U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 1

Highlights of women’s earnings in 2015

In 2015, women who were full-time wage and salary workers had 

median usual weekly earnings that were 81 percent of those of 

male full-time wage and salary workers. In 1979, the first year for 

which comparable earnings data are available, women’s earnings 

were 62 percent of men’s. Since 2004, the women’s-to-men’s 

earnings ratio has ranged from 80 to 83 percent. (See chart 1 and 

tables 1 and 12.)

This report presents earnings data from the Current Population 

Survey (CPS), a national monthly survey of 60,000 eligible 

households conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The weekly and hourly earnings estimates in Highlights of Women’s Earnings reflect 

information collected from one-fourth of the CPS monthly sample and averaged for the calendar year. These data are 

distinct from the annual earnings estimates for full-time, year-round workers collected separately in the Annual Social 

and Economic Supplement (ASEC) to the CPS and published by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The earnings comparisons in this report are on a broad level and do not control for many factors that can be significant 

in explaining earnings differences, such as job skills and responsibilities, work experience, and specialization. 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.

November 2016 | Report 1064
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 2

Earnings of full-time workers

Below are data highlights for women and men who usually work full time (35 hours or more per week) in wage and 

salary jobs, with sections focusing on characteristics such as age, race and ethnicity, education, occupation, and more.

Earnings by age group

In 2015, median weekly earnings were $726 for all women age 16 and older. For men 16 and older, median weekly 

earnings were $895. Women’s median weekly earnings were highest for those between the ages of 35 and 64, with 

relatively little difference in the earnings of 35- to 44-year-olds ($804), 45- to 54-year-olds ($799), and 55- to 64-yearolds ($784). For men, earnings were highest for 45- to 54-year-olds ($1,040) and 55- to 64-year-olds ($1,064). Young 

women and men age 16 to 24 had the lowest earnings ($450 and $510, respectively). (See chart 2 and table 1.)
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 3

In 2015, women’s earnings ranged from 74 to 82 percent of men’s among workers age 35 and older. For those under 

age 35, the earnings differences between women and men were smaller, with women earning about 88 to 90 percent of 

what men did. (See table 1.)

Between 1979 and 2015, women’s-to-men’s earnings ratios rose for most age groups, particularly in the prime working 

ages from 25 to 54. Among 25- to 34-year-olds, the ratio increased from 68 percent in 1979 to 90 percent in 2015; the 

ratio for 35- to 44-year-olds rose from 58 to 82 percent; and the ratio for 45- to 54-year-olds, from 57 to 77 percent. For 

workers age 55 to 64, the women’s-to-men’s earnings ratio rose from 61 to 74 percent over this period. For young 

workers age 16 to 24, the earnings ratio increased from 79 to 88 percent between 1979 and 2015, with the gains 

occurring primarily in the 1980s. (See table 12.)

Earnings by race and ethnicity

Asian women and men earned more than their White, Black, and Hispanic counterparts in 2015. Among women, Whites 

($743) earned 85 percent as much as Asians ($877), Blacks ($615) earned 70 percent, and Hispanics ($566) earned 65 

percent. In comparison, White men ($920) earned 81 percent as much as Asian men ($1,129), Black men ($680) earned 

60 percent as much, and Hispanic men ($631), 56 percent. (See chart 3 and table 1.)
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 4

Earnings differences between women and men were the most pronounced for Asians and for Whites. Asian women 

earned 78 percent as much as Asian men in 2015, and White women earned 81 percent as much as their male 

counterparts. In comparison, Black and Hispanic women had median earnings that were 90 percent of those of their 

male counterparts. (See table 1.)

Women’s earnings have increased considerably among the major race and Hispanic ethnicity groups since 1979 (the 

first year for which comparable data are available), with White women experiencing the greatest earnings growth. From 

1979 to 2015, inflation-adjusted earnings (also called constant-dollar earnings) have increased by 32 percent for White 

women, by 19 percent for Black women, and by 18 percent for Hispanic women. In recent years, however, earnings 

growth appears to have plateaued for White, Black, and Hispanic women. (See table 18.)

The long-term trend in men’s earnings has been quite different than that for women. Inflation-adjusted earnings for White 

and Black men declined during the 1980s and the first part of the 1990s, followed by a period of growth, before tapering 

off. For Hispanic men, earnings also dropped until the mid-1990s, but then began to trend upward. Over the full period, 

1979 through 2015, inflation-adjusted earnings for White and Black men have changed little on net (+1 percent and -2 

percent, respectively), while those for Hispanic men have shown a small net decline (-6 percent). (See table 18.)

Comparable earnings data for Asians are available only back to 2003. Between 2003 and 2015, inflation-adjusted 

earnings grew by 14 percent for Asian women and by 13 percent for Asian men. (See table 18.)
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 5

Earnings by educational attainment

Median weekly earnings vary significantly by educational attainment. Among all workers age 25 and older, the weekly 

earnings of those without a high school diploma ($493) were 40 percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher 

($1,230) in 2015. For workers with a high school diploma who had not attended college, median earnings ($678) were 

55 percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Those with some college or an associate’s degree ($762) made 

62 percent of what workers with a bachelor’s degree or more made. (See table 1.)

In each educational attainment category, the long-term trend in inflation-adjusted earnings has been more favorable for 

women than for men. Although both women and men without a high school diploma have experienced declines in 

inflation-adjusted earnings since 1979, the drop for women was much smaller than that for men: a 10-percent decrease 

for women, compared with a 32-percent decline for men. On an inflation-adjusted basis, earnings for women with a 

bachelor’s degree or higher have increased by 32 percent since 1979. Earnings for men with a bachelor’s degree or 

higher have risen by 18 percent. (Data refer to workers age 25 and older.) (See chart 4 and table 19.)

Earnings by occupation

Women and men working full time in management, business, and financial operations occupations had higher median 

weekly earnings than workers in any other major occupational category in 2015 ($1,073 for women and $1,436 for men). 
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 6

Within management, business, and financial operations occupations, women and men who were chief executives had 

the highest median weekly earnings in 2015 ($1,836 and $2,251, respectively). (See table 2.)

The second-highest paying occupational category for women and men was professional and related occupations ($963 

for women and $1,343 for men). Women who were pharmacists ($1,811) and lawyers ($1,717) had the highest earnings 

in this category. For men, those who were pharmacists ($2,117), physicians and surgeons ($1,915), and lawyers 

($1,914) earned the most. (See table 2.)

The occupational distributions of female and male full-time workers differ considerably. Compared with men, relatively 

few women work in construction, production, or transportation occupations, and women are far more concentrated in 

office and administrative support jobs. Women also are more likely than men to work in professional and related 

occupations. In 2015, 30 percent of women worked in professional and related occupations, compared with 19 percent 

of men. Within this occupational category, though, the proportion of women employed in the higher paying job groups is 

much smaller than the proportion of men employed in them. In 2015, 9 percent of women in professional and related 

occupations were employed in the relatively high-paying computer and engineering fields, compared with 45 percent of 

men. Women in professional and related occupations were more likely to work in education and healthcare jobs, which 

generally pay less than computer and engineering jobs. Sixty-eight percent of women in professional occupations 

worked in education and healthcare jobs in 2015, compared with 30 percent of men. (See chart 5 and table 2.)
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 7

Earnings for those with and without children under 18

In 2015, a little more than one-third of full-time wage and salary workers were parents of children under age 18. 

(“Children” refers to "own" children and includes sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children under age 18 who 

live in the household.) Median weekly earnings for mothers of children under age 18 ($727) were essentially the same 

as earnings for women without children under 18 ($726). Earnings for fathers with children under 18 were $985, 

compared with $844 for men without children under 18. (See table 7.)

Earnings by state of residence

Median weekly earnings and women’s-to-men’s earnings ratios vary by state of residence. (In this report, “state” refers 

to the 50 states and the District of Columbia.) The differences among the states reflect, in part, variation in the 

occupations and industries found in each state and differences in the demographic composition of each state’s labor 

force. In addition, the sampling error for the state estimates is considerably larger than it is for the national estimates. 

Thus, earnings comparisons between states should be made with caution. Readers also should note that the state 

estimates are based on workers’ state of residence; their reported earnings are not necessarily from a job located in the 

same state. (See table 3.)

Weekly work hours of full-time workers

Among full-time workers (that is, those usually working at a job 35 hours or more per week), men are more likely than 

women to have a longer workweek. In 2015, 26 percent of men who usually work full time worked 41 or more hours per 

week, compared with 15 percent of women. Women were more likely than men to work 35 to 39 hours per week: 11 

percent of women worked such hours in 2015, while 5 percent of men did. A majority of both male and female full-time 

workers had a 40-hour workweek. Among these workers, women earned 88 percent as much as men. (This analysis 

excludes people who usually work 35 or more hours per week but whose hours vary.) (See table 5.)

Earnings of part-time workers

Women are more likely than men to work part time—that is, less than 35 hours per week on a sole or main job. Women 

who worked part time made up 25 percent of all female wage and salary workers in 2015. In comparison, 12 percent of 

men in wage and salary jobs worked part time. (See tables 4 and 5.)

Median weekly earnings for female part-timers were $251 in 2015, slightly higher than the $238 median for men. (See 

table 4.)

Part-time workers are more likely to be under age 25 than full-time workers. Among part-timers in 2015, 30 percent of 

women and 45 percent of men were under age 25. Among full-time workers, 9 percent of women and 9 percent of men 

were under age 25. (See tables 1 and 4.)

Earnings of workers paid by the hour

In 2015, 61 percent of women and 56 percent of men in wage and salary jobs were paid by the hour. Women who were 

paid hourly rates had median hourly earnings of $12.56, which were 86 percent of the median hourly earnings of men 

($14.67). (See tables 8 and 11.)
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 8

Among workers who were paid hourly rates in 2015, 4 percent of women and 3 percent of men had hourly earnings at or 

below the prevailing federal minimum wage of $7.25. (See table 10.)

Among both women and men, hourly paid workers age 16 to 19 were the most likely to have earnings at or below the 

minimum wage. Eleven percent of teenage workers who were paid hourly rates earned the prevailing federal minimum 

wage or less in 2015, compared with just 2 percent of hourly paid workers age 25 and older. Six percent of workers age 

20 to 24 had earnings at or below the federal minimum wage. (See table 10.) See the technical notes section for 

information about BLS estimates of the number of minimum wage workers.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 9

Statistical Tables

Characteristic

Total Women Men

Women's earnings 

as a percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Age

Total, 16 years and 

older 109,080 $809 $2 48,334 $726 $2 60,746 $895 $3 81.1

16 to 24 years 9,790 487 2 4,314 450 5 5,476 510 3 88.2

16 to 19 years 1,156 389 4 495 364 6 660 407 5 89.4

20 to 24 years 8,634 501 3 3,818 468 5 4,816 522 4 89.7

25 years and 

older 99,291 860 2 44,020 761 2 55,270 947 3 80.4

25 to 34 years 26,611 735 3 11,538 690 5 15,073 770 5 89.6

35 to 44 years 24,917 900 5 10,802 804 7 14,114 983 7 81.8

45 to 54 years 25,577 923 5 11,572 799 7 14,005 1,040 8 76.8

55 to 64 years 18,108 927 6 8,295 784 7 9,813 1,064 11 73.7

65 years and 

older 4,078 873 14 1,813 740 12 2,265 1,003 24 73.8

Race and 

Hispanic or 

Latino ethnicity

White 85,443 835 3 36,698 743 3 48,746 920 4 80.8

Black or African 

American 13,587 641 5 7,142 615 5 6,445 680 8 90.4

Asian 6,638 993 12 2,954 877 15 3,684 1,129 14 77.7

Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity 18,311 604 3 7,168 566 6 11,142 631 6 89.7

Marital status

Never married 31,097 643 3 13,626 614 3 17,470 673 5 91.2

Married, spouse 

present 60,283 930 3 24,544 804 5 35,739 1,030 5 78.1

Other marital 

status 17,700 766 4 10,164 712 5 7,537 861 8 82.7

Table 1. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by selected characteristics, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 10

(1) Differences in earnings levels between workers with and without union affiliation reflect a variety of factors in addition to coverage by a collective bargaining agreement, including the distribution of workers by occupation, 

industry, and geographic region.

(2) Members of a labor union or an employee association similar to a union.

(3) Union members and workers who report no union affiliation but whose jobs are covered by a union or an employee association contract.

Note: Estimates for the race groups shown (White, Black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all race groups. People of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race; 

estimates for the race groups include Hispanics.

Characteristic

Total Women Men

Women's earnings 

as a percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Divorced 11,780 810 6 6,809 748 6 4,971 902 10 82.9

Separated 4,157 667 10 2,065 608 8 2,092 738 13 82.4

Widowed 1,764 734 14 1,290 682 14 474 915 28 74.5

Union 

affiliation(1)

Members of 

unions(2) 13,340 980 5 5,831 928 8 7,509 1,017 7 91.2

Represented by 

unions(3) 14,768 975 5 6,526 921 7 8,242 1,014 7 90.8

Not represented 

by a union 94,313 776 2 41,808 697 3 52,504 869 4 80.2

Educational 

attainment

Total, 25 years and 

older 99,291 860 2 44,020 761 2 55,270 947 3 80.4

Less than a high 

school diploma 7,289 493 3 2,255 418 3 5,035 520 3 80.4

High school 

graduates, no 

college 25,221 678 3 9,905 586 3 15,316 759 4 77.2

Some college or 

associate's 

degree 26,801 762 3 12,692 664 3 14,109 883 5 75.2

Bachelor's 

degree and 

higher 39,979 1,230 5 19,169 1,064 6 20,811 1,420 8 74.9

Table 1. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by selected characteristics, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 11

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Total, full-time wage 

and salary workers 109,080 $809 $2 48,334 $726 $2 60,746 $895 $3 81.1

Management, 

professional, and 

related occupations 44,844 1,158 3 23,038 996 4 21,807 1,383 7 72.0

Management, 

business, and financial 

operations 

occupations 18,422 1,258 7 8,404 1,073 10 10,018 1,436 10 74.7

Management 

occupations 12,480 1,351 9 5,147 1,139 9 7,332 1,486 17 76.6

Chief executives 1,046 2,041 71 283 1,836 81 763 2,251 86 81.6

General and 

operations 

managers 823 1,260 22 202 1,002 94 621 1,347 44 74.4

Legislators 8 – – 4 – – 5 – – –

Advertising and 

promotions 

managers 55 1,050 96 26 – – 29 – – –

Marketing and 

sales managers 948 1,462 38 378 1,258 108 570 1,603 82 78.5

Public relations 

and fundraising 

managers 59 1,557 80 35 – – 24 – – –

Administrative 

services 

managers 170 1,191 89 73 981 240 96 1,451 60 67.6

Computer and 

information 

systems 

managers 636 1,728 60 169 1,563 59 466 1,817 103 86.0

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 12

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Financial 

managers 1,124 1,408 46 573 1,130 27 551 1,732 68 65.2

Compensation 

and benefits 

managers 23 – – 16 – – 7 – – –

Human resources 

managers 254 1,365 41 186 1,274 106 68 1,495 160 85.2

Training and 

development 

managers 37 – – 20 – – 17 – – –

Industrial 

production 

managers 267 1,485 79 45 – – 221 1,528 52 –

Purchasing 

managers 193 1,348 43 84 1,226 219 109 1,404 81 87.3

Transportation, 

storage, and 

distribution 

managers 276 966 35 52 749 79 224 1,006 46 74.5

Farmers, 

ranchers, and 

other agricultural 

managers 129 769 97 23 – – 106 847 43 –

Construction 

managers 471 1,329 62 42 – – 429 1,357 40 –

Education 

administrators 778 1,423 26 496 1,252 94 282 1,585 76 79.0

Architectural and 

engineering 

managers 110 1,899 34 10 – – 101 1,892 33 –

Food service 

managers 763 742 17 374 680 24 389 820 31 82.9

Funeral service 

managers 13 – – 2 – – 10 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 13

