U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

APRIL 2015 REPORT 1054

BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov 1

Characteristics of Minimum 

Wage Workers, 2014

In 2014, 77.2 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, 1.3 million earned exactly the prevailing 

federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. About 1.7 million 

had wages below the federal minimum. Together, these 

3.0 million workers with wages at or below the federal 

minimum made up 3.9 percent of all hourly paid workers.

The percentage of hourly paid workers earning the 

prevailing federal minimum wage or less declined from 4.3 

percent in 2013 to 3.9 percent in 2014. This remains well 

below the figure of 13.4 percent in 1979, when data were

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

This report presents highlights and statistical tables 

describing minimum wage workers in 2014. 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.

Highlights

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 nearly half of those 

CONTENTS

Highlights. 

Statistical Tables. 

Technical Notes. .
2 BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

paid the federal minimum wage or less. Among employed 

teenagers (ages 16 to 19) paid by the hour, about 15 percent

earned the minimum wage or less, compared with about 3 

percent of workers age 25 and older. (See tables 1 and 7.)

Gender. Among workers who were paid hourly rates in 

2014, about 5 percent of women had wages at or below 

the prevailing federal minimum, compared with about 3 

percent of men. (See table 1.)

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. The percentage of 

hourly paid workers with wages at or below the federal 

minimum wage was little different among the major race 

and ethnicity groups. About 4 percent of White workers 

and Black workers earned the federal minimum wage 

or less. Among Hispanic or Latino workers and Asian 

workers, the percentage was about 3 percent for each 

group. (See table 1.)

Education. Among hourly paid workers age 16 and older, 

about 7 percent of those without a high school diploma 

earned the federal minimum wage or less, compared with 

about 4 percent of those who had a high school diploma 

(with no college), 4 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, nevermarried workers, who tend to be young, were more likely 

(7 percent) than married workers (2 percent) to earn the

federal minimum wage or less. (See table 8.)

Full- and part-time status. About 10 percent of part-time 

workers (people 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

tables 1 and 9.)

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 10 percent. Almost two-thirds of workers earning the 

minimum wage or less in 2014 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 (18 percent).

Over half of all workers paid at or below the federal 

minimum wage were employed in this industry, the vast 

majority in restaurants and other food services. For many 

of these workers, tips may supplement the hourly wages 

received. (See table 5.)

State of residence. The states with the highest percentages 

of hourly paid workers earning at or below the federal 

minimum wage were Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, 

Mississippi, and Tennessee (all between 6 percent and 7

percent). The states with the lowest percentages of hourly

paid workers earning at or below the federal minimum 

wage were Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington 

(all between 1 percent and 2 percent). It should be noted

that some states have minimum wage laws establishing 

standards that exceed the federal minimum wage. (See

tables 2 and 3.)
BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov 3

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

Statistical Tables
4 BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

Table 1. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage,

by selected characteristics, 2014 annual averages

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

hourly rates

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

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Age and gender

Total, 16 years and older................ 77,207 2,992 1,255 1,737 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 3.9 1.6 2.2

 16 to 24 years.............................. 15,324 1,443 705 738 19.8 48.2 56.2 42.5 9.4 4.6 4.8

 16 to 19 years........................... 4,178 639 362 277 5.4 21.4 28.8 15.9 15.3 8.7 6.6

 25 years and older........................ 61,883 1,549 550 999 80.2 51.8 43.8 57.5 2.5 0.9 1.6

 

Men, 16 years and older.................. 38,405 1,114 516 598 49.7 37.2 41.1 34.4 2.9 1.3 1.6

 16 to 24 years............................. 7,701 572 299 273 10.0 19.1 23.8 15.7 7.4 3.9 3.5

 16 to 19 years........................... 2,006 261 151 110 2.6 8.7 12.0 6.3 13.0 7.5 5.5

 25 years and older........................ 30,704 542 217 325 39.8 18.1 17.3 18.7 1.8 0.7 1.1

 

Women, 16 years and older............... 38,802 1,878 739 1,139 50.3 62.8 58.9 65.6 4.8 1.9 2.9

 16 to 24 years............................. 7,623 870 406 464 9.9 29.1 32.4 26.7 11.4 5.3 6.1

 16 to 19 years........................... 2,172 377 210 167 2.8 12.6 16.7 9.6 17.4 9.7 7.7

 25 years and older....................... 31,179 1,007 333 674 40.4 33.7 26.5 38.8 3.2 1.1 2.2

 

Race and Hispanic

or Latino ethnicity

White 1.......................................... 60,245 2,284 891 1,393 78.0 76.3 71.0 80.2 3.8 1.5 2.3

 Men.......................................... 30,420 857 377 480 39.4 28.6 30.0 27.6 2.8 1.2 1.6

 Women...................................... 29,825 1,427 514 913 38.6 47.7 41.0 52.6 4.8 1.7 3.1

 

Black or African American 1............... 10,669 460 257 203 13.8 15.4 20.5 11.7 4.3 2.4 1.9

 Men.......................................... 4,845 168 91 77 6.3 5.6 7.3 4.4 3.5 1.9 1.6

 Women...................................... 5,824 292 166 126 7.5 9.8 13.2 7.3 5.0 2.9 2.2

