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April 2017 
                    Report 1067

				 
			


		
		

























											



				 
                
                BLS Reports Menu
                    CONTENTS
                        Highlights
 
                          Statistical Tables 
						  Table 1. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or...Table 2. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or...Table 3. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or...Table 4. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or...Table 5. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or...Table 6. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or...Table 7. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or...Table 8. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or...Table 9. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or...Table 10. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or...
                          Technical Notes
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     Characteristics of minimum wage workers, 2016
Characteristics of minimum wage workers, 2016 imageIn 2016, 79.9 million workers age 16 and older in the United States were paid at hourly rates, representing 58.7 percent of all wage and salary workers. Among those paid by the hour, 701,000 workers earned exactly the prevailing federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. About 1.5 million had wages below the federal minimum. Together, these 2.2 million workers with wages at or below the federal minimum made up 2.7 percent of all hourly paid workers.The percentage of hourly paid workers earning the prevailing federal minimum wage or less declined from 3.3 percent in 2015 to 2.7 percent in 2016. This remains well below the percentage of 13.4 recorded in 1979, when data were first collected on a regular basis. (See table 10.)This report presents highlights and statistical tables describing workers who earned at or below the federal minimum wage in 2016. The data are obtained 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.The CPS does not include questions on whether workers are covered by the minimum wage provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or by individual state or local minimum wage laws. The estimates of workers paid at or below the federal minimum wage are based solely on the hourly wage they report, which does not include overtime pay, tips, or commissions. See the accompanying technical notes section for more information, including a description of the source of the data and an explanation of the concepts and definitions used in this report.HighlightsThe following are highlights from the 2016 data:***Age*.** Minimum wage workers tend to be young. Although workers under age 25 represented only about one-fifth of hourly paid workers, they made up about half of those paid the federal minimum wage or less. Among employed teenagers (ages 16 to 19) paid by the hour, about 10 percent earned the minimum wage or less, compared with about 2 percent of workers age 25 and older. (See tables 1 and 7.)***Gender*.** Among workers who were paid hourly rates in 2016, about 3 percent of women and about 2 percent of men had wages at or below the prevailing federal minimum. (See table 1.)***Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity*.**The percentage of hourly paid workers with wages at or below the federal minimum differed little among the major race and ethnicity groups. About 3 percent of White and Black workers earned the federal minimum wage or less. Among Asian and Hispanic workers, the percentage was about 2 percent. (See table 1.)***Education*.** Among hourly paid workers age 16 and older, about 5 percent of those without a high school diploma earned the federal minimum wage or less, compared with about 3 percent of those who had a high school diploma (with no college), 3 percent of those with some college or an associate degree, and about 2 percent of college graduates. (See table 6.)***Marital status*.** Of those paid an hourly wage, never-married workers, who tend to be young, were more likely (5 percent) than married workers (1 percent) to earn the federal minimum wage or less. (See table 8.)***Full- and part-time status*.** About 6 percent of part-time workers (persons who usually work fewer than 35 hours per week) were paid the federal minimum wage or less, compared with about 2 percent of full-time workers. (See table 1.)***Occupation*.** Among major occupational groups, the highest percentage of hourly paid workers earning at or below the federal minimum wage was in service occupations, at about 7 percent. Two-thirds of workers earning the minimum wage or less in 2016 were employed in service occupations, mostly in food preparation and serving related jobs. (See table 4.)***Industry*.**The industry with the highest percentage of workers earning hourly wages at or below the federal minimum wage was leisure and hospitality (about 13 percent). Three-fifths of all workers paid at or below the federal minimum wage were employed in this industry, almost entirely in restaurants and other food services. For many of these workers, tips may supplement the hourly wages received. (See table 4.)***State of residence*.**The states with the highest percentages of hourly paid workers earning at or below the federal minimum wage were Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina (all were at or about 5 percent). The states with the lowest percentages of hourly paid workers earning at or below the federal minimum wage were in the West: Alaska, California, and Oregon (all were 1 percent or less). It should be noted that many states have minimum wage laws establishing standards that exceed the federal minimum wage. (See tables 2 and 3.)		
	
	 
	 Statistical Tables
        
                                                                                


Table 1. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, by selected characteristics, 2016 annual averages

Characteristic
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paidTotal paid hourly rates
At or below the minimum wage
Total paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
At or below the minimum ageTotal
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wageAge and genderTotal, 16 years and older
79, 883
2,153
701
1,451
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2.7
0.9
1.816 to 24 years
15,856
976
383
594
19.8
45.4
54.5
40.9
6.2
2.4
3.716 to 19 years
4,592
443
214
229
5.7
20.6
30.5
15.8
9.7
4.7
5.025 years and older
64,026
1,176
319
857
80.2
54.6
45.5
59.1
1.8
0.5
1.3Men, 16 years and older
39,568
769
270
499
49.5
35.7
38.4
34.4
1.9
0.7
1.316 to 24 years
7,967
357
147
210
10.0
16.6
21.0
14.5
4.5
1.8
2.616 to 19 years
2,278
183
87
96
2.9
8.5
12.3
6.6
8.0
3.8
4.225 years and older
30,601
412
122
289
39.6
19.1
17.5
19.9
1.3
0.4
0.9Women, 16 years and older
40, 315
1,384
432
952
50.5
64.3
61.6
65.6
3.4
1.1
2.416 to 24 years
7,890
619
235
384
9.9
28.8
33.6
26.5
7.8
3.0
4.916 to 19 years
2,314
260
127
133
2.9
12.1
18.1
9.2
11.3
5.5
5.825 years and older
32,425
764
196
568
40.6
35.5
28.0
39.1
2.4
0.6
1.8Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicityWhite(1)
61,080
1,597
469
1,127
76.5
74.2
66.9
77.7
2.6
0.8
1.8Men
30,823
554
190
364
38.6
25.7
27.1
25.1
1.8
0.6
1.2Women
30,256
1,043
280
763
37.9
48.5
39.9
52.6
3.4
0.9
2.5Black or African American(1)
11,681
390
193
197
14.6
18.1
27.5
13.5
3.3
1.7
1.7Men
5,297
156
62
93
6.6
7.2
8.9
6.4
2.9
1.2
1.8Women
6,385
234
131
103
8.0
10.9
18.7
7.1
3.7
2.1
1.6Asian(1)
3,692
96
21
75
5.0
4.5
3.0
5.2
2.4
0.5
1.9Men
1,841
35
10
25
2.3
1.6
1.4
1.7
1.9
0.5
1.4Women
2,121
61
11
50
2.7
2.8
1.6
3.4
2.9
0.5
2.3Hispanic or Latino(1)
16,241
366
103
264
20.3
17.0
14.6
18.2
2.3
0.6
1.6Men
9,044
137
44
93
11.3
6.4
6.3
6.4
1.5
0.5
1.0Women
7,197
229
59
171
9.0
10.6
8.4
11.8
3.2
0.8
2.4Full- and part-time statusFull-time workers(2)
59,198
884
183
702
74.1
41.1
26.0
48.4
1.5
0.3
1.2Men
32,418
334
66
268
40.6
15.5
9.5
18.5
1.0
0.2
0.8Women
26,780
550
116
434
33.5
25.6
16.6
29.9
2.1
0.4
1.6Part-time workers(2)
20,582
1,267
519
748
25.8
58.9
74.0
51.6
6.2
2.5
3.6Men
7,108
434
203
231
8.9
20.2
29.0
15.9
6.1
2.9
3.3Women
13,474
833
316
517
16.9
38.7
45.0
35.6
6.2
2.3
3.8(1) Estimates for the above race groups—White, Black or African American, and Asian—do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.

