U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

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Characteristics of minimum wage workers, 2016

In 2016, 79.9 million workers age 16 and older in the United States were 

paid at hourly rates, representing 58.7 percent of all wage and salary 

workers. Among those paid by the hour, 701,000 workers earned exactly 

the prevailing federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. About 1.5 million 

had wages below the federal minimum. Together, these 2.2 million workers 

with wages at or below the federal minimum made up 2.7 percent of all 

hourly paid workers.

The percentage of hourly paid workers earning the prevailing federal 

minimum wage or less declined from 3.3 percent in 2015 to 2.7 percent in 

2016. This remains well below the percentage of 13.4 recorded in 1979, 

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

This report presents highlights and statistical tables describing workers who earned at or below the federal minimum 

wage in 2016. The data are obtained from the Current Population Survey (CPS), a national monthly survey of 

approximately 60,000 households conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

Information on earnings is collected from one-fourth of the CPS sample each month.

The CPS does not include questions on whether workers are covered by the minimum wage provisions of the federal 

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or by individual state or local minimum wage laws. The estimates of workers paid at or 

below the federal minimum wage are based solely on the hourly wage they report, which does not include overtime pay, 

tips, or commissions. See the accompanying technical notes section for more information, including a description of the 

source of the data and an explanation of the concepts and definitions used in this report.

Highlights

The following are highlights from the 2016 data:

Age. Minimum wage workers tend to be young. Although workers under age 25 represented only about one-fifth of 

hourly paid workers, they made up about half of those paid the federal minimum wage or less. Among employed 

teenagers (ages 16 to 19) paid by the hour, about 10 percent earned the minimum wage or less, compared with about 2 

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

Gender. Among workers who were paid hourly rates in 2016, about 3 percent of women and about 2 percent of men 

had wages at or below the prevailing federal minimum. (See table 1.)

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. The percentage of hourly paid workers with wages at or below the federal 

minimum differed little among the major race and ethnicity groups. About 3 percent of White and Black workers earned 

the federal minimum wage or less. Among Asian and Hispanic workers, the percentage was about 2 percent. (See table 

1.)

April 2017 | Report 1067
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

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Education. Among hourly paid workers age 16 and older, about 5 percent of those without a high school diploma 

earned the federal minimum wage or less, compared with about 3 percent of those who had a high school diploma (with 

no college), 3 percent of those with some college or an associate degree, and about 2 percent of college graduates. 

(See table 6.)

Marital status. Of those paid an hourly wage, never-married workers, who tend to be young, were more likely (5 

percent) than married workers (1 percent) to earn the federal minimum wage or less. (See table 8.)

Full- and part-time status. About 6 percent of part-time workers (persons who usually work fewer than 35 hours per 

week) were paid the federal minimum wage or less, compared with about 2 percent of full-time workers. (See table 1.)

Occupation. Among major occupational groups, the highest percentage of hourly paid workers earning at or below the 

federal minimum wage was in service occupations, at about 7 percent. Two-thirds of workers earning the minimum wage 

or less in 2016 were employed in service occupations, mostly in food preparation and serving related jobs. (See table 4.)

Industry. The industry with the highest percentage of workers earning hourly wages at or below the federal minimum 

wage was leisure and hospitality (about 13 percent). Three-fifths of all workers paid at or below the federal minimum 

wage were employed in this industry, almost entirely in restaurants and other food services. For many of these workers, 

tips may supplement the hourly wages received. (See table 4.)

State of residence. The states with the highest percentages of hourly paid workers earning at or below the federal 

minimum wage were Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina (all were at or about 5 percent). The 

states with the lowest percentages of hourly paid workers earning at or below the federal minimum wage were in the 

West: Alaska, California, and Oregon (all were 1 percent or less). It should be noted that many states have minimum 

wage laws establishing standards that exceed the federal minimum wage. (See tables 2 and 3.)
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

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Statistical Tables

Characteristic

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

Total paid hourly 

rates

At or below the minimum wage

Total paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage At or below the minimum age

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 79, 883 2,153 701 1,451 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.7 0.9 1.8

16 to 24 years 15,856 976 383 594 19.8 45.4 54.5 40.9 6.2 2.4 3.7

16 to 19 years 4,592 443 214 229 5.7 20.6 30.5 15.8 9.7 4.7 5.0

25 years and older 64,026 1,176 319 857 80.2 54.6 45.5 59.1 1.8 0.5 1.3

Men, 16 years and 

older 39,568 769 270 499 49.5 35.7 38.4 34.4 1.9 0.7 1.3

16 to 24 years 7,967 357 147 210 10.0 16.6 21.0 14.5 4.5 1.8 2.6

16 to 19 years 2,278 183 87 96 2.9 8.5 12.3 6.6 8.0 3.8 4.2

25 years and older 30,601 412 122 289 39.6 19.1 17.5 19.9 1.3 0.4 0.9

Women, 16 years and 

older 40, 315 1,384 432 952 50.5 64.3 61.6 65.6 3.4 1.1 2.4

16 to 24 years 7,890 619 235 384 9.9 28.8 33.6 26.5 7.8 3.0 4.9

16 to 19 years 2,314 260 127 133 2.9 12.1 18.1 9.2 11.3 5.5 5.8

25 years and older 32,425 764 196 568 40.6 35.5 28.0 39.1 2.4 0.6 1.8

Race and Hispanic or 

Latino ethnicity

White(1) 61,080 1,597 469 1,127 76.5 74.2 66.9 77.7 2.6 0.8 1.8

Men 30,823 554 190 364 38.6 25.7 27.1 25.1 1.8 0.6 1.2

Women 30,256 1,043 280 763 37.9 48.5 39.9 52.6 3.4 0.9 2.5

Black or African 

American(1) 11,681 390 193 197 14.6 18.1 27.5 13.5 3.3 1.7 1.7

Men 5,297 156 62 93 6.6 7.2 8.9 6.4 2.9 1.2 1.8

Women 6,385 234 131 103 8.0 10.9 18.7 7.1 3.7 2.1 1.6

Asian(1) 3,692 96 21 75 5.0 4.5 3.0 5.2 2.4 0.5 1.9

Men 1,841 35 10 25 2.3 1.6 1.4 1.7 1.9 0.5 1.4

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

annual averages

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

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(1) Estimates for the above race groups—White, Black or African American, and Asian—do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any 

race.