Asian 1........................................ 3,498 109 41 68 4.5 3.6 3.3 3.9 3.1 1.2 1.9

 Men.......................................... 1,670 40 17 23 2.2 1.3 1.4 1.3 2.4 1.0 1.4

 Women...................................... 1,828 69 24 45 2.4 2.3 1.9 2.6 3.8 1.3 2.5

Hispanic or Latino 1........................ 15,301 519 249 270 19.8 17.3 19.8 15.5 3.4 1.6 1.8

 Men.......................................... 8,656 223 104 119 11.2 7.5 8.3 6.9 2.6 1.2 1.4

 Women...................................... 6,645 297 145 152 8.6 9.9 11.6 8.8 4.5 2.2 2.3

 

Full- and part-time status

Full-time workers 2......................... 56,607 1,031 373 658 73.3 34.5 29.7 37.9 1.8 0.7 1.2

 Men.......................................... 31,333 438 178 260 40.6 14.6 14.2 15.0 1.4 0.6 0.8

 Women...................................... 25,273 593 195 398 32.7 19.8 15.5 22.9 2.3 0.8 1.6

 

Part-time workers 2........................ 20,482 1,954 880 1,074 26.5 65.3 70.1 61.8 9.5 4.3 5.2

 Men.......................................... 7,003 672 338 334 9.1 22.5 26.9 19.2 9.6 4.8 4.8

 Women...................................... 13,479 1,283 543 740 17.5 42.9 43.3 42.6 9.5 4.0 5.5

1 Estimates for the 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 persons whether or not their businesses are incorporated.

 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Total paid 

hourly

rates

Characteristic Total paid 

hourly

rates
BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov 5

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

Table 2. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage,

by census region and division, 2014 annual averages

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

hourly rates

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

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total, 16 years and older...... 77,207 2,992 1,255 1,737 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 3.9 1.6 2.2

 

 Northeast......................... 13,044 477 149 328 16.9 15.9 11.9 18.9 3.7 1.1 2.5

 New England................... 3,768 118 25 93 4.9 3.9 2.0 5.4 3.1 0.7 2.5

 Middle Atlantic............... 9,276 357 123 234 12.0 11.9 9.8 13.5 3.8 1.3 2.5

 Midwest......................... 18,626 768 315 453 24.1 25.7 25.1 26.1 4.1 1.7 2.4

 East North Central.......... 12,718 512 176 336 16.5 17.1 14.0 19.3 4.0 1.4 2.6

 West North Central......... 5,908 256 139 117 7.7 8.6 11.1 6.7 4.3 2.4 2.0

 South.............................. 27,428 1,417 667 750 35.5 47.4 53.1 43.2 5.2 2.4 2.7

 South Atlantic................ 13,796 645 270 375 17.9 21.6 21.5 21.6 4.7 2.0 2.7

 East South Central.......... 4,567 264 145 119 5.9 8.8 11.6 6.9 5.8 3.2 2.6

 West South Central......... 9,065 508 252 256 11.7 17.0 20.1 14.7 5.6 2.8 2.8

 West.............................. 18,109 331 125 206 23.5 11.1 10.0 11.9 1.8 0.7 1.1

 Mountain....................... 5,668 176 55 121 7.3 5.9 4.4 7.0 3.1 1.0 2.1

 Pacific.......................... 12,441 155 70 85 16.1 5.2 5.6 4.9 1.2 0.6 0.7

 

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

 The four census regions and nine geographic 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.

Total paid 

hourly

rates

Region and division Total paid 

hourly

rates
6 BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

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

by state, 2014 annual averages

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

hourly rates

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

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total, 16 years and older...... 77,207 2,992 1,255 1,737 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 3.9 1.6 2.2

Alabama.......................... 1,160 57 30 27 1.5 1.9 2.4 1.6 4.9 2.6 2.3

Alaska........................... 206 3 1 2 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.5 0.5 1.0

Arizona.......................... 1,593 43 8 35 2.1 1.4 0.6 2.0 2.7 0.5 2.2

Arkansas........................ 724 46 24 22 0.9 1.5 1.9 1.3 6.4 3.3 3.0

California........................ 9,133 108 45 63 11.8 3.6 3.6 3.6 1.2 0.5 0.7

Colorado........................ 1,219 37 5 32 1.6 1.2 0.4 1.8 3.0 0.4 2.6

Connecticut.................... 883 19 2 17 1.1 0.6 0.2 1.0 2.2 0.2 1.9

Delaware........................ 223 9 4 5 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 4.0 1.8 2.2

District of Columbia.......... 106 3 1 2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 2.8 0.9 1.9

Florida........................... 4,340 183 40 143 5.6 6.1 3.2 8.2 4.2 0.9 3.3

Georgia.......................... 2,150 119 57 62 2.8 4.0 4.5 3.6 5.5 2.7 2.9

Hawaii............................ 335 17 12 5 0.4 0.6 1.0 0.3 5.1 3.6 1.5

Idaho.............................. 412 21 12 9 0.5 0.7 1.0 0.5 5.1 2.9 2.2

Illinois............................ 3,157 115 31 84 4.1 3.8 2.5 4.8 3.6 1.0 2.7

Indiana........................... 1,846 113 56 57 2.4 3.8 4.5 3.3 6.1 3.0 3.1

Iowa................................. 996 50 24 26 1.3 1.7 1.9 1.5 5.0 2.4 2.6

Kansas........................... 814 40 22 18 1.1 1.3 1.8 1.0 4.9 2.7 2.2

Kentucky....................... 1,144 56 26 30 1.5 1.9 2.1 1.7 4.9 2.3 2.6

Louisiana........................ 1,087 68 30 38 1.4 2.3 2.4 2.2 6.3 2.8 3.5

Maine............................ 387 12 3 9 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.5 3.1 0.8 2.3

