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April 2020 
                    Report 1085

				 
			


		
		
























											



				 
                
                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, 2019
Characteristics of minimum wage workers, 2019 imageIn 2019, 82.3 million workers age 16 and older in the United States were paid at hourly rates, representing 58.1 percent of all wage and salary workers. Among those paid by the hour, 392,000 workers earned exactly the prevailing federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. About 1.2 million had wages below the federal minimum. Together, these 1.6 million workers with wages at or below the federal minimum made up 1.9 percent of all hourly paid workers.The percentage of hourly paid workers earning the prevailing federal minimum wage or less edged down from 2.1 percent in 2018 to 1.9 percent in 2019. 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 2019. 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 2019 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 two-fifths of those paid the federal minimum wage or less. Among employed teenagers (ages 16 to 19) paid by the hour, about 6 percent earned the minimum wage or less, compared with about 1 percent of workers age 25 and older. (See tables 1 and 7.)**Gender.** Among workers who were paid hourly rates in 2019, about 3 percent of women and about 1 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 2 percent of White, Asian, Black, and Hispanic workers earned the federal minimum wage or less. (See table 1.)**Education.** Among hourly paid workers age 16 and older, about 3 percent of those without a high school diploma earned the federal minimum wage or less, compared with 2 percent of those who had a high school diploma (with no college), 2 percent of those with some college or an associate degree, and about 1 percent of college graduates. (See table 6.)**Marital status.** Among workers paid an hourly wage, those who were never married (who tend to be young) were more likely than married workers to earn the federal minimum wage or less (about 3 percent versus 1 percent). (See table 8.)**Full- and part-time status.** About 5 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 1 percent of full-time workers. (See table 1.)**Occupation.** Among major occupational groups, service occupations had the highest percentage of hourly paid workers earning at or below the federal minimum wage, at about 6 percent. Just under three-fourths of workers earning the minimum wage or less in 2019 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 10 percent). About 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 5.)**State of residence.** The states with the highest percentages of hourly paid workers earning at or below the minimum wage were in the South: South Carolina (about 5 percent), Louisiana (about 5 percent), and Mississippi (4 percent). The states with the lowest percentages of hourly paid workers earning at or below the federal minimum wage were in the West or Midwest: California, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, and Washington (all were less than 1 percent). It should be noted that more than half of states have minimum wages that exceed the federal minimum. (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, 2019 annual averages
Characteristic
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paidhourly ratesTotal paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