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

jobholders. Full time is 35 hours or more per week; part time is less than 35 hours.

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Characteristic

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

Total paid hourly 

rates

At or below the minimum wage

Total paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage At or below the minimum age

Total At minimum 

wage

Below minimum 

wage

Total At minimum 

wage

Below minimum 

wage

Total At minimum 

wage

Below minimum 

wage

Women 2,121 61 11 50 2.7 2.8 1.6 3.4 2.9 0.5 2.3

Hispanic or Latino(1) 16,241 366 103 264 20.3 17.0 14.6 18.2 2.3 0.6 1.6

Men 9,044 137 44 93 11.3 6.4 6.3 6.4 1.5 0.5 1.0

Women 7,197 229 59 171 9.0 10.6 8.4 11.8 3.2 0.8 2.4

Full- and part-time 

status

Full-time workers(2) 59,198 884 183 702 74.1 41.1 26.0 48.4 1.5 0.3 1.2

Men 32,418 334 66 268 40.6 15.5 9.5 18.5 1.0 0.2 0.8

Women 26,780 550 116 434 33.5 25.6 16.6 29.9 2.1 0.4 1.6

Part-time workers(2) 20,582 1,267 519 748 25.8 58.9 74.0 51.6 6.2 2.5 3.6

Men 7,108 434 203 231 8.9 20.2 29.0 15.9 6.1 2.9 3.3

Women 13,474 833 316 517 16.9 38.7 45.0 35.6 6.2 2.3 3.8

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

annual averages

Region and division

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

rates

Total paid hourly 

rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid hourly 

rates

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

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

annual averages

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

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Note: 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

Region and division

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

rates

Total paid hourly 

rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid hourly 

rates

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 79,883 2,153 701 1,451 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.7 0.9 1.8

Northeast 13,374 359 112 246 16.7 16.7 16.0 17.0 2.7 0.8 1.8

New England 3,822 85 15 70 4.8 4.0 2.1 4.8 2.2 0.4 1.8

Middle Atlantic 9,522 273 97 176 12.0 12.7 13.9 12.1 2.9 1.0 1.8

Midwest 19,020 465 131 334 23.8 21.6 18.7 23.0 2.4 0.7 1.8

East North 

Central 12,936 323 92 230 16.2 15.0 13.2 15.9 2.5 0.7 1.8

West North 

Central 6.084 142 39 103 7.6 6.6 5.6 7.1 2.3 0.6 1.7

South 28,302 1,043 386 657 35.4 48.5 55.0 45.3 3.7 1.4 2.3

South Atlantic 14, 676 501 151 350 18.4 23.3 21.6 24.1 3.4 1.0 2.4

East South 

Central 4,725 196 89 107 5.9 9.1 12.7 7.4 4.1 1.9 2.3

West South 

Central 8,901 345 146 200 11.1 16.0 20.8 13.8 3.9 1.6 2.2

West 19, 187 286 72 214 24.0 13.3 10.2 14.8 1.5 0.4 1.1

Mountain 6,045 145 38 107 7.6 6.8 5.5 7.4 2.4 0.6 1.8

Pacific 13,142 141 33 107 16.5 6.5 4.7 7.4 1.1 0.3 0.8

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

annual averages

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

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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.

State

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

rates

Total paid hourly 

rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid hourly 

rates

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 79,883 2,153 701 1,451 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.7 0.9 1.8

Alabama 1,222 43 20 23 1.5 2.0 2.9 1.6 3.5 1.7 1.9

Alaska 199 1 1 1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.7 0.3 0.4

Arizona 1,653 39 6 34 2.1 1.8 0.9 2.3 2.4 0.4 2.0

Arkansas 724 19 6 13 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.9 2.6 0.8 1.8

California 9,669 99 24 75 12.1 4.6 3.4 5.1 1.0 0.2 0.8

Colorado 1,318 30 4 26 1.7 1.4 0.5 1.8 2.3 0.3 2.0

Connecticut 915 18 3 15 1.1 0.8 0.4 1.0 1.9 0.3 1.7

Delaware 232 5 1 4 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 2.3 0.5 1.8

District of Columbia 111 3 0 2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 2.4 0.1 2.2

Florida 4,502 132 20 113 5.6 6.2 2.8 7.8 2.9 0.4 2.5

Georgia 2,318 90 39 51 2.9 4.2 5.5 3.5 3.9 1.7 2.2

Hawaii 363 5 1 4 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.3 1.3 0.3 1.1

Idaho 458 21 10 11 0.6 1.0 1.4 0.8 4.6 2.1 2.5

Illinois 3,107 76 19 57 3.9 3.5 2.7 3.9 2.4 0.6 1.8

Indiana 1,899 69 32 37 2.4 3.2 4.6 2.6 3.7 1.7 2.0

Iowa 981 24 10 13 1.2 1.1 1.5 0.9 2.4 1.0 1.4

Kansas 815 36 14 22 1.0 1.7 2.0 1.5 4.4 1.7 2.7

Kentucky 1,068 51 23 28 1.3 2.4 3.3 2.0 4.8 2.2 2.7

Louisiana 1,095 58 27 31 1.4 2.7 3.8 2.1 5.3 2.4 2.8

Maine 363 10 2 8 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.5 2.7 0.5 2.2