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Gaming managers 19 – – 6 – – 13 – – –

Lodging 

managers 123 985 36 68 902 55 54 1,171 103 77.0

Medical and 

health services 

managers 592 1,210 54 438 1,156 19 154 1,422 83 81.3

Natural sciences 

managers 24 – – 13 – – 11 – – –

Postmasters and 

mail 

superintendents 20 – – 10 – – 10 – – –

Property, real 

estate, and 

community 

association 

managers 401 914 48 230 823 47 171 1,137 48 72.4

Social and 

community service 

managers 305 1,022 42 200 965 26 105 1,142 150 84.5

Emergency 

management 

directors 9 – – 3 – – 6 – – –

Managers, all 

other 2,803 1,408 20 1,085 1,213 48 1,717 1,525 33 79.5

Business and 

financial operations 

occupations 5,942 1,137 8 3,256 1,004 10 2,686 1,327 18 75.7

Agents and 

business 

managers of 

artists, 

performers, and 

athletes 27 – – 14 – – 13 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 14

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Buyers and 

purchasing 

agents, farm 

products 11 – – 2 – – 9 – – –

Wholesale and 

retail buyers, 

except farm 

products 142 926 51 69 985 50 73 886 53 111.2

Purchasing 

agents, except 

wholesale, retail, 

and farm products 260 1,009 30 124 986 59 136 1,020 46 96.7

Claims adjusters, 

appraisers, 

examiners, and 

investigators 317 963 27 176 824 48 141 1,134 32 72.7

Compliance 

officers 235 1,198 92 109 1,025 56 126 1,375 62 74.5

Cost estimators 95 1,232 54 12 – – 83 1,264 54 –

Human resources 

workers 592 1,002 22 441 984 22 151 1,158 183 85.0

Compensation, 

benefits, and job 

analysis 

specialists 63 998 68 50 898 93 12 – – –

Training and 

development 

specialists 107 990 106 65 1,037 48 42 – – –

Logisticians 111 1,028 50 44 – – 66 1,075 47 –

Management 

analysts 529 1,431 45 237 1,348 50 291 1,519 64 88.7

Meeting, 

convention, and 

event planners 117 859 33 90 840 38 27 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 15

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Fundraisers 62 1,136 62 48 – – 14 – – –

Market research 

analysts and 

marketing 

specialists 203 1,284 99 118 1,239 60 85 1,411 181 87.8

Business 

operations 

specialists, all 

other 186 1,090 55 112 969 45 74 1,461 53 66.3

Accountants and 

auditors 1,464 1,132 18 846 988 25 618 1,345 22 73.5

Appraisers and 

assessors of real 

estate 42 – – 21 – – 21 – – –

Budget analysts 44 – – 28 – – 17 – – –

Credit analysts 17 – – 9 – – 8 – – –

Financial analysts 295 1,426 56 127 1,171 100 168 1,680 165 69.7

Personal financial 

advisors 407 1,419 97 159 1,033 73 248 1,738 127 59.4

Insurance 

underwriters 106 1,149 118 63 956 53 44 – – –

Financial 

examiners 17 – – 8 – – 9 – – –

Credit counselors 

and loan officers 313 997 50 166 906 39 146 1,186 69 76.4

Tax examiners 

and collectors, 

and revenue 

agents 59 1,051 48 39 – – 20 – – –

Tax preparers 56 892 68 37 – – 19 – – –

Financial 

specialists, all 

other 66 1,162 84 40 – – 25 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 16

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Professional and 

related occupations 26,423 1,112 6 14,634 963 5 11,789 1,343 8 71.7

Computer and 

mathematical 

occupations 4,009 1,428 16 973 1,245 17 3,036 1,503 23 82.8

Computer and 

information 

research scientists 28 – – 5 – – 23 – – –

Computer 

systems analysts 499 1,389 60 173 1,256 43 325 1,462 29 85.9

Information 

security analysts 67 1,538 56 11 – – 56 1,562 51 –

Computer 

programmers 450 1,438 48 93 1,302 89 357 1,501 59 86.7

Software 

developers, 

applications and 

systems software 1,287 1,682 40 232 1,415 37 1,054 1,751 22 80.8

Web developers 151 1,165 50 53 1,026 129 98 1,233 34 83.2

Computer support 

specialists 396 1,079 36 105 908 62 291 1,135 36 80.0

Database 

administrators 90 1,536 249 32 – – 58 1,829 239 –

Network and 

computer systems 

administrators 208 1,242 76 28 – – 179 1,266 105 –

Computer network 

architects 115 1,552 81 15 – – 100 1,577 88 –

Computer 

occupations, all 

other 490 1,227 41 116 1,145 39 374 1,252 38 91.5

Actuaries 24 – – 6 – – 18 – – –

Mathematicians 6 – – 0 – – 6 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 17

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Operations 

research analysts 122 1,441 87 63 1,325 54 59 1,574 175 84.2

Statisticians 76 1,275 63 39 – – 37 – – –

Miscellaneous 

mathematical 

science 

occupations 1 – – 0 – – 1 – – –

Architecture and 

engineering 

occupations 2,656 1,424 18 383 1,257 34 2,272 1,452 18 86.6

Architects, except 

naval 138 1,441 110 31 – – 106 1,492 67 –

Surveyors, 

cartographers, 

and 

photogrammetrists 29 – – 6 – – 23 – – –

Aerospace 

engineers 140 1,662 75 18 – – 122 1,668 96 –

Agricultural 

engineers 5 – – 0 – – 5 – – –

Biomedical 

engineers 12 – – 2 – – 10 – – –

Chemical 

engineers 79 1,532 117 10 – – 69 1,583 70 –

Civil engineers 316 1,460 38 41 – – 275 1,474 53 –

Computer 

hardware 

engineers 72 1,876 47 10 – – 62 1,871 68 –

Electrical and 

electronics 

engineers 283 1,778 79 37 – – 246 1,819 126 –

Environmental 

engineers 35 – – 9 – – 26 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 18

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Industrial 

engineers, 

including health 

and safety 205 1,447 41 37 – – 168 1,430 55 –

Marine engineers 

and naval 

architects 9 – – 0 – – 9 – – –

Materials 

engineers 36 – – 4 – – 33 – – –

Mechanical 

engineers 316 1,534 28 23 – – 294 1,550 30 –

Mining and 

geological 

engineers, 

including mining 

safety engineers 15 – – 0 – – 15 – – –

Nuclear engineers 5 – – 2 – – 3 – – –

Petroleum 

engineers 43 – – 3 – – 39 – – –

Engineers, all 

other 393 1,527 40 54 1,448 42 339 1,537 37 94.2

Drafters 114 977 45 23 – – 91 977 57 –

Engineering 

technicians, 

except drafters 352 963 23 68 827 134 284 984 32 84.0

Surveying and 

mapping 

technicians 58 1,012 66 4 – – 54 1,031 75 –

Life, physical, and 

social science 

occupations 1,176 1,206 39 514 1,067 29 662 1,379 34 77.4

Agricultural and 

food scientists 22 – – 10 – – 12 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 19

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Biological 

scientists 74 1,233 45 28 – – 46 – – –

Conservation 

scientists and 

foresters 23 – – 7 – – 16 – – –

Medical scientists 151 1,250 63 84 1,082 105 68 1,362 36 79.4

Life scientists, all 

other 1 – – 0 – – 1 – – –

Astronomers and 

physicists 14 – – 3 – – 11 – – –

Atmospheric and 

space scientists 8 – – 1 – – 8 – – –

Chemists and 

materials 

scientists 93 1,432 68 33 – – 61 1,496 95 –

Environmental 

scientists and 

geoscientists 90 1,423 125 25 – – 65 1,740 102 –

Physical 

scientists, all other 189 1,553 56 68 1,170 105 121 1,770 162 66.1

Economists 29 – – 12 – – 17 – – –

Survey 

researchers 0 – – 0 – – 0 – – –

Psychologists 114 1,367 67 83 1,189 116 31 – – –

Sociologists 0 – – 0 – – 0 – – –

Urban and 

regional planners 22 – – 9 – – 13 – – –

Miscellaneous 

social scientists 

and related 

workers 37 – – 19 – – 19 – – –

Agricultural and 

food science 

technicians 28 – – 7 – – 21 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 20

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Biological 

technicians 20 – – 10 – – 10 – – –

Chemical 

technicians 75 944 192 32 – – 43 – – –

Geological and 

petroleum 

technicians 22 – – 4 – – 18 – – –

Nuclear 

technicians 2 – – 0 – – 2 – – –

Social science 

research 

assistants 3 – – 3 – – 0 – – –

Miscellaneous life, 

physical, and 

social science 

technicians 157 846 33 78 780 47 79 1,001 160 77.9

Community and 

social service 

occupations 2,143 889 12 1,367 845 15 776 973 28 86.8

Counselors 635 904 21 451 902 25 184 908 38 99.3

Social workers 677 877 17 549 862 19 127 943 49 91.4

Probation officers 

and correctional 

treatment 

specialists 85 967 49 43 – – 42 – – –

Social and human 

service assistants 173 676 34 149 673 28 23 – – –

Miscellaneous 

community and 

social service 

specialists, 

including health 

educators and 

community health 

workers 92 831 34 63 728 72 29 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 21

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Clergy 376 1,002 34 60 924 153 316 1,021 54 90.5

Directors, religious 

activities and 

education 62 929 61 31 – – 31 – – –

Religious workers, 

all other 44 – – 21 – – 23 – – –

Legal occupations 1,346 1,391 37 722 1,135 19 624 1,877 36 60.5

Lawyers 803 1,886 16 300 1,717 99 503 1,914 18 89.7

Judicial law clerks 11 – – 10 – – 1 – – –

Judges, 

magistrates, and 

other judicial 

workers 54 1,952 150 20 – – 33 – – –

Paralegals and 

legal assistants 341 927 30 294 910 36 47 – – –

Miscellaneous 

legal support 

workers 136 770 32 97 746 26 40 – – –

Education, training, 

and library 

occupations 6,884 956 6 5,034 907 7 1,849 1,144 13 79.3

Postsecondary 

teachers 917 1,258 21 401 1,144 20 516 1,405 55 81.4

Preschool and 

kindergarten 

teachers 517 616 17 506 618 17 11 – – –

Elementary and 

middle school 

teachers 2,806 974 8 2,262 957 8 543 1,077 38 88.9

Secondary school 

teachers 1,048 1,066 23 610 1,006 17 438 1,149 23 87.6

Special education 

teachers 297 987 22 258 990 22 38 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 22

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Other teachers 

and instructors 378 896 40 199 817 28 179 1,024 92 79.8

Archivists, 

curators, and 

museum 

technicians 38 – – 20 – – 18 – – –

Librarians 130 991 38 102 966 49 27 – – –

Library 

technicians 18 – – 15 – – 4 – – –

Teacher 

assistants 614 541 16 565 530 17 48 – – –

Other education, 

training, and 

library workers 123 1,001 81 95 1,031 49 28 – – –

Arts, design, 

entertainment, 

sports, and media 

occupations 1,643 1,001 16 713 942 20 930 1,088 54 86.6

Artists and related 

workers 58 1,166 41 20 – – 39 – – –

Designers 593 993 19 291 918 36 301 1,099 83 83.5

Actors 12 – – 4 – – 8 – – –

Producers and 

directors 120 1,270 96 53 1,234 87 67 1,340 69 92.1

Athletes, coaches, 

umpires, and 

related workers 147 780 37 39 – – 108 818 50 –

Dancers and 

choreographers 11 – – 9 – – 2 – – –

Musicians, 

singers, and 

related workers 42 – – 9 – – 33 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 23

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Entertainers and 

performers, sports 

and related 

workers, all other 14 – – 3 – – 11 – – –

Announcers 25 – – 5 – – 21 – – –

News analysts, 

reporters and 

correspondents 56 1,218 41 27 – – 29 – – –

Public relations 

specialists 120 1,211 121 71 971 47 49 – – –

Editors 108 1,148 45 50 1,125 265 58 1,205 151 93.4

Technical writers 52 1,158 41 30 – – 22 – – –

Writers and 

authors 79 1,232 76 42 – – 36 – – –

Miscellaneous 

media and 

communication 

workers 46 – – 30 – – 16 – – –

Broadcast and 

sound engineering 

technicians and 

radio operators 83 954 28 7 – – 77 937 31 –

Photographers 45 – – 21 – – 24 – – –

Television, video, 

and motion picture 

camera operators 

and editors 30 – – 1 – – 28 – – –

Media and 

communication 

equipment 

workers, all other 2 – – 0 – – 2 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 24

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Healthcare 

practitioners and 

technical 

occupations 6,566 1,041 10 4,928 991 8 1,639 1,272 28 77.9

Chiropractors 22 – – 7 – – 15 – – –

Dentists 59 1,656 90 20 – – 39 – – –

Dietitians and 

nutritionists 79 886 76 69 879 75 9 – – –

Optometrists 19 – – 13 – – 6 – – –

Pharmacists 206 1,920 89 108 1,811 52 98 2,117 159 85.5

Physicians and 

surgeons 740 1,824 114 283 1,533 84 457 1,915 59 80.1

Physician 

assistants 57 1,368 322 40 – – 17 – – –

Podiatrists 9 – – 4 – – 5 – – –

Audiologists 8 – – 6 – – 1 – – –

Occupational 

therapists 74 1,210 38 64 1,199 42 10 – – –

Physical 

therapists 178 1,265 30 123 1,215 93 56 1,347 37 90.2

Radiation 

therapists 12 – – 7 – – 5 – – –

Recreational 

therapists 6 – – 4 – – 2 – – –

Respiratory 

therapists 99 1,000 47 67 937 99 32 – – –

Speech-language 

pathologists 108 1,147 29 106 1,148 29 1 – – –

Exercise 

physiologists 3 – – 0 – – 3 – – –

Therapists, all 

other 132 944 22 101 951 26 31 – – –

Veterinarians 55 1,455 61 39 – – 16 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 25

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Registered nurses 2,382 1,116 13 2,104 1,098 14 278 1,222 41 89.9

Nurse anesthetists 23 – – 12 – – 11 – – –

Nurse midwives 6 – – 6 – – 0 – – –

Nurse 

practitioners 115 1,532 42 103 1,522 122 11 – – –

Health diagnosing 

and treating 

practitioners, all 

other 2 – – 2 – – 0 – – –

Clinical laboratory 

technologists and 

technicians 270 901 26 201 796 49 69 1,089 74 73.1

Dental hygienists 86 914 91 80 953 151 6 – – –

Diagnostic related 

technologists and 

technicians 253 964 75 177 908 26 76 1,106 49 82.1

Emergency 

medical 

technicians and 

paramedics 175 811 49 49 – – 126 899 50 –

Health practitioner 

support 

technologists and 

technicians 487 636 20 389 633 21 99 652 51 97.1

Licensed practical 

and licensed 

vocational nurses 508 743 16 459 737 16 48 – – –

Medical records 

and health 

information 

technicians 174 740 25 157 723 37 17 – – –

Opticians, 

dispensing 44 – – 23 – – 21 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 26