Total paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
BelowminimumwageAge and genderTotal, 16 years and older
82,289
1,603
392
1,211
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1.9
0.5
1.516 to 24 years
16,021
691
229
462
19.5
43.1
58.5
38.2
4.3
1.4
2.916 to 19 years
4,761
272
120
152
5.8
17.0
30.6
12.5
5.7
2.5
3.225 years and older
66,269
912
163
749
80.5
56.9
41.5
61.8
1.4
0.2
1.1Men, 16 years and older
40,918
536
125
411
49.7
33.4
31.8
34.0
1.3
0.3
1.016 to 24 years
7,978
226
84
142
9.7
14.1
21.5
11.7
2.8
1.1
1.816 to 19 years
2,333
113
46
67
2.8
7.0
11.6
5.6
4.8
2.0
2.925 years and older
32,940
310
40
270
40.0
19.3
10.3
22.3
0.9
0.1
0.8Women, 16 years and older
41,372
1,067
268
800
50.3
66.6
68.2
66.0
2.6
0.6
1.916 to 24 years
8,043
465
145
320
9.8
29.0
36.9
26.5
5.8
1.8
4.016 to 19 years
2,428
159
75
84
3.0
9.9
19.0
7.0
6.5
3.1
3.525 years and older
33,329
602
123
479
40.5
37.5
31.2
39.6
1.8
0.4
1.4Race and Hispanicor Latino ethnicityWhite(1)
62,461
1,164
260
904
75.9
72.6
66.3
74.6
1.9
0.4
1.4Men
31,681
379
89
290
38.5
23.6
22.7
23.9
1.2
0.3
0.9Women
30,780
785
171
614
37.4
49.0
43.6
50.7
2.6
0.6
2.0Black or African American(1)
12,063
287
101
186
14.7
17.9
25.8
15.3
2.4
0.8
1.5Men
5,492
104
26
79
6.7
6.5
6.5
6.5
1.9
0.5
1.4Women
6,571
183
76
107
8.0
11.4
19.3
8.8
2.8
1.2
1.6Asian(1)
4,159
70
12
58
5.1
4.4
3.1
4.8
1.7
0.3
1.4Men
1,930
23
5
18
2.3
1.5
1.4
1.5
1.2
0.3
0.9Women
2,230
47
7
40
2.7
2.9
1.7
3.3
2.1
0.3
1.8Hispanic or Latino(1)
17,941
292
77
215
21.8
18.2
19.5
17.8
1.6
0.4
1.2Men
9,717
97
24
72
11.8
6.0
6.2
6.0
1.0
0.3
0.7Women
8,223
195
52
143
10.0
12.2
13.3
11.8
2.4
0.6
1.7Full- and part-time statusFull-time workers(2)
62,450
717
98
618
75.9
44.7
25.1
51.0
1.1
0.2
1.0Men
34,090
256
21
236
41.4
16.0
5.3
19.5
0.8
0.1
0.7Women
28,360
460
78
383
34.5
28.7
19.8
31.6
1.6
0.3
1.3Part-time workers(2)
19,730
886
294
592
24.0
55.3
74.9
48.9
4.5
1.5
3.0Men
6,778
279
104
175
8.2
17.4
26.5
14.5
4.1
1.5
2.6Women
12,952
607
190
417
15.7
37.8
48.4
34.4
4.7
1.5
3.2Footnotes(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 persons 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, 2019 annual averages
Region and division
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paidhourly ratesTotal paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
Total paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
BelowminimumwageTotal, 16 years and older
82,289
1,603
392
1,211
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1.9
0.5
1.5Northeast
13,494
249
73
176
16.4
15.5
18.6
14.5
1.8
0.5
1.3New England
3,950
71
13
58
4.8
4.4
3.3
4.8
1.8
0.3
1.5Middle Atlantic
9,544
178
60
118
11.6
11.1
15.3
9.7
1.9
0.6
1.2Midwest
19,013
359
72
287
23.1
22.4
18.3
23.7
1.9
0.4
1.5East North Central
12,868
261
52
209
15.6
16.3
13.2
17.3
2.0
0.4
1.6West North Central
6,145
98
20
78
7.5
6.1
5.1
6.4
1.6
0.3
1.3South
29,593
777
203
574
36.0
48.5
51.8
47.4
2.6
0.7
1.9South Atlantic
15,059
353
83
270
18.3
22.0
21.2
22.3
2.3
0.6
1.8East South Central
4,840
140
40
100
5.9
8.7
10.1
8.3
2.9
0.8
2.1West South Central
9,694
284
80
204
11.8
17.7
20.4
16.9
2.9
0.8
2.1West
20,190
219
44
174
24.5
13.6
11.3
14.4
1.1
0.2
0.9Mountain
6,708
103
28
75
8.2
6.4
7.1
6.2
1.5
0.4
1.1Pacific
13,483
115
16
99
16.4
7.2
4.2
8.2
0.9
0.1
0.7Note: 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, 2019 annual averages
State
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paidhourly ratesTotal paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