Maryland........................ 1,311 53 19 34 1.7 1.8 1.5 2.0 4.0 1.4 2.6

Massachusetts................ 1,657 57 11 46 2.1 1.9 0.9 2.6 3.4 0.7 2.8

Michigan........................ 2,614 99 23 76 3.4 3.3 1.8 4.4 3.8 0.9 2.9

Minnesota....................... 1,524 50 34 16 2.0 1.7 2.7 0.9 3.3 2.2 1.0

Mississippi...................... 647 40 24 16 0.8 1.3 1.9 0.9 6.2 3.7 2.5

Missouri......................... 1,552 72 34 38 2.0 2.4 2.7 2.2 4.6 2.2 2.4

Montana......................... 305 7 4 3 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2 2.3 1.3 1.0

Nebraska......................... 547 26 16 10 0.7 0.9 1.3 0.6 4.8 2.9 1.8

Nevada.......................... 767 20 9 11 1.0 0.7 0.7 0.6 2.6 1.2 1.4

New Hampshire................ 385 15 6 9 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 3.9 1.6 2.3

New Jersey..................... 1,928 66 19 47 2.5 2.2 1.5 2.7 3.4 1.0 2.4

New Mexico.................... 478 15 1 14 0.6 0.5 0.1 0.8 3.1 0.2 2.9

New York........................ 3,898 137 32 105 5.0 4.6 2.5 6.0 3.5 0.8 2.7

North Carolina.................. 2,227 113 68 45 2.9 3.8 5.4 2.6 5.1 3.1 2.0

North Dakota................... 228 7 3 4 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 3.1 1.3 1.8

Ohio.............................. 3,335 113 18 95 4.3 3.8 1.4 5.5 3.4 0.5 2.8

Oklahoma....................... 900 34 17 17 1.2 1.1 1.4 1.0 3.8 1.9 1.9

Oregon........................... 985 10 3 7 1.3 0.3 0.2 0.4 1.0 0.3 0.7

Pennsylvania................... 3,450 156 73 83 4.5 5.2 5.8 4.8 4.5 2.1 2.4

Rhode Island................... 275 10 2 8 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.5 3.6 0.7 2.9

South Carolina................. 1,117 50 30 20 1.4 1.7 2.4 1.2 4.5 2.7 1.8

South Dakota................... 247 11 6 5 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.3 4.5 2.4 2.0

Tennessee....................... 1,617 110 65 45 2.1 3.7 5.2 2.6 6.8 4.0 2.8

Texas.............................. 6,354 361 182 179 8.2 12.1 14.5 10.3 5.7 2.9 2.8

Utah................................ 722 28 14 14 0.9 0.9 1.1 0.8 3.9 1.9 1.9

Vermont.......................... 181 5 1 4 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 2.8 0.6 2.2

Virginia............................. 1,878 90 36 54 2.4 3.0 2.9 3.1 4.8 1.9 2.9

Washington.................... 1,781 17 9 8 2.3 0.6 0.7 0.5 1.0 0.5 0.4

West Virginia................... 443 26 16 10 0.6 0.9 1.3 0.6 5.9 3.6 2.3

Wisconsin...................... 1,766 71 47 24 2.3 2.4 3.7 1.4 4.0 2.7 1.4

Wyoming.......................... 172 5 2 3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 2.9 1.2 1.7

 Note: 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.

State Total paid 

hourly

rates

Total paid 

hourly

rates
BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov 7

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

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

by occupation, 2014 annual averages

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

hourly rates

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

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total, 16 years and older......................... 77,207 2,992 1,255 1,737 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 3.9 1.6 2.2

Management, professional, and related 

 occupations..................................... 16,347 128 61 67 21.2 4.3 4.9 3.9 0.8 0.4 0.4

 Management, business, and financial

 operations occupations...................... 4,623 36 10 26 6.0 1.2 0.8 1.5 0.8 0.2 0.6

 Professional and related occupations...... 11,724 91 50 41 15.2 3.0 4.0 2.4 0.8 0.4 0.3

Service occupations............................... 18,762 1,958 595 1,363 24.3 65.4 47.4 78.5 10.4 3.2 7.3

 Healthcare support occupations.............. 2,852 85 29 56 3.7 2.8 2.3 3.2 3.0 1.0 2.0

 Protective service occupations.............. 1,964 53 22 31 2.5 1.8 1.8 1.8 2.7 1.1 1.6

 Food preparation and serving related

 occupations.................................... 7,086 1,501 378 1,123 9.2 50.2 30.1 64.7 21.2 5.3 15.8

 Building and grounds cleaning and 

 maintenance occupations.................. 3,946 136 77 59 5.1 4.5 6.1 3.4 3.4 2.0 1.5