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Miscellaneous 

health 

technologists and 

technicians 99 671 29 66 642 27 32 – – –

Other healthcare 

practitioners and 

technical 

occupations 78 1,128 118 38 – – 40 – – –

Service occupations 15,279 509 2 7,650 463 3 7,629 585 4 79.1

Healthcare support 

occupations 2,395 498 4 2,074 490 4 320 577 20 84.9

Nursing, psychiatric, 

and home health 

aides 1,400 467 7 1,237 457 6 163 526 25 86.9

Occupational 

therapy assistants 

and aides 17 – – 12 – – 4 – – –

Physical therapist 

assistants and aides 53 742 91 35 – – 18 – – –

Massage therapists 37 – – 22 – – 16 – – –

Dental assistants 188 531 31 175 522 21 14 – – –

Medical assistants 422 539 11 387 530 11 35 – – –

Medical 

transcriptionists 28 – – 26 – – 3 – – –

Pharmacy aides 22 – – 18 – – 4 – – –

Veterinary assistants 

and laboratory 

animal caretakers 21 – – 17 – – 4 – – –

Phlebotomists 91 551 34 76 534 31 15 – – –

Miscellaneous 

healthcare support 

occupations, 

including medical 

equipment preparers 115 524 38 71 511 52 44 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 27

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Protective service 

occupations 2,729 796 15 547 655 20 2,181 851 16 77.0

First-line supervisors 

of correctional 

officers 57 856 83 16 – – 41 – – –

First-line supervisors 

of police and 

detectives 114 1,427 182 17 – – 97 1,425 182 –

First-line supervisors 

of fire fighting and 

prevention workers 42 – – 3 – – 39 – – –

First-line supervisors 

of protective service 

workers, all other 72 808 43 16 – – 56 825 137 –

Firefighters 260 1,033 32 16 – – 245 1,052 30 –

Fire inspectors 18 – – 3 – – 15 – – –

Bailiffs, correctional 

officers, and jailers 453 754 15 112 686 21 341 779 27 88.1

Detectives and 

criminal 

investigators 141 1,159 91 41 – – 100 1,265 202 –

Fish and game 

wardens 6 – – 1 – – 5 – – –

Parking enforcement 

workers 9 – – 3 – – 6 – – –

Police and sheriff's 

patrol officers 655 1,002 21 86 1,009 52 569 1,001 23 100.8

Transit and railroad 

police 3 – – 0 – – 3 – – –

Animal control 

workers 4 – – 2 – – 2 – – –

Private detectives 

and investigators 85 843 129 36 – – 49 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 28

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Security guards and 

gaming surveillance 

officers 708 567 13 153 515 12 555 592 14 87.0

Crossing guards 26 – – 13 – – 13 – – –

Transportation 

security screeners 33 – – 11 – – 22 – – –

Lifeguards and other 

recreational, and all 

other protective 

service workers 42 – – 18 – – 24 – – –

Food preparation and 

serving related 

occupations 4,124 441 5 1,991 414 4 2,133 481 6 86.1

Chefs and head 

cooks 340 619 21 55 492 28 285 656 33 75.0

First-line supervisors 

of food preparation 

and serving workers 378 498 14 222 458 11 156 621 43 73.8

Cooks 1,302 416 4 494 400 7 808 427 10 93.7

Food preparation 

workers 366 402 8 192 388 12 174 414 11 93.7

Bartenders 252 521 16 142 493 21 110 569 36 86.6

Combined food 

preparation and 

serving workers, 

including fast food 173 391 10 107 380 17 67 401 12 94.8

Counter attendants, 

cafeteria, food 

concession, and 

coffee shop 56 354 18 28 – – 28 – – –

Waiters and 

waitresses 868 451 16 563 411 8 305 501 12 82.0

Food servers, 

nonrestaurant 93 509 19 62 485 19 31 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 29

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Dining room and 

cafeteria attendants 

and bartender 

helpers 107 403 19 48 – – 59 389 33 –

Dishwashers 117 398 11 19 – – 98 401 13 –

Hosts and 

hostesses, 

restaurant, lounge, 

and coffee shop 66 400 11 58 397 11 8 – – –

Food preparation 

and serving related 

workers, all other 6 – – 3 – – 4 – – –

Building and grounds 

cleaning and 

maintenance 

occupations 3,605 486 4 1,275 419 4 2,330 517 5 81.0

First-line supervisors 

of housekeeping 

and janitorial 

workers 172 620 20 64 571 34 108 700 64 81.6

First-line supervisors 

of landscaping, lawn 

service, and 

groundskeeping 

workers 80 649 31 1 – – 79 653 31 –

Janitors and building 

cleaners 1,536 507 6 425 429 11 1,111 547 14 78.4

Maids and 

housekeeping 

cleaners 876 416 5 742 407 5 134 475 16 85.7

Pest control workers 77 585 19 3 – – 74 591 18 –

Grounds 

maintenance 

workers 862 469 9 39 – – 824 473 9 –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 30

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Personal care and 

service occupations 2,427 498 5 1,763 475 7 664 597 11 79.6

First-line supervisors 

of gaming workers 117 769 33 52 680 38 65 900 97 75.6

First-line supervisors 

of personal service 

workers 60 608 35 35 – – 25 – – –

Animal trainers 26 – – 8 – – 19 – – –

Nonfarm animal 

caretakers 100 505 14 68 501 16 32 – – –

Gaming services 

workers 69 676 179 39 – – 30 – – –

Motion picture 

projectionists 3 – – 0 – – 3 – – –

Ushers, lobby 

attendants, and 

ticket takers 9 – – 4 – – 5 – – –

Miscellaneous 

entertainment 

attendants and 

related workers 69 485 27 28 – – 42 – – –

Embalmers and 

funeral attendants 2 – – 0 – – 2 – – –

Morticians, 

undertakers, and 

funeral directors 23 – – 7 – – 17 – – –

Barbers 46 – – 12 – – 33 – – –

Hairdressers, 

hairstylists, and 

cosmetologists 253 461 21 229 463 24 23 – – –

Miscellaneous 

personal 

appearance workers 191 501 10 159 497 11 32 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 31

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Baggage porters, 

bellhops, and 

concierges 75 608 16 12 – – 63 606 17 –

Tour and travel 

guides 21 – – 9 – – 11 – – –

Childcare workers 407 437 14 393 430 15 14 – – –

Personal care aides 680 462 12 552 441 12 128 537 22 82.1

Recreation and 

fitness workers 185 555 24 107 526 20 78 684 39 76.9

Residential advisors 24 – – 16 – – 8 – – –

Personal care and 

service workers, all 

other 67 499 16 32 – – 35 – – –

Sales and office 

occupations 23,620 673 3 14,236 627 3 9,384 777 7 80.7

Sales and related 

occupations 9,725 716 7 4,303 578 6 5,423 880 12 65.7

First-line supervisors 

of retail sales 

workers 2,326 711 13 1,030 614 9 1,296 825 22 74.4

First-line supervisors 

of non-retail sales 

workers 835 1,028 36 280 896 26 556 1,140 27 78.6

Cashiers 1,342 415 4 931 405 5 411 471 19 86.0

Counter and rental 

clerks 73 594 46 37 – – 35 – – –

Parts salespersons 92 601 21 11 – – 82 600 24 –

Retail salespersons 1,918 590 10 759 494 7 1,159 694 19 71.2

Advertising sales 

agents 161 925 80 83 729 39 78 1,155 74 63.1

Insurance sales 

agents 427 815 34 232 717 29 194 1,028 100 69.7

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 32

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Securities, 

commodities, and 

financial services 

sales agents 211 1,155 37 65 767 43 146 1,461 110 52.5

Travel agents 62 711 27 53 685 29 9 – – –

Sales 

representatives, 

services, all other 406 966 28 139 699 53 268 1,147 27 60.9

Sales 

representatives, 

wholesale and 

manufacturing 1,138 1,020 24 295 917 50 843 1,066 38 86.0

Models, 

demonstrators, and 

product promoters 15 – – 11 – – 4 – – –

Real estate brokers 

and sales agents 463 837 47 266 735 25 197 1,052 103 69.9

Sales engineers 33 – – 2 – – 31 – – –

Telemarketers 39 – – 21 – – 17 – – –

Door-to-door sales 

workers, news and 

street vendors, and 

related workers 28 – – 18 – – 9 – – –

Sales and related 

workers, all other 158 916 54 70 727 85 89 1,088 169 66.8

Office and 

administrative support 

occupations 13,894 656 3 9,933 646 3 3,961 693 8 93.2

First-line supervisors 

of office and 

administrative 

support workers 1,297 812 15 863 781 16 434 878 31 89.0

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 33

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Switchboard 

operators, including 

answering service 17 – – 10 – – 7 – – –

Telephone operators 22 – – 18 – – 4 – – –

Communications 

equipment 

operators, all other 5 – – 3 – – 2 – – –

Bill and account 

collectors 152 657 26 98 648 30 54 674 186 96.1

Billing and posting 

clerks 406 657 14 366 664 14 39 – – –

Bookkeeping, 

accounting, and 

auditing clerks 769 692 13 682 692 13 87 690 28 100.3

Gaming cage 

workers 11 – – 10 – – 2 – – –

Payroll and 

timekeeping clerks 128 757 32 111 751 33 17 – – –

Procurement clerks 35 – – 21 – – 15 – – –

Tellers 264 514 9 231 516 9 33 – – –

Financial clerks, all 

other 61 767 109 32 – – 30 – – –

Brokerage clerks 3 – – 1 – – 1 – – –

Correspondence 

clerks 3 – – 2 – – 1 – – –

Court, municipal, 

and license clerks 60 755 66 51 743 63 9 – – –

Credit authorizers, 

checkers, and clerks 42 – – 29 – – 12 – – –

Customer service 

representatives 1,760 621 7 1,149 604 7 611 690 19 87.5

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 34

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Eligibility 

interviewers, 

government 

programs 67 781 74 50 805 128 17 – – –

File clerks 145 634 25 120 627 25 25 – – –

Hotel, motel, and 

resort desk clerks 127 481 21 69 467 89 58 486 21 96.1

Interviewers, except 

eligibility and loan 105 615 25 89 617 32 16 – – –

Library assistants, 

clerical 35 – – 28 – – 7 – – –

Loan interviewers 

and clerks 134 710 25 109 722 27 25 – – –

New accounts clerks 20 – – 17 – – 3 – – –

Order clerks 74 599 23 48 – – 26 – – –

Human resources 

assistants, except 

payroll and 

timekeeping 50 737 45 40 – – 11 – – –

Receptionists and 

information clerks 852 575 9 781 569 10 72 619 24 91.9

Reservation and 

transportation ticket 

agents and travel 

clerks 95 713 37 61 680 40 34 – – –

Information and 

record clerks, all 

other 100 618 15 78 616 18 22 – – –

Cargo and freight 

agents 20 – – 9 – – 12 – – –

Couriers and 

messengers 153 752 32 19 – – 134 750 37 –

Dispatchers 250 698 28 141 655 30 109 759 44 86.3

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 35

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Meter readers, 

utilities 39 – – 4 – – 34 – – –

Postal service clerks 127 927 66 51 833 48 76 974 36 85.5

Postal service mail 

carriers 302 954 29 115 854 39 187 1,021 39 83.6

Postal service mail 

sorters, processors, 

and processing 

machine operators 53 828 242 26 – – 27 – – –

Production, 

planning, and 

expediting clerks 256 838 55 141 732 24 116 978 40 74.8

Shipping, receiving, 

and traffic clerks 502 591 13 148 566 30 354 604 17 93.7

Stock clerks and 

order fillers 1,027 520 7 376 506 9 651 537 19 94.2

Weighers, 

measurers, 

checkers, and 

samplers, 

recordkeeping 59 629 48 31 – – 29 – – –

Secretaries and 

administrative 

assistants 2,223 687 8 2,099 683 8 124 786 35 86.9

Computer operators 58 751 51 33 – – 25 – – –

Data entry keyers 223 619 13 169 638 24 55 589 21 108.3

Word processors 

and typists 68 650 33 62 639 30 6 – – –

Desktop publishers 1 – – 0 – – 1 – – –

Insurance claims 

and policy 

processing clerks 259 689 16 203 675 18 56 762 43 88.6

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 36

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Mail clerks and mail 

machine operators, 

except postal 

service 63 563 49 39 – – 24 – – –

Office clerks, 

general 929 620 8 773 622 9 156 609 21 102.1

Office machine 

operators, except 

computer 31 – – 16 – – 14 – – –

Proofreaders and 

copy markers 2 – – 2 – – 0 – – –

Statistical assistants 15 – – 10 – – 5 – – –

Office and 

administrative 

support workers, all 

other 391 745 20 298 718 27 93 852 62 84.3

Natural resources, 

construction, and 

maintenance 

occupations 10,834 761 6 453 580 15 10,381 770 6 75.3

Farming, fishing, and 

forestry occupations 810 464 8 174 437 12 637 477 12 91.6

First-line supervisors 

of farming, fishing, 

and forestry workers 42 – – 10 – – 32 – – –

Agricultural 

inspectors 12 – – 6 – – 7 – – –

Animal breeders 2 – – 0 – – 2 – – –

Graders and sorters, 

agricultural products 83 486 34 51 468 19 32 – – –

Miscellaneous 

agricultural workers 613 445 10 102 398 16 511 460 12 86.5

Fishers and related 

fishing workers 11 – – 0 – – 11 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 37

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Hunters and 

trappers 0 – – 0 – – 0 – – –

Forest and 

conservation 

workers 15 – – 5 – – 10 – – –

Logging workers 31 – – 0 – – 31 – – –

Construction and 

extraction occupations 5,722 749 9 137 704 28 5,586 751 9 93.7

First-line supervisors 

of construction 

trades and 

extraction workers 560 1,040 40 20 – – 540 1,047 40 –

Boilermakers 21 – – 0 – – 21 – – –

Brickmasons, 

blockmasons, and 

stonemasons 122 652 46 0 – – 122 652 46 –

Carpenters 802 687 11 10 – – 792 687 12 –

Carpet, floor, and tile 

installers and 

finishers 89 637 61 1 – – 89 634 66 –

Cement masons, 

concrete finishers, 

and terrazzo 

workers 44 – – 0 – – 44 – – –

Construction 

laborers 1,181 639 18 25 – – 1,155 642 18 –

Paving, surfacing, 

and tamping 

equipment operators 10 – – 0 – – 10 – – –

Pile-driver operators 2 – – 0 – – 2 – – –

Operating engineers 

and other 

construction 

equipment operators 324 856 31 6 – – 318 859 33 –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 38

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Drywall installers, 

ceiling tile installers, 

and tapers 121 596 28 2 – – 119 595 28 –

Electricians 651 888 28 19 – – 632 891 27 –

Glaziers 33 – – 0 – – 32 – – –

Insulation workers 43 – – 3 – – 41 – – –

Painters, 

construction and 

maintenance 344 585 16 14 – – 330 587 15 –

Paperhangers 0 – – 0 – – 0 – – –

Pipelayers, 

plumbers, pipefitters, 

and steamfitters 456 863 41 2 – – 455 862 41 –

Plasterers and 

stucco masons 20 – – 1 – – 19 – – –

Reinforcing iron and 

rebar workers 9 – – 0 – – 9 – – –

Roofers 171 584 23 2 – – 170 580 23 –

Sheet metal workers 106 766 38 6 – – 100 776 36 –

Structural iron and 

steel workers 54 869 35 2 – – 52 864 39 –

Solar photovoltaic 

installers 8 – – 0 – – 8 – – –

Helpers, 

construction trades 47 – – 0 – – 47 – – –

Construction and 

building inspectors 67 939 37 9 – – 58 965 35 –

Elevator installers 

and repairers 23 – – 0 – – 23 – – –

Fence erectors 33 – – 0 – – 33 – – –

Hazardous materials 

removal workers 39 – – 5 – – 35 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 39