Total paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
BelowminimumwageTotal, 16 years and older
82,289
1,603
392
1,211
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1.9
0.5
1.5Alabama
1,268
34
10
25
1.5
2.1
2.4
2.0
2.7
0.8
1.9Alaska
171
2
0
2
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
1.0
0.1
0.9Arizona
1,983
31
6
25
2.4
1.9
1.5
2.0
1.5
0.3
1.2Arkansas
750
16
3
14
0.9
1.0
0.6
1.1
2.2
0.3
1.8California
9,894
85
11
74
12.0
5.3
2.9
6.1
0.9
0.1
0.7Colorado
1,417
15
3
12
1.7
0.9
0.7
1.0
1.0
0.2
0.8Connecticut
975
17
3
14
1.2
1.1
0.8
1.2
1.7
0.3
1.4Delaware
262
6
0
6
0.3
0.4
0.1
0.5
2.2
0.1
2.1District of Columbia
108
3
0
3
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.2
2.8
0.3
2.5Florida
4,789
81
6
75
5.8
5.1
1.5
6.2
1.7
0.1
1.6Georgia
2,352
58
26
33
2.9
3.6
6.5
2.7
2.5
1.1
1.4Hawaii
351
4
0
4
0.4
0.3
0.1
0.3
1.2
0.1
1.1Idaho
524
9
5
4
0.6
0.6
1.3
0.3
1.7
1.0
0.7Illinois
3,154
78
11
67
3.8
4.9
2.9
5.5
2.5
0.4
2.1Indiana
1,908
32
12
20
2.3
2.0
3.2
1.6
1.7
0.7
1.0Iowa
951
21
7
14
1.2
1.3
1.7
1.2
2.2
0.7
1.5Kansas
797
21
7
14
1.0
1.3
1.7
1.2
2.6
0.8
1.8Kentucky
1,109
31
11
20
1.3
1.9
2.8
1.6
2.8
1.0
1.8Louisiana
1,089
50
25
26
1.3
3.1
6.3
2.1
4.6
2.3
2.4Maine
380
6
0
6
0.5
0.4
0.1
0.5
1.5
0.1
1.5Maryland
1,457
25
7
19
1.8
1.6
1.7
1.5
1.7
0.5
1.3Massachusetts
1,762
27
7
21
2.1
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.6
0.4
1.2Michigan
2,779
54
11
43
3.4
3.3
2.7
3.5
1.9
0.4
1.5Minnesota
1,701
11
1
10
2.1
0.7
0.3
0.8
0.7
0.1
0.6Mississippi
733
29
14
15
0.9
1.8
3.7
1.2
4.0
2.0
2.0Missouri
1,620
28
3
24
2.0
1.7
0.8
2.0
1.7
0.2
1.5Montana
302
2
0
1
0.4
0.1
0.0
0.1
0.5
0.1
0.5Nebraska
578
7
1
7
0.7
0.5
0.2
0.6
1.3
0.1
1.2Nevada
939
14
6
9
1.1
0.9
1.4
0.7
1.5
0.6
0.9New Hampshire
395
12
2
10
0.5
0.8
0.6
0.8
3.1
0.6
2.4New Jersey
1,873
29
9
21
2.3
1.8
2.2
1.7
1.6
0.5
1.1New Mexico
502
10
2
8
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.7
2.0
0.4
1.6New York
4,249
57
11
46
5.2
3.6
2.8
3.8
1.4
0.3
1.1North Carolina
2,552
62
18
44
3.1
3.9
4.6
3.7
2.4
0.7
1.7North Dakota
227
4
1
3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
1.7
0.4
1.3Ohio
3,242
57
0
57
3.9
3.5
0.0
4.7
1.7
0.0
1.7Oklahoma
914
20
5
15
1.1
1.3
1.4
1.2
2.2
0.6
1.6Oregon
1,070
8
3
5
1.3
0.5
0.8
0.4
0.8
0.3
0.5Pennsylvania
3,422
91
41
51
4.2
5.7
10.3
4.2
2.7
1.2
1.5Rhode Island
278
5
0
5
0.3
0.3
0.1
0.4
1.9
0.1
1.8South Carolina
1,173
64
12
52
1.4
4.0
3.0
4.3
5.4
1.0
4.4South Dakota
271
6
1
5
0.3
0.4
0.2
0.4
2.2
0.3
2.0Tennessee
1,730
46
5
41
2.1
2.9
1.2
3.4
2.7
0.3
2.4Texas
6,941
197
47
150
8.4
12.3
12.1
12.4
2.8
0.7
2.2Utah
879
19
6
13
1.1
1.2
1.4
1.1
2.1
0.6
1.5Vermont
160
3
0
3
0.2
0.2
0.0
0.2
2.0
0.1
1.8Virginia
1,896
43
12
31
2.3
2.7
3.1
2.5
2.3
0.6
1.6Washington
1,996
16
1
15
2.4
1.0
0.3
1.2
0.8
0.1
0.7West Virginia
471
11
3
8
0.6
0.7
0.7
0.7
2.3
0.6
1.7Wisconsin
1,784
41
18
23
2.2
2.5
4.5
1.9
2.3
1.0
1.3Wyoming
162
4
1
3
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.3
2.5
0.5
1.9Note: 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, 2019 annual averages
Occupation
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paidhourly ratesTotal paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
Total paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
BelowminimumwageTotal, 16 years and older
82,289
1,603
392
1,211
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1.9
0.5
1.5Management, professional, and related occupations
18,981
93
29
64
23.1
