1

Highlights of Women’s 

Earnings in 2011

U.S. Department of Labor 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

October 2012

Report 1038

Introduction

I

n 2011, women who were full-time wage and salary 

workers had median usual weekly earnings of $684, 

about 82 percent of median earnings for male full-time 

wage and salary workers ($832). In 1979, the first year for 

which comparable earnings data are available, women earned 

62 percent of what men earned. (See chart 1 and tables 1 and 

13.) 

This report presents earnings data from the Current 

Population Survey (CPS), a national monthly survey of 

approximately 60,000 households conducted by the U.S. 

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

(BLS). Information on earnings is collected from one-fourth 

of the CPS sample each month. Readers 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 the concepts and 

definitions used, see the accompanying technical note.

Highlights

Full-time workers

• Median weekly earnings were highest for women 

age 35 to 64 in 2011, with little difference in the 

earnings of 35- to 44-year-olds ($734), 45- to 

54-year-olds ($744), and 55- to 64-year-olds ($749). 

Among men, those age 45 to 64 had the highest 

earnings, with 45- to 54-year-olds ($979) having 

made about the same as 55- to 64-year-olds ($997). 

Young women and men age 16 to 24 had the lowest 

earnings ($421 and $455, respectively). (See table 

1.) 

• Among the age groupings of those 35 years and 

older, women had earnings that ranged from 

75 percent to 81 percent of those of their male 

counterparts. Among younger workers, the earnings 

differences between women and men were not 

as great. Women earned 92 percent of what men 

earned among workers 25 to 34 years old and 93 

percent as much as men among 16- to 24-year-olds. 

(See table 1.) 

• Between 1979 and 2011, women’s-to-men’s 

earnings ratios rose for most age groups. Among 25- 

to 34-year-olds, for example, the ratio grew from 68 

percent in 1979 to 92 percent in 2011, and the ratio 

for 45- to 54-year-olds increased from 57 percent to 

76 percent. (See table 13.) 

• Asian women and men earned more than their 

White, Black, and Hispanic or Latino counterparts 

in 2011. Among women, Whites ($703) earned 94 

percent as much as Asians ($751), while Blacks 

($595) and Hispanics ($518) earned 79 percent and 

69 percent as much, respectively. In comparison, 

White men ($856) earned 88 percent as much as 

Asian men ($970); Black men ($653) earned 67 

percent as much; and Hispanic men ($571), 59 

percent. (See chart 2 and table 1.)

• Earnings differences between women and men 

were widest for Whites and for Asians. White 

women earned 82 percent as much as their male 

counterparts in 2011, while Asian women earned 

77 percent as much as their male counterparts. In 

comparison, both Black and Hispanic women had 

median earnings that were 91 percent of those of 

their male counterparts. (See table 1.)

• Across the major race and Hispanic ethnicity 

categories, women’s inflation-adjusted, or constantdollar, earnings have risen significantly since 1979. 

Earnings growth has been sharpest for White 

women, outpacing that of their Black and Hispanic 

counterparts. Between 1979 and 2011, inflationadjusted earnings for White women rose by 32 

percent, compared with an increase of 22 percent for 

Black women and 14 percent for Hispanic women. 

In contrast, earnings for White and Black men in 

2011 were about the same as in 1979, after adjusting 

for inflation, while Hispanic men’s earnings were 

down by 10 percent from their 1979 constant-dollar 

level. (See table 19.) Asians were not included in this 

analysis because comparable data are not available 

back to 1979. (See note in table 19.) 

• Median weekly earnings vary significantly by level 

of educational attainment. Among both women and 

BLS
2

men age 25 and older, the weekly earnings of those 

without a high school diploma ($395 for women and 

$488 for men) were about two-fifths of those with a 

bachelor’s degree or higher ($998 for women and 

$1,332 for men) in 2011. Women and men with a 

high school diploma who had not attended college 

earned a little more than half of what women and 

men with a bachelor’s degree or higher did, and 

those with some college or an associate’s degree 

earned around two-thirds as much. (See tables 1 

and 6.)

• At each level of education, women have fared better 

than men with respect to earnings growth. Although 

both women and men without a high school diploma 

have experienced declines in inflation-adjusted 

earnings since 1979, the drop for women was 

significantly less than that for men: a 10-percent 

decrease for women—as opposed to a 33-percent 

decline for men. On an inflation-adjusted basis, 

earnings for women with a college degree have 

increased by 31 percent since 1979, while those of 

male college graduates have risen by 16 percent. 

(Data pertain to workers age 25 and older.) (See 

chart 3 and table 20.)

• Women working full time in management, business, 

and financial operations jobs had median weekly 

earnings of $977 in 2011, which is more than 

women earned in any other major occupational 

category. Within management, business, and 

financial operations occupations, women who were 

chief executives and computer and information 

systems managers had the highest median weekly 

earnings ($1,464 and $1,543, respectively). The 

second highest paying job group for women was 

professional and related occupations, in which 

their median weekly earnings were $919. Within 

professional and related occupations, women who 

were lawyers ($1,631), pharmacists ($1,898), and 

physicians ($1,527) had the highest earnings. (See 

table 2.)

• The occupational distributions of female and male 

full-time workers differ significantly. Compared with 

men, relatively few women work in construction, 

production, or transportation occupations, and 

women are far more concentrated in administrative 

support jobs. (See chart 4 and table 2.)

• Women are more likely than men to work in 

professional and related occupations. Within this 

occupational category, though, the proportion of 

women employed in the higher paying job groups is 

much smaller than the proportion of men employed 

in them. In 2011, 8 percent of female professionals 

were employed in the relatively high-paying 

computer and engineering fields, compared with 44 

percent of male professionals. Professional women 

were more likely to work in education and healthcare 

occupations, in which the pay is generally lower 

than that for computer and engineering jobs. Sixtynine percent of female professionals worked in the 

education and healthcare fields in 2011, compared 

with 30 percent of male professionals. (See table 2.)

• Of the 44.5 million women working full time in 

wage and salary jobs in 2011, a little more than onethird were mothers of children under age 18. Median 

weekly earnings for mothers of children under age 

18 were $669. Earnings for women without children 

under 18 were $692. (See table 8.) 

• Median weekly earnings and women’s-to-men’s 

earnings ratios vary by state of residence. The 

differences among the states reflect, in part, 

variation in the occupations and industries found in 

each state and in the age composition of each state’s 

labor force. In general, the sampling error for the 

state estimates is considerably larger than it is for 

the national estimates; thus, comparisons of state 

estimates should be made with caution. (See table 

3.)

• Among full-time workers (that is, those working 35 

hours or more per week in a job), men are more likely 

than women to have a longer workweek. Twentyfive percent of men, compared with 14 percent of 

women, worked 41 or more hours per week, in 

2011. Women were more likely than men to work 

35 to 39 hours per week: 13 percent as opposed to 

5 percent. A large majority of both male and female 

full-time workers had a 40-hour workweek; among 

these workers, women earned 88 percent as much as 

men earned. (Persons who usually work 35 or more 

hours per week but whose hours vary were excluded 

from this analysis.) (See table 5.)

Part-time workers

• Women are more likely than men to work part 

time—that is, less than 35 hours per week on a sole, 

or principal, job. Women who worked part time 

made up 26 percent of all female wage and salary 

workers in 2011. In contrast, 13 percent of men in 

wage and salary jobs worked part time. (See tables 

4 and 5.) 

• Unlike full-time workers, women and men who 

worked part time had similar median earnings. 

Median weekly earnings for female part-timers were 

$235 in 2011, little different than the $226 median 

for their male counterparts. 

• Among part-time workers, men tend to be younger 

than women. Forty-three percent of male part-time 
3

workers were 16 to 24 years old, compared with 28 

percent of female part-time workers in 2011. (See 

table 4.) 

Workers paid by the hour

• Sixty-two percent of women and 56 percent of men 

employed in wage and salary jobs were paid by the 

hour in 2011. Women who were paid hourly rates 

had median hourly earnings of $11.98, 87 percent of 

the median for men paid by the hour ($13.80). (See 

tables 9, 10, 16, and 17.)

• In 2011, among workers who were paid hourly 

rates, 6 percent of women and 4 percent of men had 

hourly earnings at or below the prevailing federal 

minimum wage of $7.25. (See tables 11 and 12.) 

• Among both women and men, hourly paid workers 

age 16 to 19 were the most likely to have earnings at 

or below the minimum wage. Twenty-three percent 

of teenage workers paid hourly rates earned the 

prevailing federal minimum wage or less in 2011, 

compared with just 3 percent of hourly paid workers 

age 25 and older. Among 20- to 24-year-olds, 10 

percent had earnings at or below the minimum 

wage. (See table 11.)
4

Charts, Statistical Tables, and Technical Note

 Page

Charts

1. Women’s earnings as a percent of men’s, full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2011 annual averages................6

2 Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity, 2011 annual averages....................................................................................................................................6

3. Percent change in constant-dollar median usual weekly earnings, by educational attainment and sex, 

1979–2011 .....................................................................................................................................................................7

4. Distribution of full-time wage and salary employment, by sex and major occupation group, 

2011 annual averages.....................................................................................................................................................7

Statistical Tables

1. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by selected characteristics,

2011 annual averages.....................................................................................................................................................8

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

2011 annual averages...................................................................................................................................................10

3. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by state and sex, 2011 annual averages ........36

4. Median usual weekly earnings of part-time wage and salary workers, by selected characteristics,

2011 annual averages...................................................................................................................................................38

5. Median usual weekly earnings of wage and salary workers, by hours usually worked and sex, 

2011 annual averages...................................................................................................................................................40

6. Quartiles and selected deciles of usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by

selected characteristics, 2011 annual averages............................................................................................................42

7. Distribution of full-time wage and salary workers, by usual weekly earnings and selected characteristics,

2011 annual averages...................................................................................................................................................43

8. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by sex, marital status, and presence and

age of own children under 18 years old, 2011 annual averages..................................................................................45

9. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by selected characteristics,

2011 annual averages...................................................................................................................................................46

10. Distribution of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by hourly earnings and selected characteristics,

2011 annual averages...................................................................................................................................................48

11. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage,

by selected characteristics, 2011 annual averages.......................................................................................................50

12. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage,

by sex, 1979–2011 annual averages............................................................................................................................52

13. Women’s earnings as a percent of men’s, by age, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2011 ......................55

14. Women’s earnings as a percent of men’s, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for full-time wage and 

salary workers, 1979–2011..........................................................................................................................................56

15. Women’s earnings as a percent of men’s, by educational attainment, for full-time wage and salary workers 

25 years and older, 1979–2011....................................................................................................................................57

16. Women’s earnings as a percent of men’s, by age, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates,

1979–2011 ...................................................................................................................................................................58

17. Women’s earnings as a percent of men’s, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for wage and salary 

workers paid hourly rates, 1979–2011.........................................................................................................................59
5

 Page

18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in constant (2011) dollars, by sex 

and age, 1979–2011 annual averages..........................................................................................................................60

19. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in constant (2011) dollars, by sex, 

race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 annual averages ..........................................................................63

20. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older, in constant (2011)

dollars, by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2011 annual averages. ..................................................................66

21. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in constant (2011) dollars, by sex

and age, 1979–2011 annual averages..........................................................................................................................69

22. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in constant (2011) dollars, by sex,

race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 annual averages ..........................................................................72

23. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in current dollars, by sex and age,

1979–2011 annual averages.........................................................................................................................................75

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

and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 annual averages...................................................................................78

25. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older, in current dollars, 

by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2011 annual averages................................................................................81

26. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in current dollars, by sex

and age, 1979–2011 annual averages. .........................................................................................................................84

27. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in current dollars, by sex, race, and

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 annual averages..........................................................................................87

Technical Note .....................................................................................................................................................................90
6

Chart 1. Women’s earnings as a percent of men’s, full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2011 annual averages

Percent Percent

85

90

85

90

75

80

75

80

65

70

65

70

55

60

55

60

50

1979 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2011

50

NOTE: Data relate to median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Chart 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity, 2011 annual averages

Earnings

$970 1,000

1,200

Women Men

Earnings

(dollars)

$684 $703

$751

$832 $856

$653

800

1,000

$595

$518

$571

400

600

200

0

Total White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

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

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
7

Chart 3. Percent change in constant-dollar median usual weekly earnings, by educational attainment and sex, 

1979–2011 

-10.0

-33.0

Less than a high school 

diploma

3.6

-19.1

Women Men

High school graduates, no 

college

5.7

16 3

-11.7

Some college or 

associate’s degree

30.8

16.3

-40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40

Bachelor's degree and 

higher

P th ercent change

NOTE: Data relate to earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Chart 4. Distribution of full-time wage and salary employment, by sex and major occupation group, 2011 annual averages

Percent of total

40

Women Men

29.5

22.3

30

16.6

15.5 15.7

18.9

13.2

17.1

19.2 20

9.1

5.9

9.3

6.8

10

0.9

0

Management,

business, and

financial operations

ti

Professional and

related occupations

Service occupations Sales and related

occupations

Office and

administrative

support occupations

Natural resources,

construction, and

maintenance

ti

Production,

transportation, and

material moving

occupations occupations occupations

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Table 1. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by selected characteristics,

2011 annual averages 

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Age

Total, 16 years and older....................................... 100,457 $756 $2 44,486 $684 $3

16 to 24 years.................................................... 8,723 440 4 3,772 421 3

16 to 19 years................................................. 947 352 5 389 328 8

20 to 24 years................................................. 7,776 457 4 3,383 438 5

25 years and older............................................. 91,733 797 2 40,714 718 3

25 to 34 years................................................. 24,296 693 3 10,392 662 5

35 to 44 years................................................. 23,782 837 5 10,204 734 5

45 to 54 years................................................. 25,133 866 5 11,557 744 5

55 to 64 years................................................. 15,641 881 6 7,294 749 6

65 years and older.......................................... 2,881 742 10 1,266 664 14

Race and Hispanic or

Latino Ethnicity

White..................................................................... 81,336 775 2 34,976 703 3

Black or African American..................................... 11,604 615 3 6,191 595 4

Asian..................................................................... 5,197 866 13 2,284 751 12

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.................................... 15,147 549 5 5,700 518 4

Marital Status

Never married....................................................... 26,487 606 2 11,553 595 3

Married, spouse present........................................ 57,050 858 3 23,274 741 3

Other marital status............................................... 16,920 722 4 9,660 662 5

Both sexes Women

Characteristic

Divorced............................................................. 11,374 758 5 6,461 697 7

Separated.......................................................... 3,921 615 6 1,969 579 9

Widowed............................................................ 1,625 672 14 1,230 635 14

Union Affiliation1

Members of unions2....................................... 13,177 938 5 5,671 879 8

Represented by unions3

.................................... 14,487 934 5 6,327 871 7

Not represented by a union................................... 85,969 729 2 38,159 653 3

Educational Attainment

Total, 25 years and older....................................... 91,733 797 2 40,714 718 3

Less than a high school diploma........................ 7,019 451 4 2,225 395 4

High school graduates, no college..................... 25,157 638 3 10,220 554 4

Some college or associate's degree................... 25,205 739 3 12,048 645 4

Bachelor's degree and higher............................. 34,353 1,150 3 16,221 998 5

See footnotes at end of table.

8
Table 1. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by

selected characteristics, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Age

Total, 16 years and older....................................... 55,971 $832 $3 82.2

16 to 24 years.................................................... 4,951 455 5 92.5

16 to 19 years................................................. 558 370 7 88.6

20 to 24 years................................................. 4,393 470 5 93.2

25 years and older............................................. 51,020 886 3 81.0

25 to 34 years................................................. 13,905 717 5 92.3

35 to 44 years................................................. 13,578 935 7 78.5

45 to 54 years................................................. 13,576 979 6 76.0

55 to 64 years................................................. 8,347 997 8 75.1

65 years and older.......................................... 1,614 821 21 80.9

Race and Hispanic or

Latino Ethnicity

White..................................................................... 46,360 856 4 82.1

Black or African American..................................... 5,414 653 8 91.1

Asian..................................................................... 2,912 970 15 77.4

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.................................... 9,448 571 5 90.7

Marital Status

Never married....................................................... 14,934 614 3 96.9

Married, spouse present........................................ 33,777 955 4 77.6

Other marital status............................................... 7,260 804 8 82.3

Characteristic

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Divorced............................................................. 4,912 849 10 82.1

Separated.......................................................... 1,953 670 15 86.4

Widowed............................................................ 395 843 48 75.3

Union Affiliation1 

Members of unions2....................................... 7,506 982 7 89.5

Represented by unions3

.................................... 8,160 981 6 88.8

Not represented by a union................................... 47,811 798 4 81.8

Educational Attainment

Total, 25 years and older....................................... 51,020 886 3 81.0

Less than a high school diploma........................ 4,794 488 3 80.9

High school graduates, no college..................... 14,937 720 4 76.9

Some college or associate's degree................... 13,156 840 6 76.8

Bachelor's degree and higher............................. 18,132 1,332 8 74.9

1 Differences in earnings levels between workers with and without union affiliation reflect a variety of 

factors in addition to coverage by a collective bargaining agreement, including the distribution of male 

and female employees by occupation, industry, firm size, and geographic region.

2 Data refer to members of a labor union or an employee association similar to a union.

3 Data refer to workers who report no union affiliation but whose jobs are covered by a union or an 

employee association contract, as well as to members of a labor union or an employee association 

similar to a union. 

NOTE: Estimates for the race groups listed (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: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

9
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation and sex, 

2011 annual averages 

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Total, 16 years and older.......................................... 100,457 $756 $2 44,486 $684 $3

Management, professional, and related occupations...... 39,791 1,082 5 20,524 941 3

Management, business, and financial 

 operations occupations.......................................... 16,061 1,160 5 7,386 977 7

Management occupations.................................... 10,891 1,237 9 4,440 1,018 11

Chief executives............................................. 990 1,963 62 245 1,464 69

General and operations managers..................... 921 1,191 44 270 972 32

Legislators...................................................... 13 – – 4 – –

Advertising and promotions managers.................. 68 1,164 26 40 – –

Marketing and sales managers........................... 891 1,408 37 392 1,127 47

Public relations and fundraising managers............ 62 1,475 146 29 – –

Administrative services managers........................ 115 1,021 97 44 – –

Computer and information systems managers...... 530 1,579 52 138 1,543 76

Financial managers.......................................... 1,044 1,166 18 567 991 25

Compensation and benefits managers.................. 21 – – 14 – –

Human resources managers.............................. 207 1,331 58 149 1,273 83

Training and development managers.................. 36 – – 12 – –

Industrial production managers........................... 250 1,211 48 45 – –

Purchasing managers....................................... 183 1,242 51 89 1,026 56

Transportation, storage, and 

 distribution managers.................................... 229 882 42 33 – –

Farmers, ranchers, and other 

 agricultural managers.................................... 98 800 51 17 – –

Construction managers.................................... 464 1,268 57 31 – –

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Construction managers.................................... 464 1,268 57 31

Education administrators.................................. 735 1,228 36 467 1,061 38

Architectural and engineering managers............... 98 1,914 38 7 – –

Food service managers.................................... 675 660 19 314 599 18

Funeral service managers.................................. 8 – – 5 – –

Gaming managers............................................ 22 – – 7 – –

Lodging managers.......................................... 91 883 75 55 841 36

Medical and health services managers.................. 450 1,252 37 325 1,166 46

Natural sciences managers.............................. 12 – – 7 – –

Postmasters and mail superintendents.................. 29 – – 19 – –

Property, real estate, and

 community association managers....................... 317 921 27 182 728 29

Social and community service managers............... 277 1,045 44 196 973 35

Emergency management directors..................... 5 – – 1 – –

Managers, all other.......................................... 2,050 1,265 27 737 1,047 48

Business and financial operations occupations......... 5,170 1,038 10 2,946 937 8

Agents and business managers of

 artists, performers, and athletes........................ 25 – – 13 – –

Buyers and purchasing agents, farm products...... 7 – – 2 – –

Wholesale and retail buyers,

 except farm products....................................... 130 882 38 62 849 34

Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and 

 farm products................................................ 226 1,015 45 118 945 34

Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners,

 and investigators.......................................... 271 913 41 162 804 41

Compliance officers.......................................... 176 1,125 58 78 995 35

Cost estimators................................................ 106 1,080 104 19 – –

Human resources workers................................. 522 938 23 406 912 25

Compensation, benefits, and job 

 analysis specialists....................................... 53 893 250 39 – –

See note at end of table.

10
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed

occupation and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Total, 16 years and older.......................................... 55,971 $832 $3 82.2

Management, professional, and related occupations...... 19,267 1,269 9 74.2

Management, business, and financial 

 operations occupations.......................................... 8,676 1,370 11 71.3

Management occupations.................................... 6,451 1,427 14 71.3

Chief executives............................................. 745 2,122 89 69.0

General and operations managers..................... 651 1,319 65 73.7

Legislators...................................................... 9 – – –

Advertising and promotions managers.................. 28 – – –

Marketing and sales managers........................... 499 1,660 35 67.9

Public relations and fundraising managers............ 33 – – –

Administrative services managers........................ 71 1,170 128 –

Computer and information systems managers...... 392 1,595 63 96.7

Financial managers.......................................... 477 1,504 49 65.9

Compensation and benefits managers.................. 7 – – –

Human resources managers.............................. 58 1,488 98 85.6

Training and development managers.................. 24 – – –

Industrial production managers........................... 204 1,245 44 –

Purchasing managers....................................... 94 1,368 70 75.0

Transportation, storage, and 

 distribution managers.................................... 196 861 40 –

Farmers, ranchers, and other 

 agricultural managers.................................... 81 855 120 –

Construction managers.................................... 433 1,325 112 –

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Construction managers.................................... 433 1,325 112

Education administrators.................................. 268 1,532 66 69.3

Architectural and engineering managers............... 91 1,908 36 –

Food service managers.................................... 361 734 18 81.6

Funeral service managers.................................. 4 – – –

Gaming managers............................................ 15 – – –

Lodging managers.......................................... 36 – – –

Medical and health services managers.................. 125 1,456 53 80.1

Natural sciences managers.............................. 5 – – –

Postmasters and mail superintendents.................. 10 – – –

Property, real estate, and

 community association managers....................... 135 1,201 95 60.6

Social and community service managers............... 81 1,221 165 79.7

Emergency management directors..................... 4 – – –

Managers, all other.......................................... 1,313 1,406 28 74.5

Business and financial operations occupations......... 2,225 1,225 22 76.5

Agents and business managers of

 artists, performers, and athletes........................ 12 – – –

Buyers and purchasing agents, farm products...... 5 – – –

Wholesale and retail buyers,

 except farm products....................................... 68 928 49 91.5

Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and 

 farm products................................................ 108 1,129 41 83.7

Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners,

 and investigators.......................................... 110 1,077 59 74.7

Compliance officers.......................................... 98 1,279 227 77.8

Cost estimators................................................ 87 1,117 89 –

Human resources workers................................. 116 1,053 57 86.6

Compensation, benefits, and job 

 analysis specialists....................................... 13 – – –

See note at end of table.

11
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation and sex, 

2011 annual averages—cont'd

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Training and development specialists.................. 117 $1,059 $144 64 $951 $57

Logisticians................................................... 77 864 43 27 – –

Management analysts....................................... 458 1,355 33 208 1,174 72

Meeting, convention, and event planners............... 87 889 36 71 892 46

Fundraisers................................................... 56 1,064 63 42 – –

Market research analysts and marketing 

 specialists................................................... 167 1,157 33 101 1,029 65

Business operations specialists, all other............... 238 991 30 149 908 84

Accountants and auditors................................. 1,383 1,056 17 852 956 13

Appraisers and assessors of real estate............... 50 990 45 20 – –

Budget analysts............................................. 52 1,174 138 30 – –

Credit analysts................................................ 21 – – 12 – –

Financial analysts............................................. 63 1,737 36 22 – –

Personal financial advisors................................. 270 1,239 47 97 941 31

Insurance underwriters.................................... 108 970 53 64 939 30

Financial examiners.......................................... 7 – – 5 – –

Credit counselors and loan officers..................... 306 1,024 40 159 829 33

Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue 

 agents......................................................... 67 920 51 40 – –

Tax preparers................................................ 55 701 62 41 – –

Financial specialists, all other.............................. 72 913 47 41 – –

Professional and related occupations........................ 23,730 1,029 5 13,139 919 5

Computer and mathematical occupations............... 3,296 1,305 26 787 1,126 23

Computer and information research scientists...... 19 – – 2 – –

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Computer systems analysts.............................. 373 1,328 49 132 1,144 49

Information security analysts.............................. 45 – – 7 – –

Computer programmers.................................... 411 1,277 65 83 1,238 29

Software developers, applications and systems 

 software...................................................... 990 1,558 24 179 1,388 41

Web developers............................................. 117 1,017 40 35 – –

Computer support specialists.............................. 434 915 39 107 951 44

Database administrators.................................... 138 1,238 94 48 – –

Network and computer systems administrators...... 221 1,180 46 49 – –

Computer network architects.............................. 94 1,441 97 12 – –

Computer occupations, all other........................ 282 1,127 43 61 998 56

Actuaries...................................................... 17 – – 5 – –

Mathematicians................................................ 2 – – 1 – –

Operations research analysts.............................. 116 1,273 87 51 1,326 213

Statisticians................................................... 30 – – 13 – –

Miscellaneous mathematical 

 science occupations....................................... 6 – – 2 – –

Architecture and engineering occupations............... 2,494 1,315 20 316 1,140 28

Architects, except naval.................................... 113 1,325 149 21 – –

Surveyors, cartographers, and

 photogrammetrists....................................... 31 – – 5 – –

Aerospace engineers....................................... 134 1,621 109 16 – –

Agricultural engineers....................................... 1 – – – – –

Biomedical engineers....................................... 12 – – 2 – –

Chemical engineers.......................................... 73 1,757 99 16 – –

Civil engineers................................................ 335 1,398 50 46 – –

Computer hardware engineers........................... 76 1,528 66 10 – –

Electrical and electronics engineers..................... 283 1,442 36 26 – –

Environmental engineers.................................... 36 – – 10 – –

Industrial engineers, including health and safety...... 178 1,336 33 34 – –

See note at end of table.

12
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed

occupation and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Training and development specialists.................. 53 $1,260 $74 75.5

Logisticians................................................... 50 938 34 –

Management analysts....................................... 250 1,514 110 77.5

Meeting, convention and event planners............... 16 – – –

Fundraisers................................................... 14 – – –

Market research analysts and marketing 

 specialists................................................... 66 1,446 69 71.2

Business operations specialists, all other............... 88 1,185 52 76.6

Accountants and auditors................................. 532 1,250 29 76.5

Appraisers and assessors of real estate............... 30 – – –

Budget analysts............................................. 22 – – –

Credit analysts................................................ 9 – – –

Financial analysts............................................. 40 – – –

Personal financial advisors................................. 173 1,535 172 61.3

Insurance underwriters.................................... 44 – – –

Financial examiners.......................................... 2 – – –

Credit counselors and loan officers..................... 147 1,345 35 61.6

Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue 

 agents......................................................... 27 – – –

Tax preparers................................................ 13 – – –

Financial specialists, all other.............................. 30 – – –

Professional and related occupations........................ 10,592 1,211 10 75.9

Computer and mathematical occupations............... 2,509 1,369 17 82.2

Computer and information research scientists...... 17 – – –

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Computer systems analysts.............................. 242 1,410 75 81.1

Information security analysts.............................. 38 – – –

Computer programmers.................................... 329 1,330 55 93.1

Software developers, applications and systems......

 software...................................................... 812 1,606 43 86.4

Web developers............................................. 81 1,033 42 –

Computer support specialists.............................. 326 896 47 106.1

Database administrators.................................... 90 1,470 83 –

Network and computer systems administrators...... 172 1,243 52 –

Computer network architects.............................. 81 1,585 190 –

Computer occupations, all other........................ 221 1,165 49 85.7

Actuaries...................................................... 12 – – –

Mathematicians................................................ 1 – – –

Operations research analysts.............................. 66 1,258 110 105.4

Statisticians................................................... 17 – – –

Miscellaneous mathematical 

 science occupations....................................... 5 – – –

Architecture and engineering occupations............... 2,178 1,343 13 84.9

Architects, except naval.................................... 92 1,351 39 –

Surveyors, cartographers, and

 photogrammetrists....................................... 26 – – –

Aerospace engineers....................................... 119 1,745 54 –

Agricultural engineers....................................... 1 – – –

Biomedical engineers....................................... 10 – – –

Chemical engineers.......................................... 57 1,885 34 –

Civil engineers................................................ 289 1,436 41 –

Computer hardware engineers........................... 66 1,546 34 –

Electrical and electronics engineers..................... 256 1,455 34 –

Environmental engineers.................................... 26 – – –

Industrial engineers, including health and safety...... 143 1,356 33 –

See note at end of table.