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Highway 

maintenance 

workers 91 754 62 0 – – 91 755 62 –

Rail-track laying and 

maintenance 

equipment operators 9 – – 0 – – 9 – – –

Septic tank servicers 

and sewer pipe 

cleaners 8 – – 0 – – 8 – – –

Miscellaneous 

construction and 

related workers 25 – – 2 – – 23 – – –

Derrick, rotary drill, 

and service unit 

operators, oil, gas, 

and mining 28 – – 1 – – 27 – – –

Earth drillers, except 

oil and gas 30 – – 0 – – 30 – – –

Explosives workers, 

ordnance handling 

experts, and blasters 5 – – 0 – – 5 – – –

Mining machine 

operators 68 1,106 43 2 – – 65 1,098 42 –

Roof bolters, mining 3 – – 0 – – 3 – – –

Roustabouts, oil and 

gas 7 – – 0 – – 7 – – –

Helpers—extraction 

workers 6 – – 0 – – 6 – – –

Other extraction 

workers 61 900 99 3 – – 58 918 140 –

Installation, 

maintenance, and 

repair occupations 4,301 839 11 143 761 74 4,159 842 11 90.4

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 40

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

First-line supervisors 

of mechanics, 

installers, and 

repairers 270 1,032 37 18 – – 252 1,033 37 –

Computer, 

automated teller, 

and office machine 

repairers 194 856 73 28 – – 166 865 61 –

Radio and 

telecommunications 

equipment installers 

and repairers 139 862 38 13 – – 126 879 53 –

Avionics technicians 4 – – 0 – – 4 – – –

Electric motor, 

power tool, and 

related repairers 22 – – 1 – – 20 – – –

Electrical and 

electronics installers 

and repairers, 

transportation 

equipment 2 – – 0 – – 2 – – –

Electrical and 

electronics repairers, 

industrial and utility 18 – – 0 – – 17 – – –

Electronic 

equipment installers 

and repairers, motor 

vehicles 17 – – 0 – – 17 – – –

Electronic home 

entertainment 

equipment installers 

and repairers 30 – – 2 – – 28 – – –

Security and fire 

alarm systems 

installers 67 911 68 2 – – 65 913 66 –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 41

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Aircraft mechanics 

and service 

technicians 133 1,025 30 7 – – 125 1,032 31 –

Automotive body 

and related repairers 120 846 43 2 – – 118 849 42 –

Automotive glass 

installers and 

repairers 21 – – 1 – – 20 – – –

Automotive service 

technicians and 

mechanics 710 722 18 16 – – 694 724 19 –

Bus and truck 

mechanics and 

diesel engine 

specialists 327 831 35 0 – – 327 830 34 –

Heavy vehicle and 

mobile equipment 

service technicians 

and mechanics 206 928 35 0 – – 206 928 36 –

Small engine 

mechanics 39 – – 0 – – 39 – – –

Miscellaneous 

vehicle and mobile 

equipment 

mechanics, 

installers, and 

repairers 66 592 29 1 – – 65 591 32 –

Control and valve 

installers and 

repairers 23 – – 0 – – 23 – – –

Heating, air 

conditioning, and 

refrigeration 

mechanics and 

installers 341 806 32 4 – – 337 810 31 –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 42

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Home appliance 

repairers 36 – – 0 – – 36 – – –

Industrial and 

refractory machinery 

mechanics 394 895 22 11 – – 383 894 22 –

Maintenance and 

repair workers, 

general 469 773 23 10 – – 459 771 23 –

Maintenance 

workers, machinery 31 – – 1 – – 30 – – –

Millwrights 49 – – 1 – – 48 – – –

Electrical power-line 

installers and 

repairers 113 1,105 55 0 – – 112 1,105 55 –

Telecommunications 

line installers and 

repairers 157 882 46 9 – – 148 880 49 –

Precision instrument 

and equipment 

repairers 64 996 72 4 – – 60 1,009 70 –

Wind turbine service 

technicians 3 – – 0 – – 3 – – –

Coin, vending, and 

amusement 

machine servicers 

and repairers 38 – – 4 – – 34 – – –

Commercial divers 1 – – 0 – – 1 – – –

Locksmiths and safe 

repairers 12 – – 0 – – 12 – – –

Manufactured 

building and mobile 

home installers 4 – – 1 – – 4 – – –

Riggers 7 – – 0 – – 7 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 43

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Signal and track 

switch repairers 9 – – 0 – – 9 – – –

Helpers—

installation, 

maintenance, and 

repair workers 17 – – 0 – – 17 – – –

Other installation, 

maintenance, and 

repair workers 150 792 64 6 – – 144 810 62 –

Production, 

transportation, and 

material moving 

occupations 14,504 656 4 2,958 512 4 11,546 704 4 72.7

Production 

occupations 7,551 663 6 2,003 519 5 5,548 729 6 71.2

First-line supervisors 

of production and 

operating workers 783 875 19 133 623 31 650 924 24 67.4

Aircraft structure, 

surfaces, rigging, 

and systems 

assemblers 15 – – 4 – – 11 – – –

Electrical, 

electronics, and 

electromechanical 

assemblers 123 554 37 64 544 48 59 566 53 96.1

Engine and other 

machine assemblers 14 – – 2 – – 12 – – –

Structural metal 

fabricators and 

fitters 31 – – 3 – – 28 – – –

Miscellaneous 

assemblers and 

fabricators 950 581 10 377 512 11 573 637 22 80.4

Bakers 150 505 16 80 475 24 69 570 40 83.3

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 44

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Butchers and other 

meat, poultry, and 

fish processing 

workers 247 542 23 60 463 24 187 582 17 79.6

Food and tobacco 

roasting, baking, 

and drying machine 

operators and 

tenders 9 – – 1 – – 7 – – –

Food batchmakers 79 500 18 54 489 23 25 – – –

Food cooking 

machine operators 

and tenders 7 – – 2 – – 5 – – –

Food processing 

workers, all other 132 594 24 50 508 48 82 679 53 74.8

Computer control 

programmers and 

operators 83 833 97 2 – – 81 857 97 –

Extruding and 

drawing machine 

setters, operators, 

and tenders, metal 

and plastic 8 – – 1 – – 7 – – –

Forging machine 

setters, operators, 

and tenders, metal 

and plastic 6 – – 0 – – 6 – – –

Rolling machine 

setters, operators, 

and tenders, metal 

and plastic 15 – – 3 – – 12 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 45

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Cutting, punching, 

and press machine 

setters, operators, 

and tenders, metal 

and plastic 78 633 36 15 – – 62 674 40 –

Drilling and boring 

machine tool setters, 

operators, and 

tenders, metal and 

plastic 5 – – 1 – – 5 – – –

Grinding, lapping, 

polishing, and 

buffing machine tool 

setters, operators, 

and tenders, metal 

and plastic 41 – – 3 – – 39 – – –

Lathe and turning 

machine tool setters, 

operators, and 

tenders, metal and 

plastic 12 – – 1 – – 11 – – –

Milling and planing 

machine setters, 

operators, and 

tenders, metal and 

plastic 1 – – 0 – – 1 – – –

Machinists 338 834 17 17 – – 320 840 17 –

Metal furnace 

operators, tenders, 

pourers, and casters 29 – – 1 – – 28 – – –

Model makers and 

patternmakers, 

metal and plastic 6 – – 3 – – 3 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 46

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Molders and 

molding machine 

setters, operators, 

and tenders, metal 

and plastic 47 – – 9 – – 39 – – –

Multiple machine 

tool setters, 

operators, and 

tenders, metal and 

plastic 1 – – 0 – – 1 – – –

Tool and die makers 49 – – 0 – – 49 – – –

Welding, soldering, 

and brazing workers 568 760 17 23 – – 545 767 18 –

Heat treating 

equipment setters, 

operators, and 

tenders, metal and 

plastic 4 – – 0 – – 4 – – –

Layout workers, 

metal and plastic 4 – – 1 – – 4 – – –

Plating and coating 

machine setters, 

operators, and 

tenders, metal and 

plastic 24 – – 0 – – 24 – – –

Tool grinders, filers, 

and sharpeners 7 – – 0 – – 7 – – –

Metal workers and 

plastic workers, all 

other 351 639 23 72 581 19 278 678 23 85.7

Prepress 

technicians and 

workers 14 – – 2 – – 12 – – –

Printing press 

operators 160 707 39 26 – – 134 729 19 –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 47

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Print binding and 

finishing workers 16 – – 6 – – 9 – – –

Laundry and drycleaning workers 133 466 22 80 460 22 53 487 59 94.5

Pressers, textile, 

garment, and related 

materials 21 – – 12 – – 9 – – –

Sewing machine 

operators 147 493 14 105 476 16 42 – – –

Shoe and leather 

workers and 

repairers 5 – – 1 – – 4 – – –

Shoe machine 

operators and 

tenders 1 – – 1 – – 0 – – –

Tailors, 

dressmakers, and 

sewers 37 – – 27 – – 9 – – –

Textile bleaching 

and dyeing machine 

operators and 

tenders 2 – – 0 – – 2 – – –

Textile cutting 

machine setters, 

operators, and 

tenders 9 – – 2 – – 7 – – –

Textile knitting and 

weaving machine 

setters, operators, 

and tenders 8 – – 4 – – 3 – – –

Textile winding, 

twisting, and 

drawing out machine 

setters, operators, 

and tenders 7 – – 2 – – 5 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 48

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Extruding and 

forming machine 

setters, operators, 

and tenders, 

synthetic and glass 

fibers 0 – – 0 – – 0 – – –

Fabric and apparel 

patternmakers 4 – – 1 – – 3 – – –

Upholsterers 29 – – 7 – – 21 – – –

Textile, apparel, and 

furnishings workers, 

all other 16 – – 4 – – 12 – – –

Cabinetmakers and 

bench carpenters 40 – – 2 – – 38 – – –

Furniture finishers 6 – – 0 – – 6 – – –

Model makers and 

patternmakers, 

wood 0 – – 0 – – 0 – – –

Sawing machine 

setters, operators, 

and tenders, wood 26 – – 4 – – 22 – – –

Woodworking 

machine setters, 

operators, and 

tenders, except 

sawing 23 – – 1 – – 21 – – –

Woodworkers, all 

other 17 – – 3 – – 14 – – –

Power plant 

operators, 

distributors, and 

dispatchers 35 – – 1 – – 34 – – –

Stationary engineers 

and boiler operators 84 996 69 3 – – 81 1,012 68 –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 49

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Water and 

wastewater 

treatment plant and 

system operators 82 880 42 3 – – 79 868 37 –

Miscellaneous plant 

and system 

operators 35 – – 3 – – 33 – – –

Chemical 

processing machine 

setters, operators, 

and tenders 62 1,052 141 5 – – 57 1,082 33 –

Crushing, grinding, 

polishing, mixing, 

and blending 

workers 82 652 51 7 – – 75 668 48 –

Cutting workers 51 685 44 9 – – 41 – – –

Extruding, forming, 

pressing, and 

compacting machine 

setters, operators, 

and tenders 31 – – 6 – – 25 – – –

Furnace, kiln, oven, 

drier, and kettle 

operators and 

tenders 6 – – 0 – – 5 – – –

Inspectors, testers, 

sorters, samplers, 

and weighers 701 710 17 260 583 15 440 844 28 69.1

Jewelers and 

precious stone and 

metal workers 19 – – 7 – – 11 – – –

Medical, dental, and 

ophthalmic 

laboratory 

technicians 86 648 28 42 – – 44 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 50

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Packaging and filling 

machine operators 

and tenders 239 518 15 120 482 17 118 605 47 79.7

Painting workers 129 708 34 18 – – 110 733 30 –

Photographic 

process workers and 

processing machine 

operators 26 – – 14 – – 12 – – –

Semiconductor 

processors 1 – – 0 – – 1 – – –

Adhesive bonding 

machine operators 

and tenders 9 – – 4 – – 5 – – –

Cleaning, washing, 

and metal pickling 

equipment operators 

and tenders 4 – – 1 – – 2 – – –

Cooling and freezing 

equipment operators 

and tenders 4 – – 0 – – 3 – – –

Etchers and 

engravers 12 – – 4 – – 8 – – –

Molders, shapers, 

and casters, except 

metal and plastic 14 – – 2 – – 12 – – –

Paper goods 

machine setters, 

operators, and 

tenders 27 – – 5 – – 22 – – –

Tire builders 8 – – 0 – – 8 – – –

Helpers—production 

workers 24 – – 7 – – 18 – – –

Production workers, 

all other 846 625 12 203 501 16 643 666 14 75.2

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 51

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Transportation and 

material moving 

occupations 6,953 646 7 955 494 9 5,998 679 6 72.8

Supervisors of 

transportation and 

material moving 

workers 186 894 35 33 – – 153 898 43 –

Aircraft pilots and 

flight engineers 114 1,735 243 9 – – 104 1,830 265 –

Air traffic controllers 

and airfield 

operations 

specialists 32 – – 8 – – 24 – – –

Flight attendants 63 846 64 43 – – 20 – – –

Ambulance drivers 

and attendants, 

except emergency 

medical technicians 18 – – 4 – – 14 – – –

Bus drivers 323 615 14 138 572 26 184 681 24 84.0

Driver/sales workers 

and truck drivers 2,687 747 9 105 632 53 2,582 751 9 84.2

Taxi drivers and 

chauffeurs 253 585 15 38 – – 216 600 14 –

Motor vehicle 

operators, all other 21 – – 3 – – 18 – – –

Locomotive 

engineers and 

operators 44 – – 2 – – 42 – – –

Railroad brake, 

signal, and switch 

operators 5 – – 0 – – 5 – – –

Railroad conductors 

and yardmasters 55 1,117 67 4 – – 52 1,137 38 –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 52

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Subway, streetcar, 

and other rail 

transportation 

workers 15 – – 3 – – 12 – – –

Sailors and marine 

oilers 10 – – 0 – – 9 – – –

Ship and boat 

captains and 

operators 29 – – 1 – – 28 – – –

Ship engineers 5 – – 1 – – 4 – – –

Bridge and lock 

tenders 4 – – 0 – – 4 – – –

Parking lot 

attendants 57 492 25 8 – – 49 – – –

Automotive and 

watercraft service 

attendants 63 452 48 5 – – 58 470 44 –

Transportation 

inspectors 21 – – 7 – – 14 – – –

Transportation 

attendants, except 

flight attendants 17 – – 8 – – 9 – – –

Other transportation 

workers 39 – – 4 – – 35 – – –

Conveyor operators 

and tenders 7 – – 0 – – 7 – – –

Crane and tower 

operators 75 988 72 4 – – 71 1,016 73 –

Dredge, excavating, 

and loading machine 

operators 25 – – 0 – – 25 – – –

Hoist and winch 

operators 5 – – 0 – – 5 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 53

Note: Median earnings are not shown where employment is less than 50,000. Women's earnings as a percentage of men's are not shown where employment for either women or men is less than 50,000. Dash indicates no data 

or data that do not meet publication criteria.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Occupation

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Industrial truck and 

tractor operators 579 609 11 37 – – 541 612 12 –

Cleaners of vehicles 

and equipment 222 485 19 22 – – 200 498 19 –

Laborers and freight, 

stock, and material 

movers, hand 1,433 526 9 219 455 16 1,214 547 12 83.2

Machine feeders 

and offbearers 30 – – 9 – – 21 – – –

Packers and 

packagers, hand 385 438 13 227 424 12 158 462 23 91.8

Pumping station 

operators 18 – – 1 – – 17 – – –

Refuse and 

recyclable material 

collectors 72 501 23 6 – – 66 496 24 –

Mine shuttle car 

operators 0 – – 0 – – 0 – – –

Tank car, truck, and 

ship loaders 6 – – 0 – – 6 – – –

Material moving 

workers, all other 37 – – 5 – – 32 – – –

Table 2. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by detailed occupation, 2015 annual averages