5.8
7.3
5.3
0.5
0.2
0.3Management, business, and financial operations occupations
5,598
22
3
19
6.8
1.4
0.8
1.5
0.4
0.1
0.3Professional and related occupations
13,383
71
26
45
16.3
4.4
6.5
3.8
0.5
0.2
0.3Service occupations
19,726
1,131
181
949
24.0
70.5
46.2
78.4
5.7
0.9
4.8Healthcare support occupations
3,050
41
13
28
3.7
2.5
3.2
2.3
1.3
0.4
0.9Protective service occupations
2,044
29
5
24
2.5
1.8
1.2
2.0
1.4
0.2
1.2Food preparation and serving related occupations
7,350
887
100
787
8.9
55.3
25.5
65.0
12.1
1.4
10.7Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations
3,976
68
22
46
4.8
4.2
5.6
3.8
1.7
0.6
1.2Personal care and service occupations
3,306
106
42
64
4.0
6.6
10.6
5.3
3.2
1.3
1.9Sales and office occupations
20,236
209
123
87
24.6
13.1
31.3
7.1
1.0
0.6
0.4Sales and related occupations
7,878
136
98
39
9.6
8.5
24.9
3.2
1.7
1.2
0.5Office and administrative support occupations
12,358
73
25
48
15.0
4.6
6.4
4.0
0.6
0.2
0.4Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations
9,446
36
11
25
11.5
2.3
2.8
2.1
0.4
0.1
0.3Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations
803
10
3
7
1.0
0.6
0.8
0.6
1.2
0.4
0.8Construction and extraction occupations
5,219
11
3
7
6.3
0.7
0.9
0.6
0.2
0.1
0.1Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
3,424
15
4
11
4.2
1.0
1.1
0.9
0.4
0.1
0.3Production, transportation, and material moving occupations
13,900
134
49
86
16.9
8.4
12.4
7.1
1.0
0.3
0.6Production occupations
6,988
32
11
21
8.5
2.0
2.7
1.7
0.5
0.2
0.3Transportation and material moving occupations
6,912
103
38
65
8.4
6.4
9.7
5.4
1.5
0.5
0.9Note: Data exclude all self-employed persons 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, 2019 annual averages
Industry
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paidhourly ratesTotal paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
Total paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
BelowminimumwageTotal, 16 years and older
82,289
1,603
392
1,211
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1.9
0.5
1.5Private sector
72,601
1,516
362
1,154
88.2
94.5
92.3
95.2
2.1
0.5
1.6Agriculture and related industries
934
10
3
7
1.1
0.6
0.7
0.6
1.1
0.3
0.8Nonagricultural industries
71,667
1,505
359
1,146
87.1
93.9
91.6
94.6
2.1
0.5
1.6Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
364
0
0
0
0.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0Construction
5,514
14
2
12
6.7
0.9
0.6
1.0
0.3
0.0
0.2Manufacturing
9,455
38
13
25
11.5
2.4
3.4
2.0
0.4
0.1
0.3Durable goods
5,871
18
2
16
7.1
1.1
0.5
1.3
0.3
0.0
0.3Nondurable goods
3,585
20
11
9
4.4
1.2
2.9
0.7
0.6
0.3
0.2Wholesale and retail trade
12,527
141
93
48
15.2
8.8
23.7
4.0
1.1
0.7
0.4Wholesale trade
1,628
8
4
4
2.0
0.5
0.9
0.3
0.5
0.2
0.2Retail trade
10,899
134
89
44
13.2
8.3
22.8
3.7
1.2
0.8
0.4Transportation and utilities
4,059
34
12
22
4.9
2.1
3.1
1.8
0.8
0.3
0.5Information
1,030
15
7
9
1.3
1.0
1.7
0.7
1.5
0.7
0.8Financial activities
3,554
19
5
13
4.3
1.2
1.4
1.1
0.5
0.2
0.4Professional and business services
6,763
56
9
47
8.2
3.5
2.4
3.9
0.8
0.1
0.7Education and health services
14,600
149
55
94
17.7
9.3
14.1
7.8
1.0
0.4
0.6Leisure and hospitality
10,307
977
146
830
12.5
60.9
37.3
68.6
9.5
1.4
8.1Other services
3,492
62
16
46
4.2
3.9
4.0
3.8
1.8
0.4
1.3Public sector
9,689
88
30
58
11.8
5.5
7.7
4.8
0.9
0.3
0.6Federal
1,846
8
4
4
2.2
0.5
1.1
0.3
0.5
0.2
0.2State
2,943
33
11
22
3.6
2.1
2.8
1.9
1.1
0.4
0.8Local
4,900
46
15
31
6.0
2.9
3.8
2.6
0.9
0.3