 Personal care and service occupations.. 2,915 182 89 93 3.8 6.1 7.1 5.4 6.2 3.1 3.2

Sales and office occupations................... 20,186 574 427 147 26.1 19.2 34.0 8.5 2.8 2.1 0.7

 Sales and related occupations................ 7,998 412 315 97 10.4 13.8 25.1 5.6 5.2 3.9 1.2

 Office and administrative support 

 occupations.................................... 12,187 162 112 50 15.8 5.4 8.9 2.9 1.3 0.9 0.4

Natural resources, construction, and 

 maintenance occupations................. 8,741 55 17 38 11.3 1.8 1.4 2.2 0.6 0.2 0.4

 Farming, fishing, and forestry

 occupations.................................... 662 16 6 10 0.9 0.5 0.5 0.6 2.4 0.9 1.5

 Construction and extraction

 occupations.................................... 4,801 15 5 10 6.2 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.2

 Installation, maintenance, and 

 repair occupations.............................. 3,278 23 5 18 4.2 0.8 0.4 1.0 0.7 0.2 0.5

Production, transportation, and 

 material moving occupations.............. 13,171 278 156 122 17.1 9.3 12.4 7.0 2.1 1.2 0.9

 Production occupations....................... 6,871 66 38 28 8.9 2.2 3.0 1.6 1.0 0.6 0.4

 Transportation and material moving

 occupations.................................... 6,300 212 118 94 8.2 7.1 9.4 5.4 3.4 1.9 1.5

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

 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Total paid 

hourly

rates

Occupation Total paid 

hourly

rates
8 BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

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

by industry, 2014 annual averages

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

hourly rates

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

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total, 16 years and older......................... 77,207 2,992 1,255 1,737 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 3.9 1.6 2.2

 Private sector....................................... 67,956 2,843 1,178 1,665 88.0 95.0 93.9 95.9 4.2 1.7 2.5

 Agriculture and related industries............ 767 19 9 10 1.0 0.6 0.7 0.6 2.5 1.2 1.3

 Nonagricultural industries.................... 67,189 2,825 1,170 1,655 87.0 94.4 93.2 95.3 4.2 1.7 2.5

 Mining............................................. 601 3 – 3 0.8 0.1 – 0.2 0.5 – 0.5

 Construction................................... 4,796 19 7 12 6.2 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.4 0.1 0.3

 Manufacturing................................. 9,205 83 48 35 11.9 2.8 3.8 2.0 0.9 0.5 0.4

 Durable goods .............................. 5,621 33 21 12 7.3 1.1 1.7 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.2

 Nondurable goods ........................ 3,585 50 28 22 4.6 1.7 2.2 1.3 1.4 0.8 0.6

 Wholesale and retail trade................. 12,697 417 298 119 16.4 13.9 23.7 6.9 3.3 2.3 0.9

 Wholesale trade............................ 1,605 19 13 6 2.1 0.6 1.0 0.3 1.2 0.8 0.4

 Retail trade.................................. 11,091 398 285 113 14.4 13.3 22.7 6.5 3.6 2.6 1.0

 Transportation and utilities................. 3,405 43 21 22 4.4 1.4 1.7 1.3 1.3 0.6 0.6

 Information..................................... 1,175 28 19 9 1.5 0.9 1.5 0.5 2.4 1.6 0.8

 Financial activities........................... 3,281 28 12 16 4.2 0.9 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.4 0.5

 Professional and business services...... 6,220 111 63 48 8.1 3.7 5.0 2.8 1.8 1.0 0.8

 Education and health services............ 13,123 243 130 113 17.0 8.1 10.4 6.5 1.9 1.0 0.9

 Leisure and hospitality........................ 9,525 1,710 515 1,195 12.3 57.2 41.0 68.8 18.0 5.4 12.5

 Other services................................. 3,162 136 54 82 4.1 4.5 4.3 4.7 4.3 1.7 2.6

 Public sector....................................... 9,251 149 77 72 12.0 5.0 6.1 4.1 1.6 0.8 0.8

 Federal........................................... 1,677 12 4 8 2.2 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.2 0.5

 State................................................ 2,596 46 23 23 3.4 1.5 1.8 1.3 1.8 0.9 0.9

 Local................................................ 4,977 92 50 42 6.4 3.1 4.0 2.4 1.8 1.0 0.8

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

 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Total paid 

hourly

rates

Industry Total paid 

hourly

rates
BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov 9

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

Table 6. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage,

by educational attainment, 2014 annual averages

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

hourly rates

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

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total, 16 years and older......................... 77,207 2,992 1,255 1,737 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 3.9 1.6 2.2

 Less than a high school diploma............... 9,403 690 371 319 12.2 23.1 29.6 18.4 7.3 3.9 3.4

 Less than 1 year of high school............. 2,821 108 54 54 3.7 3.6 4.3 3.1 3.8 1.9 1.9

 1 to 3 years of high school..................... 5,340 511 281 230 6.9 17.1 22.4 13.2 9.6 5.3 4.3

 4 years of high school, no diploma......... 1,242 71 36 35 1.6 2.4 2.9 2.0 5.7 2.9 2.8

 High school graduates or more................ 67,804 2,303 885 1,418 87.8 77.0 70.5 81.6 3.4 1.3 2.1