13
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation and sex, 

2011 annual averages—cont'd

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Marine engineers and naval architects.................. 6 –– 1 ––

Materials engineers.......................................... 30 – – 4 – –

Mechanical engineers....................................... 306 $1,374 $34 16 – –

Mining and geological engineers, including

 mining safety engineers................................. 9 – – 1 – –

Nuclear engineers.......................................... 23 – – 2 – –

Petroleum engineers....................................... 19 – – 1 – –

Engineers, all other.......................................... 310 1,366 29 35 – –

Drafters......................................................... 124 941 117 23 – –

Engineering technicians, except drafters............... 341 954 32 40 – –

Surveying and mapping technicians..................... 53 777 100 6 – –

Life, physical, and social science occupations......... 1,043 1,108 23 479 $1,038 $33

Agricultural and food scientists........................... 27 – – 10 – –

Biological scientists.......................................... 103 1,031 99 50 853 24

Conservation scientists and foresters.................. 22 – – 4 – –

Medical scientists............................................. 141 1,109 61 78 1,127 110

Astronomers and physicists.............................. 18 – – 4 – –

Atmospheric and space scientists........................ 7 – – 1 – –

Chemists and materials scientists........................ 83 1,169 60 38 – –

Environmental scientists and geoscientists............ 86 1,383 90 25 – –

Physical scientists, all other.............................. 133 1,383 48 51 1,167 244

Economists................................................... 20 – – 8 – –

Survey researchers.......................................... 1 – – – – –

Psychologists................................................ 104 1,229 63 74 1,244 59

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Sociologists................................................... 2 – – 2 – –

Urban and regional planners.............................. 19 – – 9 – –

Miscellaneous social scientists and related

 workers......................................................... 48 – – 29 – –

Agricultural and food science technicians............ 13 – – 6 – –

Biological technicians....................................... 19 – – 9 – –

Chemical technicians....................................... 69 788 79 29 – –

Geological and petroleum technicians.................. 6 – – 3 – –

Nuclear technicians.......................................... 3 – – 1 – –

Social science research assistants..................... 1 – – – – –

Miscellaneous life, physical, and social science 

 technicians................................................... 118 763 35 49 – –

Community and social services occupations............ 1,931 813 13 1,202 772 10

Counselors...................................................... 568 828 24 380 808 27

Social workers................................................ 684 817 18 554 798 18

Probation officers and correctional treatment 

 specialists................................................... 86 822 101 44 – –

Social and human service assistants .................. 105 597 46 83 597 58

Miscellaneous community and social service 

 specialists, including health educators and 

 community health workers.............................. 62 676 74 39 – –

Clergy............................................................ 343 945 28 51 889 93

Directors, religious activities and education............ 34 – – 25 – –

Religious workers, all other................................. 50 654 81 26 – –

Legal occupations............................................. 1,259 1,277 50 676 1,003 36

Lawyers......................................................... 704 1,774 62 242 1,631 121

Judicial law clerks............................................. 4 – – 3 – –

Judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers...... 58 1,655 124 26 – –

Paralegals and legal assistants........................... 338 824 28 286 813 30

Miscellaneous legal support workers.................. 155 815 28 120 788 23

See note at end of table.

14
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed

occupation and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Marine engineers and naval architects.................. 6 –– –

Materials engineers.......................................... 26 – – –

Mechanical engineers....................................... 290 $1,399 $36 –

Mining and geological engineers, including

 mining safety engineers................................. 8 – – –

Nuclear engineers.......................................... 20 – – –

Petroleum engineers....................................... 18 – – –

Engineers, all other.......................................... 275 1,361 28 –

Drafters......................................................... 102 1,052 128 –

Engineering technicians, except drafters............... 301 952 31 –

Surveying and mapping technicians..................... 47 – – –

Life, physical, and social science occupations......... 565 1,156 30 89.8

Agricultural and food scientists........................... 17 – – –

Biological scientists.......................................... 53 1,177 73 72.5

Conservation scientists and foresters.................. 18 – – –

Medical scientists............................................. 64 1,102 51 102.3

Astronomers and physicists.............................. 15 – – –

Atmospheric and space scientists........................ 6 – – –

Chemists and materials scientists........................ 45 – – –

Environmental scientists and geoscientists............ 61 1,408 62 –

Physical scientists, all other.............................. 82 1,483 101 78.7

Economists................................................... 12 – – –

Survey researchers.......................................... – – – –

Psychologists................................................ 31 – – –

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Sociologists................................................... – – – –

Urban and regional planners.............................. 10 – – –

Miscellaneous social scientists and related

 workers......................................................... 19 – – –

Agricultural and food science technicians............ 7 – – –

Biological technicians....................................... 10 – – –

Chemical technicians....................................... 40 – – –

Geological and petroleum technicians.................. 3 – – –

Nuclear technicians.......................................... 2 – – –

Social science research assistants..................... 1 – – –

Miscellaneous life, physical, and social science 

 technicians................................................... 69 807 107 –

Community and social services occupations............ 728 906 27 85.2

Counselors...................................................... 188 874 42 92.4

Social workers................................................ 130 902 58 88.5

Probation officers and correctional treatment 

 specialists................................................... 41 – – –

Social and human service assistants .................. 21 – – –

Miscellaneous community and social service 

 specialists, including health educators and 

 community health workers.............................. 23 – – –

Clergy............................................................ 292 961 38 92.5

Directors, religious activities and education............ 10 – – –

Religious workers, all other................................. 24 – – –

Legal occupations............................................. 583 1,758 30 57.1

Lawyers......................................................... 462 1,884 22 86.6

Judicial law clerks............................................. 1 – – –

Judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers...... 32 – – –

Paralegals and legal assistants........................... 52 884 73 92.0

Miscellaneous legal support workers.................. 35 – – –

See note at end of table.

15
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation and sex, 

2011 annual averages—cont'd

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Education, training, and library occupations............ 6,518 $919 $7 4,769 $869 $7

Postsecondary teachers.................................... 925 1,209 34 399 1,093 61

Preschool and kindergarten teachers.................. 532 606 16 519 603 16

Elementary and middle school teachers............... 2,436 947 8 1,973 933 8

Secondary school teachers................................. 1,005 1,015 19 575 989 24

Special education teachers................................. 364 939 19 308 935 19

Other teachers and instructors........................... 368 858 52 205 739 25

Archivists, curators, and museum technicians......... 38 – – 26 – –

Librarians...................................................... 139 850 67 118 813 39

Library technicians.......................................... 13 – – 10 – –

Teacher assistants.......................................... 605 480 15 566 471 13

Other education, training, and library workers......... 94 982 75 71 979 87

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media 

 occupations...................................................... 1,464 929 16 613 856 21

Artists and related workers................................. 56 1,115 107 21 – –

Designers...................................................... 458 950 23 201 816 26

Actors............................................................ 8 – – 2 – –

Producers and directors.................................... 105 1,023 124 47 – –

Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers... 109 825 59 25 – –

Dancers and choreographers.............................. 6 – – 3 – –

Musicians, singers, and related workers............... 35 – – 5 – –

Entertainers and performers, sports and related

 workers, all other.......................................... 7 – – 4 – –

Announcers................................................... 32 – – 9 – –

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

News analysts, reporters and correspondents...... 62 937 52 18 – –

Public relations specialists................................. 123 954 46 75 887 51

Editors......................................................... 132 902 38 74 892 33

Technical writers............................................. 46 – – 26 – –

Writers and authors.......................................... 85 918 36 43 – –

Miscellaneous media and communication workers... 47 – – 32 – –

Broadcast and sound engineering technicians 

 and radio operators........................................ 79 857 35 6 – –

Photographers................................................ 45 – – 16 – –

Television, video, and motion picture camera

 operators and editors....................................... 27 – – 5 – –

Media and communication equipment workers, 

 all other...................................................... 2 – – 1 – –

Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations...... 5,725 995 8 4,296 965 8

Chiropractors................................................... 5 – – 2 – –

Dentists......................................................... 42 – – 9 – –

Dietitians and nutritionists................................. 69 897 57 64 906 53

Optometrists................................................... 9 – – 3 – –

Pharmacists................................................... 195 1,917 28 110 1,898 29

Physicians and surgeons................................. 573 1,860 104 206 1,527 92

Physician assistants.......................................... 69 1,220 532 44 – –

Podiatrists...................................................... 1 – – 1 – –

Audiologists................................................... 14 – – 10 – –

Occupational therapists.................................... 72 1,189 47 62 1,193 58

Physical therapists.......................................... 146 1,322 70 87 1,216 102

Radiation therapists.......................................... 12 – – 10 – –

Recreational therapists.................................... 10 – – 7 – –

Respiratory therapists....................................... 126 997 44 73 1,028 56

Speech-language pathologists........................... 87 1,075 58 84 1,076 54

Exercise physiologists....................................... 2 – – 1 – –

See note at end of table.

16
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed

occupation and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Education, training, and library occupations............ 1,749 $1,109 $22 78.4

Postsecondary teachers.................................... 526 1,358 37 80.5

Preschool and kindergarten teachers.................. 13 – – –

Elementary and middle school teachers............... 463 1,022 21 91.3

Secondary school teachers................................. 431 1,049 26 94.3

Special education teachers................................. 55 967 67 96.7

Other teachers and instructors........................... 163 1,105 61 66.9

Archivists, curators, and museum technicians......... 12 – – –

Librarians...................................................... 21 – – –

Library technicians.......................................... 3 – – –

Teacher assistants.......................................... 39 – – –

Other education, training, and library workers......... 23 – – –

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media 

 occupations...................................................... 850 995 29 86.0

Artists and related workers................................. 36 – – –

Designers...................................................... 257 1,045 64 78.1

Actors............................................................ 6 – – –

Producers and directors.................................... 58 1,130 473 –

Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers... 84 919 72 –

Dancers and choreographers.............................. 3 – – –

Musicians, singers, and related workers............... 29 – – –

Entertainers and performers, sports and related

 workers, all other.......................................... 3 – – –

Announcers................................................... 24 – – –

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

News analysts, reporters and correspondents...... 44 – – –

Public relations specialists................................. 49 – – –

Editors......................................................... 58 933 48 95.6

Technical writers............................................. 20 – – –

Writers and authors.......................................... 42 – – –

Miscellaneous media and communication workers... 15 – – –

Broadcast and sound engineering technicians 

 and radio operators........................................ 73 872 45 –

Photographers................................................ 29 – – –

Television, video, and motion picture camera

 operators and editors....................................... 22 – – –

Media and communication equipment workers, 

 all other...................................................... 1 – – –

Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations...... 1,429 1,129 23 85.5

Chiropractors................................................... 3 – – –

Dentists......................................................... 33 – – –

Dietitians and nutritionists................................. 6 – – –

Optometrists................................................... 6 – – –

Pharmacists................................................... 85 1,998 41 95.0

Physicians and surgeons................................. 366 1,935 114 78.9

Physician assistants.......................................... 24 – – –

Podiatrists...................................................... – – – –

Audiologists................................................... 4 – – –

Occupational therapists.................................... 10 – – –

Physical therapists.......................................... 59 1,522 106 79.9

Radiation therapists.......................................... 2 – – –

Recreational therapists.................................... 3 – – –

Respiratory therapists....................................... 53 966 52 106.4

Speech-language pathologists........................... 3 – – –

Exercise physiologists....................................... 1 – – –

See note at end of table.

17
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation and sex, 

2011 annual averages—cont'd

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Therapists, all other.......................................... 83 $885 $42 64 $869 $86

Veterinarians................................................... 40 – – 28 – –

Registered nurses.......................................... 2,145 1,039 19 1,937 1,034 18

Nurse anesthetists.......................................... 26 – – 10 – –

Nurse midwives................................................ 2 – – 2 – –

Nurse practitioners.......................................... 81 1,461 44 69 1,432 39

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners,

 all other...................................................... 5 – – 2 – –

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians... 282 861 39 206 845 49

Dental hygienists............................................. 61 986 43 59 992 40

Diagnostic related technologists and technicians... 273 981 31 191 964 26

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics... 167 715 24 54 649 33

Health practitioner support technologists and

 technicians................................................... 374 644 21 283 632 22

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses... 424 722 14 386 720 13

Medical records and health information

 technicians................................................... 107 588 24 96 574 26

Opticians, dispensing....................................... 34 – – 26 – –

Miscellaneous health technologists and

 technicians................................................... 127 744 49 89 711 28

Other healthcare practitioners and technical

 occupations................................................... 63 870 37 22 – –

Service occupations................................................ 14,378 486 2 6,991 433 4

Healthcare support occupations.............................. 2,190 487 4 1,900 483 5

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides......... 1,305 453 7 1,134 446 7

Occupational therapy assistants and aides............ 12 – – 11 – –

Physical therapist assistants and aides............... 54 665 85 32 – –

Massage therapists.......................................... 34 – – 28 – –

Dental assistants............................................. 191 579 10 184 582 10

Medical assistants.......................................... 314 522 9 293 518 8

Medical transcriptionists.................................... 44 – – 43 – –

Pharmacy aides............................................. 23 – – 14 – –

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal 

 caretakers................................................... 20 – – 13 – –

Phlebotomists................................................ 94 521 21 77 516 19

Miscellaneous healthcare support occupations, 

 including medical equipment preparers............... 98 487 25 72 480 27

Protective service occupations................................. 2,798 757 10 511 602 14

First-line supervisors of correctional officers......... 41 – – 11 – –

First-line supervisors of police and detectives......... 101 1,083 148 18 – –

First-line supervisors of fire fighting and

 prevention workers.......................................... 40 – – 1 – –

First-line supervisors of protective service 

 workers, all other.......................................... 96 716 116 23 – –

Firefighters...................................................... 291 1,000 29 11 – –

Fire inspectors................................................ 18 – – 1 – –

Bailiffs, correctional officers, and jailers............... 436 682 22 116 586 30

Detectives and criminal investigators.................. 147 1,154 59 22 – –

Fish and game wardens.................................... 5 –– 1 ––

Parking enforcement workers.............................. 5 –– 2 ––

Police and sheriff's patrol officers........................ 653 947 22 75 938 61

Transit and railroad police................................. 7 – – – – –

Animal control workers.................................... 8 – – 4 – –

Private detectives and investigators..................... 86 869 63 30 – –

See note at end of table.

18
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed

occupation and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Therapists, all other.......................................... 19 – – –

Veterinarians................................................... 12 – – –

Registered nurses.......................................... 208 $1,081 $44 95.7

Nurse anesthetists.......................................... 16 – – –

Nurse midwives................................................ – – – –

Nurse practitioners.......................................... 11 – – –

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners,

 all other...................................................... 3 – – –

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians... 77 888 45 95.2

Dental hygienists............................................. 3 – – –

Diagnostic related technologists and technicians... 82 1,054 53 91.5

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics... 113 757 29 85.7

Health practitioner support technologists and

 technicians................................................... 91 682 30 92.7

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses... 39 – – –

Medical records and health information

 technicians................................................... 10 – – –

Opticians, dispensing....................................... 8 – – –

Miscellaneous health technologists and

 technicians................................................... 38 – – –

Other healthcare practitioners and technical

 occupations................................................... 41 – – –

Service occupations................................................ 7,387 551 7 78.6

Healthcare support occupations.............................. 290 521 14 92.7

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides......... 172 502 14 88.8

Occupational therapy assistants and aides............ 1 – – –

Physical therapist assistants and aides............... 22 – – –

Massage therapists.......................................... 6 – – –

Dental assistants............................................. 7 – – –

Medical assistants.......................................... 21 – – –

Medical transcriptionists.................................... 2 – – –

Pharmacy aides............................................. 10 – – –

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal 

 caretakers................................................... 7 – – –

Phlebotomists................................................ 16 – – –

Miscellaneous healthcare support occupations, 

 including medical equipment preparers............... 26 – – –

Protective service occupations................................. 2,287 797 13 75.5

First-line supervisors of correctional officers......... 30 – – –

First-line supervisors of police and detectives......... 83 1,109 147 –

First-line supervisors of fire fighting and

 prevention workers.......................................... 39 – – –

First-line supervisors of protective service 

 workers, all other.......................................... 73 788 51 –

Firefighters...................................................... 281 998 29 –

Fire inspectors................................................ 17 – – –

Bailiffs, correctional officers, and jailers............... 320 722 20 81.2

Detectives and criminal investigators.................. 125 1,192 57 –

Fish and game wardens.................................... 5 –– –

Parking enforcement workers.............................. 3 –– –

Police and sheriff's patrol officers........................ 578 948 24 98.9

Transit and railroad police................................. 7 – – –

Animal control workers.................................... 5 – – –

Private detectives and investigators..................... 56 891 69 –

See note at end of table.

19
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation and sex, 

2011 annual averages—cont'd

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Security guards and gaming surveillance officers... 775 $519 $9 156 $474 $19

Crossing guards............................................. 23 – – 8 – –

Transportation security screeners........................ 21 – – 10 – –

Lifeguards and other recreational, and all 

 other protective service workers........................ 44 – – 23 – –

Food preparation and serving related occupations......... 3,930 409 3 1,909 390 4

Chefs and head cooks....................................... 299 580 17 53 502 25

First-line supervisors of food preparation

 and serving workers....................................... 378 485 20 220 458 20

Cooks............................................................ 1,210 390 5 449 363 7

Food preparation workers................................. 357 384 11 202 375 13

Bartenders...................................................... 210 545 22 106 505 26

Combined food preparation and serving workers, 

 including fast food....................................... 161 387 12 114 385 15

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, 

 and coffee shop............................................. 58 323 9 32 – –

Waiters and waitresses.................................... 872 407 7 559 389 8

Food servers, nonrestaurant.............................. 84 419 22 52 393 24

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and 

 bartender helpers............................................ 119 383 15 42 – –

Dishwashers................................................... 118 332 14 28 – –

Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and 

 coffee shop................................................... 62 369 20 52 356 18

Food preparation and serving related workers,

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

 all other...................................................... 4 – – – – –

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 

 occupations......................................................... 3,339 465 6 1,128 406 5

First-line supervisors of housekeeping and 

 janitorial workers.......................................... 179 646 49 67 488 99

First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn

 service, and groundskeeping workers............... 94 797 69 10 – –

Janitors and building cleaners........................... 1,496 489 6 384 418 8

Maids and housekeeping cleaners..................... 751 399 7 638 392 6

Pest control workers.......................................... 58 575 32 1 – –

Grounds maintenance workers........................... 761 425 11 29 – –

Personal care and service occupations..................... 2,121 453 9 1,543 422 5

First-line supervisors of gaming workers............... 90 739 45 39 – –

First-line supervisors of personal service workers... 67 613 29 46 – –

Animal trainers................................................ 16 – – 7 – –

Nonfarm animal caretakers................................. 82 419 33 60 417 40

Gaming services workers................................. 82 636 26 39 – –

Motion picture projectionists.............................. 3 – – – – –

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers............ 9 – – 6 – –

Miscellaneous entertainment attendants and

 related workers............................................. 66 424 36 31 – –

Embalmers and funeral attendents..................... 5 – – 2 – –

Morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors......... 16 – – 3 – –

Barbers......................................................... 29 – – 4 – –

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists......... 282 453 29 259 440 28

Miscellaneous personal appearance workers......... 136 441 35 104 413 15

Baggage porters, bellhops, and concierges............ 63 545 34 8 – –

Tour and travel guides....................................... 9 –– 3 ––

Childcare workers............................................. 367 382 12 342 383 11

Personal care aides.......................................... 549 412 7 455 407 7

See note at end of table.

20
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed

occupation and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Security guards and gaming surveillance officers... 619 $544 $21 87.1

Crossing guards............................................. 15 – – –

Transportation security screeners........................ 12 – – –

Lifeguards and other recreational, and all 

 other protective service workers........................ 21 – – –

Food preparation and serving related occupations......... 2,021 429 7 90.9

Chefs and head cooks....................................... 245 601 19 83.5

First-line supervisors of food preparation

 and serving workers....................................... 158 525 37 87.2

Cooks............................................................ 761 406 6 89.4

Food preparation workers................................. 155 395 16 94.9

Bartenders...................................................... 104 593 16 85.2

Combined food preparation and serving workers, 

 including fast food....................................... 46 – – –

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, 

 and coffee shop............................................. 26 – – –

Waiters and waitresses.................................... 313 466 29 83.5

Food servers, nonrestaurant.............................. 31 – – –

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and 

 bartender helpers............................................ 77 392 17 –

Dishwashers................................................... 90 321 7 –

Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and 

 coffee shop................................................... 10 – – –

Food preparation and serving related workers,

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

 all other...................................................... 4 – – –

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 

 occupations......................................................... 2,212 502 6 80.9

First-line supervisors of housekeeping and 

 janitorial workers.......................................... 113 756 42 64.6

First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn

 service, and groundskeeping workers............... 85 808 66 –

Janitors and building cleaners........................... 1,111 514 7 81.3

Maids and housekeeping cleaners..................... 114 473 25 82.9

Pest control workers.......................................... 57 572 35 –

Grounds maintenance workers........................... 732 424 10 –

Personal care and service occupations..................... 578 562 26 75.1

First-line supervisors of gaming workers............... 51 876 59 –

First-line supervisors of personal service workers... 21 – – –

Animal trainers................................................ 9 – – –

Nonfarm animal caretakers................................. 22 – – –

Gaming services workers................................. 43 – – –

Motion picture projectionists.............................. 3 – – –

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers............ 3 – – –

Miscellaneous entertainment attendants and

 related workers............................................. 35 – – –

Embalmers and funeral attendents..................... 3 – – –

Morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors......... 12 – – –

Barbers......................................................... 25 – – –

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists......... 23 – – –

Miscellaneous personal appearance workers......... 32 – – –

Baggage porters, bellhops, and concierges............ 55 561 32 –

Tour and travel guides....................................... 6 –– –

Childcare workers............................................. 26 – – –

Personal care aides.......................................... 94 454 37 89.6

See note at end of table.

21
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation and sex, 

2011 annual averages—cont'd

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Recreation and fitness workers........................... 177 $506 $17 101 $494 $15

Residential advisors.......................................... 42 – – 27 – –

Personal care and service workers, all other......... 34 – – 11 – –

Sales and office occupations....................................... 22,989 638 3 13,977 602 2

Sales and related occupations................................. 9,294 670 6 4,069 549 9

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers......... 2,223 676 11 959 599 9

First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers... 702 951 21 214 781 56

Cashiers......................................................... 1,343 383 5 962 373 5

Counter and rental clerks................................. 87 603 33 38 – –

Parts salespersons.......................................... 117 610 29 16 – –

Retail salespersons.......................................... 1,789 545 14 733 466 13

Advertising sales agents.................................... 202 893 37 112 772 81

Insurance sales agents.................................... 384 807 27 201 665 21

Securities, commodities, and financial services 

 sales agents................................................ 222 1,144 52 73 884 275

Travel agents................................................... 49 – – 38 – –

Sales representatives, services, all other............... 397 887 30 119 757 37

Sales representatives, wholesale and 

 manufacturing................................................ 1,091 991 26 262 927 33

Models, demonstrators, and product promoters...... 15 – – 11 – –

Real estate brokers and sales agents.................. 380 812 50 204 676 51

Sales engineers............................................. 30 – – 3 – –

Telemarketers................................................ 69 412 18 40 – –

Door-to-door sales workers, news and street 

d d ltd k 55 526 80 20

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

 vendors, and related workers........................... 55 526 80 20 – –

Sales and related workers, all other..................... 140 781 136 64 618 28

Office and administrative support occupations............ 13,695 623 3 9,908 615 3

First-line supervisors of office and administrative

 support workers............................................. 1,274 764 10 856 741 11

Switchboard operators, including answering

 service......................................................... 29 – – 25 – –

Telephone operators....................................... 38 – – 30 – –

Communications equipment operators, all other...... 6 – – 3 – –

Bill and account collectors................................. 178 608 12 130 597 12

Billing and posting clerks.................................... 397 607 10 359 605 10

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks......... 862 655 12 750 656 13

Gaming cage workers....................................... 2 – – 1 – –

Payroll and timekeeping clerks........................... 136 710 23 125 704 25

Procurement clerks.......................................... 24 – – 16 – –

Tellers............................................................ 283 492 9 241 500 8

Financial clerks, all other.................................... 64 793 142 48 – –

Brokerage clerks............................................. 11 – – 4 – –

Correspondence clerks.................................... 10 – – 8 – –

Court, municipal, and license clerks..................... 74 763 33 60 738 29

Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks............... 47 – – 34 – –

Customer service representatives........................ 1,509 588 8 972 569 9

Eligibility interviewers, government programs......... 79 632 52 70 632 49

File clerks...................................................... 248 616 16 217 620 18

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks..................... 86 423 25 53 416 22

Interviewers, except eligibility and loan.................. 121 546 23 99 551 24

Library assistants, clerical................................. 49 – – 38 – –

Loan interviewers and clerks.............................. 110 706 39 93 696 43

New accounts clerks....................................... 27 – – 19 – –

Order clerks................................................... 96 586 39 60 577 68

See note at end of table.

22
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed

occupation and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Recreation and fitness workers........................... 76 $575 $51 85.9

Residential advisors.......................................... 15 – – –

Personal care and service workers, all other......... 23 – – –

Sales and office occupations....................................... 9,012 738 6 81.6

Sales and related occupations................................. 5,225 804 15 68.3

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers......... 1,263 759 11 78.9

First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers... 488 1,016 36 76.9

Cashiers......................................................... 381 411 10 90.8

Counter and rental clerks................................. 50 620 62 –

Parts salespersons.......................................... 100 587 41 –

Retail salespersons.......................................... 1,056 620 13 75.2

Advertising sales agents.................................... 90 961 25 80.3

Insurance sales agents.................................... 183 1,033 39 64.4

Securities, commodities, and financial services 

 sales agents................................................ 149 1,269 199 69.7

Travel agents................................................... 11 – – –

Sales representatives, services, all other............... 278 953 32 79.4

Sales representatives, wholesale and 

 manufacturing................................................ 829 1,019 31 91.0

Models, demonstrators, and product promoters...... 4 – – –

Real estate brokers and sales agents.................. 176 992 31 68.1

Sales engineers............................................. 27 – – –

Telemarketers................................................ 29 – – –

Door-to-door sales workers, news and street 

d d ltd k 35

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

 vendors, and related workers........................... 35 – – –

Sales and related workers, all other..................... 76 985 42 62.7

Office and administrative support occupations............ 3,787 668 10 92.1

First-line supervisors of office and administrative

 support workers............................................. 418 833 29 89.0

Switchboard operators, including answering

 service......................................................... 4 – – –

Telephone operators....................................... 7 – – –

Communications equipment operators, all other...... 4 – – –

Bill and account collectors................................. 48 – – –

Billing and posting clerks.................................... 38 – – –

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks......... 112 654 25 100.3

Gaming cage workers....................................... 1 – – –

Payroll and timekeeping clerks........................... 11 – – –

Procurement clerks.......................................... 9 – – –

Tellers............................................................ 41 – – –

Financial clerks, all other.................................... 16 – – –

Brokerage clerks............................................. 7 – – –

Correspondence clerks.................................... 2 – – –

Court, municipal, and license clerks..................... 14 – – –

Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks............... 13 – – –

Customer service representatives........................ 538 628 22 90.6

Eligibility interviewers, government programs......... 9 – – –

File clerks...................................................... 32 – – –

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks..................... 33 – – –

Interviewers, except eligibility and loan.................. 21 – – –

Library assistants, clerical................................. 12 – – –

Loan interviewers and clerks.............................. 17 – – –

New accounts clerks....................................... 8 – – –

Order clerks................................................... 35 – – –

See note at end of table.