0.6Note: 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, 2019 annual averages
Educational attainment
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paidhourly ratesTotal paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
Total paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
BelowminimumwageTotal, 16 years and older
82,289
1,603
392
1,211
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1.9
0.5
1.5Less than a high school diploma
9,365
291
132
159
11.4
18.2
33.7
13.2
3.1
1.4
1.7Less than 1 year of high school
2,645
37
14
23
3.2
2.3
3.5
1.9
1.4
0.5
0.91 to 3 years of high school
5,394
216
106
110
6.6
13.4
26.9
9.1
4.0
2.0
2.04 years of high school, no diploma
1,326
39
13
26
1.6
2.4
3.2
2.1
2.9
0.9
2.0High school graduates or more
72,924
1,312
260
1,052
88.6
81.8
66.3
86.8
1.8
0.4
1.4High school graduates, no college
27,980
547
123
424
34.0
34.1
31.3
35.0
2.0
0.4
1.5Some college or associate degree
27,701
560
120
440
33.7
34.9
30.7
36.3
2.0
0.4
1.6Some college, no degree
17,442
416
92
324
21.2
26.0
23.5
26.8
2.4
0.5
1.9Associate degree
10,259
144
28
116
12.5
9.0
7.2
9.6
1.4
0.3
1.1Occupational program
4,490
57
13
44
5.5
3.6
3.3
3.7
1.3
0.3
1.0Academic program
5,769
87
15
72
7.0
5.4
3.9
5.9
1.5
0.3
1.2Bachelor's degree and higher
17,243
204
17
187
21.0
12.7
4.3
15.5
1.2
0.1
1.1Bachelor's degree
13,159
167
16
152
16.0
10.4
4.0
12.5
1.3
0.1
1.2Master's degree
3,309
31
1
30
4.0
2.0
0.3
2.5
1.0
0.0
0.9Professional degree
325
3
0
3
0.4
0.2
0.0
0.2
0.8
0.0
0.8Doctoral degree
450
3
0
3
0.5
0.2
0.0
0.2
0.7
0.0
0.7Note: Data exclude all self-employed persons 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, 2019 annual averages
Age and gender
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paidhourly ratesTotal paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
Total paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
BelowminimumwageTotalTotal, 16 years and older
82,289
1,603
392
1,211
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1.9
0.5
1.516 to 24 years
16,021
691
229
462
19.5
43.1
58.5
38.2
4.3
1.4
2.916 to 19 years
4,761
272
120
152
5.8
17.0
30.6
12.5
5.7
2.5
3.220 to 24 years
11,260
419
109
310
13.7
26.2
27.8
25.6
3.7
1.0
2.825 years and older
66,269
912
163
749
80.5
56.9
41.5
61.8
1.4
0.2
1.125 to 34 years
19,952
401
63
338
24.2
25.0
16.1
27.9
2.0
0.3
1.725 to 29 years
10,900
256
45
212
13.2
16.0
11.4
17.5
2.4
0.4
1.930 to 34 years
9,052
145
19
126
11.0
9.0
4.7
10.4
1.6
0.2
1.435 to 44 years
15,202
187
37
150
18.5
11.7
9.4
12.4
1.2
0.2
1.035 to 39 years
7,972
100
19
82
9.7
6.3
4.7
6.7
1.3
0.2
1.040 to 44 years
7,230
87
18
68
8.8
5.4
4.7
5.6
1.2
0.3
0.945 to 54 years
14,322
156
27
129
17.4
9.7
6.9
10.6
1.1
0.2
0.945 to 49 years
7,202
84
13
71
8.8
5.2
3.3
5.9
1.2
0.2
1.050 to 54 years
7,120
72
14
58
8.7
4.5
3.5
4.8
1.0
0.2
0.855 to 64 years
12,400
118
19
98
15.1
7.4
5.0
8.1
1.0
0.2
0.855 to 59 years
7,053
70
11
59
8.6
4.4
2.8
4.9
1.0
0.2
0.860 to 64 years
5,347
48
8
40
6.5
3.0
2.2
3.3
0.9
0.2
0.765 years and older
4,393
50
16
34
5.3
3.1
4.1
2.8
1.1
0.4
0.865 to 69 years
2,539
30
8
21
3.1
1.8
2.1
1.8
1.2
0.3
0.870 years and older
1,854
21
8
13
2.3
1.3
2.0
1.0
1.1
0.4
0.7MenTotal, 16 years and older
40,918
536
125
411
49.7
33.4
31.8
34.0
1.3
0.3
1.016 to 24 years
7,978
226
84
142
9.7
14.1
21.5
11.7
2.8
1.1
1.816 to 19 years
2,333
113
46
67
2.8
7.0
11.6
5.6
4.8
2.0
2.920 to 24 years
5,644
113
39
74
6.9
7.1
9.9
6.1
2.0
0.7
1.325 years and older
32,940
310
40
270
40.0
19.3
10.3
22.3
0.9
0.1
0.825 to 34 years
10,506
141
15
125
