7.2 59,026 3,550 6.0 67,133 5,506 8.2 39.2 

1998..... 128,085 8,962 7.0 59,945 3,482 5.8 68,140 5,480 8.0 38.9 

1999..... 130,207 8,790 6.8 61,193 3,424 5.6 69,014 5,366 7.8 39.0 

2000..... 134,427 9,205 6.8 62,983 3,631 5.8 71,444 5,573 7.8 39.4 

2001..... 134,635 9,121 6.8 63,147 3,594 5.7 71,488 5,527 7.7 39.4 

2002...... 134,174 8,923 6.7 62,995 3,499 5.6 71,179 5,425 7.6 39.2 

2003..... 135,461 9,344 6.9 63,824 3,609 5.7 71,636 5,736 8.0 38.6 

2004...... 137,020 9,467 6.9 64,182 3,607 5.6 72,838 5,860 8.0 38.1 

2005..... 139,532 9,509 6.8 65,213 3,565 5.5 74,319 5,944 8.0 37.5 

2006...... 142,221 9,685 6.8 66,382 3,681 5.5 75,838 6,004 7.9 38.0 

2007...... 143,952 9,557 6.6 67,302 3,637 5.4 76,650 5,920 7.7 38.1 

2008...... 143,194 9,219 6.4 67,358 3,483 5.2 75,836 5,736 7.6 37.8 

Selfemployed 

women as 

percent of 

total selfemployed

Year

Total Women Men

NOTE: Beginning in 2000, data reflect the introduction of the 2002 Census industry classification system derived from the

2002 North American Industry Classification System into the Current Population Survey (CPS). 

 SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

91
Table 37. Employment status of the native-born and foreign-born civilian noninstitutional population 

by age and sex, 2008 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

 Civilian labor force 

 Employed Unemployed 

Both sexes

Native born1

 16 years and over........ 198,471 130,224 65.6 122,703 61.8 7,521 5.8 68,247

 16 to 24 years.............. 33,639 19,821 58.9 17,223 51.2 2,599 13.1 13,818

 25 to 34 years............ 32,001 27,096 84.7 25,517 79.7 1,579 5.8 4,905

 35 to 44 years............ 33,372 28,247 84.6 26,984 80.9 1,264 4.5 5,125

 45 to 54 years............ 37,357 30,623 82.0 29,446 78.8 1,177 3.8 6,734

 55 to 64 years............ 29,364 18,915 64.4 18,232 62.1 682 3.6 10,450

 65 years and over....... 32,737 5,522 16.9 5,300 16.2 222 4.0 27,215

Foreign born 2

 16 years and over........ 35,317 24,063 68.1 22,660 64.2 1,403 5.8 11,254

 16 to 24 years............. 3,845 2,211 57.5 1,979 51.5 232 10.5 1,634

 25 to 34 years.............. 7,992 6,236 78.0 5,866 73.4 371 5.9 1,756

 35 to 44 years.............. 8,327 6,814 81.8 6,473 77.7 341 5.0 1,513

 45 to 54 years............ 6,602 5,380 81.5 5,083 77.0 297 5.5 1,222

 55 to 64 years............. 4,126 2,700 65.4 2,580 62.5 120 4.5 1,426

 65 years and over...... 4,424 721 16.3 679 15.3 42 5.9 3,703

Women

Native born1

 16 years and over........ 103,047 62,104 60.3 58,795 57.1 3,310 5.3 40,942

 16 to 24 years............ 16,772 9,676 57.7 8,587 51.2 1,089 11.3 7,096

 25 to 34 years............ 16,305 12,790 78.4 12,104 74.2 686 5.4 3,515

 35 to 44 years............ 17,099 13,335 78.0 12,758 74.6 577 4.3 3,765

 45 to 54 years............. 19,187 14,758 76.9 14,223 74.1 535 3.6 4,429

 55 to 64 years.............. 15,172 9,050 59.7 8,725 57.5 325 3.6 6,122

 65 years and over....... 18,511 2,495 13.5 2,397 13.0 98 3.9 16,016

Foreign born 2

 16 years and over........ 17,629 9,663 54.8 9,082 51.5 581 6.0 7,966

 16 to 24 years.............. 1,803 819 45.4 734 40.7 85 10.4 984

 25 to 34 years............ 3,689 2,240 60.7 2,096 56.8 145 6.5 1,449

 35 to 44 years............ 4,033 2,755 68.3 2,602 64.5 153 5.6 1,278

 45 to 54 years............. 3,260 2,317 71.1 2,183 67.0 134 5.8 943

 55 to 64 years............ 2,195 1,220 55.6 1,168 53.2 52 4.3 975

 65 years and over...... 2,648 312 11.8 300 11.3 13 4.0 2,336

 See footnotes at end of table.