23
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation and sex, 

2011 annual averages—cont'd

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Human resources assistants, except payroll and 

 timekeeping................................................... 45 – – 40 – –

Receptionists and information clerks..................... 868 $520 $6 790 $520 $6

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and

 travel clerks.................................................. 80 649 169 47 – –

Information and record clerks, all other.................. 105 744 25 86 737 23

Cargo and freight agents.................................... 6 – – 2 – –

Couriers and messengers................................. 164 744 41 19 – –

Dispatchers................................................... 207 651 20 126 626 20

Meter readers, utilities....................................... 21 – – 3 – –

Postal service clerks....................................... 129 978 16 63 892 33

Postal service mail carriers................................. 303 979 26 98 892 35

Postal service mail sorters, processors, and

 processing machine operators........................... 57 918 39 24 – –

Production, planning, and expediting clerks............ 226 812 23 116 722 41

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks.................. 481 562 17 141 543 27

Stock clerks and order fillers.............................. 992 492 7 337 501 12

Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers,

 recordkeeping................................................ 60 596 75 28 – –

Secretaries and administrative assistants............ 2,143 654 7 2,059 651 7

Computer operators.......................................... 116 724 48 56 651 83

Data entry keyers............................................. 280 595 12 231 597 12

Word processors and typists.............................. 109 599 22 99 594 20

Desktop publishers.......................................... 1 – – – – –

I l i d li i l k 236 660 19 197 647 20

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Insurance claims and policy processing clerks...... 236 660 19 197 647 20

Mail clerks and mail machine operators, 

 except postal service....................................... 79 521 24 41 – –

Office clerks, general....................................... 794 604 9 673 594 9

Office machine operators, except computer............ 31 – – 20 – –

Proofreaders and copy markers........................... 7 – – 6 – –

Statistical assistants.......................................... 12 – – 8 – –

Office and administrative support workers, all

 other............................................................ 387 679 17 286 645 26

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance 

 occupations......................................................... 9,965 732 6 391 515 16

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations.................. 775 430 10 150 371 10

First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and

 forestry workers........................................... 38 – – 3 – –

Agricultural inspectors....................................... 23 – – 12 – –

Animal breeders............................................. 3 – – 1 – –

Graders and sorters, agricultural products............ 85 379 28 53 363 12

Miscellaneous agricultural workers..................... 565 419 7 77 370 15

Fishers and related fishing workers..................... 13 – – – – –

Hunters and trappers....................................... 1 – – – – –

Forest and conservation workers........................ 8 – – 4 – –

Logging workers............................................. 39 – – – – –

Construction and extraction occupations..................... 5,031 717 7 95 612 60

First-line supervisors of construction trades

 and extraction workers ................................. 482 992 21 15 – –

Boilermakers................................................... 18 – – – – –

Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons...... 96 710 44 1 – –

Carpenters...................................................... 737 630 16 10 – –

Carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers......... 110 579 31 1 – –

See note at end of table.

24
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed

occupation and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Human resources assistants, except payroll and

 timekeeping................................................... 5 – – –

Receptionists and information clerks..................... 78 $521 $21 99.8

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and

 travel clerks.................................................. 33 – – –

Information and record clerks, all other.................. 18 – – –

Cargo and freight agents.................................... 4 – – –

Couriers and messengers................................. 145 785 104 –

Dispatchers................................................... 81 728 43 86.0

Meter readers, utilities....................................... 18 – – –

Postal service clerks....................................... 66 1,014 21 88.0

Postal service mail carriers................................. 205 1,017 28 87.7

Postal service mail sorters, processors, and

 processing machine operators........................... 33 – – –

Production, planning, and expediting clerks............ 110 916 33 78.8

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks.................. 340 571 19 95.1

Stock clerks and order fillers.............................. 655 488 9 102.7

Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers,

 recordkeeping................................................ 32 – – –

Secretaries and administrative assistants............ 84 757 36 86.0

Computer operators.......................................... 59 853 86 76.3

Data entry keyers............................................. 49 – – –

Word processors and typists.............................. 10 – – –

Desktop publishers.......................................... 1 – – –

I l i d li i l k 39

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Insurance claims and policy processing clerks...... 39 – – –

Mail clerks and mail machine operators, 

 except postal service....................................... 38 – – –

Office clerks, general....................................... 121 712 30 83.4

Office machine operators, except computer............ 11 – – –

Proofreaders and copy markers........................... 1 – – –

Statistical assistants.......................................... 4 – – –

Office and administrative support workers, all

 other............................................................ 101 792 57 81.4

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance 

 occupations......................................................... 9,574 740 6 69.6

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations.................. 625 445 10 83.4

First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and

 forestry workers........................................... 35 – – –

Agricultural inspectors....................................... 11 – – –

Animal breeders............................................. 2 – – –

Graders and sorters, agricultural products............ 32 – – –

Miscellaneous agricultural workers..................... 488 427 10 86.7

Fishers and related fishing workers..................... 13 – – –

Hunters and trappers....................................... 1 – – –

Forest and conservation workers........................ 4 – – –

Logging workers............................................. 39 – – –

Construction and extraction occupations..................... 4,937 718 8 85.2

First-line supervisors of construction trades

 and extraction workers ................................. 467 1,001 21 –

Boilermakers................................................... 18 – – –

Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons...... 95 706 43 –

Carpenters...................................................... 727 630 16 –

Carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers......... 109 581 28 –

See note at end of table.

25
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation and sex, 

2011 annual averages—cont'd

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Cement masons, concrete finishers, and 

 terrazzo workers............................................. 59 $651 $31 – – –

Construction laborers....................................... 862 586 10 15 – –

Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment

 operators...................................................... 19 – – – – –

Pile-driver operators.......................................... 1 – – – – –

Operating engineers and other construction 

 equipment operators....................................... 345 809 29 2 – –

Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers... 101 507 19 1 – –

Electricians................................................... 542 857 30 3 – –

Glaziers......................................................... 40 – – – – –

Insulation workers............................................. 41 – – 2 – –

Painters, construction and maintenance............... 266 544 29 17 – –

Paperhangers................................................ 2 – – – – –

Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters... 417 851 26 11 – –

Plasterers and stucco masons........................... 13 – – – – –

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers..................... 5 – – – – –

Roofers......................................................... 143 523 27 3 – –

Sheet metal workers....................................... 107 805 40 3 – –

Structural iron and steel workers........................ 66 870 44 – – –

Solar photovoltaic installers.............................. 2 – – – – –

Helpers, construction trades.............................. 50 469 37 3 – –

Construction and building inspectors.................. 54 906 49 2 – –

Elevator installers and repairers........................... 30 – – – – –

F t 32

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Fence erectors................................................ 32 – – – – –

Hazardous materials removal workers.................. 25 – – 1 – –

Highway maintenance workers........................... 96 708 31 2 – –

Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment

 operators...................................................... 8 – – – – –

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners...... 9 – – – – –

Miscellaneous construction and related workers...... 28 – – – – –

Derrick, rotary drill, and service unit operators,

 oil, gas, and mining....................................... 42 – – – – –

Earth drillers, except oil and gas........................ 17 – – – – –

Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts,

 and blasters................................................... 10 – – – – –

Mining machine operators................................. 70 1,022 71 1 – –

Roof bolters, mining.......................................... 12 – – – – –

Roustabouts, oil and gas.................................... 18 – – 1 – –

Helpers—extraction workers.............................. 8 – – – – –

Other extraction workers.................................... 49 – – – – –

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations......... 4,159 806 7 146 $751 $33

First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers,

 and repairers................................................ 327 947 34 21 – –

Computer, automated teller, and office machine 

 repairers...................................................... 237 811 23 22 – –

Radio and telecommunications equipment 

 installers and repairers.................................... 139 898 35 12 – –

Avionics technicians.......................................... 16 – – 2 – –

Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers...... 26 – – – – –

Electrical and electronics installers and

 repairers, transportation equipment.................. 7 – – – – –

Electrical and electronics repairers, industrial

 and utility...................................................... 15 – – 1 – –

See note at end of table.

26
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed

occupation and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Cement masons, concrete finishers, and 

 terrazzo workers............................................. 59 $651 $31 –

Construction laborers....................................... 846 587 10 –

Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment

 operators...................................................... 18 – – –

Pile-driver operators.......................................... 1 – – –

Operating engineers and other construction 

 equipment operators....................................... 343 809 29 –

Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers... 100 509 19 –

Electricians................................................... 539 855 30 –

Glaziers......................................................... 40 – – –

Insulation workers............................................. 39 – – –

Painters, construction and maintenance............... 249 555 30 –

Paperhangers................................................ 2 – – –

Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters... 406 853 26 –

Plasterers and stucco masons........................... 13 – – –

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers..................... 5 – – –

Roofers......................................................... 141 520 24 –

Sheet metal workers....................................... 104 805 39 –

Structural iron and steel workers........................ 66 870 44 –

Solar photovoltaic installers.............................. 2 – – –

Helpers, construction trades.............................. 47 – – –

Construction and building inspectors.................. 52 919 55 –

Elevator installers and repairers........................... 30 – – –

F t 32

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Fence erectors................................................ 32 – – –

Hazardous materials removal workers.................. 24 – – –

Highway maintenance workers........................... 94 711 41 –

Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment

 operators...................................................... 8 – – –

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners...... 9 – – –

Miscellaneous construction and related workers...... 28 – – –

Derrick, rotary drill, and service unit operators,

 oil, gas, and mining....................................... 42 – – –

Earth drillers, except oil and gas........................ 17 – – –

Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts,

 and blasters................................................... 10 – – –

Mining machine operators................................. 69 1,010 83 –

Roof bolters, mining.......................................... 12 – – –

Roustabouts, oil and gas.................................... 17 – – –

Helpers—extraction workers.............................. 8 – – –

Other extraction workers.................................... 49 – – –

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations......... 4,013 807 7 93.1

First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers,

 and repairers................................................ 306 936 38 –

Computer, automated teller, and office machine 

 repairers...................................................... 215 812 22 –

Radio and telecommunications equipment 

 installers and repairers.................................... 127 883 33 –

Avionics technicians.......................................... 15 – – –

Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers...... 25 – – –

Electrical and electronics installers and

 repairers, transportation equipment.................. 7 – – –

Electrical and electronics repairers, industrial

 and utility...................................................... 14 – – –

See note at end of table.

27
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation and sex, 

2011 annual averages—cont'd

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Electronic equipment installers and repairers, 

 motor vehicles................................................ 14 – – – – –

Electronic home entertainment equipment

 installers and repairers.................................... 32 – – 2 – –

Security and fire alarm systems installers............ 44 – – – – –

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians............ 143 $988 $38 4 – –

Automotive body and related repairers.................. 107 624 28 1 – –

Automotive glass installers and repairers............... 11 – – – – –

Automotive service technicians and mechanics...... 653 714 18 8 – –

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine 

 specialists................................................... 286 801 21 1 – –

Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service 

 technicians and mechanics.............................. 182 822 38 3 – –

Small engine mechanics.................................... 32 – – 1 – –

Miscellaneous vehicle and mobile equipment

 mechanics, installers, and repairers.................. 73 463 33 2 – –

Control and valve installers and repairers............ 25 – – 1 – –

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration 

 mechanics and installers................................. 281 793 27 1 – –

Home appliance repairers................................. 27 – – 4 – –

Industrial and refractory machinery mechanics...... 425 868 30 10 – –

Maintenance and repair workers, general............ 359 758 18 11 – –

Maintenance workers, machinery........................ 34 – – 3 – –

Millwrights...................................................... 57 892 29 1 – –

El t i l li i t ll d i 111 1 116 47

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Electrical power-line installers and repairers......... 111 1,116 47 – – –

Telecommunications line installers and repairers... 192 915 55 7 – –

Precision instrument and equipment repairers...... 62 898 48 10 – –

Wind turbine service technicians........................ 2 – – – – –

Coin, vending, and amusement machine 

 servicers and repairers.................................... 29 – – 1 – –

Commercial divers.......................................... 1 – – – – –

Locksmiths and safe repairers........................... 17 – – 1 – –

Manufactured building and mobile home installers... 7 – – – – –

Riggers......................................................... 15 – – 3 – –

Signal and track switch repairers........................ 5 – – – – –

Helpers—installation, maintenance, and repair

 workers......................................................... 18 – – 1 – –

Other installation, maintenance, and repair

 workers......................................................... 149 671 46 12 – –

Production, transportation, and material moving 

 occupations......................................................... 13,333 609 3 2,603 $485 $5

Production occupations.......................................... 7,058 605 4 1,817 483 6

First-line supervisors of production and 

 operating workers.......................................... 654 888 25 124 665 38

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems

 assemblers................................................... 19 – – 7 – –

Electrical, electronics, and electromechanical 

 assemblers................................................... 148 521 27 73 449 20

Engine and other machine assemblers.................. 30 – – 4 – –

Structural metal fabricators and fitters.................. 33 – – 1 – –

Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators............ 758 519 9 285 479 14

Bakers......................................................... 125 448 17 63 416 28

Butchers and other meat, poultry, and fish

 processing workers....................................... 281 504 9 66 479 13

See note at end of table.

28
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed

occupation and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Electronic equipment installers and repairers,

 motor vehicles................................................ 14 – – –

Electronic home entertainment equipment

 installers and repairers.................................... 30 – – –

Security and fire alarm systems installers............ 44 – – –

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians............ 139 $990 $38 –

Automotive body and related repairers.................. 107 625 29 –

Automotive glass installers and repairers............... 10 – – –

Automotive service technicians and mechanics...... 645 718 19 –

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine 

 specialists................................................... 286 802 21 –

Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service 

 technicians and mechanics.............................. 179 822 38 –

Small engine mechanics.................................... 31 – – –

Miscellaneous vehicle and mobile equipment

 mechanics, installers, and repairers.................. 71 463 33 –

Control and valve installers and repairers............ 24 – – –

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration 

 mechanics and installers................................. 279 795 27 –

Home appliance repairers................................. 23 – – –

Industrial and refractory machinery mechanics...... 415 870 31 –

Maintenance and repair workers, general............ 347 756 18 –

Maintenance workers, machinery........................ 31 – – –

Millwrights...................................................... 56 897 28 –

El t i l li i t ll d i 111 1 116 47

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Electrical power-line installers and repairers......... 111 1,116 47 –

Telecommunications line installers and repairers... 185 926 56 –

Precision instrument and equipment repairers...... 52 914 44 –

Wind turbine service technicians........................ 2 – – –

Coin, vending, and amusement machine 

 servicers and repairers.................................... 27 – – –

Commercial divers.......................................... 1 – – –

Locksmiths and safe repairers........................... 17 – – –

Manufactured building and mobile home installers... 7 – – –

Riggers......................................................... 12 – – –

Signal and track switch repairers........................ 5 – – –

Helpers—installation, maintenance, and repair

 workers......................................................... 17 – – –

Other installation, maintenance, and repair

 workers......................................................... 137 718 55 –

Production, transportation, and material moving 

 occupations......................................................... 10,730 651 5 74.5

Production occupations.......................................... 5,241 667 7 72.4

First-line supervisors of production and 

 operating workers.......................................... 530 929 24 71.6

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems

 assemblers................................................... 13 – – –

Electrical, electronics, and electromechanical 

 assemblers................................................... 75 591 24 76.0

Engine and other machine assemblers.................. 25 – – –

Structural metal fabricators and fitters.................. 31 – – –

Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators............ 473 566 22 84.6

Bakers......................................................... 63 471 20 88.3

Butchers and other meat, poultry, and fish

 processing workers....................................... 215 515 11 93.0

See note at end of table.

29
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation and sex, 

2011 annual averages—cont'd

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying 

 machine operators and tenders........................ 7 – – 3 – –

Food batchmakers.......................................... 63 $554 $28 28 – –

Food cooking machine operators and tenders......... 17 – – 5 – –

Food processing workers, all other..................... 104 534 20 25 – –

Computer control programmers and operators...... 70 770 52 5 – –

Extruding and drawing machine setters,

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 11 – – 2 – –

Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders,

 metal and plastic............................................. 5 – – 1 – –

Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders,

 metal and plastic............................................. 9 – – 2 – –

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 92 591 23 15 – –

Drilling and boring machine tool setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 5 – – 1 – –

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine 

 tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and

 plastic......................................................... 60 643 60 3 – –

Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators,

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 15 – – – – –

Milling and planing machine setters, operators,

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 3 – – – – –

Machinists...................................................... 393 755 20 16 – –

M t lf t t d d

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Metal furnace operators, tenders, pourers, and

 casters...................................................... 19 – – 1 – –

Model makers and patternmakers, metal and

 plastic......................................................... 4 – – 1 – –

Molders and molding machine setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 47 – – 12 – –

Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and

 tenders, metal and plastic................................. 3 – – – – –

Tool and die makers.......................................... 61 920 48 2 – –

Welding, soldering, and brazing workers............... 461 679 21 36 – –

Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and

 tenders, metal and plastic................................. 5 –– 1 ––

Layout workers, metal and plastic........................ 8 –– 1 ––

Plating and coating machine setters, operators, 

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 15 – – 2 – –

Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners..................... 6 –– – ––

Metal workers and plastic workers, all other......... 356 561 19 81 $517 $31

Prepress technicians and workers........................ 30 – – 16 – –

Printing press operators.................................... 186 613 23 31 – –

Print binding and finishing workers..................... 13 – – 6 – –

Laundry and dry-cleaning workers........................ 115 412 20 64 386 25

Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials... 37 – – 24 – –

Sewing machine operators................................. 112 403 17 84 398 18

Shoe and leather workers and repairers............... 8 – – 1 – –

Shoe machine operators and tenders.................. 2 – – 1 – –

Tailors, dressmakers, and sewers........................ 46 – – 33 – –

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators

 and tenders................................................... 4 – – – – –

Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and

 tenders......................................................... 6 – – 2 – –

See note at end of table.

30
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed

occupation and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying

 machine operators and tenders........................ 5 – – –

Food batchmakers.......................................... 35 – – –

Food cooking machine operators and tenders......... 12 – – –

Food processing workers, all other..................... 78 $544 $22 –

Computer control programmers and operators...... 65 781 55 –

Extruding and drawing machine setters,

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 9 – – –

Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders,

 metal and plastic............................................. 4 – – –

Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders,

 metal and plastic............................................. 7 – – –

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 78 608 24 –

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......................................................... 57 641 58 –

Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators,

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 15 – – –

Milling and planing machine setters, operators,

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 3 – – –

Machinists...................................................... 377 767 20 –

M t lf t t d d

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Metal furnace operators, tenders, pourers, and

 casters...................................................... 18 – – –

Model makers and patternmakers, metal and

 plastic......................................................... 3 – – –

Molders and molding machine setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 35 – – –

Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and

 tenders, metal and plastic................................. 3 – – –

Tool and die makers.......................................... 59 930 48 –

Welding, soldering, and brazing workers............... 426 695 21 –

Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and

 tenders, metal and plastic................................. 4 –– –

Layout workers, metal and plastic........................ 7 –– –

Plating and coating machine setters, operators, 

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 13 – – –

Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners..................... 6 –– –

Metal workers and plastic workers, all other......... 275 583 16 88.7

Prepress technicians and workers........................ 14 – – –

Printing press operators.................................... 155 646 31 –

Print binding and finishing workers..................... 7 – – –

Laundry and dry-cleaning workers........................ 52 447 32 86.4

Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials... 13 – – –

Sewing machine operators................................. 28 – – –

Shoe and leather workers and repairers............... 7 – – –

Shoe machine operators and tenders.................. 1 – – –

Tailors, dressmakers, and sewers........................ 13 – – –

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators

 and tenders................................................... 4 – – –

Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and

 tenders......................................................... 4 – – –

See note at end of table.

31
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation and sex, 

2011 annual averages—cont'd

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters,

 operators, and tenders.................................... 8 – – 6 – –

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out 

 machine setters, operators, and tenders............ 19 – – 11 – –

Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, 

 and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers............... 2 – – – – –

Fabric and apparel patternmakers........................ 5 – – 2 – –

Upholsterers................................................... 34 – – 4 – –

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other... 15 – – 5 – –

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters.................. 42 – – 1 – –

Furniture finishers............................................. 11 – – 2 – –

Model makers and patternmakers, wood............... 1 – – – – –

Sawing machine setters, operators, and 

 tenders, wood................................................ 31 – – 1 – –

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and

 tenders, except sawing................................... 17 – – 2 – –

Woodworkers, all other.................................... 10 – – 2 – –

Power plant operators, distributors, and

 dispatchers................................................... 53 $1,091 $101 1 – –

Stationary engineers and boiler operators............ 93 855 39 1 – –

Water and wastewater treatment plant and 

 system operators.......................................... 75 780 57 5 – –

Miscellaneous plant and system operators............ 37 – – 3 – –

Chemical processing machine setters, 

t dt d 66 853 68 14

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

 operators, and tenders.................................... 66 853 68 14 – –

Crushing, grinding, polishing, mixing, and 

 blending workers.......................................... 94 659 46 12 – –

Cutting workers................................................ 69 518 27 13 – –

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting

 machine setters, operators, and tenders............ 31 – – 3 – –

Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators

 and tenders................................................... 11 – – – – –

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and

 weighers...................................................... 608 675 20 212 $541 $18

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers... 14 – – 7 – –

Medical, dental, and ophthalmic laboratory 

 technicians................................................... 68 612 26 34 – –

Packaging and filling machine operators and 

 tenders......................................................... 259 455 22 139 421 12

Painting workers............................................. 111 602 33 12 – –

Photographic process workers and processing 

 machine operators.......................................... 24 – – 13 – –

Semiconductor processors................................. 4 – – 1 – –

Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders... 10 – – 6 – –

Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling

 equipment operators and tenders..................... 13 – – 3 – –

Cooling and freezing equipment operators and

 tenders......................................................... 3 – – – – –

Etchers and engravers....................................... 7 – – 2 – –

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal

 and plastic................................................... 21 – – 6 – –

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and

 tenders......................................................... 31 – – 8 – –

Tire builders................................................... 17 – – 1 – –

See note at end of table.

32
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed

occupation and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters,

 operators, and tenders.................................... 2 – – –

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out 

 machine setters, operators, and tenders............ 8 – – –

Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, 

 and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers............... 2 – – –

Fabric and apparel patternmakers........................ 2 – – –

Upholsterers................................................... 30 – – –

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other... 9 – – –

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters.................. 41 – – –

Furniture finishers............................................. 9 – – –

Model makers and patternmakers, wood............... 1 – – –

Sawing machine setters, operators, and 

 tenders, wood................................................ 30 – – –

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and

 tenders, except sawing................................... 15 – – –

Woodworkers, all other.................................... 8 – – –

Power plant operators, distributors, and

 dispatchers................................................... 52 $1,085 $175 –

Stationary engineers and boiler operators............ 92 851 39 –

Water and wastewater treatment plant and 

 system operators.......................................... 70 788 64 –

Miscellaneous plant and system operators............ 34 – – –

Chemical processing machine setters, 

t dt d 52 947 95

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

 operators, and tenders.................................... 52 947 95 –

Crushing, grinding, polishing, mixing, and 

 blending workers.......................................... 82 702 42 –

Cutting workers................................................ 55 540 38 –

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting

 machine setters, operators, and tenders............ 28 – – –

Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators

 and tenders................................................... 11 – – –

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and

 weighers...................................................... 396 792 39 68.3

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers... 7 – – –

Medical, dental, and ophthalmic laboratory 

 technicians................................................... 34 – – –

Packaging and filling machine operators and 

 tenders......................................................... 120 505 25 83.4

Painting workers............................................. 99 608 36 –

Photographic process workers and processing 

 machine operators.......................................... 10 – – –

Semiconductor processors................................. 3 – – –

Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders... 4 – – –

Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling

 equipment operators and tenders..................... 9 – – –

Cooling and freezing equipment operators and

 tenders......................................................... 3 – – –

Etchers and engravers....................................... 4 – – –

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal

 and plastic................................................... 15 – – –

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and

 tenders......................................................... 23 – – –

Tire builders................................................... 16 – – –

See note at end of table.

33
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation and sex, 

2011 annual averages—cont'd

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Helpers—production workers.............................. 45 – – 6 – –

Production workers, all other.............................. 652 $579 $11 151 $483 $15

Transportation and material moving occupations......... 6,275 614 5 786 490 11

Supervisors of transportation and material moving 

 workers......................................................... 208 761 25 38 – –

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers........................ 93 1,461 221 4 – –

Air traffic controllers and airfield operations

 specialists................................................... 40 – – 5 – –

Flight attendants............................................. 52 791 45 38 – –

Ambulance drivers and attendants, except

 emergency medical technicians........................ 9 – – – – –

Bus drivers...................................................... 310 608 14 122 579 17

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers.................. 2,439 705 8 102 511 32

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs................................. 207 553 31 29 – –

Motor vehicle operators, all other........................ 28 – – 1 – –

Locomotive engineers and operators.................. 43 – – 2 – –

Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators......... 6 – – – – –

Railroad conductors and yardmasters.................. 48 – – 3 – –

Subway, streetcar, and other rail transportation

 workers......................................................... 14 – – 2 – –

Sailors and marine oilers.................................... 23 – – – – –

Ship and boat captains and operators.................. 35 – – – – –

Ship engineers................................................ 6 – – – – –

Bridge and lock tenders.................................... 7 – – – – –

P ki l t tt d t 46 5

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Parking lot attendants....................................... 46 – – 5 – –

Automotive and watercraft service attendants......... 42 – – 2 – –

Transportation inspectors................................. 32 – – 5 – –

Transportation attendants, except flight attendants 13 – – 8 – –

Other transportation workers.............................. 15 – – 1 – –

Conveyor operators and tenders........................ 5 – – 3 – –

Crane and tower operators................................. 63 739 25 1 – –

Dredge, excavating, and loading machine

 operators...................................................... 37 – – – – –

Hoist and winch operators................................. 5 – – 2 – –

Industrial truck and tractor operators..................... 491 562 11 35 – –

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment..................... 230 465 23 25 – –

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, 

 hand............................................................ 1,260 509 7 175 416 13

Machine feeders and offbearers........................... 32 – – 5 – –

Packers and packagers, hand........................... 300 397 10 165 397 15

Pumping station operators................................. 26 – – – – –

Refuse and recyclable material collectors............ 58 541 153 3 – –

Mine shuttle car operators................................. 1 – – 1 – –

Tank car, truck, and ship loaders........................ 3 – – – – –

Material moving workers, all other........................ 45 – – 3 – –

See note at end of table.