12.8
8.8
3.9
10.3
1.3
0.1
1.225 to 29 years
5,756
88
13
75
7.0
5.5
3.3
6.2
1.5
0.2
1.330 to 34 years
4,750
53
2
50
5.8
3.3
0.6
4.1
1.1
0.0
1.135 to 44 years
7,730
68
10
58
9.4
4.2
2.5
4.8
0.9
0.1
0.735 to 39 years
4,101
42
7
35
5.0
2.6
1.7
2.9
1.0
0.2
0.840 to 44 years
3,628
26
3
23
4.4
1.6
0.8
1.9
0.7
0.1
0.645 to 54 years
6,836
57
8
49
8.3
3.6
2.2
4.0
0.8
0.1
0.745 to 49 years
3,407
26
1
25
4.1
1.6
0.4
2.0
0.8
0.0
0.750 to 54 years
3,429
31
7
24
4.2
1.9
1.8
2.0
0.9
0.2
0.755 to 64 years
5,826
32
3
29
7.1
2.0
0.8
2.4
0.5
0.1
0.555 to 59 years
3,328
21
1
19
4.0
1.3
0.4
1.6
0.6
0.0
0.660 to 64 years
2,498
11
2
10
3.0
0.7
0.4
0.8
0.4
0.1
0.465 years and older
2,043
13
4
9
2.5
0.8
0.9
0.8
0.6
0.2
0.565 to 69 years
1,170
9
3
6
1.4
0.6
0.7
0.5
0.8
0.2
0.570 years and older
873
4
1
3
1.1
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.4
0.1
0.3WomenTotal, 16 years and older
41,372
1,067
268
800
50.3
66.6
68.2
66.0
2.6
0.6
1.916 to 24 years
8,043
465
145
320
9.8
29.0
36.9
26.5
5.8
1.8
4.016 to 19 years
2,428
159
75
84
3.0
9.9
19.0
7.0
6.5
3.1
3.520 to 24 years
5,616
306
70
236
6.8
19.1
17.9
19.5
5.5
1.3
4.225 years and older
33,329
602
123
479
40.5
37.5
31.2
39.6
1.8
0.4
1.425 to 34 years
9,446
261
48
213
11.5
16.3
12.2
17.6
2.8
0.5
2.325 to 29 years
5,144
168
32
137
6.3
10.5
8.1
11.3
3.3
0.6
2.730 to 34 years
4,303
92
16
76
5.2
5.8
4.1
6.3
2.1
0.4
1.835 to 44 years
7,472
119
27
92
9.1
7.4
6.9
7.6
1.6
0.4
1.235 to 39 years
3,871
59
12
47
4.7
3.7
3.0
3.9
1.5
0.3
1.240 to 44 years
3,601
61
15
45
4.4
3.8
3.9
3.7
1.7
0.4
1.345 to 54 years
7,486
98
18
80
9.1
6.1
4.7
6.6
1.3
0.2
1.145 to 49 years
3,795
58
11
47
4.6
3.6
2.9
3.8
1.5
0.3
1.250 to 54 years
3,690
40
7
33
4.5
2.5
1.8
2.8
1.1
0.2
0.955 to 64 years
6,574
86
16
70
8.0
5.4
4.2
5.8
1.3
0.2
1.155 to 59 years
3,725
49
10
40
4.5
3.1
2.4
3.3
1.3
0.3
1.160 to 64 years
2,849
37
7
30
3.5
2.3
1.7
2.5
1.3
0.2
1.165 years and older
2,350
37
13
25
2.9
2.3
3.2
2.0
1.6
0.5
1.065 to 69 years
1,369
21
6
15
1.7
1.3
1.5
1.2
1.5
0.4
1.170 years and older
981
17
7
10
1.2
1.0
1.8
0.8
1.7
0.7
1.0Note: Data exclude all self-employed persons 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, 2019 annual averages
Marital status, age,and gender
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paidhourly ratesTotal paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
Total paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
BelowminimumwageTotalTotal, 16 years and older
82,289
1,603
392
1,211
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1.9
0.5
1.5Never married
33,675
1,049
288
761
40.9
65.4
73.4
62.8
3.1
0.9
2.316 to 24 years
14,767
652
217
435
17.9
40.6
55.2
35.9
4.4
1.5
2.925 years and older
18,908
398
71
326
23.0
24.8
18.2
26.9
2.1
0.4
1.725 to 54 years
17,156
373
65
308
20.8
23.3
16.6
25.5
2.2
0.4
1.8Married, spouse present(1)
35,619
346
62
284
43.3
21.6
15.9
23.5
1.0
0.2
0.816 to 24 years
915
23
6
17
1.1
1.4
1.5
1.4
2.5
0.6
1.925 years and older
34,705
323
57
267
42.2
20.2
14.4
22.0
0.9
0.2
0.825 to 54 years
24,467
247
43
204
29.7
15.4
10.9
16.8
1.0
0.2
0.8Widowed, divorced, or separated(2)
12,995
208
42
166
15.8
13.0
10.7
13.7
1.6
0.3
1.316 to 24 years
339
17
7
10
0.4
1.1
1.8
0.8
5.0
2.1
2.925 years and older
12,656
191
35
156
15.4
11.9
8.9
12.9
1.5
0.3
1.225 to 54 years
7,853
124
19
104
9.5
7.7
5.0
8.6
1.6
0.2
1.3MenTotal, 16 years and older
40,918
536
125
411
49.7
33.4
31.8
34.0
1.3
0.3
1.0Never married
17,585
377
104
273
21.4
23.5
26.6
22.5
2.1
0.6
1.616 to 24 years
7,416