(2) The distinction between full- and part-time workers is based on hours usually worked. These data will not sum to totals because full- or part-time status on the principal job is not identifiable for a small number of multiple jobholders. Full time is 35 hours or more per week; part time is less than 35 hours.

Note: Data exclude all self-employed workers, whether or not their businesses are incorporated.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Table 2. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, by census region and division, 2016 annual averages

Region and division
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paid hourly ratesTotal paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
Total paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wageTotal, 16 years and older
79,883
2,153
701
1,451
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2.7
0.9
1.8Northeast
13,374
359
112
246
16.7
16.7
16.0
17.0
2.7
0.8
1.8New England
3,822
85
15
70
4.8
4.0
2.1
4.8
2.2
0.4
1.8Middle Atlantic
9,522
273
97
176
12.0
12.7
13.9
12.1
2.9
1.0
1.8Midwest
19,020
465
131
334
23.8
21.6
18.7
23.0
2.4
0.7
1.8East North Central
12,936
323
92
230
16.2
15.0
13.2
15.9
2.5
0.7
1.8West North Central
6.084
142
39
103
7.6
6.6
5.6
7.1
2.3
0.6
1.7South
28,302
1,043
386
657
35.4
48.5
55.0
45.3
3.7
1.4
2.3South Atlantic
14, 676
501
151
350
18.4
23.3
21.6
24.1
3.4
1.0
2.4East South Central
4,725
196
89
107
5.9
9.1
12.7
7.4
4.1
1.9
2.3West South Central
8,901
345
146
200
11.1
16.0
20.8
13.8
3.9
1.6
2.2West
19, 187
286
72
214
24.0
13.3
10.2
14.8
1.5
0.4
1.1Mountain
6,045
145
38
107
7.6
6.8
5.5
7.4
2.4
0.6
1.8Pacific
13,142
141
33
107
16.5
6.5
4.7
7.4
1.1
0.3
0.8Note: Data exclude all self-employed persons whether or not their businesses are incorporated.

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

**Northeast**

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

Middle Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

**Midwest**

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

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

**South**

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

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

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

**West**

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

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Table 3. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, by state, 2016 annual averages