34
Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed

occupation and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Helpers—production workers.............................. 40 – – –

Production workers, all other.............................. 502 $612 $13 78.9

Transportation and material moving occupations......... 5,489 634 7 77.3

Supervisors of transportation and material moving 

 workers......................................................... 170 773 64 –

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers........................ 89 1,466 235 –

Air traffic controllers and airfield operations

 specialists................................................... 35 – – –

Flight attendants............................................. 14 – – –

Ambulance drivers and attendants, except

 emergency medical technicians........................ 9 – – –

Bus drivers...................................................... 188 645 31 89.8

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers.................. 2,337 712 8 71.8

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs................................. 178 576 33 –

Motor vehicle operators, all other........................ 26 – – –

Locomotive engineers and operators.................. 42 – – –

Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators......... 6 – – –

Railroad conductors and yardmasters.................. 45 – – –

Subway, streetcar, and other rail transportation

 workers......................................................... 12 – – –

Sailors and marine oilers.................................... 23 – – –

Ship and boat captains and operators.................. 35 – – –

Ship engineers................................................ 6 – – –

Bridge and lock tenders.................................... 7 – – –

P ki l t tt d t 40

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Parking lot attendants....................................... 40 – – –

Automotive and watercraft service attendants......... 40 – – –

Transportation inspectors................................. 28 – – –

Transportation attendants, except flight attendants 5 – – –

Other transportation workers.............................. 14 – – –

Conveyor operators and tenders........................ 2 – – –

Crane and tower operators................................. 62 736 25 –

Dredge, excavating, and loading machine

 operators...................................................... 37 – – –

Hoist and winch operators................................. 3 – – –

Industrial truck and tractor operators..................... 456 556 11 –

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment..................... 206 458 25 –

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, 

 hand............................................................ 1,085 520 7 80.0

Machine feeders and offbearers........................... 27 – – –

Packers and packagers, hand........................... 135 396 13 100.3

Pumping station operators................................. 26 – – –

Refuse and recyclable material collectors............ 56 580 41 –

Mine shuttle car operators................................. – – – –

Tank car, truck, and ship loaders........................ 2 – – –

Material moving workers, all other........................ 42 – – –

NOTE: Median earnings not shown where employment is less than 50,000. Women's earnings as a percent 

of men's not shown where employment for either the numerator or the denominator is less than 50,000. 

Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet publication criteria. 

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

35
Table 3. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by state and

sex, 2011 annual averages 

Women

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

United States................................... 100,457 $756 $2 44,486 $684 $3

Alabama....................................... 1,476 680 14 675 595 13

Alaska........................................... 254 822 18 110 730 16

Arizona......................................... 1,984 741 12 866 694 25

Arkansas....................................... 923 617 10 419 567 19

California...................................... 10,981 794 9 4,614 751 9

Colorado....................................... 1,724 845 17 716 740 16

Connecticut................................... 1,197 988 24 526 878 33

Delaware...................................... 309 768 18 144 719 22

District of Columbia...................... 253 1,046 37 127 950 25

Florida........................................... 6,041 736 6 2,869 668 9

Georgia......................................... 3,250 723 13 1,504 641 14

Hawaii........................................... 422 738 15 201 657 16

Idaho............................................. 450 700 13 178 604 10

Illinois............................................ 4,293 784 11 1,878 691 18

Indiana.......................................... 2,125 708 13 881 607 12

Iowa.............................................. 1,080 721 13 489 656 16

Kansas.......................................... 1,020 722 13 453 640 19

Kentucky....................................... 1,368 688 15 633 613 14

Louisiana...................................... 1,423 709 23 633 592 13

Maine............................................ 418 714 14 191 636 19

Maryland....................................... 2,146 885 24 1,014 815 25

Massachusetts.............................. 2,190 956 16 959 853 18

Michigan....................................... 2,857 781 11 1,252 685 18

Both sexes

State

Minnesota..................................... 1,835 833 18 794 743 18

Mississippi.................................... 887 644 13 418 582 17

Missouri........................................ 2,036 733 13 955 628 15

Montana........................................ 288 623 12 135 564 13

Nebraska...................................... 659 701 14 301 631 21

Nevada......................................... 841 697 13 364 650 16

New Hampshire............................ 482 862 18 213 748 19

New Jersey................................... 3,090 926 15 1,373 831 20

New Mexico.................................. 576 734 12 253 649 16

New York...................................... 6,552 826 10 3,005 760 8

North Carolina.............................. 2,954 687 13 1,373 630 11

North Dakota................................ 249 718 14 109 621 12

Ohio.............................................. 3,674 742 8 1,602 669 13

Oklahoma..................................... 1,237 677 15 534 601 13

Oregon.......................................... 1,167 774 19 511 701 16

Pennsylvania................................ 4,242 760 8 1,858 680 12

Rhode Island................................ 343 830 21 159 746 27

South Carolina.............................. 1,396 650 15 660 585 13

South Dakota................................ 286 660 12 133 602 9

Tennessee.................................... 2,059 655 13 919 605 12

Texas............................................ 8,634 680 7 3,694 619 8

Utah.............................................. 880 718 11 336 615 13

Vermont........................................ 221 753 12 99 704 17

Virginia.......................................... 2,926 831 19 1,317 745 16

Washington.................................. 2,126 877 21 877 743 18

West Virginia................................ 559 695 15 242 595 13

Wisconsin..................................... 1,873 763 13 840 693 23

Wyoming...................................... 201 788 16 79 638 17

 36
Table 3. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, 

by state and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

United States...................................... 55,971 $832 $3 82.2

Alabama.......................................... 801 753 19 79.0

Alaska............................................. 144 967 24 75.5

Arizona............................................ 1,117 784 21 88.5

Arkansas......................................... 504 675 20 84.0

California......................................... 6,367 835 15 89.9

Colorado......................................... 1,008 930 20 79.6

Connecticut..................................... 671 1,106 49 79.4

Delaware......................................... 165 844 29 85.2

District of Columbia........................ 126 1,151 22 82.5

Florida............................................. 3,172 797 14 83.8

Georgia........................................... 1,746 800 19 80.1

Hawaii............................................. 221 842 29 78.0

Idaho............................................... 271 769 19 78.5

Illinois.............................................. 2,415 889 18 77.7

Indiana............................................ 1,244 799 24 76.0

Iowa................................................. 591 799 22 82.1

Kansas............................................ 566 811 20 78.9

Kentucky......................................... 735 747 14 82.1

Louisiana........................................ 790 862 33 68.7

Maine.............................................. 227 795 24 80.0

Maryland......................................... 1,132 963 27 84.6

Massachusetts................................ 1,231 1,058 19 80.6

Michigan.......................................... 1,605 867 22 79.0

State

Women's 

earnings as a 

percent of 

men's

State

Minnesota....................................... 1,042 921 21 80.7

Mississippi...................................... 469 716 25 81.3

Missouri........................................... 1,081 841 20 74.7

Montana.......................................... 153 725 21 77.8

Nebraska........................................ 358 755 19 83.6

Nevada............................................ 477 735 15 88.4

New Hampshire.............................. 269 977 25 76.6

New Jersey..................................... 1,717 997 22 83.4

New Mexico.................................... 323 774 18 83.9

New York........................................ 3,547 894 15 85.0

North Carolina................................ 1,581 751 14 83.9

North Dakota................................... 140 810 25 76.7

Ohio................................................ 2,072 800 14 83.6

Oklahoma....................................... 703 765 16 78.6

Oregon............................................ 656 877 23 79.9

Pennsylvania.................................. 2,384 833 15 81.6

Rhode Island................................... 183 917 30 81.4

South Carolina................................ 736 742 23 78.8

South Dakota.................................. 152 730 16 82.5

Tennessee...................................... 1,140 712 19 85.0

Texas.............................................. 4,940 730 9 84.8

Utah................................................ 544 847 32 72.6

Vermont.......................................... 122 819 29 86.0

Virginia............................................ 1,610 925 25 80.5

Washington..................................... 1,249 997 21 74.5

West Virginia.................................. 317 797 26 74.7

Wisconsin....................................... 1,033 829 23 83.6

Wyoming......................................... 122 915 20 69.7

NOTE: In general, the sampling error for the state estimates is considerably larger than it is for the national 

estimates; thus, comparisons of state estimates should be made with caution.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 37
Table 4. Table 4. Median usual weekly earnings of part time wage and salary workers, by selected Median usual weekly earnings of part-time wage and salary workers, by selected

characteristics 2011 annual averages characteristics, 2011 annual averages

Both sexes Both sexes Women

Number of Number of Number of

orkers Median Standard Number of orkers Characteristic Median Standard workers weekly error of workers weekly error of (in weekly 

earnings

error of 

median (in weekly earnings

error of 

median (

thousands) earnings median (thousands) earnings median thousands)

Age

T t l 16 d ld Total, 16 years and older....................................... 24 502, $232 $1 15 903, $235 $2

16 to 24 years..................................................... 16 to 24 years..................................................... 8,151 173 1 4,481 170 2

16 to 19 years 16 to 19 years................................................. 3 265, 140 2 1 792, 136 3

20 to 24 years................................................. y 4,886 199 2 2,689 197 3

25 years and older 25 years and older.............................................. 16 352, 273 2 11 422, 271 2

25 to 34 years 25 to 34 years................................................. 4 337, 263 3 2 804, 260 4

35 to 44 years................................................. y 3,399 296 4 2,591 294 5

45 to 54 years 45 to 54 years................................................. 3 510, 291 4 2 695, 286 5

55 t 64 55 to 64 years................................................. 3 077, 280 5 2 229, 277 5

65 years and older.......................................... 65 years and older.......................................... 2,027 227 5 1,102 210 6

Race and Hispanic or p

Latino Ethnicity Latino Ethnicity

White..................................................................... 20 233, 233 1 13 280, 237 2

Black or African American..................................... 2,626 220 3 1,607 220 4

Asian...................................................................... 950 255 6 595 254 8

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.................................... 3 560, 229 3 2 038, 222 3

Marital Status Marital Status

Never married........................................................ Never married........................................................ 11,199 193 1 6,074 190 2

Married spouse present Married, spouse present........................................ 9 851, 290 3 7 242, 290 3

Other marital status............................................... 3,452 245 3 2,587 241 4

Divorced Divorced............................................................. 1 894, 262 5 1 415, 261 6

S tdeparae........................................................... 866 238 6 575 231 7

Widowed............................................................. 692 216 6 596 212 7

See note at end of table See note at end of table.

38
Table 4. Table 4. Median usual weekly earnings of part time wage and salary workers, by Median usual weekly earnings of part-time wage and salary workers, by

selected characteristics 2011 annual averages cont'd selected characteristics, 2011 annual averages—cont d 

Men

Women's 

Number of Number of earnings as

orkers Median Standard earnings as 

a percent of Characteristic workers weekly error of a percent of 

(in weekly 

earnings

error of 

median ( men's

thousands) earnings

Age

T t l 16 d ld Total, 16 years and older....................................... 8 599, $226 $2 104 0.

16 to 24 years..................................................... 16 to 24 years..................................................... 3,670 177 2 96.0

16 to 19 years 16 to 19 years................................................. 1 473, 145 3 93 8.

20 to 24 years................................................. y 2,197 201 3 98.0

25 years and older 25 years and older.............................................. 4 930, 278 3 97 5.

25 to 34 years 25 to 34 years................................................. 1 533, 268 4 97 0.

35 to 44 years................................................. y 808 300 8 98.0

45 to 54 years 45 to 54 years................................................. 815 305 8 93 8.

55 t 64 55 to 64 years................................................. 848 287 8 96 5.

65 years and older.......................................... 65 years and older.......................................... 925 248 7 84.7

Race and Hispanic or p

Latino Ethnicity Latino Ethnicity

White..................................................................... 6 953, 226 2 104 9.

Black or African American..................................... 1,018 220 5 100.0

Asian...................................................................... 355 258 10 98 4.

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.................................... 1 522, 239 4 92 9.

Marital Status Marital Status

Never married........................................................ Never married........................................................ 5,126 197 2 96.4

Married spouse present Married, spouse present........................................ 2 609, 292 4 99 3.

Other marital status............................................... 865 257 6 93.8

Divorced Divorced............................................................. 479 265 9 98 5.

S tdeparae........................................................... 291 250 9 92 4.

Widowed............................................................. 96 249 19 85.1

NOTE: Estimates for the race groups listed (White, B gp ( , lack 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 to totals because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic 

or Latino may be of any race or Latino may be of any race.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

39
Table 5. Table 5. Median usual weekly earnings of wage and salary workers, by Median usual weekly earnings of wage and salary workers, by hours usually worked and sex, hours usually worked and sex, 

2011 annual averages 2011 annual averages 

Both sexes Women

Number of M di St d d Number of Hours of work M di St d d workers Median Standard workers Hours of work Median Standard workers 

(in weekly error of workers (in weekly error of (in 

h d)

y

earnings median (in 

h d)

y

earnings median thousands) earnings median thousands) earnings median

Total, 16 years and older....................................... , y 125,187 $642 $2 60,502 $565 $3

1 to 34 hours....................................................... 21,989 236 1 14,371 241 2

1 to 4 hours..................................................... 1 to 4 hours..................................................... 564 62 3 374 61 3

5 to 9 hours 5 to 9 hours..................................................... 1 219, 74 2 790 76 3

10 t 14 h 10 to 14 hours................................................. 1 881, 113 1 1 241, 114 1

15 to 19 hours................................................. 5 to 9 ou s 2,666 157 2 1,726 159 2

20 to 24 hours 20 to 24 hours................................................. 6 381, 215 1 4 226, 222 2

25 t 29 h 25 to 29 hours................................................. 3 105, 264 2 2 008, 268 3

30 to 34 hours................................................. 6,173 342 3 4,006 351 4

35 h or more hours................................................ 95 423, 761 2 42 571, 691 3

35 to 39 hours................................................. 35 to 39 hours................................................. 8,185 494 5 5,457 510 5

40 hours 40 hours.......................................................... 67 749, 712 2 31 096, 666 3

41 h or more hours............................................. 19 489, 1 158, 5 6 018, 1 050, 10

41 to 44 hours.............................................. 1,101 872 17 428 796 20

45 to 48 hours 45 to 48 hours.............................................. 5 278, 1 033, 10 1 880, 977 14

49 t 59 h 49 to 59 hours.............................................. 8 847, 1 235, 9 2 696, 1 148, 12

60 or more hours......................................... 4,263 1,313 24 1,015 1,160 19

Hours vary................................................ 7 775, 405 6 3 560, 302 6

Usually less than 35 hours........................... y 2,513 192 4 1,532 188 4

Usually 35 or more hours Usually 35 or more hours........................... 5 034, 612 9 1 915, 467 12

See note at end of table See note at end of table.

 40
Table 5. Table 5. Median usual weekly earnings of wage and salary workers, by Median usual weekly earnings of wage and salary workers, by hours 

usually worked and sex 2011 annual averages cont'd usually worked and sex, 2011 annual averages—cont d 

Men

W 'omens 

Number of Hours of work M di St d d earnings as 

workers Hours of work Median Standard g

workers a percent of

(in weekly error of a percent of 

(in men's

h d)

y

earnings median men s

thousands)

Total, 16 years and older....................................... , y 64,686 $741 $3 76.2

1 to 34 hours....................................................... 7,618 229 2 105.2

1 to 4 hours..................................................... 1 to 4 hours..................................................... 191 63 5 96.8

5 to 9 hours 5 to 9 hours..................................................... 429 71 2 107 0.

10 t 14 h 10 to 14 hours................................................. 640 112 2 101 8.

15 to 19 hours................................................. 5 to 9 ou s 940 155 3 102.6 

20 to 24 hours 20 to 24 hours................................................. 2 155, 203 2 109 4.

25 t 29 h 25 to 29 hours................................................. 1 098, 255 4 105 1.

30 to 34 hours................................................. 2,167 324 4 108.3

35 h or more hours................................................ 52 852, 838 4 82 5.

35 to 39 hours................................................. 35 to 39 hours................................................. 2,728 464 7 109.9

40 hours 40 hours.......................................................... 36 653, 753 3 88 4.

41 h or more hours............................................. 13 471, 1 210, 10 86 8.

41 to 44 hours.............................................. 674 924 27 86.1

45 to 48 hours 45 to 48 hours.............................................. 3 398, 1 073, 15 91 1.

49 t 59 h 49 to 59 hours.............................................. 6 151, 1 268, 14 90 5.

60 or more hours......................................... 3,247 1,351 18 85.9

Hours vary................................................ 4 216, 540 15 55 9.

Usually less than 35 hours........................... y 981 199 6 94.5

Usually 35 or more hours Usually 35 or more hours........................... 3 119, 716 14 65 2.

NOTE: Data refer to the sole or principal job of full NOTE: Data refer to the sole or principal job of full-time and part time and part-time workers Estimates for the time workers. Estimates for the 

"hours vary" groups do not sum to totals because data are not presented for a small number of hours vary groups do not sum to totals because data are not presented for a small number of 

multiple jobholders whose usual number of hours on the principal job is not identifiable multiple jobholders whose usual number of hours on the principal job is not identifiable.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 41
Table 6. Quartiles and selected deciles of usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary

workers, by selected characteristics, 2011 annual averages

Upper limit of:

First 

decile

First 

quartile

Second 

quartile 

(median)

Third 

quartile

Ninth 

decile

Sex, Race, and Hispanic

or Latino Ethnicity

Total, 16 years and older............................. 100,457 $358 $499 $756 $1,173 $1,802

Women.................................................... 44,486 340 470 684 1,023 1,515

Men.......................................................... 55,971 378 529 832 1,317 1,924

White........................................................... 81,336 365 510 775 1,205 1,846

Women.................................................... 34,976 345 480 703 1,050 1,537

Men.......................................................... 46,360 382 548 856 1,345 1,985

Black or African American........................... 11,604 326 423 615 923 1,363

Women.................................................... 6,191 317 411 595 860 1,264

Men.......................................................... 5,414 338 446 653 980 1,436

Asian........................................................... 5,197 378 534 866 1,411 2,023

Women.................................................... 2,284 354 498 751 1,184 1,769

Men.......................................................... 2,912 395 592 970 1,586 2,294

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.......................... 15,147 307 388 549 841 1,270

Women.................................................... 5,700 296 373 518 773 1,157

Men.......................................................... 9,448 314 397 571 887 1,351

Educational Attainment

Characteristic

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Total, 25 years and older............................. 91,733 380 528 797 1,228 1,867

Less than a high school diploma.............. 7,019 288 346 451 616 862

High school graduates, no college........... 25,157 349 464 638 919 1,266

Some college or associate's degree......... 25,205 387 519 739 1,063 1,476

Bachelor's degree and higher................... 34,353 571 783 1,150 1,743 2,475

Women, 25 years and older........................ 40,714 358 493 718 1,070 1,556

Less than a high school diploma.............. 2,225 269 316 395 516 677

High school graduates, no college........... 10,220 322 409 554 748 1,015

Some college or associate's degree......... 12,048 360 479 645 913 1,237

Bachelor's degree and higher................... 16,221 524 726 998 1,443 2,001

Men, 25 years and older.............................. 51,020 399 581 886 1,371 2,009

Less than a high school diploma.............. 4,794 299 368 488 674 950

High school graduates, no college........... 14,937 381 508 720 1,023 1,419

Some college or associate's degree......... 13,156 420 589 840 1,195 1,645

Bachelor's degree and higher................... 18,132 607 888 1,332 1,913 2,882

NOTE: Ten percent of all full-time wage and salary workers earn less than the upper limit of the first decile; 25 percent earn 

less than the upper limit of the first quartile; 50 percent earn less than the upper limit of the second quartile, or median; 75 

percent earn less than the upper limit of the third quartile; and 90 percent earn less than the upper limit of the ninth decile.

Estimates for the race groups listed (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: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

42
Table 7. Distribution of full-time wage and salary workers, by usual weekly earnings and selected 

characteristics, 2011 annual averages 

(In thousands)

Number of workers by usual weekly earnings

Under 

$150.00

$150.00 

to 

$249.99

$250.00 

to 

$349.99

$350.00 

to 

$499.99

$500.00 

to 

$749.99

$750.00 

to 

$999.99

$1,000.00 

to 

$1,499.00

$1,500.00 

or more

Age and Sex

Total, 16 years and older.......... 100,457 805 1,261 6,676 16,119 23,643 17,420 18,771 15,761

16 to 24 years........................ 8,723 169 290 1,815 2,990 2,121 786 408 143

16 to 19 years.................... 947 52 62 330 312 132 41 13 5

20 to 24 years.................... 7,776 117 229 1,485 2,678 1,989 745 395 138

25 years and older................. 91,733 636 971 4,860 13,129 21,523 16,633 18,363 15,618

25 to 34 years.................... 24,296 156 268 1,659 4,522 6,690 4,640 4,135 2,226

35 to 44 years.................... 23,782 139 222 1,152 3,186 5,313 4,224 4,885 4,662

45 to 54 years.................... 25,133 174 228 1,196 3,145 5,391 4,517 5,395 5,087

55 to 64 years.................... 15,641 103 169 670 1,846 3,450 2,788 3,472 3,145

65 years and older............. 2,881 63 84 183 430 679 465 478 498

Women, 16 years and older...... 44,486 448 695 3,585 8,105 11,687 7,960 7,332 4,673

16 to 24 years........................ 3,772 84 137 913 1,269 878 336 108 47

16 to 19 years.................... 389 32 33 148 116 37 17 3 3

20 to 24 years.................... 3,383 52 105 765 1,154 840 319 104 44

25 years and older................. 40,714 364 557 2,672 6,836 10,809 7,624 7,225 4,626

25 to 34 years.................... 10,392 80 142 799 2,000 3,029 2,080 1,572 690

35 to 44 years.................... 10,204 86 119 655 1,707 2,597 1,843 1,846 1,352

45 t 54 11 557 110 140 724 1 808 2 938 2 104 2 162 1 572

Characteristic Total 

employed

45 to 54 years.................... 11,557 110 140 724 1,808 2,938 2,104 2,162 1,572

55 to 64 years.................... 7,294 60 108 392 1,089 1,927 1,358 1,445 914

65 years and older............. 1,266 29 48 102 233 317 239 200 97

Men, 16 years and older........... 55,971 357 566 3,090 8,014 11,957 9,460 11,439 11,088

16 to 24 years........................ 4,951 85 153 902 1,721 1,243 450 300 96

16 to 19 years.................... 558 20 29 182 197 95 24 10 1

20 to 24 years.................... 4,393 65 124 720 1,524 1,148 426 290 94

25 years and older................. 51,020 271 413 2,188 6,293 10,714 9,010 11,139 10,992

25 to 34 years.................... 13,905 77 126 860 2,523 3,661 2,559 2,563 1,537

35 to 44 years.................... 13,578 54 102 496 1,479 2,716 2,381 3,039 3,310

45 to 54 years.................... 13,576 64 89 472 1,337 2,453 2,414 3,233 3,514

55 to 64 years.................... 8,347 43 61 278 757 1,522 1,430 2,027 2,230

65 years and older............. 1,614 34 36 82 197 361 226 278 401

See note at end of table.

43
Table 7. Distribution of full-time wage and salary workers, by usual weekly earnings and selected 

characteristics, 2011 annual averages—cont'd

(In thousands)

Number of workers by usual weekly earnings

Under 

$150.00

$150.00 

to 

$249.99

$250.00 

to 

$349.99

$350.00 

to 

$499.99

$500.00 

to 

$749.99

$750.00 

to 

$999.99

$1,000.00 

to 

$1,499.00

$1,500.00 

or more

Race, Hispanic or

 Latino Ethnicity, 

and Sex

White..................................... 81,336 647 952 5,071 12,340 18,842 14,293 15,786 13,406

Women.............................. 34,976 355 515 2,655 6,091 9,092 6,401 6,035 3,833

Men.................................... 46,360 293 436 2,417 6,248 9,750 7,892 9,751 9,573

Black or African American..... 11,604 102 217 1,100 2,614 3,171 1,925 1,566 910

Women.............................. 6,191 61 132 657 1,444 1,747 1,010 729 412

Men.................................... 5,414 41 85 443 1,170 1,424 915 837 499

Asian..................................... 5,197 32 58 298 720 1,024 846 1,047 1,171

Women.............................. 2,284 20 28 167 358 540 390 429 353

Men.................................... 2,912 12 31 132 362 484 456 618 818

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.... 15,147 134 324 2,057 3,971 3,880 2,033 1,727 1,021

Women.............................. 5,700 68 159 902 1,532 1,465 732 566 275

Men.................................... 9,448 66 165 1,155 2,438 2,415 1,301 1,161 746

Characteristic Total 

employed

NOTE: Estimates for the race groups listed (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: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

44
Table 8. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by sex, marital 

status, and presence and age of own children under 18 years old, 2011 annual averages

Women

Total, all marital statuses................................................ 44,486 $684 $3

With children under 18 years.......................................... 16,093 669 4

With children 6 to 17 years, none younger..................... 9,714 687 6

With children under 6 years....................................... 6,379 644 6

With no children under 18 years.................................... 28,393 692 3

Total, married, spouse present.......................................... 23,274 741 3

With children under 18 years.......................................... 10,622 743 4

With children 6 to 17 years, none younger..................... 6,330 737 6

With children under 6 years....................................... 4,293 752 7

With no children under 18 years.................................... 12,651 740 4

Total, other marital statuses1

........................................... 21,212 620 3

With children under 18 years.......................................... 5,471 563 6

With children 6 to 17 years, none younger..................... 3,384 608 5

With children under 6 years....................................... 2,086 494 5

With no children under 18 years.................................... 15,741 649 4

Men

Total, all marital statuses................................................ 55,971 832 3

With hild d 18 20 808 919 6

Characteristic

Number of 

workers 

(in thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

With children under 18 years.......................................... 20,808 919 6

With children 6 to 17 years, none younger..................... 10,990 972 7

With children under 6 years....................................... 9,818 847 9

With no children under 18 years.................................... 35,163 784 4

Total, married, spouse present.......................................... 33,777 955 4

With children under 18 years.......................................... 18,462 959 6

With children 6 to 17 years, none younger..................... 9,881 998 8

With children under 6 years....................................... 8,581 907 9

With no children under 18 years.................................... 15,314 952 6

Total, other marital statuses1

........................................... 22,194 674 4

With children under 18 years.......................................... 2,346 656 12

With children 6 to 17 years, none younger..................... 1,109 778 17

With children under 6 years....................................... 1,237 577 10

With no children under 18 years.................................... 19,848 676 4

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

NOTE: Children refer to "own" children and include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Excluded 

are other related children such as grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as unrelated children. 

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

45
Table 9. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by selected 

characteristics, 2011 annual averages 

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Age

Total, 16 years and older....................................... 73,926 $12.71 $0.04 37,469 $11.98 $0.03

16 to 24 years.................................................... 14,436 8.97 .02 7,147 8.73 .03

16 to 19 years................................................. 3,936 8.06 .02 2,064 7.96 .03

20 to 24 years................................................. 10,501 9.61 .06 5,083 9.16 .03

25 years and older............................................. 59,490 14.12 .03 30,323 13.10 .04

25 to 34 years................................................. 17,155 12.71 .07 8,024 12.12 .05

35 to 44 years................................................. 14,168 14.83 .05 7,132 13.44 .14

45 to 54 years................................................. 15,331 15.00 .04 8,164 13.76 .10

55 to 64 years................................................. 10,046 15.07 .05 5,555 14.03 .09

65 years and older.......................................... 2,790 12.19 .09 1,448 11.76 .20

Race and Hispanic or

Latino Ethnicity

White..................................................................... 59,314 12.91 .03 29,571 12.05 .03

Black or African American..................................... 9,523 11.79 .07 5,271 11.28 .11

Asian..................................................................... 3,037 13.35 .22 1,612 12.80 .21

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.................................... 13,264 11.05 .06 5,561 10.25 .08

Marital Status

Never married....................................................... 26,703 10.12 .02 12,571 9.86 .03

Married, spouse present........................................ 34,624 14.91 .03 17,162 13.78 .07

Other marital status............................................... 12,599 13.18 .08 7,736 12.28 .08

Divorced 7 933 14 14 09 4 792 13 01 10

Both sexes Women

Characteristic

Divorced............................................................. 7,933 14.14 .09 4,792 13.01 .10

Separated.......................................................... 3,171 11.85 .08 1,749 11.17 .18

Widowed............................................................ 1,496 12.15 .14 1,194 11.79 .18

Union Affiliation1

Members of unions2....................................... 8,869 18.32 .18 3,497 16.00 .14

Represented by unions3

.................................... 9,681 18.12 .11 3,923 15.87 .15

Not represented by a union................................... 64,245 12.07 .02 33,546 11.69 .05

Educational Attainment

Total, 25 years and older....................................... 59,490 14.12 .03 30,323 13.10 .04

Less than a high school diploma........................ 6,905 10.20 .03 2,706 9.22 .05

High school graduates, no college..................... 21,386 13.46 .08 10,002 11.97 .04

Some college or associate's degree................... 19,562 14.78 .06 10,694 13.70 .09

Bachelor's degree and higher............................. 11,637 18.59 .19 6,920 18.06 .10

See footnotes at end of table.