Maryland 1,449 30 6 25 1.8 1.4 0.8 1.7 2.1 0.4 1.7

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

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

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State

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

rates

Total paid hourly 

rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid hourly 

rates

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

Massachusetts 1,650 29 5 24 2.1 1.4 0.7 1.7 1.8 0.3 1.5

Michigan 2,800 56 8 49 3.5 2.6 1.1 3.4 2.0 0.3 1.7

Minnesota 1,547 18 6 12 1.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 1.2 0.4 0.8

Mississippi 710 34 15 20 0.9 1.6 2.1 1.4 4.8 2.1 2.8

Missouri 1,708 46 6 40 2.1 2.1 0.9 2.8 2.7 0.4 2.3

Montana 294 4 1 3 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.2 1.2 0.3 1.0

Nebraska 537 10 1 9 0.7 0.5 0.2 0.6 1.9 0.2 1.7

Nevada 807 10 6 5 1.0 0.5 0.8 0.3 1.3 0.7 0.6

New Hampshire 398 15 3 12 0.5 0.7 0.5 0.8 3.8 0.8 3.0

New Jersey 1,855 48 9 38 2.3 2.2 1.3 2.6 2.6 0.5 2.1

New Mexico 512 14 2 12 0.6 0.7 0.2 0.9 2.7 0.3 2.4

New York 4,180 82 15 66 5.2 3.8 2.2 4.6 2.0 0.4 1.6

North Carolina 2,522 91 38 52 3.2 4.2 5.5 3.6 3.6 1.5 2.1

North Dakota 241 4 1 3 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 1.6 0.3 1.3

Ohio 3,327 75 15 60 4.2 3.5 2.2 4.1 2.3 0.5 1.8

Oklahoma 894 27 13 14 1.1 1.3 1.8 1.0 3.1 1.4 1.6

Oregon 1,059 10 0 10 1.3 0.5 0.0 0.7 1.0 0.0 1.0

Pennsylvania 3,516 144 73 71 4.4 6.7 10.4 4.9 4.1 2.1 2.0

Rhode Island 312 8 1 7 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.5 2.7 0.4 2.3

South Carolina 1,151 57 19 38 1.4 2.7 2.7 2.7 5.0 1.6 3.3

South Dakota 256 4 1 3 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 1.6 0.4 1.2

Tennessee 1,724 67 31 36 2.2 3.1 4.4 2.5 3.9 1.8 2.1

Texas 6,188 242 100 141 7.7 11.2 14.3 9.7 3.9 1.6 2.3

Utah 840 23 10 13 1.1 1.1 1.4 0.9 2.7 1.1 1.6

Vermont 184 5 1 4 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 2.5 0.5 2.0

Virginia 1,957 83 26 57 2.4 3.9 3.8 3.9 4.3 1.4 2.9

Washington 1,853 25 8 18 2.3 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.4 0.4 1.0

West Virginia 433 10 2 7 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.5 2.2 0.6 1.7

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

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

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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

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

rates

Total paid hourly 

rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid hourly 

rates

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

Wisconsin 1,802 46 18 28 2.3 2.1 2.5 1.9 2.6 1.0 1.6

Wyoming 163 4 1 3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 2.5 0.7 1.8

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

Occupation

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

rates

Total paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid 

hourly rates

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 79,883 2,153 701 1,451 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.7 0.9 1.8

Management, professional, and 

related occupations 17,657 122 57 65 22.1 5.7 8.2 4.5 0.7 0.3 0.4

Management, business, and 

financial operations occupations 5,183 39 13 26 6.5 1.8 1.9 1.8 0.8 0.3 0.5

Professional and related 

occupations 12,474 83 44 39 15.6 3.9 6.3 2.7 0.7 0.4 0.3

Service occupations 19,529 1,432 298 1,134 24.4 66.5 42.5 78.1 7.3 1.5 5.8

Healthcare support occupations 2,891 56 24 32 3.6 2.6 3.5 2.2 2.0 0.8 1.1

Protective service occupations 2,002 33 8 25 2.5 1.5 1.2 1.7 1.6 0.4 1.2

Food preparation and serving 

related occupations 7,513 1,121 189 932 9.4 52.1 27.0 64.2 14.9 2.5 12.4

Building and grounds cleaning 

and maintenance occupations 3,952 87 30 57 4.9 4.0 4.3 3.9 2.2 0.8 1.4

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

averages

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 9

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

Occupation

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

rates

Total paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid 

hourly rates

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

Personal care and service 

occupations 3,171 135 47 89 4.0 6.3 6.6 6.1 4.3 1.5 2.8

Sales and office occupations 20,374 361 242 120 25.5 16.8 34.4 8.3 1.8 1.2 0.6

Sales and related occupations 8,046 200 147 54 10.1 9.3 20.9 3.7 2.5 1.8 0.7

Office and administrative support 

occupations 12,328 161 95 66 15.4 7.5 13.5 4.6 1.3 0.8 0.5

Natural resources, construction, and 

maintenance occupations 8,891 40 5 34 11.1 1.9 0.8 2.4 0.4 0.1 0.4

Farming, fishing, and forestry 

occupations 688 12 2 10 0.9 0.5 0.3 0.7 1.7 0.3 1.4

Construction and extraction 

occupations 4,874 11 0 11 6.1 0.5 0.0 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.2