 High school graduates, no college......... 26,540 938 451 487 34.4 31.4 35.9 28.0 3.5 1.7 1.8

 Some college or associate degree........ 27,028 1,093 376 717 35.0 36.5 30.0 41.3 4.0 1.4 2.7

 Some college, no degree.................. 17,636 888 317 571 22.8 29.7 25.3 32.9 5.0 1.8 3.2

 Associate degree.............................. 9,392 205 59 146 12.2 6.9 4.7 8.4 2.2 0.6 1.6

 Occupational program..................... 4,215 73 29 44 5.5 2.4 2.3 2.5 1.7 0.7 1.0

 Academic program........................ 5,177 132 30 102 6.7 4.4 2.4 5.9 2.5 0.6 2.0

 Bachelor's degree and higher............... 14,236 273 58 215 18.4 9.1 4.6 12.4 1.9 0.4 1.5

 Bachelor's degree........................... 11,050 232 52 180 14.3 7.8 4.1 10.4 2.1 0.5 1.6

 Master's degree.............................. 2,486 32 5 27 3.2 1.1 0.4 1.6 1.3 0.2 1.1

 Professional degree........................ 350 7 1 6 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.3 2.0 0.3 1.7

 Doctoral degree.............................. 350 2 – 2 0.5 0.1 – 0.1 0.6 – 0.6

 

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

 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Total paid 

hourly

rates

Educational attainment Total paid 

hourly

rates
10 BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

Table 7. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage,

by age and gender, 2014 annual averages

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

hourly rates

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

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

Total, 16 years and older......... 77,207 2,992 1,255 1,737 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 3.9 1.6 2.2

 16 to 24 years.................... 15,324 1,443 705 738 19.8 48.2 56.2 42.5 9.4 4.6 4.8

 16 to 19 years................... 4,178 639 362 277 5.4 21.4 28.8 15.9 15.3 8.7 6.6

 20 to 24 years..................... 11,146 804 343 461 14.4 26.9 27.3 26.5 7.2 3.1 4.1

 25 years and older............... 61,883 1,549 550 999 80.2 51.8 43.8 57.5 2.5 0.9 1.6

 25 to 34 years..................... 17,955 670 207 463 23.3 22.4 16.5 26.7 3.7 1.2 2.6

 25 to 29 years.................. 9,601 389 123 266 12.4 13.0 9.8 15.3 4.1 1.3 2.8

 30 to 34 years.................. 8,353 280 83 197 10.8 9.4 6.6 11.3 3.4 1.0 2.4

 35 to 44 years................... 14,507 331 128 203 18.8 11.1 10.2 11.7 2.3 0.9 1.4

 35 to 39 years.................. 7,267 167 64 103 9.4 5.6 5.1 5.9 2.3 0.9 1.4

 40 to 44 years.................. 7,241 163 64 99 9.4 5.4 5.1 5.7 2.3 0.9 1.4

 45 to 54 years..................... 15,053 265 102 163 19.5 8.9 8.1 9.4 1.8 0.7 1.1

 45 to 49 years.................. 7,353 132 55 77 9.5 4.4 4.4 4.4 1.8 0.7 1.0

 50 to 54 years.................. 7,700 133 47 86 10.0 4.4 3.7 5.0 1.7 0.6 1.1

 55 to 64 years..................... 11,031 206 74 132 14.3 6.9 5.9 7.6 1.9 0.7 1.2

 55 to 59 years.................. 6,677 123 44 79 8.6 4.1 3.5 4.5 1.8 0.7 1.2

 60 to 64 years.................. 4,354 82 29 53 5.6 2.7 2.3 3.1 1.9 0.7 1.2

 65 years and older............... 3,338 78 40 38 4.3 2.6 3.2 2.2 2.3 1.2 1.1

 65 to 69 years.................. 1,921 31 18 13 2.5 1.0 1.4 0.7 1.6 0.9 0.7

 70 years and older............ 1,417 48 22 26 1.8 1.6 1.8 1.5 3.4 1.6 1.8

Men

Total, 16 years and older......... 38,405 1,114 516 598 49.7 37.2 41.1 34.4 2.9 1.3 1.6

 16 to 24 years..................... 7,701 572 299 273 10.0 19.1 23.8 15.7 7.4 3.9 3.5

 16 to 19 years................... 2,006 261 151 110 2.6 8.7 12.0 6.3 13.0 7.5 5.5

 20 to 24 years................... 5,695 312 148 164 7.4 10.4 11.8 9.4 5.5 2.6 2.9

 25 years and older............... 30,704 542 217 325 39.8 18.1 17.3 18.7 1.8 0.7 1.1

 25 to 34 years..................... 9,523 239 83 156 12.3 8.0 6.6 9.0 2.5 0.9 1.6