State
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paid hourly ratesTotal paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
Total paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wageTotal, 16 years and older
79,883
2,153
701
1,451
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2.7
0.9
1.8Alabama
1,222
43
20
23
1.5
2.0
2.9
1.6
3.5
1.7
1.9Alaska
199
1
1
1
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.7
0.3
0.4Arizona
1,653
39
6
34
2.1
1.8
0.9
2.3
2.4
0.4
2.0Arkansas
724
19
6
13
0.9
0.9
0.8
0.9
2.6
0.8
1.8California
9,669
99
24
75
12.1
4.6
3.4
5.1
1.0
0.2
0.8Colorado
1,318
30
4
26
1.7
1.4
0.5
1.8
2.3
0.3
2.0Connecticut
915
18
3
15
1.1
0.8
0.4
1.0
1.9
0.3
1.7Delaware
232
5
1
4
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.3
2.3
0.5
1.8District of Columbia
111
3
0
2
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.2
2.4
0.1
2.2Florida
4,502
132
20
113
5.6
6.2
2.8
7.8
2.9
0.4
2.5Georgia
2,318
90
39
51
2.9
4.2
5.5
3.5
3.9
1.7
2.2Hawaii
363
5
1
4
0.5
0.2
0.1
0.3
1.3
0.3
1.1Idaho
458
21
10
11
0.6
1.0
1.4
0.8
4.6
2.1
2.5Illinois
3,107
76
19
57
3.9
3.5
2.7
3.9
2.4
0.6
1.8Indiana
1,899
69
32
37
2.4
3.2
4.6
2.6
3.7
1.7
2.0Iowa
981
24
10
13
1.2
1.1
1.5
0.9
2.4
1.0
1.4Kansas
815
36
14
22
1.0
1.7
2.0
1.5
4.4
1.7
2.7Kentucky
1,068
51
23
28
1.3
2.4
3.3
2.0
4.8
2.2
2.7Louisiana
1,095
58
27
31
1.4
2.7
3.8
2.1
5.3
2.4
2.8Maine
363
10
2
8
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.5
2.7
0.5
2.2Maryland
1,449
30
6
25
1.8
1.4
0.8
1.7
2.1
0.4
1.7Massachusetts
1,650
29
5
24
2.1
1.4
0.7
1.7
1.8
0.3
1.5Michigan
2,800
56
8
49
3.5
2.6
1.1
3.4
2.0
0.3
1.7Minnesota
1,547
18
6
12
1.9
0.9
0.9
0.8
1.2
0.4
0.8Mississippi
710
34
15
20
0.9
1.6
2.1
1.4
4.8
2.1
2.8Missouri
1,708
46
6
40
2.1
2.1
0.9
2.8
2.7
0.4
2.3Montana
294
4
1
3
0.4
0.2
0.1
0.2
1.2
0.3
1.0Nebraska
537
10
1
9
0.7
0.5
0.2
0.6
1.9
0.2
1.7Nevada
807
10
6
5
1.0
0.5
0.8
0.3
1.3
0.7
0.6New Hampshire
398
15
3
12
0.5
0.7
0.5
0.8
3.8
0.8
3.0New Jersey
1,855
48
9
38
2.3
2.2
1.3
2.6
2.6
0.5
2.1New Mexico
512
14
2
12
0.6
0.7
0.2
0.9
2.7
0.3
2.4New York
4,180
82
15
66
5.2
3.8
2.2
4.6
2.0
0.4
1.6North Carolina
2,522
91
38
52
3.2
4.2
5.5
3.6
3.6
1.5
2.1North Dakota
241
4
1
3
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.2
1.6
0.3
1.3Ohio
3,327
75
15
60
4.2
3.5
2.2
4.1
2.3
0.5
1.8Oklahoma
894
27
13
14
1.1
1.3
1.8
1.0
3.1
1.4
1.6Oregon
1,059
10
0
10
1.3
0.5
0.0
0.7
1.0
0.0
1.0Pennsylvania
3,516
144
73
71
4.4
6.7
10.4
4.9
4.1
2.1
2.0Rhode Island
312
8
1
7
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.5
2.7
0.4
2.3South Carolina
1,151
57
19
38
1.4
2.7
2.7
2.7
5.0
1.6
3.3South Dakota
256
4
1
3
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.2
1.6
0.4
1.2Tennessee
1,724
67
31
36
2.2
3.1
4.4
2.5
3.9
1.8
2.1Texas
6,188
242
100
141
7.7
11.2
14.3
9.7
3.9
1.6
2.3Utah
840
23
10
13
1.1
1.1
1.4
0.9
2.7
1.1
1.6Vermont
184
5
1
4
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.3
2.5
0.5
2.0Virginia
1,957
83
26
57
2.4
3.9
3.8
3.9
4.3
1.4
2.9Washington
1,853
25
8
18
2.3
1.2
1.1
1.2
1.4
0.4
1.0West Virginia
433
10
2
7
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.5
2.2
0.6
1.7Wisconsin
1,802
46
18
28
2.3
2.1
2.5
1.9
2.6
1.0
1.6Wyoming
163
4
1
3
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
2.5
0.7
1.8Note: Data exclude all self-employed persons whether or not their businesses are incorporated. These data are based on a sample and therefore are subject to sampling error; the degree of error may be quite large for less populous states.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Table 4. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, by occupation, 2016 annual averages

Occupation
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paid hourly ratesTotal paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
Total paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wageTotal, 16 years and older
79,883
2,153
701
1,451
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2.7
0.9
1.8Management, professional, and related occupations
17,657
122
57
65
22.1
5.7
8.2
4.5
0.7
0.3
0.4Management, business, and financial operations occupations
5,183
39
13
26
6.5
1.8
1.9
1.8
0.8
0.3
0.5Professional and related occupations
12,474
83
44
39
15.6
3.9
6.3
2.7
0.7
0.4
0.3Service occupations
19,529
1,432
298
1,134
24.4
66.5
42.5
78.1
7.3
1.5
5.8Healthcare support occupations
2,891
56
24
32
3.6
2.6
3.5
2.2
2.0
0.8
1.1Protective service occupations
2,002
33
8
25
2.5
1.5
1.2
1.7
1.6
0.4
1.2Food preparation and serving related occupations
7,513
1,121
189
932
9.4
52.1
27.0
64.2
14.9
2.5
12.4Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations
3,952
87
30
57
4.9
4.0
4.3
3.9
2.2
0.8
1.4Personal care and service occupations
3,171
135
47
89
4.0
6.3
6.6
6.1
4.3
1.5
2.8Sales and office occupations
20,374
361
242
120
25.5
16.8
34.4
8.3
1.8
1.2
0.6Sales and related occupations
8,046
200
147
54
10.1
9.3
20.9
3.7
2.5
1.8
0.7Office and administrative support occupations
12,328
161
95
66
15.4
7.5
13.5
4.6
1.3
0.8
0.5Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations
8,891
40
5
34
11.1
1.9
0.8
2.4
0.4
0.1
0.4Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations
688
12
2
10
0.9
0.5
0.3
0.7
1.7
0.3
1.4Construction and extraction occupations
4,874
11
0
11
6.1
0.5
0.0
0.8
0.2
0.0
0.2Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
3,318
17
3
13
4.2
0.8
0.4
0.9
0.5
0.1
0.4Production, transportation, and material moving occupations
13,442
197
99
98
16.8
9.1
14.1
6.8
1.5
0.7
0.7Production occupations
6,809
54
29
25
8.5
2.5
4.1
1.8
0.8
0.4
0.4Transportation and material moving occupations
6,633
142
70
73
8.3
6.6
9.9
5.0
2.1
1.0
1.1Note: Data exclude all self-employed workers, whether or not their businesses are incorporated.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Table 5. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, by industry, 2016 annual averages