Installation, maintenance, and 

repair occupations 3,318 17 3 13 4.2 0.8 0.4 0.9 0.5 0.1 0.4

Production, transportation, and 

material moving occupations 13,442 197 99 98 16.8 9.1 14.1 6.8 1.5 0.7 0.7

Production occupations 6,809 54 29 25 8.5 2.5 4.1 1.8 0.8 0.4 0.4

Transportation and material 

moving occupations 6,633 142 70 73 8.3 6.6 9.9 5.0 2.1 1.0 1.1

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

averages

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 10

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Industry

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

rates

Total paid 

hourly rates

At or below the minimum wage

Total paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage At or below the 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 79,883 2,153 701 1,451 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.7 0.9 1.8

Private sector 70,396 2,035 647 1,388 88.1 94.5 92.2 95.6 2.9 0.9 2.0

   Agriculture and related 

industries 851 12 2 10 1.1 0.6 0.2 0.7 1.4 0.2 1.2

Nonagricultural industries 69,545 2,023 645 1,378 87.1 94.0 92.0 94.9 2.9 0.9 2.0

Mining, quarrying, and oil 

and gas extraction 398 2 0 2 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.4

Construction 5,051 19 2 17 6.3 0.9 0.3 1.2 0.4 0.0 0.3

Manufacturing 9,307 67 26 41 11.7 3.1 3.7 2.8 0.7 0.3 0.4

Durable goods 5,735 28 13 14 7.2 1.3 1.9 1.0 0.5 0.2 0.3

Nondurable goods 3,572 39 13 27 4.5 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.1 0.4 0.7

Wholesale and retail trade 12,776 219 148 72 16.0 10.2 21.0 5.0 1.7 1.2 0.6

Wholesale trade 1,623 8 4 4 2.0 0.4 0.6 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.3

Retail trade 11,153 211 144 68 14.0 9.8 20.5 4.7 1.9 1.3 0.6

Transportation and utilities 3,652 46 14 32 4.6 2.1 1.9 2.2 1.2 0.4 0.9

Information 1,057 17 7 10 1.3 0.8 1.1 0.7 1.6 0.7 0.9

Financial activities 3,668 26 7 19 4.6 1.2 1.0 1.3 0.7 0.2 0.5

Professional and business 

services 6,490 62 27 35 8.1 2.9 3.8 2.4 1.0 0.4 0.5

Education and health 

services 13,771 199 110 89 17.2 9.3 15.7 6.1 1.4 0.8 0.6

Leisure and hospitality 10,107 1,276 279 997 12.7 59.3 39.8 68.7 12.6 2.8 9.9

Other services 3,268 88 25 63 4.1 4.1 3.5 4.4 2.7 0.8 1.9

Public sector 9,486 118 54 63 11.9 5.5 7.8 4.4 1.2 0.6 0.7

Federal 1,884 17 8 8 2.4 0.8 1.2 0.6 0.9 0.4 0.4

State 2,838 48 28 20 3.6 2.2 4.0 1.4 1.7 1.0 0.7

Local 4,764 53 18 35 6.0 2.5 2.6 2.4 1.1 0.4 0.7

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

Page 11

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Educational attainment

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

rates

Total paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid 

hourly rates

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 79,883 2,153 701 1,451 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.7 0.9 1.8

Less than a high school 

diploma 9,725 459 221 237 12.2 21.3 31.5 16.4 4.7 2.3 2.4

Less than 1 year of high 

school 2,826 68 25 43 3.5 3.1 3.5 3.0 2.4 0.9 1.5

1 to 3 years of high school 5,546 320 165 155 6.9 14.9 23.5 10.7 5.8 3.0 2.8

4 years of high school, no 

diploma 1,353 71 31 39 1.7 3.3 4.5 2.7 5.2 2.3 2.9

High school graduates or 

more

70,157 1,694 480 1,214 87.8 78.7 68.5 83.6 2.4 0.7 1.7

High school graduates, no 

college 26,919 667 208 459 33.7 31.0 29.6 31.6 2.5 0.8 1.7

Some college or 

associate's degree 27,902 783 242 540 34.9 36.4 34.6 37.2 2.8 0.9 1.9

Some college, no 

degree 18,075 591 185 406 22.6 27.5 26.4 28.0 3.3 1.0 2.2

Associate's degree 9,827 192 57 134 12.3 8.9 8.2 9.3 2.0 0.6 1.4

Occupational 

program

4,161 72 17 54 5.2 3.3 2.5 3.7 1.7 0.4 1.3

Academic program 5,666 120 40 80 7.1 5.6 5.7 5.5 2.1 0.7 1.4

Bachelor's degree and 

higher 15,337 245 30 214 19.2 11.4 4.3 14.8 1.6 0.2 1.4

Bachelor's degree 11,702 218 28 191 14.6 10.1 3.9 13.2 1.9 0.2 1.6

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

annual averages

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 12

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Educational attainment

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

rates

Total paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid 

hourly rates

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

Master's degree 2,910 21 3 18 3.6 1.0 0.4 1.3 0.7 0.1 0.6

Professional degree 326 3 0 3 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.9 0.0 0.9

Doctoral degree 398 3 0 3 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.6 0.0 0.6

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

annual averages

Age and gender

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

rates

Total paid hourly 

rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid hourly 

rates

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 79,883 2,153 701 1,451 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.7 0.9 1.8