 46
Table 9. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates,

by selected characteristics, 2011 annual averages—cont'd 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Age 

Total, 16 years and older....................................... 36,457 $13.80 $0.06 86.8

16 to 24 years.................................................... 7,290 9.23 .05 94.6

16 to 19 years................................................. 1,872 8.16 .03 97.5

20 to 24 years................................................. 5,418 9.90 .03 92.5

25 years and older............................................. 29,167 15.11 .03 86.7

25 to 34 years................................................. 9,132 13.18 .09 92.0

35 to 44 years................................................. 7,036 16.03 .10 83.8

45 to 54 years................................................. 7,167 16.88 .13 81.5

55 to 64 years................................................. 4,491 17.07 .21 82.2

65 years and older.......................................... 1,341 12.85 .17 91.5

Race and Hispanic or

Latino Ethnicity

White..................................................................... 29,743 14.02 .04 85.9

Black or African American..................................... 4,252 12.06 .06 93.5

Asian..................................................................... 1,425 14.25 .48 89.8

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.................................... 7,703 11.81 .08 86.8

Marital Status

Never married....................................................... 14,132 10.52 .09 93.7

Married, spouse present........................................ 17,462 16.05 .06 85.9

Other marital status............................................... 4,864 14.90 .07 82.4

Divorced 3 140 15 77 21 82 5

Characteristic

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Divorced............................................................. 3,140 15.77 .21 82.5

Separated.......................................................... 1,422 12.36 .28 90.4

Widowed............................................................ 302 15.02 .25 78.5

Union Affiliation1

Members of unions2....................................... 5,372 20.04 .08 79.8

Represented by unions3

.................................... 5,758 19.95 .08 79.5

Not represented by a union................................... 30,699 12.76 .06 91.6

Educational Attainment

Total, 25 years and older....................................... 29,167 15.11 .03 86.7

Less than a high school diploma........................ 4,199 11.10 .08 83.1

High school graduates, no college..................... 11,383 15.03 .04 79.6

Some college or associate's degree................... 8,868 16.08 .09 85.2

Bachelor's degree and higher............................. 4,717 19.43 .28 92.9

1 Differences in earnings levels between workers with and without union affiliation reflect a variety of 

factors in addition to coverage by a collective bargaining agreement, including the distribution of male 

and female employees by occupation, industry, firm size, and geographic region.

2 Data refer to members of a labor union or an employee association similar to a union.

3 Data refer to workers who report no union affiliation but whose jobs are covered by a union or an 

employee association contract, as well as to members of a labor union or an employee association 

similar to a union. 

NOTE: Workers paid hourly rates represented 59 percent of all wage and salary workers in 2011. 

Estimates for the race groups listed (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: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 47
Table 10. Distribution of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by hourly earnings and 

selected characteristics, 2011 annual averages

(In thousands)

Number of workers by hourly earnings

Under 

$6.00

$6.00 to 

$7.99

$8.00 to 

$9.99

$10.00 to 

$11.99

$12.00 to 

$14.99

$15.00 to 

$19.99

$20.00 or 

more

Age and sex 

Total, 16 years and older............ 73,926 1,250 5,559 13,752 11,535 12,591 13,245 15,993

16 to 24 years.......................... 14,436 533 2,914 5,223 2,685 1,657 989 436

16 to 19 years...................... 3,936 178 1,451 1,586 430 188 72 30

20 to 24 years...................... 10,501 354 1,463 3,638 2,254 1,469 917 406

25 years and older................... 59,490 717 2,645 8,529 8,851 10,934 12,256 15,558

25 to 34 years...................... 17,155 366 953 2,975 2,934 3,484 3,356 3,088

35 to 44 years...................... 14,168 143 519 1,886 2,006 2,490 2,970 4,154

45 to 54 years...................... 15,331 140 586 1,943 2,039 2,680 3,298 4,645

55 to 64 years...................... 10,046 45 380 1,215 1,364 1,747 2,180 3,115

65 years and older................ 2,790 24 208 511 507 532 453 555

Women, 16 years and older........ 37,469 867 3,312 7,758 6,103 6,593 6,124 6,713

16 to 24 years.......................... 7,147 365 1,605 2,722 1,169 755 353 177

16 to 19 years...................... 2,064 130 804 825 204 67 22 12

20 to 24 years...................... 5,083 236 801 1,897 965 688 330 166

25 years and older................... 30,323 501 1,707 5,036 4,934 5,838 5,772 6,535

25 to 34 years...................... 8,024 246 592 1,498 1,370 1,620 1,355 1,342

35 to 44 years...................... 7,132 97 353 1,142 1,137 1,368 1,329 1,706

45 to 54 years...................... 8,164 110 388 1,295 1,259 1,540 1,662 1,910

55 to 64 years...................... 5,555 33 253 796 879 1,054 1,227 1,312

Characteristic Total 

employed

55 to 64 years...................... 5,555 33 253 796 879 1,054 1,227 1,312

65 years and older................ 1,448 16 121 304 289 256 197 265

Men, 16 years and older............. 36,457 383 2,247 5,994 5,432 5,998 7,121 9,281

16 to 24 years.......................... 7,290 167 1,309 2,501 1,516 902 636 258

16 to 19 years...................... 1,872 49 647 761 226 121 49 18

20 to 24 years...................... 5,418 119 661 1,741 1,290 781 587 240

25 years and older................... 29,167 216 938 3,493 3,917 5,096 6,485 9,022

25 to 34 years...................... 9,132 120 361 1,476 1,564 1,864 2,000 1,746

35 to 44 years...................... 7,036 46 166 744 869 1,122 1,641 2,448

45 to 54 years...................... 7,167 30 198 648 780 1,140 1,636 2,736

55 to 64 years...................... 4,491 12 126 419 485 694 953 1,803

65 years and older................ 1,341 8 87 207 219 276 255 290

See note at end of table.

48
Table 10. Distribution of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by hourly earnings and 

selected characteristics, 2011 annual averages—cont'd

(In thousands)

Number of workers by hourly earnings

Under 

$6.00

$6.00 to 

$7.99

$8.00 to 

$9.99

$10.00 to 

$11.99

$12.00 to 

$14.99

$15.00 to 

$19.99

$20.00 or 

more

Race, Hispanic or

 Latino Ethnicity, 

and Sex

White....................................... 59,314 1,073 4,279 10,834 8,959 9,957 10,830 13,382

Women................................. 29,571 755 2,541 6,010 4,721 5,143 4,901 5,500

Men...................................... 29,743 317 1,738 4,824 4,238 4,815 5,929 7,882

Black or African American....... 9,523 92 944 1,971 1,763 1,817 1,468 1,469

Women................................. 5,271 54 577 1,205 963 999 757 716

Men...................................... 4,252 37 367 765 800 817 711 754

Asian....................................... 3,037 39 160 520 472 505 554 788

Women................................. 1,612 24 98 308 250 288 276 367

Men...................................... 1,425 15 62 212 222 217 277 420

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity...... 13,264 200 1,024 3,465 2,460 2,380 2,000 1,734

Women................................. 5,561 109 564 1,677 984 979 739 510

Men...................................... 7,703 91 461 1,788 1,477 1,401 1,262 1,224

Characteristic Total 

employed

NOTE: Workers paid hourly rates represented 59 percent of all wage and salary workers in 2011. Estimates for the 

race groups listed (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: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

49
Table 11. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing 

federal minimum wage, by selected characteristics, 2011 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total at or below 

prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

Percent of 

workers 

paid hourly 

rates

Age and sex

Total, 16 years and older.............................................. 73,926 2,152 1,677 3,829 5.2

16 to 24 years............................................................ 14,436 1,003 893 1,896 13.1

16 to 19 years........................................................ 3,936 408 491 899 22.8

20 to 24 years........................................................ 10,501 595 402 997 9.5

25 years and older..................................................... 59,490 1,149 784 1,933 3.2

25 to 34 years........................................................ 17,155 509 299 808 4.7

35 to 44 years........................................................ 14,168 238 161 399 2.8

45 to 54 years........................................................ 15,331 223 159 382 2.5

55 to 64 years........................................................ 10,046 104 117 221 2.2

65 years and older................................................. 2,790 75 48 123 4.4

Women, 16 years and older......................................... 37,469 1,366 1,029 2,395 6.4

16 to 24 years............................................................ 7,147 604 505 1,109 15.5

16 to 19 years........................................................ 2,064 247 279 526 25.5

At prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

Characteristic

Total

Below 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

y ,

20 to 24 years........................................................ 5,083 357 226 583 11.5

25 years and older..................................................... 30,323 762 524 1,286 4.2

25 to 34 years........................................................ 8,024 326 202 528 6.6

35 to 44 years........................................................ 7,132 152 105 257 3.6

45 to 54 years........................................................ 8,164 165 105 270 3.3

55 to 64 years........................................................ 5,555 69 81 150 2.7

65 years and older................................................. 1,448 50 31 81 5.6

Men, 16 years and older............................................... 36,457 785 648 1,433 3.9

16 to 24 years............................................................ 7,290 399 388 787 10.8

16 to 19 years........................................................ 1,872 161 212 373 19.9

20 to 24 years........................................................ 5,418 238 175 413 7.6

25 years and older..................................................... 29,167 387 260 647 2.2

25 to 34 years........................................................ 9,132 182 96 278 3.0

35 to 44 years........................................................ 7,036 86 56 142 2.0

45 to 54 years........................................................ 7,167 58 55 113 1.6

55 to 64 years........................................................ 4,491 36 36 72 1.6

65 years and older................................................. 1,341 25 17 42 3.1

See note at end of table.

50
Table 11. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing 

federal minimum wage, by selected characteristics, 2011 annual averages—cont'd

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total at or below 

prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

Percent of 

workers 

paid hourly 

rates

Race and Hispanic or

Latino Ethnicity

White......................................................................... 59,314 1,748 1,258 3,006 5.1

Women................................................................... 29,571 1,124 774 1,898 6.4

Men........................................................................ 29,743 624 484 1,108 3.7

Black or African American......................................... 9,523 253 324 577 6.1

Women................................................................... 5,271 148 208 356 6.8

Men........................................................................ 4,252 105 117 221 5.2

Asian.......................................................................... 3,037 63 36 99 3.3

Women................................................................... 1,612 35 23 58 3.6

Men........................................................................ 1,425 28 13 41 2.9

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity....................................... 13,264 380 340 720 5.4

Women 5 561 208 186 394 7 1

At prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

Characteristic

Total

Below 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

Women................................................................... 5,561 208 186 394 7.1

Men........................................................................ 7,703 172 154 326 4.2

Full- and Part-time Status and Sex1

Full-time workers....................................................... 53,594 752 522 1,274 2.4

Women................................................................... 24,302 456 317 773 3.2

Men........................................................................ 29,292 296 205 501 1.7

Part-time workers...................................................... 20,199 1,392 1,153 2,545 12.6

Women................................................................... 13,096 904 711 1,615 12.3

Men........................................................................ 7,103 489 443 932 13.1

1 The distinction between full-time and part-time workers is based on hours usually worked. These data do not sum to 

totals because full-time or part-time status on the principal or main job is not identifiable for a small number of multiple 

jobholders.

NOTE: The prevailing federal minimum wage was $7.25 in 2011. See the technical note for more information about 

minimum wage workers. Estimates for the race groups listed (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: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

51
Table 12. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing 

federal minimum wage, by sex, 1979–2011 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total at or below 

prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

Percent of 

workers paid 

hourly rates

Both Sexes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1990................................. 104,876 63,172 60.2 1

2,132 11,096 13,228 15.1

1991................................. 103,723 62,627 60.4 1

2,377 12,906 15,283 18.4

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

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

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

Year and sex

Total wage 

and salary 

workers Total

Percent of 

total wage 

and salary 

workers

Below 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

At 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

, , , , ,

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

1996................................. 111,960 69,255 61.9 1

1,863 11,861 13,724 15.4

1997................................. 114,533 70,735 61.8 1

2,990 11,764 14,754 16.7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007................................. 129,767 75,873 58.5 1

1,462 1267 11,729 12.3

2008................................. 129,377 75,305 58.2 1

1,940 1286 12,226 13.0

2009................................. 124,490 72,611 58.3 1

2,592 1980 13,572 14.9

2010................................. 124,073 72,902 58.8 2,541 1,820 4,361 6.0

2011................................. 125,187 73,926 59.1 2,152 1,677 3,829 5.2

See footnote at end of table.

52
Table 12. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing 

federal minimum wage, by sex, 1979–2011 annual averages—cont'd

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total at or below 

prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

Percent of 

workers paid 

hourly rates

Women

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1990................................. 49,323 31,069 63.0 1

1,420 1711 12,131 16.9

1991................................. 49,105 30,988 63.1 1

1,582 11,792 13,374 110.9

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

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

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

Year and sex

Total wage 

and salary 

workers Total

Percent of 

total wage 

and salary 

workers

Below 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

At 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

, , , , ,

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

1996................................. 53,488 34,418 64.3 1

1,244 11,106 12,350 16.8

1997................................. 54,708 35,214 64.4 1

1,843 11,092 12,935 18.3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007................................. 62,299 38,082 61.1 1

1,002 1181 11,183 13.1

2008................................. 62,532 37,972 60.7 1

1,302 1196 11,498 13.9

2009................................. 60,951 37,426 61.4 1

1,603 1612 12,215 15.9

2010................................. 60,542 37,404 61.8 1,598 1,151 2,749 7.3

2011................................. 60,502 37,469 61.9 1,366 1,029 2,395 6.4

See footnote at end of table.

53
Table 12. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing 

federal minimum wage, by sex, 1979–2011 annual averages—cont'd

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total at or below 

prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

Percent of 

workers paid 

hourly rates

Men

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1990................................. 55,553 32,104 57.8 1

712 1385 11,097 13.4

1991................................. 54,618 31,639 57.9 1

795 11,114 11,909 16.0

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

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

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

Year and sex

Total wage 

and salary 

workers Total

Percent of 

total wage 

and salary 

workers

Below 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

At 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

, , ,

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

1996................................. 58,473 34,838 59.6 1

619 1755 11,374 13.9

1997................................. 59,825 35,521 59.4 1

1,147 1673 11,820 15.1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007................................. 67,468 37,790 56.0 1

460 186 1546 11.4

2008................................. 66,846 37,334 55.9 1

638 190 1728 11.9

2009................................. 63,539 35,185 55.4 1

990 1368 11,358 13.9

2010................................. 63,531 35,498 55.9 943 669 1,612 4.5

2011................................. 64,686 36,457 56.4 785 648 1,433 3.9

1 Data for 1990–91, 1996–97, and 2007–09 reflect changes in the minimum wage that took place in those years.

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other 

changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The prevailing federal minimum wage was $2.90 in 1979, $3.10 in 

1980, and $3.35 in 1981–89. The minimum wage rose to $3.80 in April 1990, to $4.25 in April 1991, to $4.75 in 

October 1996, to $5.15 in September 1997, to $5.85 in July 2007, to $6.55 in July 2008, and to $7.25 in July 2009. See 

the technical note for more information about minimum wage workers. 

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

54
Table 13. Women's earnings as a percent of men's, by age, for full-time wage and salary workers, 

1979–2011

25 years and older

1979.................. 62.3 78.6 85.2 76.3 62.1 67.5 58.3 56.8 60.6 77.6

1980.................. 64.2 80.3 89.5 78.1 62.8 69.4 58.3 56.9 59.4 76.4

1981.................. 64.4 82.6 91.7 80.6 62.6 70.3 59.9 56.8 58.9 71.1

1982.................. 65.7 85.3 92.9 82.4 64.9 72.1 61.1 60.1 61.4 70.3

1983.................. 66.5 88.8 94.0 85.5 65.8 73.3 61.5 59.5 61.8 68.8

1984.................. 67.6 87.9 93.1 85.2 67.1 74.6 62.0 59.4 61.5 66.8

1985.................. 68.1 87.6 90.7 85.7 66.8 75.1 63.0 59.7 61.0 65.9

1986.................. 69.5 89.0 91.4 87.5 66.5 76.1 63.9 60.9 61.2 71.5

1987.................. 69.8 88.3 87.8 88.0 67.3 76.7 66.1 62.3 62.2 68.7

1988.................. 70.2 89.7 89.8 90.0 68.8 77.7 68.5 61.7 62.3 70.9

1989.................. 70.1 90.8 94.3 89.7 70.2 78.3 68.3 62.7 63.9 74.3

1990.................. 71.9 90.1 90.8 90.3 72.1 79.3 69.6 63.8 63.7 74.4

1991.................. 74.2 93.3 93.6 93.3 74.0 81.0 70.7 65.0 64.5 68.3

1992.................. 75.8 94.0 94.0 94.3 74.6 82.0 71.9 65.8 64.9 77.9

1993.................. 77.1 94.8 92.8 95.4 74.8 83.0 73.0 67.4 67.4 74.3

1994.................. 76.4 93.9 92.5 94.5 73.1 82.9 72.6 67.1 66.0 76.2

1995.................. 75.5 90.8 88.1 92.4 72.8 82.2 72.6 67.7 64.7 80.0

1996.................. 75.0 92.5 88.8 92.8 74.1 83.2 73.3 68.9 65.3 70.0

1997.................. 74.4 92.1 91.6 90.5 75.1 82.9 74.0 69.4 64.7 77.0

1998.................. 76.3 91.3 88.6 89.4 75.9 82.9 73.6 70.5 68.1 72.6

1999.................. 76.5 91.0 91.4 90.5 74.4 81.5 71.7 70.0 67.9 78.7

2000 76 9 91 7 92 5 92 7 74 5 82 4 71 6 73 2 69 1 75 1

Total 25 to 34 

years

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

Year

Total, 

16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years

Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

2000.................. 76.9 91.7 92.5 92.7 74.5 82.4 71.6 73.2 69.1 75.1

2001.................. 76.4 90.3 90.3 91.9 75.4 83.0 72.5 73.5 70.5 69.0

2002.................. 77.9 93.9 94.6 93.9 77.6 84.5 75.2 74.6 71.6 73.8

2003.................. 79.4 93.2 93.1 93.9 78.5 86.9 76.1 73.0 72.7 71.1

2004.................. 80.4 93.8 92.1 93.8 78.6 87.8 75.6 72.9 73.0 74.6

2005.................. 81.0 93.2 92.1 93.8 79.4 89.0 75.5 75.5 74.7 76.4

2006.................. 80.8 94.5 87.6 94.9 78.7 88.2 77.2 73.5 72.9 77.5

2007.................. 80.2 92.3 89.1 90.3 78.5 86.9 76.5 74.5 72.8 77.8

2008.................. 79.9 91.1 87.3 92.5 78.2 88.5 74.5 74.9 75.4 74.8

2009.................. 80.2 92.6 90.7 92.9 78.7 88.7 77.4 73.6 75.3 76.1

2010.................. 81.2 95.3 94.6 93.8 80.5 90.8 79.9 76.5 75.2 75.7

2011.................. 82.2 92.5 88.6 93.2 81.0 92.3 78.5 76.0 75.1 80.9

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the 

Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm 

#comp. The women's-to-men's earnings ratios shown here are calculated from the current-dollar median usual weekly earnings of 

full-time wage and salary workers in table 23. 

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

55
Table 14. Women's earnings as a percent of men's, by race and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2011

1979.......................................... 62.3 61.7 74.4 – 71.7

1980.......................................... 64.2 63.4 75.8 – 73.5

1981.......................................... 64.4 63.1 76.9 – 75.7

1982.......................................... 65.7 64.5 78.1 – 75.5

1983.......................................... 66.5 65.6 78.9 – 78.5

1984.......................................... 67.6 66.8 79.5 – 77.7

1985.......................................... 68.1 67.2 82.6 – 77.7

1986........................................... 69.5 67.9 82.8 – 80.6

1987.......................................... 69.8 68.2 84.4 – 82.0

1988.......................................... 70.2 68.4 82.8 – 84.4

1989.......................................... 70.1 69.3 86.5 – 85.4

1990.......................................... 71.9 71.5 85.3 – 87.4

1991.......................................... 74.2 73.7 86.1 – 90.4

1992.......................................... 75.8 75.3 88.2 – 89.1

1993.......................................... 77.1 76.5 88.8 – 90.5

1994.......................................... 76.4 74.6 86.5 – 88.9

1995.......................................... 75.5 73.3 86.4 – 87.1

1996.......................................... 75.0 73.8 87.9 – 88.8

1997.......................................... 74.4 74.6 86.8 – 85.7

1998.......................................... 76.3 76.1 85.5 – 86.4

1999.......................................... 76.5 75.7 83.8 – 85.7

2000.......................................... 76.9 75.8 84.1 79.9 87.8

2001 76 4 75 8 85 8 76 9 88 2

Year

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

2001.......................................... 76.4 75.8 85.8 76.9 88.2

2002.......................................... 77.9 77.9 90.3 74.9 88.0

2003.......................................... 79.4 79.3 88.5 77.5 88.4

2004.......................................... 80.4 79.8 88.8 76.4 87.3

2005.......................................... 81.0 80.2 89.3 80.6 87.7

2006.......................................... 80.8 80.0 87.8 79.3 87.1

2007.......................................... 80.2 79.4 88.8 78.1 91.0

2008.......................................... 79.9 79.3 89.4 78.0 89.6

2009.......................................... 80.2 79.2 93.7 81.8 89.5

2010.......................................... 81.2 80.5 93.5 82.6 90.7

2011.......................................... 82.2 82.1 91.1 77.4 90.7

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological 

and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online 

at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The women's-to-men's earnings ratios shown here are 

calculated from the current-dollar median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers in table 

24. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups listed (White, Black or African American, and Asian) include 

persons who selected that 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. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. Asian data for 

2000–2002 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians constitute a separate category. Data for 

Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. 

Dash indicates data not available. 

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

56
Table 15. Women's earnings as a percent of men's, by educational attainment, for full-time 

wage and salary workers 25 years and older, 1979–2011

1979.......................................... 62.1 60.3 60.1 64.1 66.7

1980.......................................... 62.8 61.4 61.5 64.5 67.9

1981.......................................... 62.6 61.2 61.0 65.6 66.9

1982.......................................... 64.9 62.8 63.1 66.7 68.8

1983.......................................... 65.8 64.8 63.4 68.2 71.2

1984.......................................... 67.1 64.9 64.9 68.4 69.4

1985.......................................... 66.8 64.3 65.8 67.2 70.2

1986......................................... 66.5 64.8 66.6 68.0 70.6

1987.......................................... 67.3 66.0 68.1 69.8 71.4

1988.......................................... 68.8 66.6 68.2 71.6 71.4

1989.......................................... 70.2 66.8 67.6 73.3 71.9

1990.......................................... 72.1 68.8 68.6 72.9 72.2

1991.......................................... 74.0 71.6 69.8 72.6 73.6

1992.......................................... 74.6 72.9 70.4 73.3 75.1

1993.......................................... 74.8 73.9 71.3 73.8 75.8

1994.......................................... 73.1 75.1 70.8 72.1 76.8

1995.......................................... 72.8 75.5 70.2 71.6 76.2

1996.......................................... 74.1 75.1 70.7 73.2 75.2

1997.......................................... 75.1 75.3 70.7 73.9 75.0

1998.......................................... 75.9 73.9 70.8 74.0 75.3

1999.......................................... 74.4 73.4 69.8 73.4 75.7

Year

Total, 

25 years 

and older

Less than a 

high school 

diploma

High school 

graduates, no 

college

Some college 

or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's 

degree and 

higher

2000.......................................... 74.5 74.9 71.1 73.1 74.1

2001.......................................... 75.4 75.4 72.7 71.9 73.7

2002.......................................... 77.6 77.2 74.2 74.3 74.2

2003.......................................... 78.5 76.7 75.5 75.7 73.6

2004.......................................... 78.6 74.9 75.7 75.8 75.2

2005.......................................... 79.4 74.9 75.6 76.6 75.7

2006.......................................... 78.7 76.3 73.7 75.6 75.1

2007.......................................... 78.5 76.7 74.3 75.2 75.0

2008.......................................... 78.2 76.1 73.3 75.7 74.3

2009.......................................... 78.7 76.4 75.7 75.4 73.1

2010.......................................... 80.5 79.8 76.5 75.5 74.1

2011.......................................... 81.0 80.9 76.9 76.8 74.9

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and 

other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The women's-to-men's earnings ratios shown here are caculated 

from the current-dollar median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older in 

table 25. 

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

57
Table 16. Women's earnings as a percent of men's, by age, for wage and salary workers paid hourly 

rates, 1979–2011

25 years and older

1979.................. 64.1 81.8 95.0 75.9 58.3 63.3 55.8 54.1 56.9 87.6

1980.................. 64.8 84.1 93.2 77.0 58.7 64.1 54.9 54.4 56.4 89.2

1981.................. 65.1 86.1 96.7 80.0 60.3 66.7 57.5 54.1 56.2 88.1

1982.................. 67.3 86.3 97.0 81.8 62.1 67.7 57.1 55.7 59.0 88.1

1983.................. 69.4 87.2 96.7 84.4 62.9 70.3 57.6 56.7 58.0 87.6

1984.................. 69.8 86.0 96.5 84.5 63.7 71.1 59.0 56.9 59.5 89.0

1985.................. 70.0 85.7 96.3 87.2 64.7 72.4 60.3 57.8 60.4 88.8

1986.................. 70.2 85.8 95.5 86.7 66.0 74.1 61.4 59.0 60.3 91.3

1987.................. 72.1 85.9 93.9 86.1 67.2 74.3 62.9 61.3 62.0 91.2

1988.................. 73.8 89.1 94.4 87.2 68.7 75.6 66.1 61.6 62.4 92.8

1989.................. 75.4 90.7 93.4 86.9 69.8 78.0 67.0 63.4 63.8 87.1

1990.................. 77.9 91.0 93.8 90.1 71.8 79.4 68.7 64.3 66.2 89.6

1991.................. 78.6 91.0 97.9 91.7 73.5 80.4 70.4 65.0 68.9 92.6

1992.................. 80.3 91.3 97.7 92.5 76.0 82.6 73.1 66.1 69.3 92.6

1993.................. 80.4 91.7 97.1 94.2 77.3 83.6 73.1 67.3 69.0 92.1

1994.................. 80.6 90.5 97.0 91.2 78.2 85.5 73.4 69.9 70.7 94.0

1995.................. 80.8 90.9 96.1 89.3 76.1 83.7 72.6 70.8 71.4 94.2

1996.................. 81.2 92.1 97.0 89.6 78.2 83.1 74.6 72.1 72.4 91.6

1997.................. 80.8 92.2 96.6 91.2 78.8 82.7 75.7 72.3 70.5 98.1

1998.................. 81.8 90.3 96.7 89.1 77.9 86.1 77.4 75.0 72.4 93.2

1999.................. 83.8 92.7 96.8 89.9 79.4 83.9 76.9 72.7 76.4 95.4

2000.................. 83.8 91.7 93.8 93.0 80.8 88.3 76.3 73.2 76.8 94.7

16 to 24 years

Year

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 25 to 34 

years

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

2001.................. 85.2 90.5 95.8 89.7 79.2 85.8 75.0 76.1 80.2 90.4

2002.................. 85.0 92.5 96.9 91.3 82.1 85.1 78.7 77.6 80.8 89.3

2003.................. 84.8 93.2 97.6 91.0 83.1 87.5 79.1 79.0 78.4 90.3

2004.................. 84.6 93.9 95.9 91.7 81.7 88.3 78.4 79.1 79.6 92.5

2005.................. 84.8 92.6 96.0 92.4 83.2 89.2 79.6 80.2 80.2 97.8

2006.................. 84.0 90.9 95.7 90.5 83.2 87.6 80.0 76.4 80.6 93.0

2007.................. 84.8 89.3 95.4 90.4 81.7 87.4 81.5 79.6 79.2 92.2

2008.................. 85.4 91.2 96.6 91.6 83.0 87.0 80.5 78.2 81.8 91.6

2009.................. 85.5 93.1 97.1 92.0 84.7 90.6 80.7 77.0 84.5 92.6

2010.................. 86.0 93.6 97.8 91.7 85.6 91.9 82.9 79.9 83.2 93.8

2011.................. 86.8 94.6 97.5 92.5 86.7 92.0 83.8 81.5 82.2 91.5

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the 

Current Population Survey (CPS). Information on historical comparability is online at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. 