Industry
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paid hourly ratesTotal paid hourly rates
At or below the minimum wage
Total paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
At or below the minimum wageTotal
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wageTotal, 16 years and older
79,883
2,153
701
1,451
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2.7
0.9
1.8Private sector
70,396
2,035
647
1,388
88.1
94.5
92.2
95.6
2.9
0.9
2.0Agriculture and related industries
851
12
2
10
1.1
0.6
0.2
0.7
1.4
0.2
1.2Nonagricultural industries
69,545
2,023
645
1,378
87.1
94.0
92.0
94.9
2.9
0.9
2.0Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
398
2
0
2
0.5
0.1
0.0
0.1
0.4
0.0
0.4Construction
5,051
19
2
17
6.3
0.9
0.3
1.2
0.4
0.0
0.3Manufacturing
9,307
67
26
41
11.7
3.1
3.7
2.8
0.7
0.3
0.4Durable goods
5,735
28
13
14
7.2
1.3
1.9
1.0
0.5
0.2
0.3Nondurable goods
3,572
39
13
27
4.5
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.1
0.4
0.7Wholesale and retail trade
12,776
219
148
72
16.0
10.2
21.0
5.0
1.7
1.2
0.6Wholesale trade
1,623
8
4
4
2.0
0.4
0.6
0.3
0.5
0.2
0.3Retail trade
11,153
211
144
68
14.0
9.8
20.5
4.7
1.9
1.3
0.6Transportation and utilities
3,652
46
14
32
4.6
2.1
1.9
2.2
1.2
0.4
0.9Information
1,057
17
7
10
1.3
0.8
1.1
0.7
1.6
0.7
0.9Financial activities
3,668
26
7
19
4.6
1.2
1.0
1.3
0.7
0.2
0.5Professional and business services
6,490
62
27
35
8.1
2.9
3.8
2.4
1.0
0.4
0.5Education and health services
13,771
199
110
89
17.2
9.3
15.7
6.1
1.4
0.8
0.6Leisure and hospitality
10,107
1,276
279
997
12.7
59.3
39.8
68.7
12.6
2.8
9.9Other services
3,268
88
25
63
4.1
4.1
3.5
4.4
2.7
0.8
1.9Public sector
9,486
118
54
63
11.9
5.5
7.8
4.4
1.2
0.6
0.7Federal
1,884
17
8
8
2.4
0.8
1.2
0.6
0.9
0.4
0.4State
2,838
48
28
20
3.6
2.2
4.0
1.4
1.7
1.0
0.7Local
4,764
53
18
35
6.0
2.5
2.6
2.4
1.1
0.4
0.7Note: Data exclude all self-employed persons whether or not their businesses are incorporated.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Table 6. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, by educational attainment, 2016 annual averages

Educational attainment
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paid hourly ratesTotal paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
Total paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wageTotal, 16 years and older
79,883
2,153
701
1,451
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2.7
0.9
1.8Less than a high school diploma
9,725
459
221
237
12.2
21.3
31.5
16.4
4.7
2.3
2.4Less than 1 year of high school
2,826
68
25
43
3.5
3.1
3.5
3.0
2.4
0.9
1.51 to 3 years of high school
5,546
320
165
155
6.9
14.9
23.5
10.7
5.8
3.0
2.84 years of high school, no diploma
1,353
71
31
39
1.7
3.3
4.5
2.7
5.2
2.3
2.9High school graduates or more
70,157
1,694
480
1,214
87.8
78.7
68.5
83.6
2.4
0.7
1.7High school graduates, no college
26,919
667
208
459
33.7
31.0
29.6
31.6
2.5
0.8
1.7Some college or associate's degree
27,902
783
242
540
34.9
36.4
34.6
37.2
2.8
0.9
1.9Some college, no degree
18,075
591
185
406
22.6
27.5
26.4
28.0
3.3
1.0
2.2Associate's degree
9,827
192
57
134
12.3
8.9
8.2
9.3
2.0
0.6
1.4Occupational program
4,161
72
17
54
5.2
3.3
2.5
3.7
1.7
0.4
1.3Academic program
5,666
120
40
80
7.1
5.6
5.7
5.5
2.1
0.7
1.4Bachelor's degree and higher
15,337
245
30
214
19.2
11.4
4.3
14.8
1.6
0.2
1.4Bachelor's degree
11,702
218
28
191
14.6
10.1
3.9
13.2
1.9
0.2
1.6Master's degree
2,910
21
3
18
3.6
1.0
0.4
1.3
0.7
0.1
0.6Professional degree
326
3
0
3
0.4
0.1
0.0
0.2
0.9
0.0
0.9Doctoral degree
398
3
0
3
0.5
0.1
0.0
0.2
0.6
0.0
0.6Note: Data exclude all self-employed workers, whether or not their businesses are incorporated.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Table 7. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, by age and gender, 2016 annual averages