Country of birth, 

age, and sex

 Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population 

 Not in 

labor force Total Percent of 

population Total Percent of 

population Total Percent of labor force 

92
Table 37. Employment status of the native-born and foreign-born civilian noninstitutional population 

by age and sex, 2008 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

 Civilian labor force 

 Employed Unemployed 

Men

Native born1

 16 years and over......... 95,424 68,119 71.4 63,908 67.0 4,211 6.2 27,305

 16 to 24 years............ 16,867 10,145 60.1 8,635 51.2 1,510 14.9 6,722

 25 to 34 years............ 15,696 14,306 91.1 13,413 85.5 893 6.2 1,390

 35 to 44 years............ 16,273 14,913 91.6 14,226 87.4 687 4.6 1,360

 45 to 54 years............. 18,170 15,864 87.3 15,223 83.8 641 4.0 2,305

 55 to 64 years............. 14,192 9,865 69.5 9,507 67.0 357 3.6 4,328

 65 years and over....... 14,226 3,027 21.3 2,903 20.4 123 4.1 11,199

Foreign born 2

 16 years and over......... 17,688 14,400 81.4 13,578 76.8 822 5.7 3,288

 16 to 24 years............. 2,042 1,392 68.2 1,245 61.0 147 10.5 650

 25 to 34 years............ 4,303 3,996 92.9 3,770 87.6 226 5.7 307

 35 to 44 years............ 4,294 4,059 94.5 3,872 90.2 188 4.6 235

 45 to 54 years............ 3,342 3,063 91.7 2,901 86.8 163 5.3 279

 55 to 64 years............. 1,931 1,480 76.6 1,412 73.1 68 4.6 451

 65 years and over....... 1,776 409 23.0 379 21.4 30 7.3 1,367

Country of birth, 

age, and sex

 Civilian 

noninstitutional 

population 

 Not in 

labor force Total Percent of 

population Total Percent of 

population Total Percent of labor force 

1 Native-born persons are those who were born in the United

States or a U.S. Island Area such as Puerto Rico, or born

abroad of a U.S.-citizen parent.

2 Foreign born refers to people residing in the United States

who were born outside the United States or one of its outlying

areas, such as Puerto Rico or Guam, to parents neither of 

whom was a U.S. citizen. This group includes legally

admitted immigrants, refugees, students, temporary workers,

and undocumented aliens.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department

of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

93
Table 38. Union affiliation of employed wage and salary workers by sex, annual averages, 1983-2008

(Numbers in thousands)

Total, both sexes Women

Members of unions 1 Represented by 

unions 2 Members of unions 1 Represented by unions 2

 Total Percent of 

employed Total Percent of employed Total Percent of employed Total Percent of employed