16 to 24 years 15,856 976 383 594 19.8 45.4 54.5 40.9 6.2 2.4 3.7

16 to 19 years 4,592 443 214 229 5.7 20.6 30.5 15.8 9.7 4.7 5.0

20 to 24 years 11,264 533 169 364 14.1 24.8 24.0 25.1 4.7 1.5 3.2

25 years and 

older 64,026 1,176 319 857 80.2 54.6 45.5 59.1 1.8 0.5 1.3

25 to 34 years 18,988 526 132 393 23.8 24.4 18.9 27.1 2.8 0.7 2.1

25 to 29 

years

10,348 297 78 219 13.0 13.8 11.1 15.1 2.9 0.8 2.1

30 to 34 

years

8,640 229 55 174 10.8 10.6 7.8 12.0 2.6 0.6 2.0

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

averages

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 13

Age and gender

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

rates

Total paid hourly 

rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid hourly 

rates

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

35 to 44 years 14,609 241 63 178 18.3 11.2 8.9 12.3 1.6 0.4 1.2

35 to 39 

years

7,541 123 32 91 9.4 5.7 4.5 6.3 1.6 0.4 1.2

40 to 44 

years

7,067 118 31 87 8.8 5.5 4.4 6.0 1.7 0.4 1.2

45 to 54 years 14,957 217 65 152 18.7 10.1 9.3 10.5 1.5 0.4 1.0

45 to 49 

years

7,409 115 27 88 9.3 5.3 3.8 6.0 1.5 0.4 1.2

50 to 54 

years

7,548 103 39 64 9.4 4.8 5.5 4.4 1.4 0.5 0.8

55 to 64 years 11,742 129 28 100 14.7 6.0 4.1 6.9 1.1 0.2 0.9

55 to 59 

years

6,938 75 18 58 8.7 3.5 2.5 4.0 1.1 0.3 0.8

60 to 64 

years

4,804 54 11 43 6.0 2.5 1.6 2.9 1.1 0.2 0.9

65 years and 

older 3,731 64 30 34 4.7 3.0 4.3 2.3 1.7 0.8 0.9

65 to 69 

years

2,217 40 18 23 2.8 1.9 2.5 1.6 1.8 0.8 1.0

70 years and 

older 1,514 24 12 11 1.9 1.1 1.8 0.8 1.6 0.8 0.7

Men

Total, 16 years and 

older 39,568 769 270 499 49.5 35.7 38.4 34.4 1.9 0.7 1.3

16 to 24 years 7,967 357 147 210 10.0 16.6 21.0 14.5 4.5 1.8 2.6

16 to 19 years 2,278 183 87 96 2.9 8.5 12.3 6.6 8.0 3.8 4.2

20 to 24 years 5,688 174 61 114 7.1 8.1 8.6 7.8 3.1 1.1 2.0

25 years and 

older 31,601 412 122 289 39.6 19.1 17.5 19.9 1.3 0.4 0.9

25 to 34 years 9,943 196 60 136 12.4 9.1 8.5 9.4 2.0 0.6 1.4

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

averages

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 14

Age and gender

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

rates

Total paid hourly 

rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid hourly 

rates

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

25 to 29 

years

5,393 113 40 73 6.8 5.2 5.8 5.0 2.1 0.8 1.3

30 to 34 

years

4,551 83 19 64 5.7 3.8 2.7 4.4 1.8 0.4 1.4

35 to 44 years 7,324 72 19 53 9.2 3.4 2.8 3.7 1.0 0.3 0.7

35 to 39 

years

3,843 37 7 30 4.8 1.7 0.9 2.1 1.0 0.2 0.8

40 to 44 

years

3,481 35 13 23 4.4 1.6 1.8 1.6 1.0 0.4 0.7

45 to 54 years 7,229 85 21 64 9.1 3.9 3.0 4.4 1.2 0.3 0.9

45 to 49 

years

3,595 42 12 31 4.5 2.0 1.7 2.1 1.2 0.3 0.8

50 to 54 

years

3,634 43 9 33 4.5 2.0 1.3 2.3 1.2 0.3 0.9

55 to 64 years 5,421 38 14 24 6.8 1.7 2.0 1.6 0.7 0.3 0.4

55 to 59 

years

3,188 23 10 12 4.0 1.1 1.5 0.8 0.7 0.3 0.4

60 to 64 

years

2,232 15 4 11 2.8 0.7 0.5 0.8 0.7 0.2 0.5

65 years and 

older 1,683 21 9 13 2.1 1.0 1.2 0.9 1.3 0.5 0.8

65 to 69 

years

968 12 5 8 1.2 0.6 0.7 0.5 1.3 0.5 0.8

70 years and 

older 715 9 4 5 0.9 0.4 0.6 0.3 1.3 0.6 0.7

Women

Total, 16 years and 

older 40,315 1,384 432 952 50.5 64.3 61.6 65.6 3.4 1.1 2.4

16 to 24 years 7,890 619 235 384 9.9 28.8 33.6 26.5 7.8 3.0 4.9

16 to 19 years 2,314 260 127 133 2.9 12.1 18.1 9.2 11.3 5.5 5.8

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

averages

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 15

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

Age and gender

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

rates

Total paid hourly 

rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid hourly 

rates

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

20 to 24 years 5,576 359 108 251 7.0 16.7 15.4 17.3 6.4 1.9 4.5

25 years and 

older 32,425 764 196 568 40.6 35.5 28.0 39.1 2.4 0.6 1.8

25 to 34 years 9,044 330 73 257 11.3 15.3 10.4 17.7 3.6 0.8 2.8

25 to 29 

years

4,955 184 37 147 6.2 8.5 5.3 10.1 3.7 0.8 3.0

30 to 34 

years

4,090 146 35 111 5.1 6.8 5.1 7.6 3.6 0.9 2.7

35 to 44 years 7,285 168 43 125 9.1 7.8 6.2 8.6 2.3 0.6 1.7

35 to 39 

years

3,699 86 25 61 4.6 4.0 3.6 4.2 2.3 0.7 1.6

40 to 44 

years

3,586 82 18 64 4.5 3.8 2.6 4.4 2.3 0.5 1.8

45 to 54 years 7,727 132 45 88 9.7 6.2 6.4 6.1 1.7 0.6 1.1