Age and gender
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paid hourly ratesTotal paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
Total paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wageTotalTotal, 16 years and older
79,883
2,153
701
1,451
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2.7
0.9
1.816 to 24 years
15,856
976
383
594
19.8
45.4
54.5
40.9
6.2
2.4
3.716 to 19 years
4,592
443
214
229
5.7
20.6
30.5
15.8
9.7
4.7
5.020 to 24 years
11,264
533
169
364
14.1
24.8
24.0
25.1
4.7
1.5
3.225 years and older
64,026
1,176
319
857
80.2
54.6
45.5
59.1
1.8
0.5
1.325 to 34 years
18,988
526
132
393
23.8
24.4
18.9
27.1
2.8
0.7
2.125 to 29 years
10,348
297
78
219
13.0
13.8
11.1
15.1
2.9
0.8
2.130 to 34 years
8,640
229
55
174
10.8
10.6
7.8
12.0
2.6
0.6
2.035 to 44 years
14,609
241
63
178
18.3
11.2
8.9
12.3
1.6
0.4
1.235 to 39 years
7,541
123
32
91
9.4
5.7
4.5
6.3
1.6
0.4
1.240 to 44 years
7,067
118
31
87
8.8
5.5
4.4
6.0
1.7
0.4
1.245 to 54 years
14,957
217
65
152
18.7
10.1
9.3
10.5
1.5
0.4
1.045 to 49 years
7,409
115
27
88
9.3
5.3
3.8
6.0
1.5
0.4
1.250 to 54 years
7,548
103
39
64
9.4
4.8
5.5
4.4
1.4
0.5
0.855 to 64 years
11,742
129
28
100
14.7
6.0
4.1
6.9
1.1
0.2
0.955 to 59 years
6,938
75
18
58
8.7
3.5
2.5
4.0
1.1
0.3
0.860 to 64 years
4,804
54
11
43
6.0
2.5
1.6
2.9
1.1
0.2
0.965 years and older
3,731
64
30
34
4.7
3.0
4.3
2.3
1.7
0.8
0.965 to 69 years
2,217
40
18
23
2.8
1.9
2.5
1.6
1.8
0.8
1.070 years and older
1,514
24
12
11
1.9
1.1
1.8
0.8
1.6
0.8
0.7MenTotal, 16 years and older
39,568
769
270
499
49.5
35.7
38.4
34.4
1.9
0.7
1.316 to 24 years
7,967
357
147
210
10.0
16.6
21.0
14.5
4.5
1.8
2.616 to 19 years
2,278
183
87
96
2.9
8.5
12.3
6.6
8.0
3.8
4.220 to 24 years
5,688
174
61
114
7.1
8.1
8.6
7.8
3.1
1.1
2.025 years and older
31,601
412
122
289
39.6
19.1
17.5
19.9
1.3
0.4
0.925 to 34 years
9,943
196
60
136
12.4
9.1
8.5
9.4
2.0
0.6
1.425 to 29 years
5,393
113
40
73
6.8
5.2
5.8
5.0
2.1
0.8
1.330 to 34 years
4,551
83
19
64
5.7
3.8
2.7
4.4
1.8
0.4
1.435 to 44 years
7,324
72
19
53
9.2
3.4
2.8
3.7
1.0
0.3
0.735 to 39 years
3,843
37
7
30
4.8
1.7
0.9
2.1
1.0
0.2
0.840 to 44 years
3,481
35
13
23
4.4
1.6
1.8
1.6
1.0
0.4
0.745 to 54 years
7,229
85
21
64
9.1
3.9
3.0
4.4
1.2
0.3
0.945 to 49 years
3,595
42
12
31
4.5
2.0
1.7
2.1
1.2
0.3
0.850 to 54 years
3,634
43
9
33
4.5
2.0
1.3
2.3
1.2
0.3
0.955 to 64 years
5,421
38
14
24
6.8
1.7
2.0
1.6
0.7
0.3
0.455 to 59 years
3,188
23
10
12
4.0
1.1
1.5
0.8
0.7
0.3
0.460 to 64 years
2,232
15
4
11
2.8
0.7
0.5
0.8
0.7
0.2
0.565 years and older
1,683
21
9
13
2.1
1.0
1.2
0.9
1.3
0.5
0.865 to 69 years
968
12
5
8
1.2
0.6
0.7
0.5
1.3
0.5
0.870 years and older
715
9
4
5
0.9
0.4
0.6
0.3
1.3
0.6
0.7WomenTotal, 16 years and older
40,315
1,384
432
952
50.5
64.3
61.6
65.6
3.4
1.1
2.416 to 24 years
7,890
619
235
384
9.9
28.8
33.6
26.5
7.8
3.0
4.916 to 19 years
2,314
260
127
133
2.9
12.1
18.1
9.2
11.3
5.5
5.820 to 24 years
5,576
359
108
251
7.0
16.7
15.4
17.3
6.4
1.9
4.525 years and older
32,425
764
196
568
40.6
35.5
28.0
39.1
2.4
0.6
1.825 to 34 years
9,044
330
73
257
11.3
15.3
10.4
17.7
3.6
0.8
2.825 to 29 years
4,955
184
37
147
6.2
8.5
5.3
10.1
3.7
0.8
3.030 to 34 years
4,090
146
35
111
5.1
6.8
5.1
7.6
3.6
0.9
2.735 to 44 years
7,285
168
43
125
9.1
7.8
6.2
8.6
2.3
0.6
1.735 to 39 years
3,699
86
25
61
4.6
4.0
3.6
4.2
2.3
0.7
1.640 to 44 years
3,586
82
18
64
4.5
3.8
2.6
4.4
2.3
0.5
1.845 to 54 years
7,727
132
45
88
9.7
6.2
6.4
6.1
1.7
0.6
1.145 to 49 years
3,813
72
15
57
4.8
3.4
2.2
3.9
1.9
0.4
1.550 to 54 years
3,914
60
29
31
4.9
2.8
4.2
2.1
1.5
0.8
0.855 to 64 years
6,321
91
14
77
7.9
4.2
2.0
5.3
1.4
0.2
1.255 to 59 years
3,749
53
7
45
4.7
2.4
1.0
3.1
1.4
0.2
1.260 to 64 years
2,572
39
7
31
3.2
1.8
1.0
2.2
1.5
0.3
1.265 years and older
2,048
43
21
21
2.6
2.0
3.1
1.5
2.1
1.0
1.065 to 69 years
1,249
28
13
15
1.6
1.3
1.9
1.0
2.2
1.0
1.270 years and older
799
15
8
6
1.0
0.7
1.2
0.4
1.8
1.0
0.8Note: Data exclude all self-employed workers, whether or not their businesses are incorporated.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Table 8. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, by marital status, age, and gender, 2016 annual averages