1983......... 88,290 17,717 20.1 20,532 23.3 40,433 5,908 14.6 7,262 18.0

1984......... 92,194 17,340 18.8 19,932 21.6 42,172 5,829 13.8 7,100 16.8

1985....... 94,521 16,996 18.0 19,358 20.5 43,506 5,732 13.2 6,910 15.9

1986 3...... 96,903 16,975 17.5 19,278 19.9 44,961 5,802 12.9 6,961 15.5

1987......... 99,303 16,913 17.0 19,051 19.2 46,365 5,842 12.6 6,907 14.9

1988....... 101,407 17,002 16.8 19,241 19.0 47,495 5,982 12.6 7,109 15.0

1989......... 103,480 16,960 16.4 19,198 18.6 48,691 6,141 12.6 7,243 14.9

1990 3

...... 104,876 16,776 16.0 19,105 18.2 49,323 6,179 12.5 7,330 14.9

1991......... 103,723 16,612 16.0 18,790 18.1 49,105 6,142 12.5 7,247 14.8

1992....... 104,668 16,418 15.7 18,578 17.7 49,842 6,274 12.6 7,411 14.9

1993....... 106,101 16,627 15.7 18,682 17.6 50,626 6,516 12.9 7,610 15.0

1994 3

...... 107,989 16,748 15.5 18,850 17.5 51,419 6,642 12.9 7,740 15.1

1995....... 110,038 16,360 14.9 18,346 16.7 52,369 6,430 12.3 7,479 14.3

1996......... 111,960 16,269 14.5 18,158 16.2 53,488 6,410 12.0 7,397 13.8

1997 3

...... 114,533 16,110 14.1 17,923 15.6 54,708 6,347 11.6 7,304 13.4

1998 3

...... 116,730 16,211 13.9 17,918 15.4 55,757 6,362 11.4 7,280 13.1

1999 3

...... 118,963 16,477 13.9 18,182 15.3 57,050 6,528 11.4 7,425 13.0

2000 3...... 122,089 16,334 13.4 18,153 14.9 58,427 6,671 11.4 7,662 13.1

2001....... 122,229 16,305 13.3 18,026 14.7 58,582 6,768 11.6 7,672 13.1

2002......... 121,826 16,145 13.3 17,695 14.5 58,555 6,820 11.6 7,629 13.0

2003 3

...... 122,358 15,776 12.9 17,448 14.3 59,122 6,732 11.4 7,601 12.9

2004......... 123,554 15,472 12.5 17,087 13.8 59,408 6,593 11.1 7,450 12.5

2005...... 125,889 15,685 12.5 17,223 13.7 60,423 6,815 11.3 7,626 12.6

2006......... 128,237 15,359 12.0 16,860 13.1 61,426 6,702 10.9 7,501 12.2

2007......... 129,767 15,670 12.1 17,243 13.3 62,299 6,903 11.1 7,749 12.4

2008 3

...... 129,377 16,098 12.4 17,761 13.7 62,532 7,160 11.4 8,036 12.9

 See footnotes at end of table.

Year Total 

employed

Total 

employed

94
Table 38. Union affiliation of employed wage and salary 

workers by sex, annual averages, 1983-2008—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Men

Members of unions 1 Represented by 

unions 2

 Total Percent of 

employed Total Percent of employed

1983......... 47,856 11,809 24.7 13,270 27.7

1984......... 50,022 11,511 23.0 12,832 25.7

1985....... 51,015 11,264 22.1 12,448 24.4

1986 3

...... 51,942 11,173 21.5 12,317 23.7

1987......... 52,938 11,071 20.9 12,144 22.9

1988....... 53,912 11,019 20.4 12,132 22.5

1989......... 54,789 10,820 19.7 11,955 21.8

1990 3

...... 55,553 10,597 19.1 11,775 21.2

1991......... 54,618 10,470 19.2 11,542 21.1

1992....... 54,826 10,144 18.5 11,167 20.4

1993....... 55,475 10,112 18.2 11,072 20.0

1994 3

...... 56,570 10,106 17.9 11,110 19.6

1995....... 57,669 9,929 17.2 10,868 18.8

1996......... 58,473 9,859 16.9 10,761 18.4

1997 3

...... 59,825 9,763 16.3 10,619 17.7

1998 3

...... 60,973 9,850 16.2 10,638 17.4

1999 3

...... 61,914 9,949 16.1 10,758 17.4

2000 3

...... 63,662 9,664 15.2 10,491 16.5

2001....... 63,647 9,538 15.0 10,354 16.3

2002......... 63,272 9,325 14.7 10,066 15.9

2003 3

...... 63,236 9,044 14.3 9,848 15.6

2004......... 64,145 8,878 13.8 9,638 15.0

2005...... 65,466 8,870 13.5 9,597 14.7

2006......... 66,811 8,657 13.0 9,360 14.0

2007......... 67,468 8,767 13.0 9,494 14.1

2008 3

...... 66,846 8,938 13.4 9,724 14.5

Year Total 

employed

1 Data refer to members of a labor union or an employee

association similar to a union. 2 Data refer to workers who are not members of unions but

whose jobs are covered by a union or employee association

contract, as well as to members of a labor union or an employee

association similar to a union. 3 Not strictly comparable with data for prior years. For an

explanation, see the Historical Comparability documentation

provided at http://www.bls.gov/cps/eetech_methods.pdf.

NOTE: Data refer to the sole or principal job of full- and parttime workers. All self-employed workers are excluded, regardless

of whether their businesses are incorporated. 

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor,

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

95
96

Technical Note

The estimates in this report were obtained from the 

Current Population Survey (CPS), a national monthly 

sample survey of approximately 60,000 households, 

which provides a wide range of information on the labor 

force, employment, and unemployment. Earnings and 

union affiliation data are collected from one-fourth of the 

CPS monthly sample. The survey is conducted for the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics by the U.S. Census Bureau, using 

a scientifically selected national sample with coverage in all 

50 States and the District of Columbia. 

Material in this report is in the public domain and may be 

reproduced without permission. This information is available 

to sensory-impaired individuals on request. Voice phone: 

(202) 691-5200; TDD message referral phone number: 1-

800-877-8339.