State

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Table 3. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by state, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 54

State

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

United States 109,080 $809 $2 48,334 $726 $2 60,746 $895 $3 81.1

Alabama 1,580 711 14 724 615 12 856 815 32 75.5

Alaska 255 903 15 110 787 21 145 1,034 24 76.1

Arizona 2,180 745 11 960 674 13 1,219 816 20 82.6

Arkansas 983 682 14 459 607 12 524 761 19 79.8

California 12,555 849 11 5,315 775 10 7,241 914 12 84.8

Colorado 1,895 863 16 821 779 17 1,074 941 20 82.8

Connecticut 1,245 1,012 31 586 874 29 659 1,139 23 76.7

Delaware 345 788 17 165 740 17 180 848 22 87.3

District of 

Columbia 295 1,148 15 147 1,070 44 149 1,224 41 87.4

Florida 6,601 747 7 3,041 699 9 3,559 800 16 87.4

Georgia 3,402 751 12 1,552 692 15 1,850 816 18 84.8

Hawaii 470 775 20 215 729 21 255 829 30 87.9

Idaho 530 726 11 217 654 12 312 806 22 81.1

Illinois 4,479 846 10 2,009 760 11 2,470 911 14 83.4

Indiana 2,284 769 15 997 687 23 1,287 861 27 79.8

Iowa 1,122 774 15 510 684 16 612 870 25 78.6

Kansas 1,023 765 13 456 667 17 567 870 21 76.7

Kentucky 1,392 756 16 637 685 17 755 849 25 80.7

Louisiana 1,559 727 15 716 630 17 843 828 27 76.1

Maine 423 790 19 194 711 19 229 889 31 80.0

Maryland 2,325 974 21 1,117 884 43 1,208 1,055 28 83.8

Massachusetts 2,423 1,001 15 1,076 907 21 1,347 1,112 39 81.6

Michigan 3,205 823 12 1,389 715 14 1,815 931 19 76.8

Minnesota 2,020 887 16 897 786 26 1,123 954 26 82.4

Mississippi 923 668 17 438 591 14 485 772 20 76.6

Missouri 2,168 768 15 1,006 667 14 1,162 863 22 77.3

Montana 329 730 11 147 660 17 182 794 24 83.1

Nebraska 714 754 10 322 652 16 392 856 19 76.2

Table 3. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by state, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 55

Note: In general, the sampling error for the state estimates is considerably larger than it is for the national estimates; thus, comparisons of state estimates should be made with caution. Data shown are based on workers' state of 

residence; workers' reported earnings, however, may or may not be from a job located in the same state.

State

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Nevada 1,010 730 12 437 660 13 573 809 23 81.6

New 

Hampshire 503 865 23 219 746 18 284 965 25 77.3

New Jersey 3,208 969 13 1,396 874 18 1,812 1,050 30 83.2

New Mexico 624 722 17 286 638 16 338 812 31 78.6

New York 6,834 888 9 3,147 816 18 3,687 939 13 86.9

North Carolina 3,399 723 11 1,515 664 11 1,884 774 17 85.8

North Dakota 290 797 14 123 682 16 166 912 18 74.8

Ohio 3,888 800 12 1,723 716 13 2,165 882 14 81.2

Oklahoma 1,313 739 12 579 640 19 734 831 26 77.0

Oregon 1,235 826 19 527 734 21 708 884 22 83.0

Pennsylvania 4,461 833 11 1,960 723 13 2,501 922 15 78.4

Rhode Island 376 827 22 174 737 20 202 926 28 79.6

South Carolina 1,638 696 15 756 642 11 881 762 17 84.3

South Dakota 319 705 9 152 624 10 167 788 18 79.2

Tennessee 2,196 705 13 938 647 15 1,257 756 19 85.6

Texas 9,556 770 7 4,094 683 11 5,462 864 14 79.1

Utah 993 787 13 366 660 19 626 878 23 75.2

Vermont 223 831 17 102 752 17 120 902 23 83.4

Virginia 3,039 937 19 1,364 825 29 1,675 1,031 29 80.0

Washington 2,403 909 16 1,005 797 22 1,398 1,025 30 77.8

West Virginia 552 724 14 247 640 17 305 803 18 79.7

Wisconsin 2,082 824 14 909 707 16 1,173 920 24 76.8

Wyoming 217 797 19 89 654 15 128 948 25 69.0

Table 3. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by state, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 56

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Characteristic

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Age

Total, 16 years 

and older 24,445 $246 $1 16,022 $251 $1 8,423 $238 $2 105.5

16 to 24 

years 8,496 190 1 4,735 189 2 3,760 192 2 98.4

16 to 19 

years 3,478 153 2 1,848 152 3 1,630 154 3 98.7

20 to 24 

years 5,018 215 2 2,887 212 3 2,131 218 3 97.2

25 years and 

older 15,949 287 2 11,287 286 2 4,663 287 3 99.7

25 to 34 

years 4,210 279 3 2,766 275 4 1,444 287 5 95.8

35 to 44 

years 3,134 305 5 2,433 307 5 701 297 9 103.4

45 to 54 

years 3,146 301 4 2,480 303 5 666 296 7 102.4

55 to 64 

years 3,141 290 4 2,277 289 5 863 293 7 98.6

65 years 

and older 2,318 252 5 1,331 237 6 988 270 7 87.8

Race and 

Hispanic or 

Latino 

ethnicity

White 19,368 249 1 12,818 255 2 6,551 239 2 106.7

Black or African 

American 2,944 227 3 1,844 229 3 1,100 222 4 103.2

Asian 1,239 265 6 814 267 7 425 262 10 101.9

Hispanic or 

Latino ethnicity 4,017 242 2 2,504 238 3 1,514 247 4 96.4

Table 4. Median usual weekly earnings of part-time wage and salary workers, by selected demographic characteristics, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 57

Note: Estimates for the race groups shown (White, Black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all race groups. People of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race; 

estimates for the race groups include Hispanics.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Characteristic

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Marital status

Never married 11,832 210 1 6,556 208 2 5,277 211 2 98.6

Married, spouse 

present 9,180 305 3 6,834 307 3 2,347 300 4 102.3

Other marital 

status 3,433 262 3 2,633 261 4 800 266 7 98.1

Divorced 1,982 272 4 1,489 272 5 493 270 10 100.7

Separated 789 255 6 586 256 7 203 252 10 101.6

Widowed 663 241 8 558 236 8 104 286 18 82.5

Table 4. Median usual weekly earnings of part-time wage and salary workers, by selected demographic characteristics, 2015 annual averages

Hours of work

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Total, 16 years 

and older 133,743 $695 $2 64,445 $603 $2 69,298 $799 $3 75.5

0 to 34 hours 22,171 249 1 14,599 254 1 7,572 239 2 106.3

0 to 4 

hours 472 63 3 317 61 3 155 68 6 89.7

5 to 9 

hours 1,168 79 3 769 83 3 399 73 3 113.7

10 to 14 

hours 1,878 114 1 1,252 115 1 626 113 2 101.8

15 to 19 

hours 2,639 164 1 1,764 168 2 876 157 2 107.0

Table 5. Median usual weekly earnings of wage and salary workers, by hours usually worked, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 58

Note: Data are for the sole or principal job of full-time and part-time workers. Estimates for the "hours vary" groups do not sum to totals because data are not presented for a small number of multiple jobholders whose usual 

number of hours on the principal job is not identifiable.

Hours of work

Total Women Men Women's 

earnings as a 

percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

20 to 24 

hours 6,429 223 1 4,159 233 3 2,271 214 2 108.9

25 to 29 

hours 3,510 272 2 2,332 275 3 1,178 267 3 103.0

30 to 34 

hours 6,076 347 3 4,008 358 4 2,067 326 4 109.8

35 hours and 

over 103,944 813 2 46,256 732 2 57,688 898 3 81.5

35 to 39 

hours 7,936 519 5 5,250 537 6 2,686 490 8 109.6

40 hours 74,389 752 2 34,280 705 3 40,109 801 3 88.0

41 hours 

and over 21,619 1,231 7 6,725 1,111 11 14,894 1,289 12 86.2

41 to 44 

hours 1,174 909 21 452 824 26 722 964 25 85.5

45 to 48 

hours 5,844 1,074 13 2,121 1,002 15 3,723 1,126 13 89.0

49 to 59 

hours 9,872 1,321 14 2,986 1,189 23 6,886 1,371 13 86.7

60 hours 

and over 4,728 1,384 16 1,166 1,199 40 3,562 1,442 22 83.1

Hours vary 7,628 483 7 3,590 365 7 4,038 623 14 58.6

Usually 

less than 

35 hours 2,274 218 4 1,423 216 5 851 221 6 97.7

Usually 35 

or more 

hours 5,137 704 14 2,078 537 19 3,058 817 17 65.7

Table 5. Median usual weekly earnings of wage and salary workers, by hours usually worked, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 59

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Characteristic Total 

employed

Number of workers with usual weekly earnings of—

Under 

$350.00

$350.00 to 

$499.99

$500.00 to 

$599.99

$600.00 to 

$749.99

$750.00 to 

$999.99

$1,000.00 to 

$1,199.99

$1,200.00 to 

$1,999.99

$2,000.00 or 

more

Age

Total, 16 years and older 109,080 6,724 16,468 10,426 14,758 18,602 10,945 20,581 10,576

16 to 24 years 9,790 1,736 3,399 1,336 1,442 1,066 360 370 81

16 to 19 years 1,156 404 468 103 88 57 17 15 2

20 to 24 years 8,634 1,331 2,930 1,233 1,353 1,009 343 355 79

25 years and older 99,291 4,988 13,069 9,090 13,317 17,536 10,585 20,211 10,495

25 to 34 years 26,611 1,633 4,430 3,078 4,239 4,993 2,734 4,151 1,355

35 to 44 years 24,917 1,127 3,101 2,080 3,188 4,325 2,730 5,492 2,873

45 to 54 years 25,577 1,112 2,965 2,035 3,174 4,503 2,777 5,657 3,356

55 to 64 years 18,108 802 1,989 1,551 2,280 3,087 1,950 4,073 2,376

65 years and older 4,078 315 584 347 437 628 394 838 536

Women, 16 years and 

older 48,334 3,839 8,510 5,232 7,114 8,483 4,552 7,552 3,052

16 to 24 years 4,314 953 1,606 561 600 380 97 101 16

16 to 19 years 495 211 199 40 24 18 0 2 2

20 to 24 years 3,818 742 1,407 521 576 362 97 99 14

25 years and older 44,020 2,886 6,904 4,671 6,514 8,103 4,455 7,451 3,036

25 to 34 years 11,538 864 2,097 1,475 1,873 2,232 1,104 1,465 428

35 to 44 years 10,802 668 1,580 1,024 1,534 1,971 1,146 2,041 838

45 to 54 years 11,572 706 1,682 1,112 1,664 2,139 1,183 2,127 959

55 to 64 years 8,295 485 1,216 870 1,230 1,462 833 1,519 680

65 years and older 1,813 162 330 189 214 299 190 299 130

Men, 16 years and older 60,746 2,885 7,958 5,195 7,644 10,119 6,393 13,029 7,524

16 to 24 years 5,476 783 1,793 775 842 686 264 269 65

16 to 19 years 660 193 270 63 64 40 17 13 0

20 to 24 years 4,816 590 1,524 712 777 647 247 256 65

25 years and older 55,270 2,102 6,165 4,419 6,802 9,433 6,129 12,760 7,460

Table 6. Distribution of full-time wage and salary workers, by usual weekly earnings and selected demographic characteristics, 2015 annual averages (in 

thousands)

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

Page 60

Note: Estimates for the race groups shown (White, Black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all race groups. People of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race; 

estimates for the race groups include Hispanics.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Characteristic Total 

employed

Number of workers with usual weekly earnings of—

Under 

$350.00

$350.00 to 

$499.99

$500.00 to 

$599.99

$600.00 to 

$749.99

$750.00 to 

$999.99

$1,000.00 to 

$1,199.99

$1,200.00 to 

$1,999.99

$2,000.00 or 

more

25 to 34 years 15,073 768 2,333 1,603 2,366 2,761 1,630 2,686 927

35 to 44 years 14,114 458 1,521 1,056 1,654 2,355 1,584 3,451 2,035

45 to 54 years 14,005 406 1,283 922 1,510 2,364 1,594 3,529 2,397

55 to 64 years 9,813 316 773 681 1,050 1,625 1,117 2,554 1,696

65 years and older 2,265 153 254 157 222 329 204 540 406

Race and Hispanic or 

Latino ethnicity

White 85,443 4,732 12,134 7,794 11,580 14,919 8,872 16,702 8,711

Women 36,698 2,660 6,109 3,873 5,509 6,672 3,589 5,911 2,374

Men 48,746 2,072 6,025 3,921 6,070 8,247 5,283 10,790 6,337

Black or African 

American 13,587 1,373 2,892 1,719 1,980 2,211 1,044 1,789 579

Women 7,142 844 1,666 887 1,025 1,111 507 832 271

Men 6,445 529 1,225 832 955 1,100 537 957 309

Asian 6,638 348 756 520 729 926 699 1,588 1,072

Women 2,954 192 386 281 370 449 323 624 329

Men 3,684 155 371 239 359 477 376 964 743

Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity 18,311 1,779 4,687 2,299 2,831 2,695 1,318 1,933 769

Women 7,168 941 1,981 927 1,075 993 443 584 225

Men 11,142 838 2,706 1,372 1,756 1,702 875 1,350 544

Table 6. Distribution of full-time wage and salary workers, by usual weekly earnings and selected demographic characteristics, 2015 annual averages (in 

thousands)

Characteristic Number of workers (thousands) Median weekly earnings Standard error of median

Table 7. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by marital status and presence and age of own children under 18 years old, 

2015 annual averages

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

Page 61

Characteristic Number of workers (thousands) Median weekly earnings Standard error of median

Women

Total, all marital statuses 48,334 $726 $2

With children under 18 years old 17,325 727 4

With children 6 to 17, none younger 10,517 748 5

With children under 6 years old 6,808 689 8

With no children under 18 years old 31,009 726 3

Total, married, spouse present 24,544 804 5

With children under 18 years old 11,366 827 7

With children 6 to 17, none younger 6,854 823 9

With children under 6 years old 4,512 834 11

With no children under 18 years old 13,178 786 6

Total, other marital statuses(1) 23,790 652 3

With children under 18 years old 5,959 587 4

With children 6 to 17, none younger 3,664 639 8

With children under 6 years old 2,296 506 6

With no children under 18 years old 17,831 679 4

Men

Total, all marital statuses 60,746 895 3

With children under 18 years old 21,932 985 6

With children 6 to 17, none younger 11,915 1,037 9

With children under 6 years old 10,018 916 8

With no children under 18 years old 38,814 844 4

Total, married, spouse present 35,739 1,030 5

With children under 18 years old 19,307 1,028 7

With children 6 to 17, none younger 10,645 1,075 12

With children under 6 years old 8,662 984 9

With no children under 18 years old 16,432 1,032 8

Total, other marital statuses(1) 25,007 726 4

With children under 18 years old 2,625 714 11

With children 6 to 17, none younger 1,270 830 19

With children under 6 years old 1,356 624 12

Table 7. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by marital status and presence and age of own children under 18 years old, 

2015 annual averages

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

Page 62

(1) Includes never-married, divorced, separated, and widowed people.