214
82
132
9.0
13.3
20.9
10.9
2.9
1.1
1.825 years and older
10,169
163
22
141
12.4
10.2
5.7
11.6
1.6
0.2
1.425 to 54 years
9,277
150
21
129
11.3
9.4
5.4
10.7
1.6
0.2
1.4Married, spouse present(1)
18,294
120
19
102
22.2
7.5
4.8
8.4
0.7
0.1
0.616 to 24 years
403
8
2
5
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.4
1.9
0.6
1.325 years and older
17,891
113
16
97
21.7
7.0
4.1
8.0
0.6
0.1
0.525 to 54 years
12,622
92
11
81
15.3
5.8
2.8
6.7
0.7
0.1
0.6Widowed, divorced, or separated(2)
5,039
39
2
37
6.1
2.4
0.5
3.0
0.8
0.0
0.716 to 24 years
159
5
0
5
0.2
0.3
0.0
0.4
2.9
0.0
2.925 years and older
4,879
34
2
32
5.9
2.1
0.5
2.7
0.7
0.0
0.725 to 54 years
3,173
23
2
21
3.9
1.4
0.5
1.7
0.7
0.1
0.7WomenTotal, 16 years and older
41,372
1,067
268
800
50.3
66.6
68.2
66.0
2.6
0.6
1.9Never married
16,090
672
184
488
19.6
41.9
46.8
40.3
4.2
1.1
3.016 to 24 years
7,351
438
135
303
8.9
27.3
34.3
25.0
6.0
1.8
4.125 years and older
8,739
234
49
185
10.6
14.6
12.5
15.3
2.7
0.6
2.125 to 54 years
7,879
223
44
179
9.6
13.9
11.2
14.8
2.8
0.6
2.3Married, spouse present(1)
17,325
226
44
182
21.1
14.1
11.1
15.1
1.3
0.3
1.116 to 24 years
512
15
3
12
0.6
1.0
0.9
1.0
3.0
0.7
2.325 years and older
16,813
211
40
170
20.4
13.1
10.3
14.1
1.3
0.2
1.025 to 54 years
11,845
154
32
123
14.4
9.6
8.1
10.1
1.3
0.3
1.0Widowed, divorced, or separated(2)
7,956
169
40
129
9.7
10.6
10.2
10.7
2.1
0.5
1.616 to 24 years
180
12
7
5
0.2
0.8
1.8
0.4
6.9
3.9
3.025 years and older
7,776
157
33
124
9.4
9.8
8.4
10.2
2.0
0.4
1.625 to 54 years
4,680
101
18
83
5.7
6.3
4.5
6.9
2.2
0.4
1.8Footnotes(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, 2019 annual averages
Usual hours worked per week on primary job
Number of workers (in thousands)
Percent distribution
Percentage of workers paidhourly ratesTotal paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
Total paidhourlyrates
At or below minimum wage
At or below minimum wageTotal
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
Belowminimumwage
Total
Atminimumwage
BelowminimumwageTotal, 16 years and older
82,289
1,603
392
1,211
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1.9
0.5
1.5Hours vary
4,441
158
54
104
5.4
9.8
13.7
8.6
3.5
1.2
2.30 to 34 hours
18,190
791
254
536
22.1
49.3
64.8
44.3
4.3
1.4
2.90 to 4 hours
378
15
6
9
0.5
0.9
1.5
0.7
3.9
1.6
2.35 to 9 hours
1,031
51
22
30
1.3
3.2
5.5
2.5
5.0
2.1
2.910 to 14 hours
1,792
74
36
39
2.2
4.6
9.2
3.2
4.2
2.0
2.215 to 19 hours
2,262
93
46
47
2.7
5.8
11.7
3.9
4.1
2.0
2.120 to 24 hours
5,378
216
64
151
6.5
13.5
16.4
12.5
4.0
1.2
2.825 to 29 hours
2,687
148
33
114
3.3
9.2
8.5
9.4
5.5
1.2
4.330 to 34 hours
4,661
193
47
146
5.7
12.0
12.0
12.1
4.1
1.0
3.135 hours or more
59,659
655
84
571
72.5
40.9
21.5
47.2
1.1
0.1
1.035 to 39 hours
5,874
164
21
143
7.1
10.2
5.4
11.8
2.8
0.4
2.440 hours or more
53,784
491
63
428
65.4
30.6
16.1
35.3
0.9
0.1
0.840 hours
46,146
445
59
386
56.1
27.8
15.1
31.9
1.0
0.1
0.841 hours or more
7,638
46
4
42
9.3
2.9
1.0
3.5
0.6
0.1
0.641 to 44 hours
850
3
0
3
1.0
0.2
0.0
0.3
0.4
0.0
0.445 to 48 hours
2,568
17
3
14
3.1
1.1
0.8
1.2
0.7
0.1
0.549 to 59 hours
2,902
21
1
20
3.5
1.3
0.2
1.6
0.7
0.0
0.760 hours or more
1,317
5
0
5
1.6
0.3
0.0
0.4
0.3
0.0
0.3Note: 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, 1979-2019 annual averages [Numbers in thousands]
Year and gender
Totalwageandsalaryworkers
Workers paid hourly ratesTotal
Percentageof totalwageandsalaryworkers
At prevailingfederalminimumwage(1)
Belowprevailingfederalminimumwage(1)