Marital status, age, and gender
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paid hourly ratesTotal paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
Total paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wageTotalTotal, 16 years and older
79,883
2,153
701
1,451
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2.7
0.9
1.8Never married
31,473
1,403
520
883
39.4
65.2
74.1
60.9
4.5
1.7
2.816 to 24 years
14,416
914
364
550
18.0
42.4
51.9
37.9
6.3
2.5
3.825 years and older
17,057
489
156
334
21.4
22.7
22.2
23.0
2.9
0.9
2.025 to 54 years
15,572
458
146
312
19.5
21.3
20.8
21.5
2.9
0.9
2.0Married, spouse present(1)
35,193
463
103
360
44.1
21.5
14.6
24.8
1.3
0.3
1.016 to 24 years
1,046
42
12
30
1.3
2.0
1.7
2.1
4.0
1.2
2.825 years and older
34,147
421
90
331
42.7
19.6
12.9
22.8
1.2
0.3
1.025 to 54 years
24,696
343
69
274
30.9
15.9
9.8
18.9
1.4
0.3
1.1Widowed, divorced, or separated(2)
13,216
287
79
208
16.5
13.3
11.3
14.3
2.2
0.6
1.616 to 24 years
395
21
6
14
0.5
1.0
0.9
1.0
5.2
1.6
3.625 years and older
12,821
266
73
193
16.1
12.4
10.4
13.3
2.1
0.6
1.525 to 54 years
8,285
183
45
137
10.4
8.5
6.5
9.5
2.2
0.5
1.7MenTotal, 16 years and older
39,568
769
270
499
49.5
35.7
38.4
34.4
1.9
0.7
1.3Never married
16,498
554
218
336
20.7
25.7
31.0
23.2
3.4
1.3
2.016 to 24 years
7,329
346
144
202
9.2
16.1
20.5
13.9
4.7
2.0
2.825 years and older
9,169
208
73
134
11.5
9.7
10.5
9.3
2.3
0.8
1.525 to 54 years
8,451
197
67
130
10.6
9.1
9.6
8.9
2.3
0.8
1.5Married, spouse present(1)
17,999
157
38
119
22.5
7.3
5.3
8.2
0.9
0.2
0.716 to 24 years
478
9
3
6
0.6
0.4
0.4
0.4
1.8
0.6
1.325 years and older
17,521
148
35
113
21.9
6.9
5.0
7.8
0.8
0.2
0.625 to 54 years
12,670
117
23
94
15.9
5.4
3.2
6.5
0.9
0.2
0.7Widowed, divorced, or separated(2)
5,071
59
15
44
6.3
2.7
2.1
3.0
1.2
0.3
0.916 to 24 years
160
2
0
2
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.1
1.4
0.2
1.225 years and older
4,911
56
14
42
6.1
2.6
2.0
2.9
1.1
0.3
0.925 to 54 years
3,375
40
10
30
4.2
1.8
1.4
2.0
1.2
0.3
0.9WomenTotal, 16 years and older
40,315
1,384
432
952
50.5
64.3
61.6
65.6
3.4
1.1
2.4Never married
14,975
849
302
547
18.7
39.5
43.1
37.7
5.7
2.0
3.716 to 24 years
7,087
568
220
348
8.9
26.4
31.4
24.0
8.0
3.1
4.925 years and older
7,888
282
82
199
9.9
13.1
11.7
13.7
3.6
1.0
2.525 to 54 years
7,121
261
79
182
8.9
12.1
11.3
12.6
3.7
1.1
2.6Married, spouse present(1)
17,195
306
65
241
21.5
14.2
9.3
16.6
1.8
0.4
1.416 to 24 years
568
33
9
24
0.7
1.5
1.4
1.6
5.8
1.7
4.225 years and older
16,626
273
56
218
20.8
12.7
7.9
15.0
1.6
0.3
1.325 to 54 years
12,026
226
46
180
15.1
10.5
6.5
12.4
1.9
0.4
1.5Widowed, divorced, or separated(2)
8,145
228
64
163
10.2
10.6
9.2
11.3
2.8
0.8
2.016 to 24 years
234
18
6
12
0.3
0.9
0.8
0.9
7.8
2.5
5.325 years and older
7,910
210
59
151
9.9
9.7
8.3
10.4
2.7
0.7
1.925 to 54 years
4,910
143
36
108
6.1
6.7
5.1
7.4
2.9
0.7
2.2Footnotes:

(1) Refers to people in opposite-sex married couples only.

(2) Separated includes people who are married, spouse absent.

Note: Data exclude all self-employed workers, whether or not their businesses are incorporated.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Table 9. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, by usual hours worked per week on primary job, 2016 annual averages

Usual hours worked per week on primary job
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paid hourly ratesTotal paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
Total paid hourly rates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wage
Total
At minimum wage
Below minimum wageTotal, 16 years and older
79,883
2,153
701
1,451
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2.7
0.9
1.8Hours vary
4,633
209
86
123
5.8
9.7
12.3
8.5
4.5
1.9
2.70 to 34 hours
18,865
1,155
466
688
23.6
53.7
66.5
47.4
6.1
2.5
3.60 to 4 hours
384
16
10
6
0.5
0.8
1.4
0.4
4.2
2.6
1.65 to 9 hours
994
72
36
36
1.2
3.3
5.1
2.5
7.2
3.6
3.610 to 14 hours
1,673
105
50
55
2.1
4.9
7.1
3.8
6.3
3.0
3.315 to 19 hours
2,374
191
83
108
3.0
8.9
11.8
7.4
8.0
3.5
4.620 to 24 hours
5,543
339
146
193
6.9
15.7
20.8
13.3
6.1
2.6
3.525 to 29 hours
3,007
192
71
121
3.8
8.9
10.1
8.3
6.4
2.4
4.030 to 34 hours
4,890
240
71
169
6.1
11.2
10.1
11.6
4.9
1.5
3.535 hours or more
56,385
789
149
640
70.6
36.6
21.2
44.1
1.4
0.3
1.135 to 39 hours
6,085
206
43
163
7.6
9.6
6.1
11.2
3.4
0.7
2.740 hours or more
50,300
583
106
477
63.0
27.1
15.1
32.9
1.2
0.2
0.940 hours
43,362
472
92
380
54.3
21.9
13.1
26.2
1.1
0.2
0.941 hours or more
6,938
111
14
98
8.7
5.2
2.0
6.7
1.6
0.2
1.441 to 44 hours
675
7
2
5
0.8
0.3
0.2
0.4
1.0
0.2
0.845 to 48 hours
2,463
42
4
38
3.1
1.9
0.6
2.6
1.7
0.2
1.549 to 59 hours
2,539
42
4
38
3.2
1.9
0.5
2.6
1.7
0.1
1.560 hours or more
1,261
21
5
16
1.6
1.0
0.6
1.1
1.6
0.4
1.3Note: Data exclude all self-employed persons whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Estimates of usual hours worked presented in this table differ from usual full- or part-time status (as shown in table 1) because of a sizable number of workers whose usual hours vary on the primary job.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Table 10. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below prevailing federal minimum wage, by gender, 1979–2016 annual averages (numbers in thousands)