Note: "Children" refers to "own" children and includes sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children under age 18 who live in the household. Not included are other related children, such as grandchildren, nieces, 

nephews, and cousins, as well as unrelated children in the household.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Characteristic Number of workers (thousands) Median weekly earnings Standard error of median

With no children under 18 years old 22,382 727 4

Table 7. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by marital status and presence and age of own children under 18 years old, 

2015 annual averages

Characteristic

Total Women Men

Women's earnings 

as a percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

hourly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

hourly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

hourly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Age

Total, 16 years and 

older 78,232 $13.44 $.05 39,500 $12.56 $.06 38,732 $14.67 $.07 85.6

16 to 24 years 15,562 9.85 .01 7,784 9.54 .05 7,778 10.03 .02 95.1

16 to 19 years 4,355 8.85 .02 2,231 8.75 .04 2,124 8.97 .04 97.5

20 to 24 years 11,207 10.14 .02 5,553 9.95 .02 5,654 10.64 .11 93.5

25 years and 

older 62,670 14.91 .02 31,716 13.92 .04 30,954 15.86 .05 87.8

25 to 34 years 18,302 13.60 .09 8,613 12.89 .07 9,689 14.17 .09 91.0

35 to 44 years 14,530 15.16 .05 7,222 14.13 .09 7,308 16.48 .19 85.7

45 to 54 years 14,917 15.84 .09 7,866 14.80 .08 7,051 17.55 .19 84.3

55 to 64 years 11,400 15.91 .09 6,093 14.77 .12 5,307 17.99 .11 82.1

65 years and 

older 3,520 13.08 .10 1,922 12.66 .21 1,598 14.15 .29 89.5

Race and 

Hispanic or 

Latino ethnicity

White 60,306 13.87 .04 29,858 12.82 .05 30,448 14.93 .03 85.9

Black or African 

American 11,178 12.06 .04 6,163 11.70 .10 5,015 12.66 .13 92.4

Table 8. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by selected characteristics, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 63

Characteristic

Total Women Men

Women's earnings 

as a percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

hourly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

hourly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

hourly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Asian 3,690 14.19 .20 1,975 13.80 .26 1,715 14.87 .13 92.8

Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity 15,809 12.04 .04 6,984 11.08 .06 8,825 12.92 .07 85.8

Marital status

Never married 30,332 11.02 .03 14,425 10.34 .06 15,908 11.83 .04 87.4

Married, spouse 

present 34,804 15.58 .08 17,023 14.62 .10 17,782 16.99 .07 86.1

Other marital 

status 13,096 14.13 .06 8,053 13.13 .08 5,042 15.38 .19 85.4

Divorced 8,283 14.94 .05 5,019 14.03 .09 3,264 16.20 .18 86.6

Separated 3,276 12.34 .16 1,844 11.72 .20 1,432 13.84 .20 84.7

Widowed 1,536 13.06 .17 1,190 12.59 .30 347 15.53 .69 81.1

Union 

affiliation(1)

Members of 

unions(2) 8,570 18.97 .14 3,450 16.79 .16 5,120 20.13 .07 83.4

Represented by 

unions(3) 9,469 18.72 .20 3,896 16.57 .20 5,573 20.04 .07 82.7

Not represented 

by a union 68,763 12.92 .03 35,604 12.16 .02 33,159 13.86 .05 87.7

Educational 

attainment

Total, 25 years and 

older 62,670 14.91 .02 31,716 13.92 .04 30,954 15.86 .05 87.8

Less than a high 

school diploma 6,967 11.04 .06 2,676 9.98 .03 4,291 12.16 .06 82.1

High school 

graduates, no 

college

21,536 14.00 .04 9,839 12.28 .07 11,697 15.33 .13 80.1

Some college or 

associate's 

degree

20,737 15.07 .03 11,251 14.05 .06 9,486 16.59 .14 84.7

Table 8. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by selected characteristics, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 64

(1) Differences in earnings levels between workers with and without union affiliation reflect a variety of factors in addition to coverage by a collective bargaining agreement, including the distribution of workers by occupation, 

industry, and geographic region.

(2) Members of a labor union or an employee association similar to a union.

(3) Union members and workers who report no union affiliation but whose jobs are covered by a union or an employee association contract.

Note: Estimates for the race groups shown (White, Black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all race groups. People of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race; 

estimates for the race groups include Hispanics.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Characteristic

Total Women Men

Women's earnings 

as a percentage of 

men's

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

hourly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

hourly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(thousands)

Median 

hourly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Bachelor's 

degree and 

higher

13,429 19.72 .15 7,950 19.17 .21 5,479 19.93 .09 96.2

Table 8. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by selected characteristics, 2015 annual averages

Characteristic Total employed

Number of workers with hourly earnings of—

Under $6.00 $6.00 to $7.99 $8.00 to $9.99 $10.00 to $11.99 $12.00 to $14.99 $15.00 to $19.99 $20.00 or more

Age

Total, 16 years and older 78,232 1,265 2,766 13,204 13,095 13,588 15,339 18,975

16 to 24 years 15,562 502 1,462 5,534 3,676 2,280 1,473 634

16 to 19 years 4,355 137 780 2,107 883 273 132 42

20 to 24 years 11,207 365 682 3,427 2,792 2,007 1,342 592

25 years and older 62,670 762 1,303 7,670 9,420 11,308 13,865 18,341

25 to 34 years 18,302 353 467 2,594 3,194 3,765 4,062 3,867

35 to 44 years 14,530 185 270 1,681 2,046 2,543 3,224 4,582

45 to 54 years 14,917 124 272 1,586 2,006 2,465 3,368 5,097

55 to 64 years 11,400 85 199 1,191 1,475 1,942 2,534 3,975

65 years and older 3,520 15 95 618 699 594 678 821

Women, 16 years and older 39,500 821 1,681 7,774 7,051 7,033 7,209 7,932

16 to 24 years 7,784 354 829 2,986 1,821 1,033 562 198

16 to 19 years 2,231 91 443 1,110 414 116 49 9

Table 9. Distribution of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by hourly earnings and selected demographic characteristics, 2015 annual averages 

(in thousands)

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

Page 65

Characteristic Total employed

Number of workers with hourly earnings of—

Under $6.00 $6.00 to $7.99 $8.00 to $9.99 $10.00 to $11.99 $12.00 to $14.99 $15.00 to $19.99 $20.00 or more

20 to 24 years 5,553 263 386 1,876 1,407 917 513 189

25 years and older 31,716 467 851 4,788 5,230 6,000 6,647 7,734

25 to 34 years 8,613 221 258 1,460 1,523 1,842 1,670 1,639

35 to 44 years 7,222 114 196 1,082 1,174 1,254 1,531 1,870

45 to 54 years 7,866 73 196 1,068 1,226 1,392 1,711 2,200

55 to 64 years 6,093 50 140 812 900 1,167 1,385 1,639

65 years and older 1,922 9 61 366 406 346 350 385

Men, 16 years and older 38,732 443 1,085 5,430 6,044 6,555 8,130 11,044

16 to 24 years 7,778 148 633 2,548 1,855 1,247 911 437

16 to 19 years 2,124 46 337 997 470 157 83 34

20 to 24 years 5,654 102 296 1,551 1,385 1,090 829 403

25 years and older 30,954 296 452 2,882 4,190 5,308 7,219 10,607

25 to 34 years 9,689 132 208 1,134 1,671 1,923 2,393 2,228

35 to 44 years 7,308 71 74 599 871 1,289 1,693 2,711

45 to 54 years 7,051 51 76 518 779 1,073 1,656 2,896

55 to 64 years 5,307 36 59 379 574 775 1,149 2,336

65 years and older 1,598 7 35 252 294 248 328 436

Race and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity

White 60,306 1,023 1,837 9,693 9,850 10,340 12,244 15,321

Women 29,858 685 1,113 5,681 5,234 5,322 5,630 6,194

Men 30,448 338 723 4,011 4,616 5,018 6,614 9,128

Black or African American 11,178 140 716 2,288 2,117 2,089 1,883 1,945

Women 6,163 69 443 1,389 1,232 1,098 989 942

Men 5,015 71 273 899 885 991 894 1,003

Asian 3,690 53 99 598 565 603 686 1,086

Women 1,975 39 60 341 294 344 361 536

Men 1,715 14 40 257 270 258 326 550

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity 15,809 208 530 3,369 3,271 3,008 2,898 2,526

Women 6,984 126 310 1,853 1,540 1,265 1,102 788

Table 9. Distribution of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by hourly earnings and selected demographic characteristics, 2015 annual averages 

(in thousands)

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

Page 66

Note: Estimates for the race groups shown (White, Black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all race groups. People of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race; 

estimates for the race groups include Hispanics.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Characteristic Total employed

Number of workers with hourly earnings of—

Under $6.00 $6.00 to $7.99 $8.00 to $9.99 $10.00 to $11.99 $12.00 to $14.99 $15.00 to $19.99 $20.00 or more

Men 8,825 81 219 1,516 1,731 1,742 1,796 1,738

Table 9. Distribution of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by hourly earnings and selected demographic characteristics, 2015 annual averages 

(in thousands)

Characteristic

Workers paid hourly rates

Total

(thousands)

Below prevailing federal 

minimum wage

(thousands)

At prevailing federal 

minimum wage

(thousands)

Total at or below prevailing federal minimum wage

Number

(thousands)

Percentage of workers paid 

hourly rates

Age

Total, 16 years and older 78,232 1,691 870 2,561 3.3

16 to 24 years 15,562 678 475 1,153 7.4

16 to 19 years 4,355 229 258 487 11.2

20 to 24 years 11,207 449 217 666 5.9

25 years and older 62,670 1,013 395 1,408 2.2

25 to 34 years 18,302 439 157 596 3.3

35 to 44 years 14,530 243 73 316 2.2

45 to 54 years 14,917 197 63 260 1.7

55 to 64 years 11,400 106 81 186 1.6

65 years and older 3,520 28 22 50 1.4

Women, 16 years and older 39,500 1,062 540 1,602 4.1

16 to 24 years 7,784 454 282 736 9.5

16 to 19 years 2,231 143 150 293 13.1

20 to 24 years 5,553 311 132 443 8.0

25 years and older 31,716 608 258 866 2.7

25 to 34 years 8,613 258 90 348 4.0

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

characteristics, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 67

Characteristic

Workers paid hourly rates

Total

(thousands)

Below prevailing federal 

minimum wage

(thousands)

At prevailing federal 

minimum wage

(thousands)

Total at or below prevailing federal minimum wage

Number

(thousands)

Percentage of workers paid 

hourly rates

35 to 44 years 7,222 152 50 202 2.8

45 to 54 years 7,866 121 48 169 2.2

55 to 64 years 6,093 63 53 116 1.9

65 years and older 1,922 14 16 30 1.6

Men, 16 years and older 38,732 629 330 959 2.5

16 to 24 years 7,778 224 193 417 5.4

16 to 19 years 2,124 87 107 194 9.1

20 to 24 years 5,654 138 85 223 3.9

25 years and older 30,954 404 137 542 1.8

25 to 34 years 9,689 181 67 248 2.6

35 to 44 years 7,308 91 23 113 1.6

45 to 54 years 7,051 76 15 90 1.3

55 to 64 years 5,307 42 28 70 1.3

65 years and older 1,598 14 6 20 1.3

Race and Hispanic or 

Latino ethnicity

White 60,306 1,311 561 1,872 3.1

Women 29,858 862 343 1,205 4.0

Men 30,448 450 218 667 2.2

Black or African American 11,178 234 247 481 4.3

Women 6,163 108 162 270 4.4

Men 5,015 127 85 212 4.2

Asian 3,690 78 32 109 3.0

Women 1,975 55 20 74 3.8

Men 1,715 23 12 35 2.0

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity 15,809 300 159 459 2.9

Women 6,984 179 92 272 3.9

Men 8,825 121 67 188 2.1

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

characteristics, 2015 annual averages

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

Page 68

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

jobholders.

Note: See the technical notes section for information about the federal minimum wage level and estimating the number of minimum wage workers. Estimates for the race groups shown (White, Black or African American, and 

Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all race groups. People of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race; estimates for the race groups include Hispanics.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Characteristic

Workers paid hourly rates

Total

(thousands)

Below prevailing federal 

minimum wage

(thousands)

At prevailing federal 

minimum wage

(thousands)

Total at or below prevailing federal minimum wage

Number

(thousands)

Percentage of workers paid 

hourly rates

Full- and part-time status(1)

Full-time workers 57,809 787 288 1,075 1.9

Women 26,146 436 170 606 2.3

Men 31,662 351 118 469 1.5

Part-time workers 20,285 898 579 1,477 7.3

Women 13,296 624 367 991 7.5

Men 6,989 274 212 486 7.0

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

characteristics, 2015 annual averages

Year Total wage and salary 

workers (thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total

(thousands)

Percentage of total 

wage and salary 

workers

Below prevailing 

federal minimum 

wage

(thousands)(1)

At prevailing federal 

minimum wage

thousands)(1)

Total at or below prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

(thousands)

Percentage of 

workers paid hourly 

rates

Total

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

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

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

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

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

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

Table 11. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, 1979–2015 annual averages

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

Page 69

Year Total wage and salary 

workers (thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total

(thousands)

Percentage of total 

wage and salary 

workers

Below prevailing 

federal minimum 

wage

(thousands)(1)

At prevailing federal 

minimum wage

thousands)(1)

Total at or below prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

(thousands)

Percentage of 

workers paid hourly 

rates

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

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

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

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

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

1990 104,876 63,172 60.2 2,132 1,096 3,228 5.1

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

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

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

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

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

1996 111,960 69,255 61.9 1,863 1,861 3,724 5.4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007 129,767 75,873 58.5 1,462 267 1,729 2.3

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

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

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

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

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

Table 11. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, 1979–2015 annual averages

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

Page 70

Year Total wage and salary 

workers (thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total

(thousands)

Percentage of total 

wage and salary 

workers

Below prevailing 

federal minimum 

wage

(thousands)(1)

At prevailing federal 

minimum wage

thousands)(1)

Total at or below prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

(thousands)

Percentage of 

workers paid hourly 

rates

2013 129,110 75,948 58.8 1,768 1,532 3,301 4.3

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

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

Women

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1990 49,323 31,069 63.0 1,420 711 2,131 6.9

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

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

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

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

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

1996 53,488 34,418 64.3 1,244 1,106 2,350 6.8

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

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

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

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

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

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

Table 11. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, 1979–2015 annual averages

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

Page 71

Year Total wage and salary 

workers (thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total

(thousands)

Percentage of total 

wage and salary 

workers

Below prevailing 

federal minimum 

wage

(thousands)(1)

At prevailing federal 

minimum wage

thousands)(1)

Total at or below prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

(thousands)

Percentage of 

workers paid hourly 

rates

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Men

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1990 55,553 32,104 57.8 712 385 1,097 3.4

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

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

Table 11. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, 1979–2015 annual averages

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

Page 72

(1) Data for 1990–91, 1996–97, and 2007–09 reflect changes in the minimum wage that took place in those years.

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. See the technical notes section for information about the federal minimum wage level and estimating the number of minimum wage workers.