Total at or belowprevailing federalminimum wageNumber
Percentageof hourlypaidworkersTotal1979
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
2.72017
137,890
80,439
58.3
542
1,282
1,824
2.32018
140,099
81,915
58.5
434
1,276
1,711
2.12019
141,737
82,289
58.1
392
1,211
1,603
1.9Men1979
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
1.92017
71,469
39,781
55.7
226
452
678
1.72018
72,632
40,691
56.0
168
464
632
1.62019
73,349
40,918
55.8
125
411
536
1.3Women1979
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
3.42017
66,421
40,658
61.2
316
829
1,146
2.82018
67,467
41,223
61.1
267
812
1,078
2.62019
68,388
41,372
60.5
268
800
1,067
2.6Footnotes(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.
The material in this report is in the public domain and may be used without permission.
Upon request this information is available to individuals who are sensory impaired. 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* are people 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**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 pertain to earnings from 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*include only 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, 2009Estimates 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* are defined as those who usually work 35 hours or more per week at their sole or principal job. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not define full- or part-time employment.
*Part-time workers* are defined as those who usually work fewer than 35 hours per week at their sole or principal job.
**Race**is reported by the household respondent. In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget standards, White, Black or African American, and Asian are terms used to describe a person’s race for the data presented in this report. Data for other race groups--American Indians and Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders--and for people of Two or More Races are included in totals but not separately identified in this report because the number of survey respondents is too small to develop estimates of acceptable reliability.
*Hispanic or Latino ethnicity* refers to people who identified themselves in the survey process as being of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin. People who identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race.
*Married, spouse present* refers to people in opposite-sex marriages living together in the same household.
*Other marital status* refers to people who are never married; widowed; divorced; separated; married, spouse absent; as well as people in same-sex marriages. *Separated* includes people with legal separations, those living apart with intentions of obtaining a divorce, and other people permanently or temporarily separated because of marital discord. *Married, spouse absent* includes opposite-sex married people living apart because either the husband or wife was employed and living at a considerable distance from home, was serving away from home in the Armed Forces, had moved to another area, or had a different place of residence for any other reason except those listed in the separated definition above.
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 that 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 https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage/state.) 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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