45 to 49 

years

3,813 72 15 57 4.8 3.4 2.2 3.9 1.9 0.4 1.5

50 to 54 

years

3,914 60 29 31 4.9 2.8 4.2 2.1 1.5 0.8 0.8

55 to 64 years 6,321 91 14 77 7.9 4.2 2.0 5.3 1.4 0.2 1.2

55 to 59 

years

3,749 53 7 45 4.7 2.4 1.0 3.1 1.4 0.2 1.2

60 to 64 

years

2,572 39 7 31 3.2 1.8 1.0 2.2 1.5 0.3 1.2

65 years and 

older 2,048 43 21 21 2.6 2.0 3.1 1.5 2.1 1.0 1.0

65 to 69 

years

1,249 28 13 15 1.6 1.3 1.9 1.0 2.2 1.0 1.2

70 years and 

older 799 15 8 6 1.0 0.7 1.2 0.4 1.8 1.0 0.8

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

averages

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 16

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Marital status, age, and 

gender

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

rates

Total paid hourly 

rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid 

hourly rates

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 79,883 2,153 701 1,451 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.7 0.9 1.8

Never married 31,473 1,403 520 883 39.4 65.2 74.1 60.9 4.5 1.7 2.8

16 to 24 years 14,416 914 364 550 18.0 42.4 51.9 37.9 6.3 2.5 3.8

25 years and older 17,057 489 156 334 21.4 22.7 22.2 23.0 2.9 0.9 2.0

25 to 54 years 15,572 458 146 312 19.5 21.3 20.8 21.5 2.9 0.9 2.0

Married, spouse 

present(1) 35,193 463 103 360 44.1 21.5 14.6 24.8 1.3 0.3 1.0

16 to 24 years 1,046 42 12 30 1.3 2.0 1.7 2.1 4.0 1.2 2.8

25 years and older 34,147 421 90 331 42.7 19.6 12.9 22.8 1.2 0.3 1.0

25 to 54 years 24,696 343 69 274 30.9 15.9 9.8 18.9 1.4 0.3 1.1

Widowed, divorced, or 

separated(2) 13,216 287 79 208 16.5 13.3 11.3 14.3 2.2 0.6 1.6

16 to 24 years 395 21 6 14 0.5 1.0 0.9 1.0 5.2 1.6 3.6

25 years and older 12,821 266 73 193 16.1 12.4 10.4 13.3 2.1 0.6 1.5

25 to 54 years 8,285 183 45 137 10.4 8.5 6.5 9.5 2.2 0.5 1.7

Men

Total, 16 years and older 39,568 769 270 499 49.5 35.7 38.4 34.4 1.9 0.7 1.3

Never married 16,498 554 218 336 20.7 25.7 31.0 23.2 3.4 1.3 2.0

16 to 24 years 7,329 346 144 202 9.2 16.1 20.5 13.9 4.7 2.0 2.8

25 years and older 9,169 208 73 134 11.5 9.7 10.5 9.3 2.3 0.8 1.5

25 to 54 years 8,451 197 67 130 10.6 9.1 9.6 8.9 2.3 0.8 1.5

Married, spouse 

present(1) 17,999 157 38 119 22.5 7.3 5.3 8.2 0.9 0.2 0.7

16 to 24 years 478 9 3 6 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.8 0.6 1.3

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

2016 annual averages

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 17

Footnotes:

(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.

Marital status, age, and 

gender

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

rates

Total paid hourly 

rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid 

hourly rates

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

25 years and older 17,521 148 35 113 21.9 6.9 5.0 7.8 0.8 0.2 0.6

25 to 54 years 12,670 117 23 94 15.9 5.4 3.2 6.5 0.9 0.2 0.7

Widowed, divorced, or 

separated(2) 5,071 59 15 44 6.3 2.7 2.1 3.0 1.2 0.3 0.9

16 to 24 years 160 2 0 2 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 1.4 0.2 1.2

25 years and older 4,911 56 14 42 6.1 2.6 2.0 2.9 1.1 0.3 0.9

25 to 54 years 3,375 40 10 30 4.2 1.8 1.4 2.0 1.2 0.3 0.9

Women

Total, 16 years and older 40,315 1,384 432 952 50.5 64.3 61.6 65.6 3.4 1.1 2.4

Never married 14,975 849 302 547 18.7 39.5 43.1 37.7 5.7 2.0 3.7

16 to 24 years 7,087 568 220 348 8.9 26.4 31.4 24.0 8.0 3.1 4.9

25 years and older 7,888 282 82 199 9.9 13.1 11.7 13.7 3.6 1.0 2.5

25 to 54 years 7,121 261 79 182 8.9 12.1 11.3 12.6 3.7 1.1 2.6

Married, spouse 

present(1) 17,195 306 65 241 21.5 14.2 9.3 16.6 1.8 0.4 1.4

16 to 24 years 568 33 9 24 0.7 1.5 1.4 1.6 5.8 1.7 4.2

25 years and older 16,626 273 56 218 20.8 12.7 7.9 15.0 1.6 0.3 1.3

25 to 54 years 12,026 226 46 180 15.1 10.5 6.5 12.4 1.9 0.4 1.5

Widowed, divorced, or 

separated(2) 8,145 228 64 163 10.2 10.6 9.2 11.3 2.8 0.8 2.0

16 to 24 years 234 18 6 12 0.3 0.9 0.8 0.9 7.8 2.5 5.3

25 years and older 7,910 210 59 151 9.9 9.7 8.3 10.4 2.7 0.7 1.9

25 to 54 years 4,910 143 36 108 6.1 6.7 5.1 7.4 2.9 0.7 2.2

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

2016 annual averages

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 18

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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.