Year Total wage and salary 

workers (thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total

(thousands)

Percentage of total 

wage and salary 

workers

Below prevailing 

federal minimum 

wage

(thousands)(1)

At prevailing federal 

minimum wage

thousands)(1)

Total at or below prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

(thousands)

Percentage of 

workers paid hourly 

rates

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

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

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

1996 58,473 34,838 59.6 619 755 1,374 3.9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007 67,468 37,790 56.0 460 86 546 1.4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Table 11. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, 1979–2015 annual averages

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

Page 73

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

1979 62.3 78.6 85.2 76.3 62.1 67.5 58.3 56.8 60.6 77.6

1980 64.2 80.3 89.5 78.1 62.8 69.4 58.3 56.9 59.4 76.4

1981 64.4 82.6 91.7 80.6 62.6 70.3 59.9 56.8 58.9 71.1

1982 65.7 85.3 92.9 82.4 64.9 72.1 61.1 60.1 61.4 70.3

1983 66.5 88.8 94.0 85.5 65.8 73.3 61.5 59.5 61.8 68.8

1984 67.6 87.9 93.1 85.2 67.1 74.6 62.0 59.4 61.5 66.8

1985 68.1 87.6 90.7 85.7 66.8 75.1 63.0 59.7 61.0 65.9

1986 69.5 89.0 91.4 87.5 66.5 76.1 63.9 60.9 61.2 71.5

1987 69.8 88.3 87.8 88.0 67.3 76.7 66.1 62.3 62.2 68.7

1988 70.2 89.7 89.8 90.0 68.8 77.7 68.5 61.7 62.3 70.9

1989 70.1 90.8 94.3 89.7 70.2 78.3 68.3 62.7 63.9 74.3

1990 71.9 90.1 90.8 90.3 72.1 79.3 69.6 63.8 63.7 74.4

1991 74.2 93.3 93.6 93.3 74.0 81.0 70.7 65.0 64.5 68.3

1992 75.8 94.0 94.0 94.3 74.6 82.0 71.9 65.8 64.9 77.9

1993 77.1 94.8 92.8 95.4 74.8 83.0 73.0 67.4 67.4 74.3

1994 76.4 93.9 92.5 94.5 73.1 82.9 72.6 67.1 66.0 76.2

1995 75.5 90.8 88.1 92.4 72.8 82.2 72.6 67.7 64.7 80.0

1996 75.0 92.5 88.8 92.8 74.1 83.2 73.3 68.9 65.3 70.0

1997 74.4 92.1 91.6 90.5 75.1 82.9 74.0 69.4 64.7 77.0

1998 76.3 91.3 88.6 89.4 75.9 82.9 73.6 70.5 68.1 72.6

1999 76.5 91.0 91.4 90.5 74.4 81.5 71.7 70.0 67.9 78.7

2000 76.9 91.7 92.5 92.7 74.5 82.4 71.6 73.2 69.1 75.1

2001 76.4 90.3 90.3 91.9 75.4 83.0 72.5 73.5 70.5 69.0

2002 77.9 93.9 94.6 93.9 77.6 84.5 75.2 74.6 71.6 73.8

2003 79.4 93.2 93.1 93.9 78.5 86.9 76.1 73.0 72.7 71.1

2004 80.4 93.8 92.1 93.8 78.6 87.8 75.6 72.9 73.0 74.6

2005 81.0 93.2 92.1 93.8 79.4 89.0 75.5 75.5 74.7 76.4

2006 80.8 94.5 87.6 94.9 78.7 88.2 77.2 73.5 72.9 77.5

Table 12. Women's earnings as a percentage of men's, by age, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015

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

Page 74

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The women's-to-men's earnings ratios shown here are calculated from the current-dollar median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers in table 22.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

2007 80.2 92.3 89.1 90.3 78.5 86.9 76.5 74.5 72.8 77.8

2008 79.9 91.1 87.3 92.5 78.2 88.5 74.5 74.9 75.4 74.8

2009 80.2 92.6 90.7 92.9 78.7 88.7 77.4 73.6 75.3 76.1

2010 81.2 95.3 94.6 93.8 80.5 90.8 79.9 76.5 75.2 75.7

2011 82.2 92.5 88.6 93.2 81.0 92.3 78.5 76.0 75.1 80.9

2012 80.9 88.9 88.5 89.0 79.9 90.2 78.1 75.1 76.2 77.6

2013 82.1 88.3 89.7 89.8 81.1 89.4 80.2 76.6 77.1 73.7

2014 82.5 91.5 91.1 92.3 81.6 89.9 81.0 77.2 76.4 78.6

2015 81.1 88.2 89.4 89.7 80.4 89.6 81.8 76.8 73.7 73.8

Table 12. Women's earnings as a percentage of men's, by age, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

1979 62.3 61.7 74.4 – 71.7

1980 64.2 63.4 75.8 – 73.5

1981 64.4 63.1 76.9 – 75.7

1982 65.7 64.5 78.1 – 75.5

1983 66.5 65.6 78.9 – 78.5

1984 67.6 66.8 79.5 – 77.7

1985 68.1 67.2 82.6 – 77.7

1986 69.5 67.9 82.8 – 80.6

1987 69.8 68.2 84.4 – 82.0

1988 70.2 68.4 82.8 – 84.4

1989 70.1 69.3 86.5 – 85.4

1990 71.9 71.5 85.3 – 87.4

1991 74.2 73.7 86.1 – 90.4

1992 75.8 75.3 88.2 – 89.1

Table 13. Women's earnings as a percentage of men's, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015

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

Page 75

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The women's-to-men's earnings ratios shown here are calculated from the current-dollar median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers in table 23. As of 2003, 

estimates for the race groups shown (White, Black or African American, and Asian) include people who selected that race group only; people who selected more than one race group are not included. Prior to 2003, people who 

reported more than one race were included in the group they identified as the main race. Asian data for 2000–02 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not 

tabulated prior to 2000. People of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race; estimates for the race groups include Hispanics. Dash indicates data not available.

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

1993 77.1 76.5 88.8 – 90.5

1994 76.4 74.6 86.5 – 88.9

1995 75.5 73.3 86.4 – 87.1

1996 75.0 73.8 87.9 – 88.8

1997 74.4 74.6 86.8 – 85.7

1998 76.3 76.1 85.5 – 86.4

1999 76.5 75.7 83.8 – 85.7

2000 76.9 75.8 84.1 79.9 87.8

2001 76.4 75.8 85.8 76.9 88.2

2002 77.9 77.9 90.3 74.9 88.0

2003 79.4 79.3 88.5 77.5 88.4

2004 80.4 79.8 88.8 76.4 87.3

2005 81.0 80.2 89.3 80.6 87.7

2006 80.8 80.0 87.8 79.3 87.1

2007 80.2 79.4 88.8 78.1 91.0

2008 79.9 79.3 89.4 78.0 89.6

2009 80.2 79.2 93.7 81.8 89.5

2010 81.2 80.5 93.5 82.6 90.7

2011 82.2 82.1 91.1 77.4 90.7

2012 80.9 80.8 90.1 73.0 88.0

2013 82.1 81.7 91.3 77.3 91.1

2014 82.5 81.8 89.9 77.9 89.0

2015 81.1 80.8 90.4 77.7 89.7

Table 13. Women's earnings as a percentage of men's, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015

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

Page 76

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 25 years and older Less than a high school 

diploma

High school graduates, no 

college

Some college or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's degree and 

higher

1979 62.1 60.3 60.1 64.1 66.7

1980 62.8 61.4 61.5 64.5 67.9

1981 62.6 61.2 61.0 65.6 66.9

1982 64.9 62.8 63.1 66.7 68.8

1983 65.8 64.8 63.4 68.2 71.2

1984 67.1 64.9 64.9 68.4 69.4

1985 66.8 64.3 65.8 67.2 70.2

1986 66.5 64.8 66.6 68.0 70.6

1987 67.3 66.0 68.1 69.8 71.4

1988 68.8 66.6 68.2 71.6 71.4

1989 70.2 66.8 67.6 73.3 71.9

1990 72.1 68.8 68.6 72.9 72.2

1991 74.0 71.6 69.8 72.6 73.6

1992 74.6 72.9 70.4 73.3 75.1

1993 74.8 73.9 71.3 73.8 75.8

1994 73.1 75.1 70.8 72.1 76.8

1995 72.8 75.5 70.2 71.6 76.2

1996 74.1 75.1 70.7 73.2 75.2

1997 75.1 75.3 70.7 73.9 75.0

1998 75.9 73.9 70.8 74.0 75.3

1999 74.4 73.4 69.8 73.4 75.7

2000 74.5 74.9 71.1 73.1 74.1

2001 75.4 75.4 72.7 71.9 73.7

2002 77.6 77.2 74.2 74.3 74.2

2003 78.5 76.7 75.5 75.7 73.6

2004 78.6 74.9 75.7 75.8 75.2

2005 79.4 74.9 75.6 76.6 75.7

2006 78.7 76.3 73.7 75.6 75.1

2007 78.5 76.7 74.3 75.2 75.0

Table 14. Women's earnings as a percentage of men's, by educational attainment, for full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older, 1979–2015

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

Page 77

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The women's-to-men's earnings ratios shown here are calculated from the current-dollar median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older in 

table 24.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 25 years and older Less than a high school 

diploma

High school graduates, no 

college

Some college or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's degree and 

higher

2008 78.2 76.1 73.3 75.7 74.3

2009 78.7 76.4 75.7 75.4 73.1

2010 80.5 79.8 76.5 75.5 74.1

2011 81.0 80.9 76.9 76.8 74.9

2012 79.9 76.0 76.3 76.9 73.0

2013 81.1 80.0 78.3 76.6 74.8

2014 81.6 79.1 77.0 75.8 75.7

2015 80.4 80.4 77.2 75.2 74.9

Table 14. Women's earnings as a percentage of men's, by educational attainment, for full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older, 1979–2015

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

1979 64.1 81.8 95.0 75.9 58.3 63.3 55.8 54.1 56.9 87.6

1980 64.8 84.1 93.2 77.0 58.7 64.1 54.9 54.4 56.4 89.2

1981 65.1 86.1 96.7 80.0 60.3 66.7 57.5 54.1 56.2 88.1

1982 67.3 86.3 97.0 81.8 62.1 67.7 57.1 55.7 59.0 88.1

1983 69.4 87.2 96.7 84.4 62.9 70.3 57.6 56.7 58.0 87.6

1984 69.8 86.0 96.5 84.5 63.7 71.1 59.0 56.9 59.5 89.0

1985 70.0 85.7 96.3 87.2 64.7 72.4 60.3 57.8 60.4 88.8

1986 70.2 85.8 95.5 86.7 66.0 74.1 61.4 59.0 60.3 91.3

1987 72.1 85.9 93.9 86.1 67.2 74.3 62.9 61.3 62.0 91.2

1988 73.8 89.1 94.4 87.2 68.7 75.6 66.1 61.6 62.4 92.8

1989 75.4 90.7 93.4 86.9 69.8 78.0 67.0 63.4 63.8 87.1

1990 77.9 91.0 93.8 90.1 71.8 79.4 68.7 64.3 66.2 89.6

1991 78.6 91.0 97.9 91.7 73.5 80.4 70.4 65.0 68.9 92.6

Table 15. Women's earnings as a percentage of men's, by age, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–2015

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

Page 78

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information on historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The women's-to-men's earnings ratios shown here are calculated from the current-dollar median hourly earnings of workers paid hourly rates in table 25.

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

1992 80.3 91.3 97.7 92.5 76.0 82.6 73.1 66.1 69.3 92.6

1993 80.4 91.7 97.1 94.2 77.3 83.6 73.1 67.3 69.0 92.1

1994 80.6 90.5 97.0 91.2 78.2 85.5 73.4 69.9 70.7 94.0

1995 80.8 90.9 96.1 89.3 76.1 83.7 72.6 70.8 71.4 94.2

1996 81.2 92.1 97.0 89.6 78.2 83.1 74.6 72.1 72.4 91.6

1997 80.8 92.2 96.6 91.2 78.8 82.7 75.7 72.3 70.5 98.1

1998 81.8 90.3 96.7 89.1 77.9 86.1 77.4 75.0 72.4 93.2

1999 83.8 92.7 96.8 89.9 79.4 83.9 76.9 72.7 76.4 95.4

2000 83.8 91.7 93.8 93.0 80.8 88.3 76.3 73.2 76.8 94.7

2001 85.2 90.5 95.8 89.7 79.2 85.8 75.0 76.1 80.2 90.4

2002 85.0 92.5 96.9 91.3 82.1 85.1 78.7 77.6 80.8 89.3

2003 84.8 93.2 97.6 91.0 83.1 87.5 79.1 79.0 78.4 90.3

2004 84.6 93.9 95.9 91.7 81.7 88.3 78.4 79.1 79.6 92.5

2005 84.8 92.6 96.0 92.4 83.2 89.2 79.6 80.2 80.2 97.8

2006 84.0 90.9 95.7 90.5 83.2 87.6 80.0 76.4 80.6 93.0

2007 84.8 89.3 95.4 90.4 81.7 87.4 81.5 79.6 79.2 92.2

2008 85.4 91.2 96.6 91.6 83.0 87.0 80.5 78.2 81.8 91.6

2009 85.5 93.1 97.1 92.0 84.7 90.6 80.7 77.0 84.5 92.6

2010 86.0 93.6 97.8 91.7 85.6 91.9 82.9 79.9 83.2 93.8

2011 86.8 94.6 97.5 92.5 86.7 92.0 83.8 81.5 82.2 91.5

2012 86.4 93.0 97.9 92.0 86.8 91.5 83.9 81.2 83.1 90.9

2013 86.6 92.3 96.7 94.0 87.5 91.1 84.9 81.2 84.1 94.9

2014 84.6 92.4 96.1 96.3 85.7 87.0 84.6 81.2 81.3 89.2

2015 85.6 95.1 97.5 93.5 87.8 91.0 85.7 84.3 82.1 89.5

Table 15. Women's earnings as a percentage of men's, by age, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–2015

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

Page 79

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

1979 64.1 62.5 72.6 – 71.8

1980 64.8 63.6 74.9 – 75.1

1981 65.1 63.8 72.1 – 76.4

1982 67.3 66.0 75.2 – 75.6

1983 69.4 68.0 79.2 – 76.1

1984 69.8 68.6 79.1 – 77.0

1985 70.0 67.8 82.0 – 79.4

1986 70.2 68.8 78.7 – 80.8

1987 72.1 70.9 80.1 – 80.2

1988 73.8 72.7 80.8 – 81.1

1989 75.4 74.0 83.2 – 83.0

1990 77.9 75.6 84.5 – 86.1

1991 78.6 76.6 86.5 – 86.9

1992 80.3 78.6 87.1 – 88.3

1993 80.4 78.9 89.6 – 88.6

1994 80.6 79.7 87.5 – 89.3

1995 80.8 78.4 87.3 – 90.9

1996 81.2 79.6 88.0 – 88.8

1997 80.8 80.3 87.5 – 86.3

1998 81.8 81.8 86.9 – 87.6

1999 83.8 82.3 83.2 – 86.6

2000 83.8 83.0 88.8 90.5 87.3

2001 85.2 83.8 89.9 85.1 85.6

2002 85.0 83.8 92.3 91.7 86.1

2003 84.8 84.0 91.7 89.8 88.5

2004 84.6 84.0 91.3 88.8 90.2

2005 84.8 84.2 91.1 91.3 90.1

2006 84.0 83.6 88.5 90.7 87.6

2007 84.8 83.7 90.3 89.5 88.5

Table 16. Women's earnings as a percentage of men's, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–

2015

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

Page 80

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The women's-to-men's earnings ratios shown here are calculated from the current-dollar median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates in table 26. As of 2003, 

estimates for the race groups shown (White, Black or African American, and Asian) include people who selected that race group only; people who selected more than one race group are not included. Prior to 2003, people who 

reported more than one race were included in the group they identified as the main race. Asian data for 2000–02 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not 

tabulated prior to 2000. People of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race; estimates for the race groups include Hispanics. Dash indicates data not available.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