Reliability of the Estimates

Statistics based on the CPS are subject to both sampling and 

nonsampling error. When a sample, rather than an entire 

population, is surveyed, there is a chance that the sample 

estimates may differ from the “true” population values they 

represent. The exact difference, or sampling error, varies 

depending on the particular sample selected, and this variability is measured by the standard error of the estimate. 

There is about a 90-percent chance, or level of confidence, 

that an estimate based on a sample will differ by no more than 

1.6 standard errors from the true population value because 

of sampling error. BLS analyses generally are conducted at 

the 90-percent level of confidence. 

All other types of error are referred to as nonsampling error. 

Nonsampling error can occur for many reasons, including 

the failure to sample a segment of the population, inability to 

obtain information for all respondents in the sample, inability 

or unwillingness of respondents to provide correct information, and errors made in the collection or processing of data. 

CPS data also are affected by nonsampling error. The full 

extent of nonsampling error is unknown, but special studies 

have been conducted to quantify some sources of such error 

in the CPS. For further discussion of the reliability of data 

from the CPS and information on estimating standard errors, 

see the Household Data technical documentation provided 

at http://www.bls.gov/cps/eetech_methods.pdf. 

Concepts and Definitions

Civilian noninstitutional population. Included are persons 

16 years of age and older residing in the 50 States and the 

District of Columbia who are not confined to institutions 

(for example, correctional facilities and residential nursing 

and mental health care facilities), and who are not on active 

duty in the Armed Forces.

Civilian labor force. This group comprises all persons classified as employed or unemployed.

Employed persons. Employed persons are those who, during 

the survey week, (a) did any work at all as paid civilians; (b) 

worked in their own business or profession or on their own 

farm; (c) worked 15 hours or more as unpaid workers in a 

family business; or (d) were temporarily absent from their jobs 

because of illness, vacation, bad weather, or another reason.

Unemployed persons. Unemployed persons are those who 

had no employment during the survey week, were available for work at that time, and made specific efforts to find 

employment sometime in the prior 4 weeks. Persons laid off 

from their former jobs and awaiting recall did not need to be 

looking for work to be classified as unemployed.

Civilian labor force participation rate. This rate is the civilian labor force as a percent of the civilian noninstitutional 

population.

Employment-population ratio. This ratio represents the 

proportion of the population that is employed.

Unemployment rate. This rate represents the number of unemployed persons as a percent of the civilian labor force.

Race. White, black or African American, and Asian are terms 

used to describe the race of persons. Persons in these categories are those who selected that race group only. Data for the 

remaining race categories—American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and persons 

who selected more than one race category—are included in 

totals but are not shown separately because the number of 

survey respondents was too small to develop estimates of 

sufficient quality for publication. In the survey process, race 

is determined by the household respondent.

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. This term refers to persons 

who identified themselves in the survey as being Spanish, 
97

Hispanic, or Latino. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as 

Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.

Family. A family is a group of two or more persons residing 

together who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption. 

Families are classified either as married-couple families or 

as families maintained by women or men without spouses.

Self-employed workers. Self-employed workers are those 

who work for profit or fees in their own business, profession, 

trade, or farm. Unincorporated self-employed are included in 

the self-employed category. Self-employed persons whose 

businesses are incorporated are included in wage and salary 

employment.

Wage and salary workers. These are workers who receive 

wages, salaries, commissions, tips, payment in kind, or piece 

rates. The group includes employees in both the private and 

public sectors but, for purposes of the earnings series, excludes all self-employed persons, both those with incorporated 

businesses as well as those with unincorporated businesses.

Hourly paid workers. Workers who are paid an hourly 

wage are a subset of wage and salary workers, representing 

approximately three-fifths of all wage and salary workers. 

Workers paid by the hour are included in the estimates of 

median usual weekly earnings in this report, along with 

salaried workers and other workers not paid by the hour. 

Usual weekly earnings. Data are collected on wages and 

salaries before taxes and other deductions and include any 

overtime pay, commissions, or tips usually received (at the 

principal job in the case of multiple jobholders). Earnings of 

self-employed workers are excluded, regardless of whether 

their businesses are incorporated. Prior to 1994, respondents 

were asked to report earnings per week. Since January 1994, 

respondents have been asked to identify the easiest way for 

them to report earnings (hourly, weekly, biweekly, twice 

monthly, monthly, annually, or other) and how much they 

usually earn in the reported period. Earnings reported on a 

basis other than weekly are converted to a weekly equivalent. 

The term “usual” is as perceived by the respondent. If the 

respondent asks for a definition of usual, interviewers are 

instructed to define the term as “more than half the weeks 

worked during the past 4 or 5 months.”