The women's-to-men's earnings ratios shown here are calculated from the current-dollar median hourly earnings of workers paid 

hourly rates in table 26. 

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

58
Table 17. Women's earnings as a percent of men's, by race and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–2011

1979.......................................... 64.1 62.5 72.6 – 71.8

1980.......................................... 64.8 63.6 74.9 – 75.1

1981.......................................... 65.1 63.8 72.1 – 76.4

1982.......................................... 67.3 66.0 75.2 – 75.6

1983.......................................... 69.4 68.0 79.2 – 76.1

1984.......................................... 69.8 68.6 79.1 – 77.0

1985.......................................... 70.0 67.8 82.0 – 79.4

1986........................................... 70.2 68.8 78.7 – 80.8

1987.......................................... 72.1 70.9 80.1 – 80.2

1988.......................................... 73.8 72.7 80.8 – 81.1

1989.......................................... 75.4 74.0 83.2 – 83.0

1990.......................................... 77.9 75.6 84.5 – 86.1

1991.......................................... 78.6 76.6 86.5 – 86.9

1992.......................................... 80.3 78.6 87.1 – 88.3

1993.......................................... 80.4 78.9 89.6 – 88.6

1994.......................................... 80.6 79.7 87.5 – 89.3

1995.......................................... 80.8 78.4 87.3 – 90.9

1996.......................................... 81.2 79.6 88.0 – 88.8

1997.......................................... 80.8 80.3 87.5 – 86.3

1998.......................................... 81.8 81.8 86.9 – 87.6

1999.......................................... 83.8 82.3 83.2 – 86.6

Year

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

2000.......................................... 83.8 83.0 88.8 90.5 87.3

2001.......................................... 85.2 83.8 89.9 85.1 85.6

2002.......................................... 85.0 83.8 92.3 91.7 86.1

2003.......................................... 84.8 84.0 91.7 89.8 88.5

2004.......................................... 84.6 84.0 91.3 88.8 90.2

2005.......................................... 84.8 84.2 91.1 91.3 90.1

2006.......................................... 84.0 83.6 88.5 90.7 87.6

2007.......................................... 84.8 83.7 90.3 89.5 88.5

2008.......................................... 85.4 84.5 89.9 87.3 85.1

2009.......................................... 85.5 84.8 89.7 90.4 84.6

2010.......................................... 86.0 85.0 92.1 88.0 86.2

2011.......................................... 86.8 85.9 93.5 89.8 86.8

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological 

and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online 

at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The women's-to-men's earnings ratios shown here are 

calculated from the current-dollar median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates in 

table 27. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups listed (White, Black or African American, and Asian) 

include persons who selected that 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. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. Asian data 

for 2000–2002 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians constitute a separate category. Data 

for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. 

Dash indicates data not available. 

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

59
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in constant (2011) dollars,

by sex and age, 1979–2011 annual averages

25 years and older

Both Sexes

1979.................. $697 $497 $416 $538 $766 $737 $809 $798 $757 $572

1980.................. 681 486 400 519 743 717 784 774 740 527

1981.................. 675 475 382 506 732 703 774 760 734 527

1982.................. 676 465 367 492 732 696 792 772 727 566

1983.................. 672 453 352 479 736 689 794 788 742 560

1984.................. 672 447 348 476 746 691 802 794 755 561

1985.................. 685 446 347 478 755 695 809 797 759 592

1986.................. 703 454 348 485 765 705 820 814 777 583

1987.................. 708 460 352 491 763 706 824 813 767 587

1988.................. 704 455 358 486 757 700 823 828 766 590

1989.................. 699 454 357 483 748 690 827 827 755 585

1990.................. 688 449 349 476 750 679 811 816 763 573

1991.................. 686 446 343 469 752 668 802 816 755 614

1992.................. 691 433 333 455 752 662 790 819 758 593

1993.................. 704 433 328 456 753 669 793 831 755 603

1994.................. 701 429 332 450 751 659 806 850 752 577

1995.................. 702 428 339 449 748 661 806 853 754 570

1996.................. 699 425 342 445 742 660 797 847 763 548

1997.................. 703 427 352 448 754 672 809 848 779 549

1998.................. 720 439 369 467 788 691 822 854 815 558

1999 741 460 379 490 799 699 825 880 815 545

Total 25 to 34 

years

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

16 to 24 years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

1999.................. 741 460 379 490 799 699 825 880 815 545

2000.................. 752 471 388 500 795 717 816 873 809 604

2001.................. 757 476 388 501 801 732 835 881 811 620

2002.................. 760 476 381 499 808 739 835 883 843 628

2003.................. 758 473 380 491 809 726 840 884 866 631

2004.................. 760 464 368 483 813 719 849 885 863 667

2005.................. 750 457 366 474 802 703 842 862 855 656

2006.................. 749 456 362 472 801 693 835 863 854 651

2007.................. 754 460 366 488 800 697 834 857 871 656

2008.................. 754 463 365 488 795 696 840 859 862 673

2009.................. 775 463 361 486 811 711 856 878 882 717

2010.................. 771 446 358 469 807 704 850 871 888 706

2011.................. 756 440 352 457 797 693 837 866 881 742

See note at end of table.

60
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in constant (2011) dollars,

by sex and age, 1979–2011 annual averages—cont'd

25 years and older

Women

1979.................. $526 $445 $382 $465 $564 $575 $566 $555 $546 $491

1980.................. 522 434 377 455 553 566 556 543 532 455

1981.................. 520 428 366 454 553 568 565 534 527 449

1982.................. 535 430 353 450 570 577 577 564 548 472

1983.................. 541 425 339 444 575 584 584 567 552 455

1984.................. 546 419 334 439 584 588 602 575 557 452

1985.................. 552 420 331 440 590 590 612 582 568 482

1986.................. 569 429 333 452 603 599 624 603 579 501

1987.................. 574 430 326 458 608 598 638 614 583 494

1988.................. 576 430 336 459 612 598 647 620 580 512

1989.................. 574 431 345 455 615 595 648 625 583 511

1990.................. 578 424 331 449 616 594 651 629 581 501

1991.................. 589 428 330 451 623 597 655 641 585 514

1992.................. 597 419 322 440 628 600 656 655 590 515

1993.................. 603 419 314 443 637 606 667 675 606 514

1994.................. 599 414 317 435 632 596 673 676 598 505

1995.................. 595 403 315 427 628 591 664 680 591 518

1996.................. 596 405 318 425 633 592 660 686 599 476

1997.................. 602 408 335 427 645 596 673 691 605 486

1998.................. 628 420 343 439 668 621 686 711 656 482

1999 638 437 359 463 671 634 679 721 664 499

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

35 to 44 

years

Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 25 to 34 

years

16 to 24 years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older

1999.................. 638 437 359 463 671 634 679 721 664 499

2000.................. 644 449 369 478 674 644 680 736 663 512

2001.................. 651 449 366 476 690 651 695 746 681 496

2002.................. 661 459 369 481 710 663 714 753 718 538

2003.................. 675 454 366 473 714 667 721 744 735 532

2004.................. 682 446 349 465 713 668 724 744 732 569

2005.................. 674 439 350 456 705 660 715 742 736 567

2006.................. 670 441 340 461 700 651 720 735 734 569

2007.................. 666 444 345 462 701 648 725 734 736 579

2008.................. 667 439 336 465 700 651 713 739 743 588

2009.................. 689 444 339 466 720 665 743 746 762 631

2010.................. 690 436 347 453 727 669 754 753 760 620

2011.................. 684 421 328 438 718 662 734 744 749 664

See note at end of table.

61
Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in constant (2011) dollars,

by sex and age, 1979–2011 annual averages—cont'd

25 years and older

Men

1979.................. $844 $566 $448 $610 $908 $853 $971 $977 $902 $633

1980.................. 813 540 421 582 881 816 953 953 896 595

1981.................. 808 518 399 563 884 808 943 941 895 632

1982.................. 814 503 380 546 879 801 944 937 893 671

1983.................. 813 479 361 519 873 796 948 953 893 661

1984.................. 808 476 359 515 870 788 971 969 905 676

1985.................. 811 480 365 514 882 785 970 974 930 731

1986.................. 820 481 364 517 906 787 977 990 947 701

1987.................. 822 487 371 521 903 780 966 985 938 720

1988.................. 821 479 375 510 890 770 945 1,004 931 722

1989.................. 820 475 366 508 876 760 949 996 912 688

1990.................. 803 471 364 497 855 750 935 987 912 673

1991.................. 794 459 353 483 842 738 928 986 907 752

1992.................. 786 446 342 466 841 732 912 995 909 661

1993.................. 782 442 339 465 851 730 914 1,002 899 692

1994.................. 784 441 342 461 865 719 926 1,008 905 662

1995.................. 789 444 358 462 862 718 915 1,004 913 647

1996.................. 795 438 358 458 854 712 902 996 917 680

1997.................. 809 443 366 472 859 719 909 996 934 631

1998.................. 824 460 387 492 880 749 933 1,008 963 664

1999 834 480 393 511 901 779 947 1 030 978 634

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 25 to 34 

years

16 to 24 years

1999.................. 834 480 393 511 901 779 947 1,030 978 634

2000.................. 837 490 399 516 905 781 950 1,007 960 681

2001.................. 851 497 405 518 915 784 958 1,015 966 718

2002.................. 849 489 390 513 915 784 949 1,009 1,003 729

2003.................. 850 487 392 504 910 768 947 1,020 1,011 748

2004.................. 849 476 379 496 907 761 957 1,020 1,004 763

2005.................. 832 471 380 486 888 742 947 983 985 742

2006.................. 829 467 388 485 890 738 933 1,001 1,007 734

2007.................. 831 480 387 512 893 745 947 986 1,012 744

2008.................. 834 482 386 503 896 736 956 986 985 787

2009.................. 858 480 373 502 915 749 960 1,014 1,012 829

2010.................. 850 457 366 483 902 737 944 985 1,010 819

2011.................. 832 455 370 470 886 717 935 979 997 821

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the 

Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm 

#comp. The Consumer Price Index research series using current methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert current dollars to constant 

dollars. See the technical note.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

62
Table 19. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in 

constant (2011) dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 

annual averages 

Both Sexes

1979.......................................... $697 $717 $575 – $561

1980.......................................... 681 699 551 – 543

1981.......................................... 675 691 558 – 530

1982.......................................... 676 694 548 – 537

1983.......................................... 672 687 560 – 536

1984.......................................... 672 693 555 – 534

1985.......................................... 685 709 552 – 538

1986........................................... 703 726 569 – 542

1987.......................................... 708 727 570 – 540

1988.......................................... 704 722 574 – 530

1989.......................................... 699 716 559 – 522

1990.......................................... 688 708 549 – 508

1991.......................................... 686 712 560 – 502

1992.......................................... 691 719 560 – 504

1993.......................................... 704 729 566 – 508

1994.......................................... 701 727 557 – 486

1995.......................................... 702 724 562 – 482

1996.......................................... 699 722 552 – 484

1997.......................................... 703 725 559 – 490

1998 720 751 587 510

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1998.......................................... 720 751 587 – 510

1999.......................................... 741 773 601 – 520

2000.......................................... 752 770 619 $803 521

2001.......................................... 757 775 624 812 530

2002.......................................... 760 779 623 823 530

2003.......................................... 758 778 628 847 538

2004.......................................... 760 782 625 843 543

2005.......................................... 750 774 599 868 543

2006.......................................... 749 770 618 875 542

2007.......................................... 754 777 617 900 546

2008.......................................... 754 775 615 900 553

2009.......................................... 775 794 630 922 567

2010.......................................... 771 789 631 882 552

2011.......................................... 756 775 615 866 549

See note at end of table.

63
Table 19. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in 

constant (2011) dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 

annual averages—cont'd

Women

1979.......................................... $526 $532 $488 – $454

1980.......................................... 522 527 481 – 447

1981.......................................... 520 525 489 – 451

1982.......................................... 535 541 485 – 454

1983.......................................... 541 545 498 – 461

1984.......................................... 546 553 497 – 460

1985.......................................... 552 560 502 – 458

1986........................................... 569 575 517 – 472

1987.......................................... 574 581 523 – 475

1988.......................................... 576 581 527 – 475

1989.......................................... 574 585 527 – 471

1990.......................................... 578 589 514 – 464

1991.......................................... 589 601 520 – 470

1992.......................................... 597 608 526 – 474

1993.......................................... 603 615 534 – 480

1994.......................................... 599 613 520 – 458

1995.......................................... 595 609 521 – 447

1996.......................................... 596 611 516 – 451

1997.......................................... 602 620 524 – 444

1998 628 645 551 464

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1998.......................................... 628 645 551 – 464

1999.......................................... 638 652 552 – 470

2000.......................................... 644 655 560 $714 478

2001.......................................... 651 663 577 715 493

2002.......................................... 661 684 591 708 496

2003.......................................... 675 693 600 731 501

2004.......................................... 682 695 601 730 499

2005.......................................... 674 687 575 766 494

2006.......................................... 670 680 579 780 491

2007.......................................... 666 679 578 793 513

2008.......................................... 667 683 579 787 524

2009.......................................... 689 701 610 817 534

2010.......................................... 690 706 611 798 524

2011.......................................... 684 703 595 751 518

See note at end of table.

64
Table 19. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in 

constant (2011) dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 

annual averages—cont'd

Men

1979.......................................... $844 $861 $656 – $633

1980.......................................... 813 831 634 – 608

1981.......................................... 808 831 637 – 596

1982.......................................... 814 839 622 – 602

1983.......................................... 813 830 631 – 588

1984.......................................... 808 827 625 – 592

1985.......................................... 811 833 608 – 590

1986........................................... 820 847 624 – 585

1987.......................................... 822 852 619 – 580

1988.......................................... 821 850 636 – 563

1989.......................................... 820 844 609 – 552

1990.......................................... 803 825 603 – 531

1991.......................................... 794 815 604 – 520

1992.......................................... 786 807 597 – 532

1993.......................................... 782 804 601 – 531

1994.......................................... 784 821 601 – 515

1995.......................................... 789 830 603 – 513

1996.......................................... 795 827 588 – 508

1997.......................................... 809 831 603 – 518

1998 824 847 645 537

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1998.......................................... 824 847 645 – 537

1999.......................................... 834 861 659 – 548

2000.......................................... 837 864 666 $894 544

2001.......................................... 851 875 672 930 559

2002.......................................... 849 878 655 945 564

2003.......................................... 850 874 678 944 567

2004.......................................... 849 871 677 955 571

2005.......................................... 832 856 644 950 563

2006.......................................... 829 849 660 984 564

2007.......................................... 831 855 651 1,015 564

2008.......................................... 834 862 648 1,009 584

2009.......................................... 858 886 651 998 596

2010.......................................... 850 877 653 966 578

2011.......................................... 832 856 653 970 571

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological 

and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is 

online at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups listed 

(White, Black or African American, and Asian) include persons who selected that 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. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as 

Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. Asian data for 2000–2002 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 

2003, Asians constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. The Consumer 

Price Index research series using current methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert current dollars to constant 

dollars. See the technical note. 

Dash indicates data not available.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

65
Table 20. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and 

older, in constant (2011) dollars, by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2011 annual 

averages 

Both Sexes

1979.......................................... $766 $607 $720 $815 $994

1980.......................................... 743 577 691 790 977

1981.......................................... 732 570 679 770 967

1982.......................................... 732 555 676 785 980

1983.......................................... 736 549 667 779 989

1984.......................................... 746 542 666 788 1,002

1985.......................................... 755 538 663 795 1,008

1986......................................... 765 544 673 800 1,027

1987.......................................... 763 538 674 797 1,068

1988.......................................... 757 527 673 786 1,069

1989.......................................... 748 520 657 792 1,067

1990.......................................... 750 506 644 795 1,065

1991.......................................... 752 494 639 787 1,072

1992.......................................... 752 488 633 760 1,093

1993.......................................... 753 482 637 758 1,097

1994.......................................... 751 461 632 749 1,101

1995.......................................... 748 453 633 745 1,095

1996.......................................... 742 452 632 739 1,081

1997 754 448 644 747 1 088

Year and sex

Total, 

25 years 

and older

Less than a 

high school 

diploma

High school 

graduates, no 

college

Some college 

or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's 

degree and 

higher

1997.......................................... 754 448 644 747 1,088

1998.......................................... 788 464 660 769 1,131

1999.......................................... 799 467 661 783 1,161

2000.......................................... 795 473 659 778 1,163

2001.......................................... 801 485 661 784 1,170

2002.......................................... 808 485 669 786 1,176

2003.......................................... 809 484 677 781 1,178

2004.......................................... 813 477 683 787 1,174

2005.......................................... 802 471 672 772 1,167

2006.......................................... 801 468 664 772 1,160

2007.......................................... 800 464 655 764 1,163

2008.......................................... 795 473 646 754 1,165

2009.......................................... 811 476 656 761 1,192

2010.......................................... 807 458 646 757 1,181

2011.......................................... 797 451 638 739 1,150

See note at end of table.

66
Table 20. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and 

older, in constant (2011) dollars, by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2011 annual 

averages—cont'd

Women

1979.......................................... $564 $439 $535 $610 $763

1980.......................................... 553 426 522 600 753

1981.......................................... 553 416 515 606 755

1982.......................................... 570 412 528 613 774

1983.......................................... 575 418 528 618 792

1984.......................................... 584 412 534 629 804

1985.......................................... 590 402 534 631 825

1986......................................... 603 407 542 646 853

1987.......................................... 608 405 545 657 883

1988.......................................... 612 404 545 658 887

1989.......................................... 615 405 532 664 888

1990.......................................... 616 401 526 659 893

1991.......................................... 623 403 528 659 905

1992.......................................... 628 402 529 639 932

1993.......................................... 637 403 532 647 937

1994.......................................... 632 386 527 635 952

1995.......................................... 628 384 522 626 944

1996.......................................... 633 382 521 631 937

1997 645 384 528 641 939

Year and sex

Total, 

25 years 

and older

Less than a 

high school 

diploma

High school 

graduates, no 

college

Some college 

or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's 

degree and 

higher

1997.......................................... 645 384 528 641 939

1998.......................................... 668 390 545 656 974

1999.......................................... 671 391 547 659 999

2000.......................................... 674 397 548 659 987

2001.......................................... 690 402 563 661 999

2002.......................................... 710 406 573 679 1,011

2003.......................................... 714 402 579 685 1,017

2004.......................................... 713 398 581 687 1,024

2005.......................................... 705 393 568 676 1,017

2006.......................................... 700 400 558 672 1,010

2007.......................................... 701 400 555 661 1,011

2008.......................................... 700 395 543 656 998

2009.......................................... 720 400 568 660 1,017

2010.......................................... 727 400 560 658 1,018

2011.......................................... 718 395 554 645 998

See note at end of table.

67
Table 20. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and 

older, in constant (2011) dollars, by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2011 annual 

averages—cont'd

Men

1979.......................................... $908 $728 $890 $951 $1,145

1980.......................................... 881 694 849 930 1,109

1981.......................................... 884 679 846 924 1,128

1982.......................................... 879 655 837 919 1,125

1983.......................................... 873 646 833 906 1,112

1984.......................................... 870 635 823 920 1,159

1985.......................................... 882 625 811 940 1,175

1986......................................... 906 628 814 949 1,209

1987.......................................... 903 614 801 941 1,237

1988.......................................... 890 607 799 920 1,241

1989.......................................... 876 606 788 905 1,235

1990.......................................... 855 583 766 905 1,237

1991.......................................... 842 562 757 907 1,230

1992.......................................... 841 551 752 871 1,242

1993.......................................... 851 546 747 877 1,236

1994.......................................... 865 514 745 881 1,240

1995.......................................... 862 509 743 874 1,239

1996.......................................... 854 509 736 862 1,247

1997 859 510 747 867 1 251

Year and sex

Total, 

25 years 

and older

Less than a 

high school 

diploma

High school 

graduates, no 

college

Some college 

or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's 

degree and 

higher

1997.......................................... 859 510 747 867 1,251

1998.......................................... 880 528 770 886 1,293

1999.......................................... 901 533 783 897 1,318

2000.......................................... 905 530 772 902 1,332

2001.......................................... 915 532 774 919 1,356

2002.......................................... 915 526 771 914 1,363

2003.......................................... 910 524 768 905 1,383

2004.......................................... 907 531 768 906 1,361

2005.......................................... 888 524 751 882 1,344

2006.......................................... 890 523 757 888 1,345

2007.......................................... 893 522 747 879 1,348

2008.......................................... 896 519 741 867 1,343

2009.......................................... 915 524 751 875 1,391

2010.......................................... 902 502 733 872 1,373

2011.......................................... 886 488 720 840 1,332

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and 

other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The Consumer Price Index research series using current 

methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert current dollars to constant dollars. See the technical note.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

68
Table 21. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in constant (2011) dollars, 

by sex and age, 1979–2011 annual averages

25 years and older

Both Sexes

1979.................. $12.83 $10.09 $8.96 $11.62 $14.77 $15.03 $15.29 $14.91 $14.36 $9.34

1980.................. 12.52 9.64 8.36 11.14 14.42 14.70 14.96 14.68 14.00 9.25

1981.................. 12.23 9.43 8.50 10.95 14.23 14.47 14.73 14.28 13.80 9.31

1982.................. 12.08 9.06 8.05 10.43 14.05 14.21 14.79 14.36 13.67 9.22

1983.................. 12.00 8.76 7.75 10.06 14.06 13.95 14.83 14.44 13.76 9.44

1984.................. 12.02 8.62 7.53 9.94 14.10 13.96 14.78 14.60 13.65 9.55

1985.................. 12.01 8.49 7.31 9.84 14.04 13.78 14.92 14.68 13.76 9.44

1986.................. 12.13 8.63 7.26 9.90 14.15 13.72 15.24 15.13 14.03 9.73

1987.................. 12.25 8.69 7.22 9.87 14.13 13.62 15.04 14.89 14.05 9.62

1988.................. 12.30 8.76 7.37 9.84 14.15 13.58 14.94 14.92 13.67 9.56

1989.................. 12.24 8.67 7.39 9.89 13.91 13.38 14.99 14.75 13.70 9.49

1990.................. 12.07 8.61 7.50 9.87 13.62 13.19 14.72 14.67 13.39 9.60

1991.................. 12.08 8.47 7.55 9.66 13.66 12.95 14.77 14.67 13.19 9.57

1992.................. 12.12 8.43 7.43 9.47 13.70 12.83 14.73 14.95 13.31 9.64

1993.................. 12.07 8.45 7.36 9.43 13.73 12.68 14.74 15.12 13.65 9.80

1994.................. 12.03 8.44 7.37 9.34 13.69 12.58 14.89 15.05 13.54 9.59

1995.................. 11.98 8.50 7.39 9.41 13.72 12.77 14.69 14.85 13.49 9.75

1996.................. 11.98 8.47 7.38 9.54 13.72 12.58 14.47 14.61 13.40 9.66

1997.................. 12.22 8.59 7.70 9.65 13.78 12.63 14.47 14.80 13.59 9.62

1998.................. 12.53 9.06 8.10 9.97 13.95 13.29 14.96 15.10 13.88 10.19

Total 25 to 34 

years

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

16 to 24 years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

1999.................. 12.86 9.27 8.21 10.45 14.13 13.47 14.87 15.29 14.01 10.39

2000.................. 12.94 9.45 8.37 10.54 14.20 13.29 14.82 15.43 14.13 10.51

2001.................. 12.95 9.77 8.59 10.65 14.49 13.56 15.21 15.46 14.45 10.84

2002.................. 13.09 9.76 8.64 10.59 14.79 13.73 15.23 15.58 14.81 11.34

2003.................. 13.26 9.66 8.47 10.59 14.73 13.75 15.23 15.86 14.90 11.23

2004.................. 13.10 9.50 8.33 10.45 14.56 13.54 15.35 15.75 14.98 11.45

2005.................. 12.89 9.30 8.12 10.26 14.38 13.55 15.10 15.53 14.92 11.44

2006.................. 13.13 9.20 8.07 10.22 14.44 13.34 15.06 15.66 14.88 11.33

2007.................. 12.96 9.38 8.21 10.48 14.27 13.07 15.11 15.61 14.87 11.25

2008.................. 12.78 9.27 8.19 10.20 14.43 13.06 15.03 15.54 14.84 11.38

2009.................. 13.04 9.33 8.30 10.24 14.58 13.21 15.29 15.57 15.41 12.04

2010.................. 12.90 9.18 8.26 9.83 14.43 12.93 15.08 15.46 15.37 11.92

2011.................. 12.71 8.97 8.06 9.61 14.12 12.71 14.83 15.00 15.07 12.19

See note at end of table.