Usual hours worked per week on 

primary job

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

rates

Total paid 

hourly rates

At or below minimum wage

Total paid 

hourly rates

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 79,883 2,153 701 1,451 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 2.7 0.9 1.8

Hours vary 4,633 209 86 123 5.8 9.7 12.3 8.5 4.5 1.9 2.7

0 to 34 hours 18,865 1,155 466 688 23.6 53.7 66.5 47.4 6.1 2.5 3.6

0 to 4 hours 384 16 10 6 0.5 0.8 1.4 0.4 4.2 2.6 1.6

5 to 9 hours 994 72 36 36 1.2 3.3 5.1 2.5 7.2 3.6 3.6

10 to 14 hours 1,673 105 50 55 2.1 4.9 7.1 3.8 6.3 3.0 3.3

15 to 19 hours 2,374 191 83 108 3.0 8.9 11.8 7.4 8.0 3.5 4.6

20 to 24 hours 5,543 339 146 193 6.9 15.7 20.8 13.3 6.1 2.6 3.5

25 to 29 hours 3,007 192 71 121 3.8 8.9 10.1 8.3 6.4 2.4 4.0

30 to 34 hours 4,890 240 71 169 6.1 11.2 10.1 11.6 4.9 1.5 3.5

35 hours or more 56,385 789 149 640 70.6 36.6 21.2 44.1 1.4 0.3 1.1

35 to 39 hours 6,085 206 43 163 7.6 9.6 6.1 11.2 3.4 0.7 2.7

40 hours or more 50,300 583 106 477 63.0 27.1 15.1 32.9 1.2 0.2 0.9

40 hours 43,362 472 92 380 54.3 21.9 13.1 26.2 1.1 0.2 0.9

41 hours or more 6,938 111 14 98 8.7 5.2 2.0 6.7 1.6 0.2 1.4

41 to 44 hours 675 7 2 5 0.8 0.3 0.2 0.4 1.0 0.2 0.8

45 to 48 hours 2,463 42 4 38 3.1 1.9 0.6 2.6 1.7 0.2 1.5

49 to 59 hours 2,539 42 4 38 3.2 1.9 0.5 2.6 1.7 0.1 1.5

60 hours or more 1,261 21 5 16 1.6 1.0 0.6 1.1 1.6 0.4 1.3

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

primary job, 2016 annual averages

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 19

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year and 

gender

Total wage and salary 

workers

Workers paid hourly rates

Total Percentage of total wage and 

salary workers

At prevailing federal 

minimum wage(1)

Below prevailing federal 

minimum wage(1)

Total at or below prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number Percentage of hourly paid 

workers

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 1,096 2,132 3,228 5.1

1991 103,723 62,627 60.4 2,906 2,377 5,283 8.4

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 1,861 1,863 3,724 5.4

1997 114,533 70,735 61.8 1,764 2,990 4,754 6.7

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

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

(numbers in thousands)

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 20

Year and 

gender

Total wage and salary 

workers

Workers paid hourly rates

Total Percentage of total wage and 

salary workers

At prevailing federal 

minimum wage(1)

Below prevailing federal 

minimum wage(1)

Total at or below prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number Percentage of hourly paid 

workers

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 58.5 267 1,462 1,729 2.3

2008 129,377 75,305 58.2 286 1,940 2,226 3.0

2009 124,490 72,611 58.3 980 2,592 3,572 4.9

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 3,301 4.3

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

2015 133,743 78,232 58.5 870 1,691 2,561 3.3

2016 136,101 79,883 58.7 701 1,451 2,153 2.7

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 57.8 385 712 1,097 3.4

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

(numbers in thousands)

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 21

Year and 

gender

Total wage and salary 

workers

Workers paid hourly rates

Total Percentage of total wage and 

salary workers

At prevailing federal 

minimum wage(1)

Below prevailing federal 

minimum wage(1)

Total at or below prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number Percentage of hourly paid 

workers

1991 54,618 31,639 57.9 1,114 795 1,909 6.0

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 59.6 755 619 1,374 3.9

1997 59,825 35,521 59.4 673 1,147 1,820 5.1

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 86 460 546 1.4

2008 66,846 37,334 55.9 90 638 728 1.9

2009 63,539 35,185 55.4 368 990 1,358 3.9

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

2015 69,298 38,732 55.9 330 629 959 2.5

2016 70,589 39,568 56.1 270 499 769 1.9

Women

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

(numbers in thousands)

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 22

Year and 

gender

Total wage and salary 

workers

Workers paid hourly rates

Total Percentage of total wage and 

salary workers

At prevailing federal 

minimum wage(1)

Below prevailing federal 

minimum wage(1)

Total at or below prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number Percentage of hourly paid 

workers

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 63.0 711 1,420 2,131 6.9

1991 49,105 30,988 63.1 1,792 1,582 3,374 10.9

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 1,106 1,244 2,350 6.8

1997 54,708 35,214 64.4 1,092 1,843 2,935 8.3

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

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

(numbers in thousands)

See footnotes at end of table.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 23

Footnotes:

(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.