Year and gender
Total wage and salary workers
Workers paid hourly ratesTotal
Percentage of total wage and salary workers
At prevailing federal minimum wage(1)
Below prevailing federal minimum wage(1)
Total at or below prevailing federal minimum wageNumber
Percentage of hourly paid workersTotal1979
87,529
51,721
59.1
3,997
2,916
6,912
13.41980
87,644
51,335
58.6
4,686
3,087
7,773
15.11981
88,516
51,869
58.6
4,311
3,513
7,824
15.11982
87,368
50,846
58.2
4,148
2,348
6,496
12.81983
88,290
51,820
58.7
4,261
2,077
6,338
12.21984
92,194
54,143
58.7
4,125
1,838
5,963
11.01985
94,521
55,762
59.0
3,899
1,639
5,538
9.91986
96,903
57,529
59.4
3,461
1,599
5,060
8.81987
99,303
59,552
60.0
3,229
1,468
4,698
7.91988
101,407
60,878
60.0
2,608
1,319
3,927
6.51989
103,480
62,389
60.3
1,790
1,372
3,162
5.11990
104,876
63,172
60.2
1,096
2,132
3,228
5.11991
103,723
62,627
60.4
2,906
2,377
5,283
8.41992
104,668
63,610
60.8
2,982
1,939
4,921
7.71993
106,101
64,274
60.6
2,625
1,707
4,332
6.71994
107,989
66,549
61.6
2,132
1,995
4,128
6.21995
110,038
68,354
62.1
1,956
1,699
3,656
5.31996
111,960
69,255
61.9
1,861
1,863
3,724
5.41997
114,533
70,735
61.8
1,764
2,990
4,754
6.71998
116,730
71,440
61.2
1,593
2,834
4,427
6.21999
118,963
72,306
60.8
1,146
2,194
3,340
4.62000
122,089
73,496
60.2
898
1,752
2,650
3.62001
122,229
73,392
60.0
656
1,518
2,174
3.02002
121,826
72,508
59.5
567
1,579
2,146
3.02003
122,358
72,946
59.6
545
1,555
2,100
2.92004
123,554
73,939
59.8
520
1,483
2,003
2.72005
125,889
75,609
60.1
479
1,403
1,882
2.52006
128,237
76,514
59.7
409
1,283
1,692
2.22007
129,767
75,873
58.5
267
1,462
1,729
2.32008
129,377
75,305
58.2
286
1,940
2,226
3.02009
124,490
72,611
58.3
980
2,592
3,572
4.92010
124,073
72,902
58.8
1,820
2,541
4,361
6.02011
125,187
73,926
59.1
1,677
2,152
3,829
5.22012
127,577
75,276
59.0
1,566
1,984
3,550
4.72013
129,110
75,948
58.8
1,532
1,768
3,301
4.32014
131,431
77,207
58.7
1,255
1,737
2,992
3.92015
133,743
78,232
58.5
870
1,691
2,561
3.32016
136,101
79,883
58.7
701
1,451
2,153
2.7Men1979
49,400
28,392
57.5
1,353
846
2,199
7.71980
48,700
27,709
56.9
1,696
983
2,678
9.71981
48,844
27,576
56.5
1,533
1,119
2,652
9.61982
47,591
26,481
55.6
1,587
697
2,284
8.61983
47,856
26,831
56.1
1,658
585
2,243
8.41984
50,022
28,140
56.3
1,626
490
2,116
7.51985
51,015
28,893
56.6
1,544
440
1,984
6.91986
51,942
29,666
57.1
1,336
408
1,743
5.91987
52,938
30,474
57.6
1,283
364
1,647
5.41988
53,912
31,058
57.6
1,066
311
1,377
4.41989
54,789
31,687
57.8
733
379
1,112
3.51990
55,553
32,104
57.8
385
712
1,097
3.41991
54,618
31,639
57.9
1,114
795
1,909
6.01992
54,826
32,155
58.6
1,231
653
1,885
5.91993
55,475
32,337
58.3
1,091
573
1,664
5.11994
56,570
33,528
59.3
891
674
1,565
4.71995
57,669
34,420
59.7
796
542
1,338
3.91996
58,473
34,838
59.6
755
619
1,374
3.91997
59,825
35,521
59.4
673
1,147
1,820
5.11998
60,973
35,761
58.7
628
1,039
1,667
4.71999
61,914
36,073
58.3
446
768
1,214
3.42000
63,662
36,720
57.7
319
582
901
2.52001
63,647
36,544
57.4
247
497
744
2.02002
63,272
36,000
56.9
217
582
799
2.22003
63,236
35,853
56.7
213
493
706
2.02004
64,145
36,806
57.4
210
470
680
1.82005
65,466
37,652
57.5
189
459
648
1.72006
66,811
38,193
57.2
146
422
568
1.52007
67,468
37,790
56.0
86
460
546
1.42008
66,846
37,334
55.9
90
638
728
1.92009
63,539
35,185
55.4
368
990
1,358
3.92010
63,531
35,498
55.9
669
943
1,612
4.52011
64,686
36,457
56.4
648
785
1,433
3.92012
65,898
37,113
56.3
567
696
1,263
3.42013
66,794
37,544
56.2
622
621
1,243
3.32014
68,048
38,405
56.4
516
598
1,114
2.92015
69,298
38,732
55.9
330
629
959
2.52016
70,589
39,568
56.1
270
499
769
1.9Women1979
38,129
23,329
61.2
2,644
2,070
4,714
20.21980
38,944
23,626
60.7
2,990
2,104
5,095
21.61981
39,672
24,294
61.2
2,778
2,394
5,172
21.31982
39,777
24,365
61.3
2,561
1,651
4,212
17.31983
40,433
24,989
61.8
2,603
1,492
4,095
16.41984
42,172
26,003
61.7
2,499
1,348
3,847
14.81985
43,506
26,869
61.8
2,356
1,198
3,554
13.21986
44,961
27,863
62.0
2,125
1,192
3,317
11.91987
46,365
29,078
62.7
1,946
1,105
3,051
10.51988
47,495
29,820
62.8
1,542
1,008
2,550
8.61989
48,691
30,702
63.1
1,056
994
2,050
6.71990
49,323
31,069
63.0
711
1,420
2,131
6.91991
49,105
30,988
63.1
1,792
1,582
3,374
10.91992
49,842
31,454
63.1
1,751
1,286
3,036
9.71993
50,626
31,937
63.1
1,534
1,133
2,667
8.41994
51,419
33,021
64.2
1,241
1,322
2,563
7.81995
52,369
33,934
64.8
1,161
1,157
2,318
6.81996
53,488
34,418
64.3
1,106
1,244
2,350
6.81997
54,708
35,214
64.4
1,092
1,843
2,935
8.31998
55,757
35,680
64.0
965
1,794
2,760
7.71999
57,050
36,233
63.5
700
1,426
2,126
5.92000
58,427
36,777
62.9
579
1,170
1,749
4.82001
58,582
36,848
62.9
409
1,021
1,430
3.92002
58,555
36,508
62.3
350
997
1,347
3.72003
59,122
37,093
62.7
332
1,062
1,394
3.82004
59,408
37,133
62.5
310
1,013
1,323
3.62005
60,423
37,957
62.8
290
944
1,234
3.32006
61,426
38,321
62.4
263
861
1,124
2.92007
62,299
38,082
61.1
181
1,002
1,183
3.12008
62,532
37,972
60.7
196
1,302
1,498
3.92009
60,951
37,426
61.4
612
1,603
2,215
5.92010
60,542
37,404
61.8
1,151
1,598
2,749
7.32011
60,502
37,469
61.9
1,029
1,366
2,395
6.42012
61,679
38,163
61.9
999
1,288
2,287
6.02013
62,316
38,404
61.6
910
1,148
2,058
5.42014
63,383
38,802
61.2
739
1,139
1,878
4.82015
64,445
39,500
61.3
540
1,062
1,602
4.12016
65,512
40,315
61.5
432
952
1,384
3.4Footnotes:

(1) Data for 1990-1991, 1996-1997, and 2007-2009 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 conceptual changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is available at https://www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp."

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Technical Notes
     
The estimates in this report were obtained from the Current Population Survey (CPS), which provides 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 scientifically selected national sample of about 60,000 eligible households in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The survey also provides data on earnings, which are based on one-fourth of the CPS monthly sample and are limited to wage and salary workers. All self-employed workers, both incorporated and unincorporated, are excluded from these earnings estimates.

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: (800) 877-8339.

Concepts and definitions

The principal definitions used in connection with the estimates of minimum wage workers presented in this report are described briefly below.

*Wage and salary workers.*These are those age 16 and older who receive wages, salaries, commissions, tips, payments in kind, or piece rates on their sole or principal job. This group includes employees in both the private and public sectors. All self-employed workers are excluded whether or not their businesses are incorporated.

*Workers paid by the hour*. These are wage and salary workers who report that they are paid at an hourly rate on their job. Historically, workers paid an hourly wage have made up approximately three-fifths of all wage and salary workers. Estimates of workers paid by the hour include both full- and part-time workers unless otherwise specified.

*Hourly earnings.* Data are for wage and salary workers who are paid by the hour and refer to a person’s sole or principal job. Hourly earnings for hourly paid workers do not include overtime pay, commissions, or tips received.

*Workers paid at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage*. The estimates of the numbers of workers with reported earnings at or below the federal minimum wage pertain only to workers who are paid hourly rates. Salaried workers and the other nonhourly paid workers are excluded.

Regular collection of earnings data in the basic CPS began in 1979. The prevailing federal minimum wage for 1979 and later years is listed below:



**Federal minimum wage**
**Effective date**$2.90
January 1, 1979$3.10
January 1, 1980$3.35
January 1, 1981$3.80
April 1, 1990$4.25
April 1, 1991$4.75
October 1, 1996$5.15
September 1, 1997$5.85
July 24, 2007$6.55
July 24, 2008$7.25
July 24, 2009

Estimates of the annual average number of minimum wage workers for years when the minimum wage increased reflect both minimum wage levels in effect during the year. For example, data for 2007 reflect the number of workers at or below the federal minimum of $5.15 for January to July and $5.85 for August to December.

*Full-time workers.* People who usually work 35 hours or more per week at their sole or principal job are defined as working full time.

*Part-time workers.*People who usually work fewer than 35 hours per week at their sole or principal job are defined as working part time.

*Race*. In the survey process, race is determined by the household respondent. In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget guidelines, White, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander are terms used to describe a person’s race. The latter two race groups and people who selected more than one race are included in totals but not separately identified in this report because the number of survey respondents is too small to develop estimates of sufficient quality.

*Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.* These are people who identified themselves in the survey process as being of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin. People whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.

Interpreting minimum wage data

The CPS does not determine whether workers are covered by the minimum wage provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or by individual state or local minimum wage laws. The estimates of workers paid at or below the federal minimum wage are based solely on the hourly wage respondents report (which does not include overtime pay, tips, or commissions). It should be noted that some respondents might round hourly earnings when answering survey questions. As a result, some workers might be reported as having hourly earnings above or below the federal minimum wage when, in fact, they earn the minimum wage.

Some workers reported as earning at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage may not, in fact, be covered by federal or state minimum wage laws because of exclusions and exemptions in the statutes. Thus, the presence of workers with hourly earnings below the federal minimum wage does not necessarily indicate violations of the FLSA or state statutes in cases where such standards apply.

Estimates of the number of minimum wage workers in this report pertain only to workers who are paid hourly rates. Salaried workers and other workers who are not paid by the hour are excluded, even though some have earnings that, if converted to hourly rates, would be at or below the federal minimum wage. Consequently, the estimates presented in this report likely underestimate the actual number of workers with hourly earnings at or below the minimum wage. BLS does not routinely estimate the hourly earnings of workers not paid by the hour because of data-quality concerns associated with constructing such an estimate.

A number of states have established minimum wage rates that exceed the federal level. (Information on state minimum wage laws is available at www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/america.htm.) Users should be cautious about comparing state estimates in this report because of differing statutory minimum wages. It also should be noted that the CPS sample is based on residence; workers report their earnings on their job, which may or may not be located in the same state in which they live. In addition, the degree of sampling error may be quite large for some state estimates.

Reliability

Statistics based on the CPS are subject to both sampling and nonsampling error. When a sample, rather than the entire population, is surveyed, there is a chance that the sample estimates may differ from the true population values they represent. The component of this difference that occurs because samples differ by chance is known as sampling error, and its 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 are generally conducted at the 90-percent level of confidence.

The CPS data also are affected by nonsampling error. Nonsampling error can occur for many reasons, including the failure to sample a segment of the population, inability to obtain information for all respondents in the sample, inability or unwillingness of respondents to provide correct information, and errors made in the collection or processing of the data. For example, respondents may round their hourly earnings to whole dollars when answering survey questions.

Information about the reliability of data from the CPS is available on the BLS website at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#reliability.
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