69
Table 21. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in constant (2011) dollars, 

by sex and age, 1979–2011 annual averages—cont'd

25 years and older

Women

1979.................. $10.46 $9.22 $8.76 $10.17 $11.27 $11.68 $11.47 $11.10 $10.84 $9.02

1980.................. 10.26 8.96 8.16 9.84 11.01 11.53 11.14 10.99 10.60 8.78

1981.................. 10.17 8.81 8.36 9.71 11.14 11.62 11.33 10.90 10.52 8.81

1982.................. 10.31 8.46 7.94 9.37 11.23 11.61 11.36 11.07 10.74 8.79

1983.................. 10.30 8.20 7.62 9.14 11.22 11.67 11.39 11.14 10.88 8.93

1984.................. 10.25 8.10 7.40 8.99 11.30 11.55 11.57 11.36 10.87 9.01

1985.................. 10.22 7.99 7.19 9.08 11.41 11.53 11.77 11.47 10.88 8.82

1986.................. 10.43 8.04 7.14 9.22 11.64 11.64 12.00 11.72 11.25 9.26

1987.................. 10.61 7.99 7.03 9.26 11.67 11.63 12.03 11.89 11.42 9.19

1988.................. 10.68 8.19 7.15 9.23 11.77 11.63 12.36 12.05 11.12 9.36

1989.................. 10.70 8.21 7.18 9.16 11.87 11.70 12.43 12.08 11.17 9.00

1990.................. 10.75 8.26 7.26 9.30 11.80 11.70 12.30 11.95 11.24 9.10

1991.................. 10.87 8.18 7.47 9.19 11.82 11.58 12.45 12.25 11.19 9.28

1992.................. 10.93 8.10 7.36 9.06 12.01 11.70 12.54 12.46 11.30 9.37

1993.................. 10.92 8.08 7.25 9.14 12.07 11.67 12.52 12.55 11.60 9.48

1994.................. 10.89 7.99 7.25 8.98 12.09 11.68 12.67 12.70 11.74 9.37

1995.................. 10.94 8.05 7.24 8.93 11.98 11.61 12.65 12.79 11.63 9.46

1996.................. 11.03 8.10 7.26 8.93 12.03 11.50 12.68 12.75 11.51 9.20

1997.................. 11.09 8.31 7.57 9.15 12.22 11.45 12.77 12.93 11.61 9.54

1998.................. 11.34 8.60 7.96 9.55 12.58 12.12 13.31 13.47 12.19 9.93

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

35 to 44 

years

Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 25 to 34 

years

16 to 24 years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older

1999.................. 11.66 8.91 8.07 9.74 12.86 12.28 13.27 13.43 12.59 10.12

2000.................. 11.83 9.14 8.13 10.18 12.91 12.65 13.09 13.29 12.85 10.27

2001.................. 12.25 9.21 8.40 10.17 12.96 12.63 13.27 13.79 13.20 10.34

2002.................. 12.36 9.31 8.50 10.14 13.39 12.65 13.73 13.98 13.51 10.91

2003.................. 12.32 9.28 8.37 10.01 13.46 12.85 13.66 14.41 13.51 10.81

2004.................. 12.11 9.18 8.17 9.90 13.37 12.64 13.63 14.23 13.77 10.90

2005.................. 11.88 8.99 7.97 9.79 13.34 12.51 13.64 13.97 13.66 11.31

2006.................. 11.89 8.92 7.94 9.84 13.25 12.35 13.45 13.68 13.53 11.13

2007.................. 11.91 8.84 8.04 9.76 13.07 12.16 13.41 13.94 13.26 11.01

2008.................. 12.01 8.81 8.06 9.57 13.04 12.25 13.47 13.75 13.58 11.00

2009.................. 12.33 8.99 8.20 9.63 13.38 12.54 13.63 13.72 14.25 11.65

2010.................. 12.21 8.90 8.16 9.37 13.29 12.43 13.54 13.93 14.12 11.54

2011.................. 11.98 8.73 7.96 9.16 13.10 12.12 13.44 13.76 14.03 11.76

See note at end of table.

70
Table 21. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in constant (2011) dollars, 

by sex and age, 1979–2011 annual averages—cont'd

25 years and older

Men

1979.................. $16.33 $11.27 $9.22 $13.41 $19.34 $18.44 $20.58 $20.52 $19.05 $10.29

1980.................. 15.84 10.65 8.75 12.78 18.75 18.00 20.29 20.21 18.81 9.84

1981.................. 15.61 10.24 8.65 12.14 18.48 17.41 19.71 20.17 18.72 10.00

1982.................. 15.32 9.80 8.19 11.45 18.08 17.16 19.89 19.87 18.21 9.98

1983.................. 14.85 9.40 7.88 10.84 17.83 16.61 19.79 19.66 18.76 10.19

1984.................. 14.68 9.42 7.67 10.64 17.73 16.25 19.61 19.98 18.27 10.12

1985.................. 14.60 9.32 7.47 10.42 17.63 15.94 19.52 19.86 18.01 9.94

1986.................. 14.85 9.37 7.48 10.63 17.65 15.71 19.55 19.86 18.67 10.14

1987.................. 14.72 9.30 7.48 10.76 17.35 15.64 19.13 19.39 18.41 10.08

1988.................. 14.46 9.20 7.57 10.59 17.15 15.37 18.68 19.54 17.81 10.09

1989.................. 14.19 9.05 7.69 10.54 17.01 14.99 18.55 19.05 17.51 10.33

1990.................. 13.81 9.08 7.75 10.32 16.43 14.74 17.91 18.58 16.98 10.15

1991.................. 13.83 8.99 7.63 10.03 16.07 14.40 17.68 18.86 16.23 10.02

1992.................. 13.61 8.87 7.54 9.80 15.79 14.16 17.16 18.87 16.31 10.13

1993.................. 13.59 8.82 7.47 9.71 15.61 13.96 17.12 18.63 16.81 10.29

1994.................. 13.51 8.83 7.48 9.85 15.45 13.66 17.27 18.17 16.61 9.97

1995.................. 13.53 8.86 7.54 10.00 15.73 13.87 17.43 18.06 16.29 10.04

1996.................. 13.58 8.80 7.49 9.97 15.38 13.84 16.99 17.69 15.91 10.04

1997.................. 13.73 9.01 7.84 10.03 15.50 13.85 16.86 17.88 16.47 9.72

1998.................. 13.86 9.52 8.24 10.72 16.14 14.08 17.19 17.96 16.83 10.66

1999 13 91 9 61 8 34 10 84 16 19 14 63 17 25 18 46 16 48 10 61

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 25 to 34 

years

16 to 24 years

1999.................. 13.91 9.61 8.34 10.84 16.19 14.63 17.25 18.46 16.48 10.61

2000.................. 14.11 9.96 8.67 10.95 15.98 14.32 17.15 18.15 16.72 10.85

2001.................. 14.38 10.18 8.77 11.33 16.37 14.71 17.69 18.11 16.45 11.44

2002.................. 14.55 10.06 8.78 11.10 16.31 14.86 17.45 18.00 16.73 12.23

2003.................. 14.54 9.95 8.58 11.00 16.20 14.68 17.27 18.25 17.22 11.97

2004.................. 14.31 9.77 8.51 10.80 16.36 14.32 17.38 17.99 17.31 11.79

2005.................. 14.01 9.70 8.31 10.60 16.03 14.02 17.14 17.43 17.04 11.57

2006.................. 14.15 9.81 8.29 10.88 15.93 14.10 16.81 17.90 16.79 11.96

2007.................. 14.05 9.90 8.43 10.80 16.00 13.92 16.45 17.52 16.76 11.94

2008.................. 14.06 9.66 8.34 10.45 15.71 14.08 16.74 17.58 16.61 12.02

2009.................. 14.42 9.66 8.44 10.47 15.80 13.84 16.88 17.81 16.87 12.58

2010.................. 14.20 9.50 8.35 10.22 15.52 13.52 16.34 17.43 16.98 12.30

2011.................. 13.80 9.23 8.16 9.90 15.11 13.18 16.03 16.88 17.07 12.85

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the 

Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm 

#comp. The Consumer Price Index research series using current methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert current dollars to constant 

dollars. See the technical note.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

71
Table 22. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in

constant (2011) dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 

annual averages 

Both Sexes

1979.......................................... $12.83 $13.03 $11.88 – $11.79

1980.......................................... 12.52 12.68 11.53 – 11.53

1981.......................................... 12.23 12.30 11.64 – 11.43

1982.......................................... 12.08 12.24 11.32 – 11.21

1983.......................................... 12.00 12.15 11.05 – 10.92

1984.......................................... 12.02 12.16 11.05 – 10.87

1985.......................................... 12.01 12.15 10.96 – 10.90

1986........................................... 12.13 12.29 11.35 – 11.06

1987.......................................... 12.25 12.42 11.34 – 11.02

1988.......................................... 12.30 12.45 11.24 – 10.88

1989.......................................... 12.24 12.40 11.26 – 10.63

1990.......................................... 12.07 12.24 11.37 – 10.48

1991.......................................... 12.08 12.25 11.27 – 10.40

1992.......................................... 12.12 12.28 11.08 – 10.44

1993.......................................... 12.07 12.22 11.01 – 10.48

1994.......................................... 12.03 12.18 10.95 – 10.41

1995.......................................... 11.98 12.20 11.23 – 10.26

1996.......................................... 11.98 12.23 11.07 – 10.23

1997.......................................... 12.22 12.40 11.19 – 10.32

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1998.......................................... 12.53 12.70 11.56 – 10.91

1999.......................................... 12.86 13.14 11.94 – 10.89

2000.......................................... 12.94 13.00 12.19 $13.15 11.15

2001.......................................... 12.95 13.04 12.43 13.66 11.51

2002.......................................... 13.09 13.39 12.41 12.95 11.53

2003.......................................... 13.26 13.41 12.41 13.59 11.93

2004.......................................... 13.10 13.25 12.13 13.21 11.68

2005.......................................... 12.89 13.23 11.72 13.84 11.46

2006.......................................... 13.13 13.24 11.90 13.98 11.29

2007.......................................... 12.96 13.10 11.81 13.25 11.11

2008.......................................... 12.78 13.10 11.70 13.59 11.46

2009.......................................... 13.04 13.27 12.20 13.79 11.57

2010.......................................... 12.90 13.15 12.15 13.64 11.23

2011.......................................... 12.71 12.91 11.79 13.35 11.05

See note at end of table.

72
Table 22. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in

constant (2011) dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 

annual averages—cont'd

Women

1979.......................................... $10.46 $10.46 $10.26 – $9.94

1980.......................................... 10.26 10.29 10.08 – 9.82

1981.......................................... 10.17 10.17 9.95 – 9.74

1982.......................................... 10.31 10.31 10.04 – 9.69

1983.......................................... 10.30 10.32 10.13 – 9.48

1984.......................................... 10.25 10.27 10.04 – 9.59

1985.......................................... 10.22 10.24 10.04 – 9.60

1986........................................... 10.43 10.47 10.12 – 9.78

1987.......................................... 10.61 10.64 10.23 – 9.68

1988.......................................... 10.68 10.71 10.26 – 9.65

1989.......................................... 10.70 10.74 10.30 – 9.68

1990.......................................... 10.75 10.78 10.40 – 9.68

1991.......................................... 10.87 10.89 10.55 – 9.63

1992.......................................... 10.93 10.97 10.42 – 9.69

1993.......................................... 10.92 10.98 10.54 – 9.68

1994.......................................... 10.89 11.02 10.41 – 9.61

1995.......................................... 10.94 11.06 10.44 – 9.68

1996.......................................... 11.03 11.11 10.27 – 9.66

1997.......................................... 11.09 11.17 10.60 – 9.53

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1998.......................................... 11.34 11.47 10.88 – 9.94

1999.......................................... 11.66 11.78 10.97 – 10.07

2000.......................................... 11.83 11.87 11.57 $12.75 10.30

2001.......................................... 12.25 12.36 11.63 12.80 10.52

2002.......................................... 12.36 12.43 11.81 12.63 10.68

2003.......................................... 12.32 12.36 12.11 13.06 10.86

2004.......................................... 12.11 12.15 11.82 12.58 10.76

2005.......................................... 11.88 12.10 11.44 13.41 10.58

2006.......................................... 11.89 12.02 11.28 13.34 10.60

2007.......................................... 11.91 12.00 11.33 12.83 10.63

2008.......................................... 12.01 12.23 11.26 12.80 10.52

2009.......................................... 12.33 12.40 11.54 13.28 10.58

2010.......................................... 12.21 12.26 11.56 12.81 10.43

2011.......................................... 11.98 12.05 11.28 12.80 10.25

See note at end of table.

73
Table 22. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in 

constant (2011) dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 

annual averages—cont'd

Men

1979.......................................... $16.33 $16.73 $14.13 – $13.84

1980.......................................... 15.84 16.18 13.45 – 13.06

1981.......................................... 15.61 15.94 13.80 – 12.76

1982.......................................... 15.32 15.62 13.36 – 12.82

1983.......................................... 14.85 15.17 12.79 – 12.47

1984.......................................... 14.68 14.97 12.70 – 12.45

1985.......................................... 14.60 15.10 12.25 – 12.09

1986........................................... 14.85 15.23 12.86 – 12.11

1987.......................................... 14.72 15.02 12.77 – 12.06

1988.......................................... 14.46 14.73 12.69 – 11.90

1989.......................................... 14.19 14.50 12.38 – 11.66

1990.......................................... 13.81 14.27 12.30 – 11.25

1991.......................................... 13.83 14.20 12.19 – 11.08

1992.......................................... 13.61 13.96 11.96 – 10.97

1993.......................................... 13.59 13.91 11.76 – 10.92

1994.......................................... 13.51 13.83 11.89 – 10.77

1995.......................................... 13.53 14.11 11.96 – 10.65

1996.......................................... 13.58 13.97 11.67 – 10.87

1997.......................................... 13.73 13.91 12.11 – 11.03

1998 13 86 14 02 12 52 11 35

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1998.......................................... 13.86 14.02 12.52 – 11.35

1999.......................................... 13.91 14.32 13.18 – 11.62

2000.......................................... 14.11 14.30 13.03 $14.09 11.80

2001.......................................... 14.38 14.75 12.94 15.04 12.29

2002.......................................... 14.55 14.83 12.80 13.78 12.40

2003.......................................... 14.54 14.71 13.22 14.54 12.26

2004.......................................... 14.31 14.48 12.95 14.17 11.93

2005.......................................... 14.01 14.37 12.56 14.69 11.74

2006.......................................... 14.15 14.38 12.75 14.71 12.10

2007.......................................... 14.05 14.34 12.55 14.34 12.01

2008.......................................... 14.06 14.47 12.53 14.66 12.36

2009.......................................... 14.42 14.62 12.86 14.69 12.49

2010.......................................... 14.20 14.42 12.55 14.56 12.11

2011.......................................... 13.80 14.02 12.06 14.25 11.81

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological 

and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online 

at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups listed (White, 

Black or African American, and Asian) include persons who selected that 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. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic 

or Latino may be of any race. Asian data for 2000–2002 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, 

Asians constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. The Consumer Price 

Index research series using current methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert current dollars to constant dollars. 

See the technical note. 

Dash indicates data not available.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

74
Table 23. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in current dollars, by sex 

and age, 1979–2011 annual averages

25 years and older

Both Sexes

1979.................. $241 $172 $144 $186 $265 $255 $280 $276 $262 $198

1980.................. 262 187 154 200 286 276 302 298 285 203

1981.................. 284 200 161 213 308 296 326 320 309 222

1982.................. 302 208 164 220 327 311 354 345 325 253

1983.................. 313 211 164 223 343 321 370 367 346 261

1984.................. 326 217 169 231 362 335 389 385 366 272

1985.................. 344 224 174 240 379 349 406 400 381 297

1986.................. 359 232 178 248 391 360 419 416 397 298

1987.................. 374 243 186 259 403 373 435 429 405 310

1988.................. 385 249 196 266 414 383 450 453 419 323

1989.................. 399 259 204 276 427 394 472 472 431 334

1990.................. 412 269 209 285 449 407 486 489 457 343

1991.................. 426 277 213 291 467 415 498 507 469 381

1992.................. 440 276 212 290 479 422 503 522 483 378

1993.................. 459 282 214 297 491 436 517 542 492 393

1994.................. 467 286 221 300 500 439 537 566 501 384

1995.................. 479 292 231 306 510 451 550 582 514 389

1996.................. 490 298 240 312 520 463 559 594 535 384

1997.................. 503 306 252 321 540 481 579 607 558 393

1998.................. 523 319 268 339 572 502 597 620 592 405

1999.................. 549 341 281 363 592 518 611 652 604 404

Total 25 to 34 

years

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years

Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

2000.................. 576 361 297 383 609 549 625 669 620 463

2001.................. 596 375 305 394 630 576 657 693 638 488

2002.................. 608 381 305 399 646 591 668 706 674 502

2003.................. 620 387 311 402 662 594 687 723 708 516

2004.................. 638 390 309 406 683 604 713 743 725 560

2005.................. 651 397 318 411 696 610 731 748 742 569

2006.................. 671 409 324 423 718 621 748 773 765 583

2007.................. 695 424 337 450 738 643 769 790 803 605

2008.................. 722 443 349 467 761 666 804 822 825 644

2009.................. 739 442 344 464 774 678 817 838 841 684

2010.................. 747 432 347 454 782 682 824 844 860 684

2011.................. 756 440 352 457 797 693 837 866 881 742

See note at end of table.

75
Table 23. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in current dollars, by sex 

and age, 1979–2011 annual averages—cont'd

25 years and older

Women

1979.................. $182 $154 $132 $161 $195 $199 $196 $192 $189 $170

1980.................. 201 167 145 175 213 218 214 209 205 175

1981.................. 219 180 154 191 233 239 238 225 222 189

1982.................. 239 192 158 201 255 258 258 252 245 211

1983.................. 252 198 158 207 268 272 272 264 257 212

1984.................. 265 203 162 213 283 285 292 279 270 219

1985.................. 277 211 166 221 296 296 307 292 285 242

1986.................. 291 219 170 231 308 306 319 308 296 256

1987.................. 303 227 172 242 321 316 337 324 308 261

1988.................. 315 235 184 251 335 327 354 339 317 280

1989.................. 328 246 197 260 351 340 370 357 333 292

1990.................. 346 254 198 269 369 356 390 377 348 300

1991.................. 366 266 205 280 387 371 407 398 363 319

1992.................. 380 267 205 280 400 382 418 417 376 328

1993.................. 393 273 205 289 415 395 435 440 395 335

1994.................. 399 276 211 290 421 397 448 450 398 336

1995.................. 406 275 215 291 428 403 453 464 403 353

1996.................. 418 284 223 298 444 415 463 481 420 334

1997.................. 431 292 240 306 462 427 482 495 433 348

1998.................. 456 305 249 319 485 451 498 516 476 350

1999.................. 473 324 266 343 497 470 503 534 492 370

Total 25 to 34 

years

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years

Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

2000.................. 493 344 283 366 516 493 521 564 508 392

2001.................. 512 353 288 375 543 512 547 587 536 390

2002.................. 529 367 295 385 568 530 571 602 574 430

2003.................. 552 371 299 387 584 546 590 609 601 435

2004.................. 573 375 293 391 599 561 608 625 615 478

2005.................. 585 381 304 396 612 573 621 644 639 492

2006.................. 600 395 305 413 627 583 645 659 658 510

2007.................. 614 409 318 426 646 597 668 677 679 534

2008.................. 638 420 322 445 670 623 682 707 711 563

2009.................. 657 424 323 445 687 634 709 712 727 602

2010.................. 669 422 336 439 704 648 731 730 736 601

2011.................. 684 421 328 438 718 662 734 744 749 664

See note at end of table.

76
Table 23. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in current dollars, by sex 

and age, 1979–2011 annual averages—cont'd

25 years and older

Men

1979.................. $292 $196 $155 $211 $314 $295 $336 $338 $312 $219

1980.................. 313 208 162 224 339 314 367 367 345 229

1981.................. 340 218 168 237 372 340 397 396 377 266

1982.................. 364 225 170 244 393 358 422 419 399 300

1983.................. 379 223 168 242 407 371 442 444 416 308

1984.................. 392 231 174 250 422 382 471 470 439 328

1985.................. 407 241 183 258 443 394 487 489 467 367

1986.................. 419 246 186 264 463 402 499 506 484 358

1987.................. 434 257 196 275 477 412 510 520 495 380

1988.................. 449 262 205 279 487 421 517 549 509 395

1989.................. 468 271 209 290 500 434 542 569 521 393

1990.................. 481 282 218 298 512 449 560 591 546 403

1991.................. 493 285 219 300 523 458 576 612 563 467

1992.................. 501 284 218 297 536 466 581 634 579 421

1993.................. 510 288 221 303 555 476 596 653 586 451

1994.................. 522 294 228 307 576 479 617 671 603 441

1995.................. 538 303 244 315 588 490 624 685 623 441

1996.................. 557 307 251 321 599 499 632 698 643 477

1997.................. 579 317 262 338 615 515 651 713 669 452

1998.................. 598 334 281 357 639 544 677 732 699 482

1999.................. 618 356 291 379 668 577 702 763 725 470

Total 25 to 34 

years

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years

Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

2000.................. 641 375 306 395 693 598 728 771 735 522

2001.................. 670 391 319 408 720 617 754 799 760 565

2002.................. 679 391 312 410 732 627 759 807 802 583

2003.................. 695 398 321 412 744 628 775 834 827 612

2004.................. 713 400 318 417 762 639 804 857 843 641

2005.................. 722 409 330 422 771 644 822 853 855 644

2006.................. 743 418 348 435 797 661 836 897 902 658

2007.................. 766 443 357 472 823 687 873 909 933 686

2008.................. 798 461 369 481 857 704 915 944 943 753

2009.................. 819 458 356 479 873 715 916 967 965 791

2010.................. 824 443 355 468 874 714 915 954 979 794

2011.................. 832 455 370 470 886 717 935 979 997 821

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the 

Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm 

#comp. 

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

77
Table 24. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in current

dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 annual averages 

Both Sexes

1979.......................................... $241 $248 $199 – $194

1980.......................................... 262 269 212 – 209

1981.......................................... 284 291 235 – 223

1982.......................................... 302 310 245 – 240

1983.......................................... 313 320 261 – 250

1984.......................................... 326 336 269 – 259

1985.......................................... 344 356 277 – 270

1986........................................... 359 371 291 – 277

1987.......................................... 374 384 301 – 285

1988.......................................... 385 395 314 – 290

1989.......................................... 399 409 319 – 298

1990.......................................... 412 424 329 – 304

1991.......................................... 426 442 348 – 312

1992.......................................... 440 458 357 – 321

1993.......................................... 459 475 369 – 331

1994.......................................... 467 484 371 – 324

1995.......................................... 479 494 383 – 329

1996.......................................... 490 506 387 – 339

1997.......................................... 503 519 400 – 351

1998.......................................... 523 545 426 – 370

1999.......................................... 549 573 445 – 385

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

2000.......................................... 576 590 474 $615 399

2001.......................................... 596 610 491 639 417

2002.......................................... 608 623 498 658 424

2003.......................................... 620 636 514 693 440

2004.......................................... 638 657 525 708 456

2005.......................................... 651 672 520 753 471

2006.......................................... 671 690 554 784 486

2007.......................................... 695 716 569 830 503

2008.......................................... 722 742 589 861 529

2009.......................................... 739 757 601 880 541

2010.......................................... 747 765 611 855 535

2011.......................................... 756 775 615 866 549

See note at end of table.

78
Table 24. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in current

dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 annual 

averages—cont'd

Women

1979.......................................... $182 $184 $169 – $157

1980.......................................... 201 203 185 – 172

1981.......................................... 219 221 206 – 190

1982.......................................... 239 242 217 – 203

1983.......................................... 252 254 232 – 215

1984.......................................... 265 268 241 – 223

1985.......................................... 277 281 252 – 230

1986........................................... 291 294 264 – 241

1987.......................................... 303 307 276 – 251

1988.......................................... 315 318 288 – 260

1989.......................................... 328 334 301 – 269

1990.......................................... 346 353 308 – 278

1991.......................................... 366 373 323 – 292

1992.......................................... 380 387 335 – 302

1993.......................................... 393 401 348 – 313

1994.......................................... 399 408 346 – 305

1995.......................................... 406 415 355 – 305

1996.......................................... 418 428 362 – 316

1997.......................................... 431 444 375 – 318

1998.......................................... 456 468 400 – 337

1999

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1999.......................................... 473 483 409 – 348

2000.......................................... 493 502 429 $547 366

2001.......................................... 512 522 454 563 388

2002.......................................... 529 547 473 566 397

2003.......................................... 552 567 491 598 410

2004.......................................... 573 584 505 613 419

2005.......................................... 585 596 499 665 429

2006.......................................... 600 609 519 699 440

2007.......................................... 614 626 533 731 473

2008.......................................... 638 654 554 753 501

2009.......................................... 657 669 582 779 509

2010.......................................... 669 684 592 773 508

2011.......................................... 684 703 595 751 518

See note at end of table.

79
Table 24. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in current

dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 annual 

averages—cont'd

Men

1979.......................................... $292 $298 $227 – $219

1980.......................................... 313 320 244 – 234

1981.......................................... 340 350 268 – 251

1982.......................................... 364 375 278 – 269

1983.......................................... 379 387 294 – 274

1984.......................................... 392 401 303 – 287

1985.......................................... 407 418 305 – 296

1986........................................... 419 433 319 – 299

1987.......................................... 434 450 327 – 306

1988.......................................... 449 465 348 – 308

1989.......................................... 468 482 348 – 315

1990.......................................... 481 494 361 – 318

1991.......................................... 493 506 375 – 323

1992.......................................... 501 514 380 – 339

1993.......................................... 510 524 392 – 346

1994.......................................... 522 547 400 – 343

1995.......................................... 538 566 411 – 350

1996.......................................... 557 580 412 – 356

1997.......................................... 579 595 432 – 371

1998.......................................... 598 615 468 – 390

1999

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1999.......................................... 618 638 488 – 406

2000.......................................... 641 662 510 $685 417

2001.......................................... 670 689 529 732 440

2002.......................................... 679 702 524 756 451

2003.......................................... 695 715 555 772 464

2004.......................................... 713 732 569 802 480

2005.......................................... 722 743 559 825 489

2006.......................................... 743 761 591 882 505

2007.......................................... 766 788 600 936 520

2008.......................................... 798 825 620 966 559

2009.......................................... 819 845 621 952 569

2010.......................................... 824 850 633 936 560

2011.......................................... 832 856 653 970 571

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological 

and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online 

at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups listed (White, 

Black or African American, and Asian) include persons who selected that 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. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic 

or Latino may be of any race. Asian data for 2000–2002 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, 

Asians constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. 

Dash indicates data not available.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

80
Table 25. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and

older, in current dollars, by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2011 annual averages 

Both Sexes

1979.......................................... $265 $210 $249 $282 $344

1980.......................................... 286 222 266 304 376

1981.......................................... 308 240 286 324 407

1982.......................................... 327 248 302 351 438

1983.......................................... 343 256 311 363 461

1984.......................................... 362 263 323 382 486

1985.......................................... 379 270 333 399 506

1986......................................... 391 278 344 409 525

1987.......................................... 403 284 356 421 564

1988.......................................... 414 288 368 430 585

1989.......................................... 427 297 375 452 609

1990.......................................... 449 303 386 476 638

1991.......................................... 467 307 397 489 666

1992.......................................... 479 311 403 484 696

1993.......................................... 491 314 415 494 715

1994.......................................... 500 307 421 499 733

1995.......................................... 510 309 432 508 747

1996.......................................... 520 317 443 518 758

1997.......................................... 540 321 461 535 779

1998.......................................... 572 337 479 558 821

1999.......................................... 592 346 490 580 860

Year and sex

Total, 

25 years 

and older

Less than a 

high school 

diploma

High school 

graduates, no 

college

Some college 

or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's 

degree and 

higher

1999.......................................... 592 346 490 580 860

2000.......................................... 609 362 505 596 891

2001.......................................... 630 382 520 617 921

2002.......................................... 646 388 535 629 941

2003.......................................... 662 396 554 639 964

2004.......................................... 683 401 574 661 986

2005.......................................... 696 409 583 670 1,013

2006.......................................... 718 419 595 692 1,039

2007.......................................... 738 428 604 704 1,072

2008.......................................... 761 453 618 722 1,115

2009.......................................... 774 454 626 726 1,137

2010.......................................... 782 444 626 734 1,144

2011.......................................... 797 451 638 739 1,150

See note at end of table.

81
Table 25. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and

older, in current dollars, by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2011 annual 

averages—cont'd

Women

1979.......................................... $195 $152 $185 $211 $264

1980.......................................... 213 164 201 231 290

1981.......................................... 233 175 217 255 318

1982.......................................... 255 184 236 274 346

1983.......................................... 268 195 246 288 369

1984.......................................... 283 200 259 305 390

1985.......................................... 296 202 268 317 414

1986......................................... 308 208 277 330 436

1987.......................................... 321 214 288 347 466

1988.......................................... 335 221 298 360 485

1989.......................................... 351 231 304 379 507

1990.......................................... 369 240 315 395 535

1991.......................................... 387 250 328 409 562

1992.......................................... 400 256 337 407 594

1993.......................................... 415 263 347 422 611

1994.......................................... 421 257 351 423 634

1995.......................................... 428 262 356 427 644

1996.......................................... 444 268 365 442 657

1997.......................................... 462 275 378 459 672

1998 485 283 396 476 707

Year and sex

Total, 

25 years 

and older

Less than a 

high school 

diploma

High school 

graduates, no 

college

Some college 

or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's 

degree and 

higher

1998.......................................... 485 283 396 476 707

1999.......................................... 497 290 405 488 740

2000.......................................... 516 304 420 505 756

2001.......................................... 543 316 443 520 786

2002.......................................... 568 325 458 543 809

2003.......................................... 584 329 474 560 832

2004.......................................... 599 334 488 577 860

2005.......................................... 612 341 493 587 883

2006.......................................... 627 358 500 602 905

2007.......................................... 646 369 512 609 932

2008.......................................... 670 378 520 628 955

2009.......................................... 687 382 542 630 970

2010.......................................... 704 388 543 638 986

2011.......................................... 718 395 554 645 998

See note at end of table.