Year and 

gender

Total wage and salary 

workers

Workers paid hourly rates

Total Percentage of total wage and 

salary workers

At prevailing federal 

minimum wage(1)

Below prevailing federal 

minimum wage(1)

Total at or below prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number Percentage of hourly paid 

workers

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

2007 62,299 38,082 61.1 181 1,002 1,183 3.1

2008 62,532 37,972 60.7 196 1,302 1,498 3.9

2009 60,951 37,426 61.4 612 1,603 2,215 5.9

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

2015 64,445 39,500 61.3 540 1,062 1,602 4.1

2016 65,512 40,315 61.5 432 952 1,384 3.4

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

(numbers in thousands)
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 24

Technical Notes

The estimates in this report were obtained from the Current Population Survey (CPS), which provides information on the 

labor force, employment, and unemployment. The survey is conducted monthly for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

(BLS) by the U.S. Census Bureau using a scientifically selected national sample of about 60,000 eligible households in 

all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The survey also provides data on earnings, which are based on one-fourth of 

the CPS monthly sample and are limited to wage and salary workers. All self-employed workers, both incorporated and 

unincorporated, are excluded from these earnings estimates.

Material in this report is in the public domain and may be used without permission. This information is available to 

sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice telephone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339. 

Concepts and definitions

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

described briefly below.

Wage and salary workers. These are those age 16 and older who receive wages, salaries, commissions, tips, payments 

in kind, or piece rates on their sole or principal job. This group includes employees in both the private and public sectors. 

All self-employed workers are excluded whether or not their businesses are incorporated.

Workers paid by the hour. These are wage and salary workers who report that they are paid at an hourly rate on their 

job. Historically, workers paid an hourly wage have made up approximately three-fifths of all wage and salary workers. 

Estimates of workers paid by the hour include both full- and part-time workers unless otherwise specified.

Hourly earnings. Data are for wage and salary workers who are paid by the hour and refer to a person’s sole or principal 

job. Hourly earnings for hourly paid workers do not include overtime pay, commissions, or tips received.

Workers paid at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage. The estimates of the numbers of workers with reported 

earnings at or below the federal minimum wage pertain only to workers who are paid hourly rates. Salaried workers and 

the other nonhourly paid workers are excluded. 

Regular collection of earnings data in the basic CPS began in 1979. The prevailing federal minimum wage for 1979 and 

later years is listed below:

Federal minimum wage Effective date

$2.90 January 1, 1979

$3.10 January 1, 1980

$3.35 January 1, 1981
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 25

Estimates of the annual average number of minimum wage workers for years when the minimum wage increased reflect 

both minimum wage levels in effect during the year. For example, data for 2007 reflect the number of workers at or 

below the federal minimum of $5.15 for January to July and $5.85 for August to December.

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

working full time.

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

working part time.

Race. In the survey process, race is determined by the household respondent. In accordance with the Office of 

Management and Budget guidelines, White, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, and 

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander are terms used to describe a person’s race. The latter two race groups and 

people who selected more than one race are included in totals but not separately identified in this report because the 

number of survey respondents is too small to develop estimates of sufficient quality.

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. These are people who identified themselves in the survey process as being of Hispanic, 

Latino, or Spanish origin. People whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.

Interpreting minimum wage data

The CPS does not determine whether workers are covered by the minimum wage provisions of the federal Fair Labor 

Standards Act (FLSA) or by individual state or local minimum wage laws. The estimates of workers paid at or below the 

federal minimum wage are based solely on the hourly wage respondents report (which does not include overtime pay, 

$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
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 26

tips, or commissions). It should be noted that some respondents might round hourly earnings when answering survey 

questions. As a result, some workers might be reported as having hourly earnings above or below the federal minimum 

wage when, in fact, they earn the minimum wage.

Some workers reported as earning at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage may not, in fact, be covered by 

federal or state minimum wage laws because of exclusions and exemptions in the statutes. Thus, the presence of 

workers with hourly earnings below the federal minimum wage does not necessarily indicate violations of the FLSA or 

state statutes in cases where such standards apply.

Estimates of the number of minimum wage workers in this report pertain only to workers who are paid hourly rates. 

Salaried workers and other workers who are not paid by the hour are excluded, even though some have earnings that, if 

converted to hourly rates, would be at or below the federal minimum wage. Consequently, the estimates presented in 

this report likely underestimate the actual number of workers with hourly earnings at or below the minimum wage. BLS 

does not routinely estimate the hourly earnings of workers not paid by the hour because of data-quality concerns 

associated with constructing such an estimate.

A number of states have established minimum wage rates that exceed the federal level. (Information on state minimum 

wage laws is available at www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/america.htm.) Users should be cautious about comparing state 

estimates in this report because of differing statutory minimum wages. It also should be noted that the CPS sample is 

based on residence; workers report their earnings on their job, which may or may not be located in the same state in 

which they live. In addition, the degree of sampling error may be quite large for some state estimates.

Reliability

Statistics based on the CPS are subject to both sampling and nonsampling error. When a sample, rather than the entire 

population, is surveyed, there is a chance that the sample estimates may differ from the true population values they 

represent. The component of this difference that occurs because samples differ by chance is known as sampling error, 

and its variability is measured by the standard error of the estimate. There is about a 90-percent chance, or level of 

confidence, that an estimate based on a sample will differ by no more than 1.6 standard errors from the true population 

value because of sampling error. BLS analyses are generally conducted at the 90-percent level of confidence.

The CPS data also are affected by nonsampling error. Nonsampling error can occur for many reasons, including the 

failure to sample a segment of the population, inability to obtain information for all respondents in the sample, inability or 

unwillingness of respondents to provide correct information, and errors made in the collection or processing of the data. 

For example, respondents may round their hourly earnings to whole dollars when answering survey questions.

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

documentation.htm#reliability.