 25 to 29 years.................. 5,050 140 54 86 6.5 4.7 4.3 5.0 2.8 1.1 1.7

 30 to 34 years.................. 4,473 99 29 70 5.8 3.3 2.3 4.0 2.2 0.6 1.6

 35 to 44 years................... 7,361 124 53 71 9.5 4.1 4.2 4.1 1.7 0.7 1.0

 35 to 39 years.................. 3,749 58 26 32 4.9 1.9 2.1 1.8 1.5 0.7 0.9

 40 to 44 years.................. 3,612 66 27 39 4.7 2.2 2.2 2.2 1.8 0.7 1.1

 45 to 54 years.................. 7,168 91 41 50 9.3 3.0 3.3 2.9 1.3 0.6 0.7

 45 to 49 years................. 3,530 42 20 22 4.6 1.4 1.6 1.3 1.2 0.6 0.6

 50 to 54 years.................. 3,638 48 21 27 4.7 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.3 0.6 0.7

 55 to 64 years..................... 5,123 61 22 39 6.6 2.0 1.8 2.2 1.2 0.4 0.8

 55 to 59 years................ 3,102 32 13 19 4.0 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.0 0.4 0.6

 60 to 64 years.................. 2,021 29 9 20 2.6 1.0 0.7 1.2 1.4 0.4 1.0

 65 years and older............... 1,529 26 17 9 2.0 0.9 1.4 0.5 1.7 1.1 0.6

 65 to 69 years.................. 867 10 8 2 1.1 0.3 0.6 0.1 1.2 0.9 0.2

 70 years and older............ 662 16 10 6 0.9 0.5 0.8 0.3 2.4 1.5 0.9

Women

Total, 16 years and older......... 38,802 1,878 739 1,139 50.3 62.8 58.9 65.6 4.8 1.9 2.9

 16 to 24 years..................... 7,623 870 406 464 9.9 29.1 32.4 26.7 11.4 5.3 6.1

 16 to 19 years................... 2,172 377 210 167 2.8 12.6 16.7 9.6 17.4 9.7 7.7

 20 to 24 years..................... 5,451 493 196 297 7.1 16.5 15.6 17.1 9.0 3.6 5.4

 25 years and older............... 31,179 1,007 333 674 40.4 33.7 26.5 38.8 3.2 1.1 2.2

 25 to 34 years................... 8,431 430 124 306 10.9 14.4 9.9 17.6 5.1 1.5 3.6

 25 to 29 years.................. 4,551 249 69 180 5.9 8.3 5.5 10.4 5.5 1.5 4.0

 30 to 34 years.................. 3,880 181 54 127 5.0 6.0 4.3 7.3 4.7 1.4 3.3

 35 to 44 years................... 7,147 206 75 131 9.3 6.9 6.0 7.5 2.9 1.0 1.8

 35 to 39 years............... 3,517 109 38 71 4.6 3.6 3.0 4.1 3.1 1.1 2.0

 40 to 44 years.................. 3,629 96 36 60 4.7 3.2 2.9 3.5 2.6 1.0 1.7

 45 to 54 years................... 7,884 175 61 114 10.2 5.8 4.9 6.6 2.2 0.8 1.4

 45 to 49 years.................. 3,822 91 36 55 5.0 3.0 2.9 3.2 2.4 0.9 1.4

 50 to 54 years.................. 4,062 83 25 58 5.3 2.8 2.0 3.3 2.0 0.6 1.4

 55 to 64 years.................. 5,908 145 52 93 7.7 4.8 4.1 5.4 2.5 0.9 1.6

 55 to 59 years................ 3,575 91 31 60 4.6 3.0 2.5 3.5 2.5 0.9 1.7

 60 to 64 years.................. 2,332 53 20 33 3.0 1.8 1.6 1.9 2.3 0.9 1.4

 65 years and older............... 1,809 53 23 30 2.3 1.8 1.8 1.7 2.9 1.3 1.7

 65 to 69 years.................. 1,054 20 10 10 1.4 0.7 0.8 0.6 1.9 0.9 0.9

 70 years and older............ 755 33 13 20 1.0 1.1 1.0 1.2 4.4 1.7 2.6

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

 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Total paid 

hourly

rates

Age and gender Total paid 

hourly

rates
BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov 11

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

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, 2014 annual averages

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

hourly rates

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

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

Total, 16 years and older... 77,207 2,992 1,255 1,737 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 3.9 1.6 2.2

 Never married............... 29,460 1,969 854 1,115 38.2 65.8 68.0 64.2 6.7 2.9 3.8

 16 to 24 years............... 13,915 1,363 664 699 18.0 45.6 52.9 40.2 9.8 4.8 5.0

 25 years and older......... 15,545 605 190 415 20.1 20.2 15.1 23.9 3.9 1.2 2.7

 25 to 54 years............ 14,281 574 178 396 18.5 19.2 14.2 22.8 4.0 1.2 2.8

 Married, spouse present... 34,863 659 257 402 45.2 22.0 20.5 23.1 1.9 0.7 1.2

 16 to 24 years............... 1,043 55 34 21 1.4 1.8 2.7 1.2 5.3 3.3 2.0

 25 years and older......... 33,820 604 223 381 43.8 20.2 17.8 21.9 1.8 0.7 1.1

 25 to 54 years............ 24,790 460 169 291 32.1 15.4 13.5 16.8 1.9 0.7 1.2

 Other marital status......... 12,884 365 144 221 16.7 12.2 11.5 12.7 2.8 1.1 1.7

 16 to 24 years............... 366 25 7 18 0.5 0.8 0.6 1.0 6.8 1.9 4.9

 25 years and older......... 12,518 340 137 203 16.2 11.4 10.9 11.7 2.7 1.1 1.6

 25 to 54 years............ 8,443 231 90 141 10.9 7.7 7.2 8.1 2.7 1.1 1.7

Men

Total, 16 years and older... 38,405 1,114 516 598 49.7 37.2 41.1 34.4 2.9 1.3 1.6