82
Table 25. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and

older, in current dollars, by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2011 annual 

averages—cont'd

Men

1979.......................................... $314 $252 $308 $329 $396

1980.......................................... 339 267 327 358 427

1981.......................................... 372 286 356 389 475

1982.......................................... 393 293 374 411 503

1983.......................................... 407 301 388 422 518

1984.......................................... 422 308 399 446 562

1985.......................................... 443 314 407 472 590

1986......................................... 463 321 416 485 618

1987.......................................... 477 324 423 497 653

1988.......................................... 487 332 437 503 679

1989.......................................... 500 346 450 517 705

1990.......................................... 512 349 459 542 741

1991.......................................... 523 349 470 563 764

1992.......................................... 536 351 479 555 791

1993.......................................... 555 356 487 572 806

1994.......................................... 576 342 496 587 826

1995.......................................... 588 347 507 596 845

1996.......................................... 599 357 516 604 874

1997.......................................... 615 365 535 621 896

1998 639 383 559 643 939

Year and sex

Total, 

25 years 

and older

Less than a 

high school 

diploma

High school 

graduates, no 

college

Some college 

or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's 

degree and 

higher

1998.......................................... 639 383 559 643 939

1999.......................................... 668 395 580 665 977

2000.......................................... 693 406 591 691 1,020

2001.......................................... 720 419 609 723 1,067

2002.......................................... 732 421 617 731 1,090

2003.......................................... 744 429 628 740 1,131

2004.......................................... 762 446 645 761 1,143

2005.......................................... 771 455 652 766 1,167

2006.......................................... 797 469 678 796 1,205

2007.......................................... 823 481 689 810 1,243

2008.......................................... 857 497 709 830 1,285

2009.......................................... 873 500 716 835 1,327

2010.......................................... 874 486 710 845 1,330

2011.......................................... 886 488 720 840 1,332

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and 

other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

83
Table 26. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in current dollars, by sex 

and age, 1979–2011 annual averages

25 years and older

Both Sexes

1979.................. $4.44 $3.49 $3.10 $4.02 $5.11 $5.20 $5.29 $5.16 $4.97 $3.23

1980.................. 4.82 3.71 3.22 4.29 5.55 5.66 5.76 5.65 5.39 3.56

1981.................. 5.15 3.97 3.58 4.61 5.99 6.09 6.20 6.01 5.81 3.92

1982.................. 5.40 4.05 3.60 4.66 6.28 6.35 6.61 6.42 6.11 4.12

1983.................. 5.59 4.08 3.61 4.69 6.55 6.50 6.91 6.73 6.41 4.40

1984.................. 5.83 4.18 3.65 4.82 6.84 6.77 7.17 7.08 6.62 4.63

1985.................. 6.03 4.26 3.67 4.94 7.05 6.92 7.49 7.37 6.91 4.74

1986.................. 6.20 4.41 3.71 5.06 7.23 7.01 7.79 7.73 7.17 4.97

1987.................. 6.47 4.59 3.81 5.21 7.46 7.19 7.94 7.86 7.42 5.08

1988.................. 6.73 4.79 4.03 5.38 7.74 7.43 8.17 8.16 7.48 5.23

1989.................. 6.99 4.95 4.22 5.65 7.94 7.64 8.56 8.42 7.82 5.42

1990.................. 7.23 5.16 4.49 5.91 8.16 7.90 8.82 8.79 8.02 5.75

1991.................. 7.50 5.26 4.69 6.00 8.48 8.04 9.17 9.11 8.19 5.94

1992.................. 7.72 5.37 4.73 6.03 8.73 8.17 9.38 9.52 8.48 6.14

1993.................. 7.87 5.51 4.80 6.15 8.95 8.27 9.61 9.86 8.90 6.39

1994.................. 8.01 5.62 4.91 6.22 9.12 8.38 9.92 10.02 9.02 6.39

1995.................. 8.17 5.80 5.04 6.42 9.36 8.71 10.02 10.13 9.20 6.65

1996.................. 8.40 5.94 5.17 6.69 9.62 8.82 10.14 10.24 9.39 6.77

1997.................. 8.75 6.15 5.51 6.91 9.87 9.04 10.36 10.60 9.73 6.89

1998.................. 9.10 6.58 5.88 7.24 10.13 9.65 10.86 10.96 10.08 7.40

1999.................. 9.53 6.87 6.08 7.74 10.47 9.98 11.02 11.33 10.38 7.70

16 to 24 years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 25 to 34 

years

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

2000.................. 9.91 7.24 6.41 8.07 10.88 10.18 11.35 11.82 10.82 8.05

2001.................. 10.19 7.69 6.76 8.38 11.40 10.67 11.97 12.17 11.37 8.53

2002.................. 10.47 7.81 6.91 8.47 11.83 10.98 12.18 12.46 11.85 9.07

2003.................. 10.85 7.90 6.93 8.66 12.05 11.25 12.46 12.97 12.19 9.19

2004.................. 11.00 7.98 7.00 8.78 12.23 11.37 12.89 13.23 12.58 9.62

2005.................. 11.19 8.07 7.05 8.91 12.48 11.76 13.11 13.48 12.95 9.93

2006.................. 11.76 8.24 7.23 9.16 12.94 11.95 13.49 14.03 13.33 10.15

2007.................. 11.95 8.65 7.57 9.66 13.16 12.05 13.93 14.39 13.71 10.37

2008.................. 12.23 8.87 7.84 9.76 13.81 12.50 14.38 14.87 14.20 10.89

2009.................. 12.44 8.90 7.92 9.77 13.91 12.60 14.59 14.85 14.70 11.49

2010.................. 12.50 8.90 8.00 9.53 13.98 12.53 14.61 14.98 14.89 11.55

2011.................. 12.71 8.97 8.06 9.61 14.12 12.71 14.83 15.00 15.07 12.19

See note at end of table.

84
Table 26. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in current dollars, by sex 

and age, 1979–2011 annual averages—cont'd

25 years and older

Women

1979.................. $3.62 $3.19 $3.03 $3.52 $3.90 $4.04 $3.97 $3.84 $3.75 $3.12

1980.................. 3.95 3.45 3.14 3.79 4.24 4.44 4.29 4.23 4.08 3.38

1981.................. 4.28 3.71 3.52 4.09 4.69 4.89 4.77 4.59 4.43 3.71

1982.................. 4.61 3.78 3.55 4.19 5.02 5.19 5.08 4.95 4.80 3.93

1983.................. 4.80 3.82 3.55 4.26 5.23 5.44 5.31 5.19 5.07 4.16

1984.................. 4.97 3.93 3.59 4.36 5.48 5.60 5.61 5.51 5.27 4.37

1985.................. 5.13 4.01 3.61 4.56 5.73 5.79 5.91 5.76 5.46 4.43

1986.................. 5.33 4.11 3.65 4.71 5.95 5.95 6.13 5.99 5.75 4.73

1987.................. 5.60 4.22 3.71 4.89 6.16 6.14 6.35 6.28 6.03 4.85

1988.................. 5.84 4.48 3.91 5.05 6.44 6.36 6.76 6.59 6.08 5.12

1989.................. 6.11 4.69 4.10 5.23 6.78 6.68 7.10 6.90 6.38 5.14

1990.................. 6.44 4.95 4.35 5.57 7.07 7.01 7.37 7.16 6.73 5.45

1991.................. 6.75 5.08 4.64 5.71 7.34 7.19 7.73 7.61 6.95 5.76

1992.................. 6.96 5.16 4.69 5.77 7.65 7.45 7.99 7.94 7.20 5.97

1993.................. 7.12 5.27 4.73 5.96 7.87 7.61 8.16 8.18 7.56 6.18

1994.................. 7.25 5.32 4.83 5.98 8.05 7.78 8.44 8.46 7.82 6.24

1995.................. 7.46 5.49 4.94 6.09 8.17 7.92 8.63 8.72 7.93 6.45

1996.................. 7.73 5.68 5.09 6.26 8.43 8.06 8.89 8.94 8.07 6.45

1997.................. 7.94 5.95 5.42 6.55 8.75 8.20 9.14 9.26 8.31 6.83

1998.................. 8.23 6.24 5.78 6.93 9.13 8.80 9.66 9.78 8.85 7.21

1999.................. 8.64 6.60 5.98 7.22 9.53 9.10 9.83 9.95 9.33 7.50

16 to 24 years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 25 to 34 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

35 to 44 

years

2000.................. 9.06 7.00 6.23 7.80 9.89 9.69 10.03 10.18 9.84 7.87

2001.................. 9.64 7.25 6.61 8.00 10.20 9.94 10.44 10.85 10.39 8.14

2002.................. 9.89 7.45 6.80 8.11 10.71 10.12 10.98 11.18 10.81 8.73

2003.................. 10.08 7.59 6.85 8.19 11.01 10.51 11.17 11.79 11.05 8.84

2004.................. 10.17 7.71 6.86 8.32 11.23 10.62 11.45 11.95 11.57 9.16

2005.................. 10.31 7.80 6.92 8.50 11.58 10.86 11.84 12.13 11.86 9.82

2006.................. 10.65 7.99 7.11 8.82 11.87 11.07 12.05 12.26 12.12 9.97

2007.................. 10.98 8.15 7.41 9.00 12.05 11.21 12.36 12.85 12.23 10.15

2008.................. 11.49 8.43 7.71 9.16 12.48 11.72 12.89 13.16 13.00 10.53

2009.................. 11.76 8.58 7.82 9.19 12.76 11.96 13.00 13.09 13.59 11.11

2010.................. 11.83 8.62 7.91 9.08 12.88 12.04 13.12 13.50 13.68 11.18

2011.................. 11.98 8.73 7.96 9.16 13.10 12.12 13.44 13.76 14.03 11.76

See note at end of table.

85
Table 26. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in current dollars, by sex 

and age, 1979–2011 annual averages—cont'd

25 years and older

Men

1979.................. $5.65 $3.90 $3.19 $4.64 $6.69 $6.38 $7.12 $7.10 $6.59 $3.56

1980.................. 6.10 4.10 3.37 4.92 7.22 6.93 7.81 7.78 7.24 3.79

1981.................. 6.57 4.31 3.64 5.11 7.78 7.33 8.30 8.49 7.88 4.21

1982.................. 6.85 4.38 3.66 5.12 8.08 7.67 8.89 8.88 8.14 4.46

1983.................. 6.92 4.38 3.67 5.05 8.31 7.74 9.22 9.16 8.74 4.75

1984.................. 7.12 4.57 3.72 5.16 8.60 7.88 9.51 9.69 8.86 4.91

1985.................. 7.33 4.68 3.75 5.23 8.85 8.00 9.80 9.97 9.04 4.99

1986.................. 7.59 4.79 3.82 5.43 9.02 8.03 9.99 10.15 9.54 5.18

1987.................. 7.77 4.91 3.95 5.68 9.16 8.26 10.10 10.24 9.72 5.32

1988.................. 7.91 5.03 4.14 5.79 9.38 8.41 10.22 10.69 9.74 5.52

1989.................. 8.10 5.17 4.39 6.02 9.71 8.56 10.59 10.88 10.00 5.90

1990.................. 8.27 5.44 4.64 6.18 9.84 8.83 10.73 11.13 10.17 6.08

1991.................. 8.59 5.58 4.74 6.23 9.98 8.94 10.98 11.71 10.08 6.22

1992.................. 8.67 5.65 4.80 6.24 10.06 9.02 10.93 12.02 10.39 6.45

1993.................. 8.86 5.75 4.87 6.33 10.18 9.10 11.16 12.15 10.96 6.71

1994.................. 9.00 5.88 4.98 6.56 10.29 9.10 11.50 12.10 11.06 6.64

1995.................. 9.23 6.04 5.14 6.82 10.73 9.46 11.89 12.32 11.11 6.85

1996.................. 9.52 6.17 5.25 6.99 10.78 9.70 11.91 12.40 11.15 7.04

1997.................. 9.83 6.45 5.61 7.18 11.10 9.92 12.07 12.80 11.79 6.96

1998.................. 10.06 6.91 5.98 7.78 11.72 10.22 12.48 13.04 12.22 7.74

1999.................. 10.31 7.12 6.18 8.03 12.00 10.84 12.78 13.68 12.21 7.86

16 to 24 years

25 to 34 

years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

2000.................. 10.81 7.63 6.64 8.39 12.24 10.97 13.14 13.90 12.81 8.31

2001.................. 11.32 8.01 6.90 8.92 12.88 11.58 13.92 14.25 12.95 9.00

2002.................. 11.64 8.05 7.02 8.88 13.05 11.89 13.96 14.40 13.38 9.78

2003.................. 11.89 8.14 7.02 9.00 13.25 12.01 14.13 14.93 14.09 9.79

2004.................. 12.02 8.21 7.15 9.07 13.74 12.03 14.60 15.11 14.54 9.90

2005.................. 12.16 8.42 7.21 9.20 13.91 12.17 14.88 15.13 14.79 10.04

2006.................. 12.68 8.79 7.43 9.75 14.27 12.63 15.06 16.04 15.04 10.72

2007.................. 12.95 9.13 7.77 9.96 14.75 12.83 15.17 16.15 15.45 11.01

2008.................. 13.46 9.24 7.98 10.00 15.03 13.47 16.02 16.82 15.90 11.50

2009.................. 13.76 9.22 8.05 9.99 15.07 13.20 16.10 16.99 16.09 12.00

2010.................. 13.76 9.21 8.09 9.90 15.04 13.10 15.83 16.89 16.45 11.92

2011.................. 13.80 9.23 8.16 9.90 15.11 13.18 16.03 16.88 17.07 12.85

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the 

Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm 

#comp. 

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

86
Table 27. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in

current dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 annual 

averages 

Both Sexes

1979.......................................... $4.44 $4.51 $4.11 – $4.08

1980.......................................... 4.82 4.88 4.44 – 4.44

1981.......................................... 5.15 5.18 4.90 – 4.81

1982.......................................... 5.40 5.47 5.06 – 5.01

1983.......................................... 5.59 5.66 5.15 – 5.09

1984.......................................... 5.83 5.90 5.36 – 5.27

1985.......................................... 6.03 6.10 5.50 – 5.47

1986........................................... 6.20 6.28 5.80 – 5.65

1987.......................................... 6.47 6.56 5.99 – 5.82

1988.......................................... 6.73 6.81 6.15 – 5.95

1989.......................................... 6.99 7.08 6.43 – 6.07

1990.......................................... 7.23 7.33 6.81 – 6.28

1991.......................................... 7.50 7.61 7.00 – 6.46

1992.......................................... 7.72 7.82 7.06 – 6.65

1993.......................................... 7.87 7.97 7.18 – 6.83

1994.......................................... 8.01 8.11 7.29 – 6.93

1995.......................................... 8.17 8.32 7.66 – 7.00

1996.......................................... 8.40 8.57 7.76 – 7.17

1997.......................................... 8.75 8.88 8.01 – 7.39

1998.......................................... 9.10 9.22 8.39 – 7.92

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1999.......................................... 9.53 9.74 8.85 – 8.07

2000.......................................... 9.91 9.96 9.34 $10.07 8.54

2001.......................................... 10.19 10.26 9.78 10.75 9.06

2002.......................................... 10.47 10.71 9.93 10.36 9.22

2003.......................................... 10.85 10.97 10.15 11.12 9.76

2004.......................................... 11.00 11.13 10.19 11.10 9.81

2005.......................................... 11.19 11.48 10.17 12.01 9.95

2006.......................................... 11.76 11.86 10.66 12.53 10.12

2007.......................................... 11.95 12.08 10.89 12.22 10.24

2008.......................................... 12.23 12.54 11.20 13.01 10.97

2009.......................................... 12.44 12.66 11.64 13.16 11.04

2010.......................................... 12.50 12.74 11.77 13.22 10.88

2011.......................................... 12.71 12.91 11.79 13.35 11.05

See note at end of table.

87
Table 27. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in

current dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 annual 

averages—cont'd

Women

1979.......................................... $3.62 $3.62 $3.55 – $3.44

1980.......................................... 3.95 3.96 3.88 – 3.78

1981.......................................... 4.28 4.28 4.19 – 4.10

1982.......................................... 4.61 4.61 4.49 – 4.33

1983.......................................... 4.80 4.81 4.72 – 4.42

1984.......................................... 4.97 4.98 4.87 – 4.65

1985.......................................... 5.13 5.14 5.04 – 4.82

1986........................................... 5.33 5.35 5.17 – 5.00

1987.......................................... 5.60 5.62 5.40 – 5.11

1988.......................................... 5.84 5.86 5.61 – 5.28

1989.......................................... 6.11 6.13 5.88 – 5.53

1990.......................................... 6.44 6.46 6.23 – 5.80

1991.......................................... 6.75 6.76 6.55 – 5.98

1992.......................................... 6.96 6.99 6.64 – 6.17

1993.......................................... 7.12 7.16 6.87 – 6.31

1994.......................................... 7.25 7.34 6.93 – 6.40

1995.......................................... 7.46 7.54 7.12 – 6.60

1996.......................................... 7.73 7.79 7.20 – 6.77

1997.......................................... 7.94 8.00 7.59 – 6.82

1998.......................................... 8.23 8.33 7.90 – 7.22

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

8.23 8.33 7.90 7.22

1999.......................................... 8.64 8.73 8.13 – 7.46

2000.......................................... 9.06 9.09 8.86 $9.77 7.89

2001.......................................... 9.64 9.73 9.15 10.07 8.28

2002.......................................... 9.89 9.94 9.45 10.10 8.54

2003.......................................... 10.08 10.11 9.91 10.68 8.88

2004.......................................... 10.17 10.21 9.93 10.57 9.04

2005.......................................... 10.31 10.50 9.93 11.64 9.18

2006.......................................... 10.65 10.77 10.11 11.95 9.50

2007.......................................... 10.98 11.06 10.45 11.83 9.80

2008.......................................... 11.49 11.70 10.78 12.25 10.07

2009.......................................... 11.76 11.83 11.01 12.67 10.09

2010.......................................... 11.83 11.88 11.20 12.41 10.11

2011.......................................... 11.98 12.05 11.28 12.80 10.25

See note at end of table.

88
Table 27. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in

current dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2011 annual 

averages—cont'd

Men

1979.......................................... $5.65 $5.79 $4.89 – $4.79

1980.......................................... 6.10 6.23 5.18 – 5.03

1981.......................................... 6.57 6.71 5.81 – 5.37

1982.......................................... 6.85 6.98 5.97 – 5.73

1983.......................................... 6.92 7.07 5.96 – 5.81

1984.......................................... 7.12 7.26 6.16 – 6.04

1985.......................................... 7.33 7.58 6.15 – 6.07

1986........................................... 7.59 7.78 6.57 – 6.19

1987.......................................... 7.77 7.93 6.74 – 6.37

1988.......................................... 7.91 8.06 6.94 – 6.51

1989.......................................... 8.10 8.28 7.07 – 6.66

1990.......................................... 8.27 8.55 7.37 – 6.74

1991.......................................... 8.59 8.82 7.57 – 6.88

1992.......................................... 8.67 8.89 7.62 – 6.99

1993.......................................... 8.86 9.07 7.67 – 7.12

1994.......................................... 9.00 9.21 7.92 – 7.17

1995.......................................... 9.23 9.62 8.16 – 7.26

1996.......................................... 9.52 9.79 8.18 – 7.62

1997.......................................... 9.83 9.96 8.67 – 7.90

1998.......................................... 10.06 10.18 9.09 – 8.24

1999

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1999.......................................... 10.31 10.61 9.77 – 8.61

2000.......................................... 10.81 10.95 9.98 $10.79 9.04

2001.......................................... 11.32 11.61 10.18 11.84 9.67

2002.......................................... 11.64 11.86 10.24 11.02 9.92

2003.......................................... 11.89 12.03 10.81 11.89 10.03

2004.......................................... 12.02 12.16 10.88 11.90 10.02

2005.......................................... 12.16 12.47 10.90 12.75 10.19

2006.......................................... 12.68 12.88 11.42 13.18 10.84

2007.......................................... 12.95 13.22 11.57 13.22 11.07

2008.......................................... 13.46 13.85 11.99 14.03 11.83

2009.......................................... 13.76 13.95 12.27 14.01 11.92

2010.......................................... 13.76 13.97 12.16 14.11 11.73

2011.......................................... 13.80 14.02 12.06 14.25 11.81

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological 

and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online 

at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups listed (White, 

Black or African American, and Asian) include persons who selected that 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. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic 

or Latino may be of any race. Asian data for 2000–2002 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, 

Asians constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. 

Dash indicates data not available. 

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

89
90

Technical Note

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 around a multiple of $50. The median is estimated 

through the linear interpolation of the interval in which the 

median lies.

Over-the-year changes in the medians (and other quantile 

boundaries) for specific groups may not necessarily be 

consistent with the movements estimated for the overall 

quantile boundary. The most common reasons for this 

possible anomaly are as follows: 

•	 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 older 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. 

•	 There could be a large change in the shape of the 

distribution of reported earnings, particularly near 

a quantile boundary. This change 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. Consider, for example, the 

calculation of the median for a multipeaked distribution 

that shifts over time. As such a 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 earnings interval, 

but once above the upper limit of such an interval, it can 

move relatively quickly to the next frequently reported 

interval. BLS procedures for estimating medians (and 

other quantile boundaries) mitigate such irregular 

movements of the measures; however, users should be 

cautious of these effects when evaluating short-term 

changes in the medians and in ratios of the medians. 

Constant dollars. The Consumer Price Index research 

series using current methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert 

current dollars to constant dollars. BLS has made numerous 

improvements to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the 

years. Although these improvements make the CPI more 

accurate, the official histories of price index series are 

not adjusted to reflect the improvements. Because many 

researchers need a historical series that measures price 

change consistently over time, BLS developed the CPI-U-RS 

to provide an estimate of the CPI that incorporates most of 

the methodological improvements made since 1978 into the 

entire series. (For further information, see Kenneth J. Stewart 

The estimates in this report were obtained from the 

Current Population Survey (CPS), which provides a wide 

range of information on the labor force, employment, and 

unemployment. The survey is conducted monthly for the 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) by the U.S. Census 

Bureau, using a national sample of about 60,000 households, 

with coverage in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 

The earnings data are collected from one-fourth of the CPS 

monthly sample. 

Material in this report is in the public domain and may 

be used without permission. This information is available to 

sensory-impaired individuals upon request. Voice telephone: 

(202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: 1 (800) 877-8339. 

Concepts and definitions

The principal concepts and definitions used in connection 

with the earnings data in this report are described next.

Usual weekly earnings. Data are collected on wages and 

salaries before taxes and other deductions, and include any 

overtime pay, commissions, and tips usually received (at the 

principal job in the case of multiple jobholders). All selfemployed workers are excluded, both those with incorporated 

businesses and those with unincorporated businesses. Prior 

to 1994, respondents were asked how much they usually 

earned 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 period 

reported. 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 (and other quantiles) of weekly earnings. Most of 

the earnings estimates shown in this report are medians. The 

median (or upper limit of the second quartile) 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. Ten percent of workers in 

a given distribution have earnings below the upper limit of the 

first decile (90 percent have higher earnings), 25 percent have 

earnings below the upper limit of the first quartile (75 percent 

have higher earnings), 75 percent have earnings below the 

upper limit of the third quartile (25 percent have higher 

earnings), and 90 percent have earnings below the upper limit 

of the ninth decile (10 percent have higher earnings).
91

and Stephen B. Reed, “CPI research series using current 

methods, 1978–98,” Monthly Labor Review, June 1999, on 

the Internet at www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/1999/06/art4full.

pdf; and “Questions and Answers: Consumer Price Index 

Research Series Using Current Methods,” on the Internet at 

www.bls.gov/cpi/cpirsqa.pdf.)

This report uses the most recent version of the CPI-URS available at the time of production. Users should note, 

however, that the CPI-U-RS is subject to periodic revision. 

As a result, the rate of inflation incorporated into the constantdollar earnings estimates in this report may differ from that in 

previous reports in this series or in other publications. 

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 and those with unincorporated businesses.

Full-time workers. For the purpose of producing estimates 

of earnings, workers who usually work 35 hours or more per 

week at their sole or principal job are defined as working full 

time. 

Part-time workers. For the purpose of producing estimates 

of earnings, workers who usually work less than 35 hours 

per week at their sole or principal job are defined as working 

part time.

Workers paid by the hour. Historically, workers paid an 

hourly wage have made up approximately three-fifths of 

all wage and salary workers. Workers paid by the hour are 

included in the full- and part-time worker tables in this report, 

along with salaried workers and other workers not paid by 

the hour. Data for workers paid at hourly rates are presented 

separately in tables 9–12, 21–22, and 26–27.

Workers paid at or below the federal minimum wage. The 

estimates of the numbers of workers with reported earnings 

at or below the federal minimum wage in tables 11 and 12 

pertain only to workers who are paid hourly rates. Salaried 

workers and other workers who are not paid by the hour 

are not included, even though some have earnings that, if 

converted to hourly rates, would be at or below the minimum 

wage. Consequently, the estimates presented in this report 

likely understate the actual number of workers with hourly 

earnings at or below the minimum wage. Research has 

shown, however, that the degree of understatement is small. 

BLS does not routinely estimate the hourly earnings of 

workers not paid by the hour because of data quality concerns 

associated with such an estimation process. 

The prevailing Federal minimum wage was $2.90, 

effective January 1, 1979; $3.10, effective January 1, 1980; 

$3.35, effective January 1, 1981; $3.80, effective April 1, 

1990; $4.25, effective April 1, 1991; $4.75, effective October 

1, 1996; $5.15, effective September 1, 1997; $5.85, effective 

July 24, 2007; $6.55, effective July 24, 2008; and $7.25, 

effective July 24, 2009. Data for 1990–1991, 1996–1997, 

and 2007–2009 reflect changes in the minimum wage that 

took place during those years. Note that some states have 

established minimum-wage standards that exceed the federal 

level.

The presence of workers with hourly earnings below the 

minimum wage does not necessarily indicate violations of 

the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), because there are a 

number of exemptions to the minimum-wage provisions 

of the law. In addition, some workers might have rounded 

their hourly earnings in response to survey questions. As a 

result, some might have reported hourly earnings below the 

minimum wage when, in fact, they earned the minimum 

wage or higher. 

Reliability

Statistics based on the CPS are subject to both sampling and 

nonsampling error. Whenever 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 

with 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. Estimates of earnings and their standard 

errors can be used to construct approximate confidence 

intervals, or ranges of values, that include the true population 

value with known probabilities.

The CPS data also are affected by nonsampling error. 

This kind of error can occur for many reasons, including 

the failure to sample a segment of the population, inability 

to obtain information on all respondents in the sample, 

inability or unwillingness of respondents to provide correct 

information, and errors made in data collection or processing.

For a full discussion of the reliability of data from the CPS 

and for information on estimating standard errors, see the 

“Reliability of the estimates” section of Household Data 

technical documentation on the Internet at www.bls.gov/cps/

eetech_methods.pdf.