Medians of weekly earnings. The median is the amount that 

divides a given earnings distribution into two equal groups, 

one having earnings above the median, and the other having 

earnings below the median. The BLS estimating procedure 

for determining the median of an earnings distribution 

places each reported or calculated weekly earnings value 

into a $50-wide interval that is centered on a multiple of 

$50. The value of the median is estimated through a linear 

interpolation of the interval in which the median lies. Overthe-year changes in the medians for specific groups may not 

necessarily be consistent with the movements estimated for 

the overall group boundary. The most common reasons for 

this possible anomaly follow: (1) There could be a change 

in the relative weights of the subgroups. For example, the 

medians of both 16- to 24-year-olds and those 25 years 

and over may rise, but if the lower earning 16-to-24 age 

group accounts for a greatly increased share of the total, 

the overall median could actually fall. (2) There could be 

a large change in the shape of the distribution of reported 

earnings. This could be caused by survey observations that 

are clustered at rounded values, for example, $300, $400, 

or $500. An estimate lying in a $50-wide centered interval 

containing such a cluster, or “spike,” tends to change more 

slowly than one in other intervals. For example, medians 

measure the central tendency of a multipeaked distribution 

that shifts over time. As the distribution shifts, the median 

does not necessarily move at the same rate. Specifically, 

the median takes relatively more time to move through a 

frequently reported interval, but, once above the upper limit 

of such an interval, it can move relatively quickly to the 

next frequently reported earnings interval. BLS procedures 

for estimating medians mitigate such irregular movements 

of the measures; however, users should be cautious of these 

effects when evaluating short-term changes in the medians, 

as well as in ratios of the medians. 

Hours at work. These are the actual hours worked (at all 

jobs) during the reference week. For example, persons who 

normally work 40 hours a week but were off during the 

Columbus Day holiday would be reported as working 32 

hours, even though they were paid for the holiday.

Usual hours, or usual full- or part-time status. Data on persons “at work” exclude persons who were temporarily absent 

from a job and therefore classified in the zero-hours worked 

category, “with a job but not at work.” These are persons who 

were absent from their jobs for the entire week for reasons 

such as bad weather, vacation, illness, or involvement in a 

labor dispute. To differentiate a person’s normal schedule 

from his or her activity during the reference week, persons 

also are classified according to their usual full- or part-time 

status. In this context, full-time workers are those who usually 

worked 35 hours or more (at all jobs combined). This group 

includes some individuals who worked less than 35 hours 

in the reference week for either economic or noneconomic 

reasons and those who were temporarily absent from work. 

Similarly, part-time workers are those who usually work 

less than 35 hours per week (at all jobs), regardless of the 

number of hours worked in the reference week. This may 

include some individuals who worked more than 34 hours in 

the reference week, as well as those who were temporarily 

absent from work.

Occupation and industry. This information applies to the job 

held during the reference week. Persons with two or more 

jobs are classified in the occupation and industry at which 
98

they worked the greatest number of hours. The occupational 

and industry classification of CPS data is based on the 2002 

Census Bureau occupational and industrial classification systems, which are derived from the 2000 Standard Occupation 

Classification (SOC) and the 2002 North American Industry 

Classification System (NAICS). Additional information 

about these classifications is available online at http://www.

bls.gov/cps/cpsoccind.htm. 

Work experience. These data reflect work activity during the 

calendar year and are obtained from the Annual Social and 

Economic Supplement (ASEC) to the Current Population 

Survey. Estimates of persons who worked were based on 

“yes” responses to the following questions in the ASEC: 

“Did you work at a job or business at any time during [the 

survey reference year]?” or “Did you do any temporary, 

part-time, or seasonal work even for a few days during [the 

survey reference year]?” Since the reference period is a full 

year, the number of persons with some employment or unemployment greatly exceeds the average levels for any given 

month, which are based on a 1-week reference period, and 

the corresponding annual averages of monthly estimates.

Poverty classification. Poverty statistics presented in this 

report are based on definitions developed by the Social 

Security Administration in 1964 and revised by the Federal 

interagency committees in 1969 and 1981. These definitions 

originally were based on the Department of Agriculture’s 

Economy Food Plan and reflected the different consumption 

requirements of families, based on factors such as family 

size and the number of children under 18 years of age. The 

actual poverty thresholds vary in accordance with the makeup 

of the family. Poverty thresholds are updated each year to 

reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban 

Consumers (CPI-U). The thresholds do not vary geographically. For more information on poverty data and thresholds, 

see http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty.

html.