 Never married............... 15,512 805 380 425 20.1 26.9 30.3 24.5 5.2 2.4 2.7

 16 to 24 years............... 7,116 559 291 268 9.2 18.7 23.2 15.4 7.9 4.1 3.8

 25 years and older......... 8,396 246 89 157 10.9 8.2 7.1 9.0 2.9 1.1 1.9

 25 to 54 years............ 7,819 233 86 147 10.1 7.8 6.9 8.5 3.0 1.1 1.9

 Married, spouse present... 17,953 214 88 126 23.3 7.2 7.0 7.3 1.2 0.5 0.7

 16 to 24 years............... 447 11 8 3 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.2 2.5 1.8 0.7

 25 years and older......... 17,505 202 80 122 22.7 6.8 6.4 7.0 1.2 0.5 0.7

 25 to 54 years............ 12,782 152 57 95 16.6 5.1 4.5 5.5 1.2 0.4 0.7

 Other marital status......... 4,941 95 48 47 6.4 3.2 3.8 2.7 1.9 1.0 1.0

 16 to 24 years............... 138 2 0 2 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 1.4 0.0 1.4

 25 years and older......... 4,803 93 48 45 6.2 3.1 3.8 2.6 1.9 1.0 0.9

 25 to 54 years............ 3,451 70 35 35 4.5 2.3 2.8 2.0 2.0 1.0 1.0

Women

Total, 16 years and older... 38,802 1,878 739 1,139 50.3 62.8 58.9 65.6 4.8 1.9 2.9

 Never married............... 13,948 1,163 474 689 18.1 38.9 37.8 39.7 8.3 3.4 4.9

 16 to 24 years............... 6,798 804 373 431 8.8 26.9 29.7 24.8 11.8 5.5 6.3

 25 years and older......... 7,150 359 101 258 9.3 12.0 8.0 14.9 5.0 1.4 3.6

 25 to 54 years............ 6,462 342 92 250 8.4 11.4 7.3 14.4 5.3 1.4 3.9

 Married, spouse present... 16,910 445 169 276 21.9 14.9 13.5 15.9 2.6 1.0 1.6

 16 to 24 years............... 596 44 26 18 0.8 1.5 2.1 1.0 7.4 4.4 3.0

 25 years and older......... 16,314 401 143 258 21.1 13.4 11.4 14.9 2.5 0.9 1.6

 25 to 54 years............ 12,008 307 112 195 15.6 10.3 8.9 11.2 2.6 0.9 1.6

 Other marital status......... 7,944 269 96 173 10.3 9.0 7.6 10.0 3.4 1.2 2.2

 16 to 24 years............... 228 22 7 15 0.3 0.7 0.6 0.9 9.6 3.1 6.6

 25 years and older......... 7,715 247 89 158 10.0 8.3 7.1 9.1 3.2 1.2 2.0

 25 to 54 years............ 4,992 160 54 106 6.5 5.3 4.3 6.1 3.2 1.1 2.1

 Note: Data exclude all self-employed persons whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Other marital status includes

married, spouse absent; divorced; separated; and widowed persons.

 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Total paid 

hourly

rates

Marital status, age,

and gender Total paid 

hourly

rates
12 BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

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, 2014 annual averages

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

hourly rates

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

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total

At

minimum

wage

Below

minimum

wage

Total, 16 years and older...... 77,207 2,992 1,255 1,737 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 3.9 1.6 2.2

 Hours vary..................... 4,990 348 153 195 6.5 11.6 12.2 11.2 7.0 3.1 3.9

 0 to 34 hours.................. 18,563 1,748 779 969 24.0 58.4 62.1 55.8 9.4 4.2 5.2

 0 to 4 hours.................. 365 28 18 10 0.5 0.9 1.4 0.6 7.7 4.9 2.7

 5 to 9 hours.................. 1,006 100 45 55 1.3 3.3 3.6 3.2 9.9 4.5 5.5

 10 to 14 hours............... 1,550 165 87 78 2.0 5.5 6.9 4.5 10.6 5.6 5.0

 15 to 19 hours............... 2,271 238 124 114 2.9 8.0 9.9 6.6 10.5 5.5 5.0

 20 to 24 hours............... 5,369 482 212 270 7.0 16.1 16.9 15.5 9.0 3.9 5.0

 25 to 29 hours............... 2,960 307 141 166 3.8 10.3 11.2 9.6 10.4 4.8 5.6

 30 to 34 hours............... 5,042 427 151 276 6.5 14.3 12.0 15.9 8.5 3.0 5.5

 35 hours or more............... 53,654 895 323 572 69.5 29.9 25.7 32.9 1.7 0.6 1.1

 35 to 39 hours............... 5,953 267 90 177 7.7 8.9 7.2 10.2 4.5 1.5 3.0

 40 hours or more............ 47,701 628 233 395 61.8 21.0 18.6 22.7 1.3 0.5 0.8

 40 hours..................... 41,332 544 216 328 53.5 18.2 17.2 18.9 1.3 0.5 0.8

 41 hours or more............ 6,370 84 17 67 8.3 2.8 1.4 3.9 1.3 0.3 1.1

 41 to 44 hours............ 697 4 1 3 0.9 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.1 0.4

 45 to 48 hours............ 2,088 28 5 23 2.7 0.9 0.4 1.3 1.3 0.2 1.1

 49 to 59 hours............ 2,349 39 8 31 3.0 1.3 0.6 1.8 1.7 0.3 1.3

 60 hours or more......... 1,235 13 3 10 1.6 0.4 0.2 0.6 1.1 0.2 0.8

 Note: 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.

Total paid 

hourly

rates

Usual hours worked per 

week on primary job Total paid 

hourly

rates
BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov 13

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

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

by gender, 1979–2014 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total at or below prevailing 

federal minimum wage

Total

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1990 ..................... 104,876 63,172 60.2 11,096 12,132 13,228 15.1

1991........................ 103,723 62,627 60.4 12,906 12,377 15,283 18.4

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

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

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

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

1996........................ 111,960 69,255 61.9 11,861 11,863 13,724 15.4

1997 ..................... 114,533 70,735 61.8 11,764 12,990 14,754 16.7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007........................ 129,767 75,873 58.5 1267 11,462 11,729 12.3

2008 ..................... 129,377 75,305 58.2 1286 11,940 12,226 13.0

2009 .................... 124,490 72,611 58.3 1980 12,592 13,572 14.9

2010........................ 124,073 72,902 58.8 1,820 2,541 4,361 6.0

2011........................ 125,187 73,926 59.1 1,677 2,152 3,829 5.2

2012........................ 127,577 75,276 59.0 1,566 1,984 3,550 4.7

2013........................ 129,110 75,948 58.8 1,532 1,768 3,300 4.3

2014........................ 131,431 77,207 58.7 1,255 1,737 2,992 3.9

See footnote at end of table.

Below

prevailing

federal

minimum

wage

Percentage of 

hourly paid 

workers

Number

Year and gender

Total wage

and salary 

workers Total

Percentage of

total wage

and salary 

workers

At

prevailing

federal

minimum

wage
14 BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

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

by gender, 1979–2014 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total at or below prevailing 

federal minimum wage

Men

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1990 ..................... 55,553 32,104 57.8 1385 1712 11,097 13.4

1991........................ 54,618 31,639 57.9 11,114 1795 11,909 16.0

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

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

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

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

1996........................ 58,473 34,838 59.6 1755 1619 11,374 13.9

1997 ..................... 59,825 35,521 59.4 1673 11,147 11,820 15.1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007........................ 67,468 37,790 56.0 186 1460 1546 11.4

2008 ..................... 66,846 37,334 55.9 190 1638 1728 11.9

2009 .................... 63,539 35,185 55.4 1368 1990 11,358 13.9

2010........................ 63,531 35,498 55.9 669 943 1,612 4.5

2011........................ 64,686 36,457 56.4 648 785 1,433 3.9

2012........................ 65,898 37,113 56.3 567 696 1,263 3.4

2013........................ 66,794 37,544 56.2 622 621 1,243 3.3

2014........................ 68,048 38,405 56.4 516 598 1,114 2.9

See footnote at end of table.

Year and gender

Total wage

and salary 

workers Total

Percentage of

total wage

and salary 

workers

At

prevailing

federal

minimum

wage

Below

prevailing

federal

minimum

wage

Number

Percentage of 

hourly paid 

workers
BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov 15

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

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

by gender, 1979–2014 annual averages—Continued

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total at or below prevailing 

federal minimum wage

Women

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1990 ..................... 49,323 31,069 63.0 1711 11,420 12,131 16.9

1991........................ 49,105 30,988 63.1 11,792 11,582 13,374 110.9

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

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

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

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

1996........................ 53,488 34,418 64.3 11,106 11,244 12,350 16.8

1997 ..................... 54,708 35,214 64.4 11,092 11,843 12,935 18.3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007........................ 62,299 38,082 61.1 1181 11,002 11,183 13.1

2008 ..................... 62,532 37,972 60.7 1196 11,302 11,498 13.9

2009 .................... 60,951 37,426 61.4 1612 11,603 12,215 15.9

2010........................ 60,542 37,404 61.8 1,151 1,598 2,749 7.3

2011........................ 60,502 37,469 61.9 1,029 1,366 2,395 6.4

2012........................ 61,679 38,163 61.9 999 1,288 2,287 6.0

2013........................ 62,316 38,404 61.6 910 1,148 2,058 5.4

2014........................ 63,383 38,802 61.2 739 1,139 1,878 4.8

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 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp.

 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Number

Percentage of 

hourly paid 

workers

Year and gender

Total wage

and salary 

workers Total

Percentage of

total wage

and salary 

workers

At

prevailing

federal

minimum

wage

Below

prevailing

federal

minimum

wage
Technical Notes

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

16 BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov

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 selfemployed 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 workers 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 employed 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 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 

during the year 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.
BLS Reports │ April 2015 • www.bls.gov 17

CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS, 2014

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. This refers to 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 they 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 understate 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 non-sampling 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 non-sampling error. 

Non-sampling 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.