2008 85.4 84.5 89.9 87.3 85.1

2009 85.5 84.8 89.7 90.4 84.6

2010 86.0 85.0 92.1 88.0 86.2

2011 86.8 85.9 93.5 89.8 86.8

2012 86.4 85.3 92.0 90.1 85.4

2013 86.6 85.7 94.9 91.6 87.5

2014 84.6 83.3 94.8 90.2 86.6

2015 85.6 85.9 92.4 92.8 85.8

Table 16. Women's earnings as a percentage of men's, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–

2015

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

Total

1979 $735 $524 $439 $567 $808 $777 $854 $841 $799 $604

1980 718 512 422 548 784 756 827 816 781 556

1981 710 500 402 532 770 740 815 800 772 555

1982 712 491 387 519 771 733 835 814 767 597

1983 708 477 371 505 776 726 837 830 783 590

1984 709 472 367 502 787 728 846 837 796 591

1985 723 471 366 504 796 733 853 840 800 624

1986 742 479 368 512 808 744 866 860 820 616

1987 747 485 371 517 804 745 868 856 808 619

Table 17. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by age, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015 annual averages (in constant 2015 

dollars)

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

Page 81

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

1988 742 480 378 513 798 738 867 873 807 622

1989 736 478 376 509 788 727 871 871 795 616

1990 725 474 368 502 790 717 856 861 805 604

1991 723 470 362 494 793 705 846 861 796 647

1992 728 457 351 480 793 699 833 864 800 626

1993 742 456 346 480 793 704 835 876 795 635

1994 739 453 350 475 791 695 850 896 793 608

1995 740 451 357 473 788 697 850 900 794 601

1996 737 448 361 469 782 696 841 893 805 577

1997 741 451 371 473 795 708 853 894 822 579

1998 760 464 390 493 831 730 868 901 860 589

1999 781 485 400 516 842 737 869 927 859 575

2000 792 497 409 527 838 755 860 920 853 637

2001 798 502 408 527 843 771 880 928 854 653

2002 801 502 402 526 851 779 880 930 888 661

2003 799 499 401 518 853 765 885 932 912 665

2004 801 489 388 509 857 758 895 932 910 703

2005 790 482 386 499 845 740 887 908 900 691

2006 788 481 381 497 844 730 879 908 899 685

2007 794 485 385 514 843 735 879 903 918 691

2008 795 488 384 514 838 733 885 905 909 709

2009 817 488 380 513 855 749 903 926 929 756

2010 812 470 377 493 850 741 896 917 935 743

2011 797 464 371 482 840 730 882 913 928 782

2012 793 458 367 479 841 730 885 906 926 781

2013 789 462 379 480 841 720 889 898 920 815

2014 792 477 378 491 840 727 882 900 912 825

2015 809 487 389 501 860 735 900 923 927 873

Women

Table 17. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by age, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015 annual averages (in constant 2015 

dollars)

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

Page 82

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

1979 555 470 402 491 595 607 598 585 576 518

1980 551 458 397 479 584 597 586 573 562 479

1981 548 450 385 478 582 598 595 562 555 472

1982 564 453 373 474 601 608 608 594 578 498

1983 570 448 357 468 606 615 615 597 581 480

1984 576 441 352 463 615 620 635 607 587 476

1985 582 443 349 464 622 622 645 613 599 508

1986 601 452 351 477 636 632 659 636 612 529

1987 605 453 343 483 641 631 673 647 615 521

1988 607 453 355 484 645 630 682 653 611 539

1989 605 454 363 480 648 627 683 659 614 539

1990 609 447 349 474 650 627 687 664 613 528

1991 621 452 348 475 657 630 691 676 616 542

1992 629 442 339 464 662 632 692 690 623 543

1993 635 441 331 467 670 638 703 711 638 541

1994 631 437 334 459 666 628 709 712 630 532

1995 628 425 332 450 662 623 700 717 623 546

1996 629 427 335 448 668 624 696 723 632 502

1997 635 430 353 451 680 629 710 729 638 513

1998 663 443 362 464 705 656 724 750 692 509

1999 673 461 378 488 707 669 716 760 700 526

2000 678 473 389 503 710 678 717 776 699 539

2001 685 473 386 502 727 685 732 786 718 522

2002 697 484 389 507 748 698 752 793 756 567

2003 711 478 385 499 753 704 760 785 774 561

2004 719 471 368 491 752 704 763 784 772 600

2005 710 462 369 481 743 695 754 782 775 597

2006 705 464 358 485 737 685 758 774 773 599

2007 702 467 363 487 738 682 763 774 776 610

Table 17. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by age, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015 annual averages (in constant 2015 

dollars)

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

Page 83

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

2008 703 463 355 490 738 686 751 779 783 620

2009 726 469 357 492 759 701 783 787 803 665

2010 727 459 365 477 765 704 795 793 800 653

2011 721 444 346 462 757 698 773 784 789 700

2012 713 429 341 443 750 687 771 770 791 688

2013 718 430 356 450 753 677 780 774 792 703

2014 720 451 357 468 753 680 782 781 781 741

2015 726 450 364 468 761 690 804 799 784 740

Men

1979 890 598 473 643 957 899 1,024 1,030 951 668

1980 858 570 444 614 929 860 1,005 1,005 945 627

1981 850 545 420 592 930 850 992 990 942 665

1982 858 531 401 575 927 844 995 988 941 708

1983 857 505 380 548 921 839 1,000 1,005 941 697

1984 852 502 378 543 917 830 1,024 1,022 954 713

1985 855 506 384 542 931 828 1,023 1,027 981 771

1986 866 508 384 545 957 831 1,031 1,045 1,000 740

1987 866 513 391 549 952 822 1,018 1,038 988 758

1988 865 505 395 538 938 811 996 1,058 981 761

1989 863 500 386 535 923 801 1,000 1,050 961 725

1990 847 496 384 525 901 790 986 1,040 961 710

1991 837 484 372 509 888 778 978 1,039 956 793

1992 829 470 361 492 887 772 962 1,050 959 697

1993 824 465 357 489 897 769 963 1,055 947 729

1994 826 465 361 486 911 758 976 1,062 954 698

1995 832 468 377 487 909 757 964 1,059 963 682

1996 838 462 377 483 901 750 950 1,050 967 717

1997 853 467 386 498 906 758 959 1,050 985 666

1998 869 485 408 519 929 791 984 1,064 1,016 701

Table 17. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by age, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015 annual averages (in constant 2015 

dollars)

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

Page 84

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The Consumer Price Index research series using current methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert current dollars to constant (inflation-adjusted) dollars. See the technical notes 

section.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

1999 879 506 414 539 950 821 999 1,085 1,031 669

2000 882 516 421 543 953 823 1,001 1,061 1,011 718

2001 897 523 427 546 964 826 1,009 1,070 1,017 756

2002 895 515 411 540 964 826 1,000 1,063 1,057 768

2003 896 513 414 531 959 809 999 1,075 1,066 789

2004 895 502 399 523 956 802 1,009 1,075 1,058 804

2005 876 496 400 512 936 782 998 1,035 1,038 782

2006 873 491 409 511 937 777 982 1,054 1,060 773

2007 875 506 408 539 941 785 998 1,039 1,066 784

2008 879 508 406 530 944 775 1,008 1,040 1,039 829

2009 905 506 393 529 965 790 1,012 1,069 1,066 874

2010 896 482 386 509 950 776 995 1,037 1,064 863

2011 877 479 390 495 934 756 985 1,032 1,051 865

2012 881 483 385 497 939 762 988 1,026 1,037 888

2013 875 487 397 501 928 757 973 1,011 1,028 953

2014 872 493 392 508 923 756 965 1,012 1,022 943

2015 895 510 407 522 947 770 983 1,040 1,064 1,003

Table 17. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by age, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015 annual averages (in constant 2015 

dollars)

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Total

1979 $735 $756 $607 – $591

1980 718 737 581 – 573

Table 18. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015 

annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

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

Page 85

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

1981 710 728 588 – 558

1982 712 731 578 – 566

1983 708 724 590 – 566

1984 709 730 585 – 563

1985 723 748 582 – 567

1986 742 767 601 – 572

1987 747 766 601 – 569

1988 742 761 605 – 559

1989 736 755 589 – 550

1990 725 746 579 – 535

1991 723 750 591 – 530

1992 728 758 591 – 531

1993 742 767 596 – 535

1994 739 766 587 – 513

1995 740 764 592 – 509

1996 737 761 582 – 510

1997 741 764 589 – 517

1998 760 792 619 – 538

1999 781 815 633 – 548

2000 792 812 652 $846 549

2001 798 817 657 855 558

2002 801 821 656 867 559

2003 799 820 662 893 567

2004 801 824 659 888 572

2005 790 816 631 914 572

2006 788 811 651 921 571

2007 794 818 650 949 575

2008 795 817 649 948 583

2009 817 836 664 972 598

2010 812 832 664 929 582

2011 797 817 648 913 579

Table 18. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015 

annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

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

Page 86

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

2012 793 817 641 949 586

2013 789 816 640 958 588

2014 792 817 640 954 595

2015 809 835 641 993 604

Women

1979 555 561 515 – 479

1980 551 556 507 – 471

1981 548 552 515 – 475

1982 564 571 512 – 479

1983 570 575 525 – 486

1984 576 583 524 – 485

1985 582 590 529 – 483

1986 601 607 545 – 498

1987 605 613 551 – 501

1988 607 613 555 – 501

1989 605 616 555 – 496

1990 609 621 542 – 489

1991 621 633 548 – 496

1992 629 641 555 – 500

1993 635 648 562 – 506

1994 631 646 547 – 483

1995 628 641 549 – 471

1996 629 644 544 – 475

1997 635 654 552 – 468

1998 663 680 581 – 490

1999 673 687 582 – 495

2000 678 691 590 752 503

2001 685 699 608 754 519

2002 697 721 623 746 523

2003 711 731 633 771 528

2004 719 733 634 769 526

Table 18. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015 

annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

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

Page 87

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

2005 710 723 606 807 521

2006 705 716 610 821 517

2007 702 715 609 835 541

2008 703 720 610 829 552

2009 726 739 643 861 562

2010 727 743 643 840 552

2011 721 741 627 791 546

2012 713 733 618 795 538

2013 718 734 616 833 550

2014 720 735 612 842 549

2015 726 743 615 877 566

Men

1979 890 909 692 – 668

1980 858 877 668 – 641

1981 850 875 670 – 628

1982 858 884 656 – 634

1983 857 876 665 – 620

1984 852 872 659 – 624

1985 855 878 641 – 622

1986 866 895 659 – 618

1987 866 898 653 – 611

1988 865 896 671 – 593

1989 863 889 642 – 581

1990 847 870 636 – 560

1991 837 859 637 – 548

1992 829 851 629 – 561

1993 824 847 633 – 559

1994 826 866 633 – 543

1995 832 875 635 – 541

1996 838 872 620 – 535

1997 853 876 636 – 546

Table 18. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015 

annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

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

Page 88

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups shown (White, Black or African American, and Asian) include people who selected that race group only; people who selected more than one 

race group are not included. Prior to 2003, people who reported more than one race were included in the group they identified as the main race. Asian data for 2000–02 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians 

constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. People of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race; estimates for the race groups include Hispanics. The Consumer Price Index research 

series using current methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert current dollars to constant (inflation-adjusted) dollars. See the technical notes section. Dash indicates data not available.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

1998 869 894 680 – 567

1999 879 908 694 – 578

2000 882 911 702 942 574

2001 897 922 708 980 589

2002 895 925 690 996 594

2003 896 921 715 995 598

2004 895 918 714 1,006 602

2005 876 902 678 1,001 593

2006 873 894 694 1,036 593

2007 875 901 686 1,070 594

2008 879 909 683 1,064 616

2009 905 934 686 1,052 629

2010 896 924 688 1,017 609

2011 877 902 688 1,022 602

2012 881 907 686 1,089 611

2013 875 899 675 1,077 604

2014 872 898 681 1,081 617

2015 895 920 680 1,129 631

Table 18. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2015 

annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

Year Total, 25 years and older Less than a high school 

diploma

High school graduates, no 

college

Some college or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's degree and 

higher

Total

Table 19. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by educational attainment, for full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older, 1979–

2015 annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

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

Page 89

Year Total, 25 years and older Less than a high school 

diploma

High school graduates, no 

college

Some college or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's degree and 

higher

1979 $808 $640 $759 $860 $1,049

1980 784 608 729 833 1,030

1981 770 600 715 810 1,018

1982 771 585 712 828 1,033

1983 776 579 704 821 1,043

1984 787 572 702 830 1,057

1985 796 567 700 838 1,063

1986 808 574 711 845 1,085

1987 804 567 711 840 1,126

1988 798 555 709 829 1,127

1989 788 548 692 834 1,124

1990 790 533 680 838 1,123

1991 793 521 674 830 1,131

1992 793 515 667 801 1,152

1993 793 507 670 798 1,155

1994 791 486 666 790 1,160

1995 788 478 668 785 1,155

1996 782 477 666 779 1,140

1997 795 473 679 788 1,147

1998 831 490 696 811 1,193

1999 842 492 697 825 1,223

2000 838 498 695 820 1,226

2001 843 511 696 826 1,233

2002 851 511 705 829 1,240

2003 853 510 714 823 1,242

2004 857 503 720 829 1,237

2005 845 496 708 813 1,229

2006 844 492 699 813 1,221

2007 843 489 690 805 1,225

2008 838 499 681 795 1,228

2009 855 502 692 802 1,256

Table 19. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by educational attainment, for full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older, 1979–

2015 annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

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

Page 90

Year Total, 25 years and older Less than a high school 

diploma

High school graduates, no 

college

Some college or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's degree and 

higher

2010 850 483 680 798 1,243

2011 840 475 672 779 1,212

2012 841 486 673 773 1,202

2013 841 480 662 761 1,215

2014 840 488 669 762 1,194

2015 860 493 678 762 1,230

Women

1979 595 463 564 643 805

1980 584 449 551 633 795

1981 582 438 542 638 795

1982 601 434 557 646 816

1983 606 441 557 652 835

1984 615 435 563 663 848

1985 622 424 563 666 870

1986 636 430 572 682 901

1987 641 427 575 693 930

1988 645 426 574 694 934

1989 648 426 561 699 935

1990 650 423 555 695 942

1991 657 424 557 694 954

1992 662 424 558 674 983

1993 670 425 561 682 987

1994 666 407 555 669 1,003

1995 662 405 550 660 995

1996 668 403 549 665 988

1997 680 405 557 676 990

1998 705 411 576 692 1,028

1999 707 413 576 694 1,053

2000 710 418 578 695 1,040

2001 727 423 593 696 1,052

2002 748 428 603 715 1,066

Table 19. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by educational attainment, for full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older, 1979–

2015 annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

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

Page 91

Year Total, 25 years and older Less than a high school 

diploma

High school graduates, no 

college

Some college or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's degree and 

higher

2003 753 424 611 722 1,072

2004 752 419 612 724 1,079

2005 743 414 598 712 1,072

2006 737 421 588 707 1,063

2007 738 422 585 696 1,065

2008 738 416 573 692 1,052

2009 759 422 599 696 1,072

2010 765 422 590 693 1,072

2011 757 416 584 680 1,052

2012 750 398 579 680 1,033

2013 753 407 583 668 1,061

2014 753 409 579 662 1,050

2015 761 418 586 664 1,064

Men

1979 957 768 939 1,003 1,207

1980 929 732 896 981 1,170

1981 930 715 890 972 1,188

1982 927 691 882 969 1,186

1983 921 681 878 955 1,172

1984 917 670 867 970 1,222

1985 931 660 855 992 1,239

1986 957 663 860 1,002 1,277

1987 952 647 844 992 1,303

1988 938 640 842 969 1,308

1989 923 638 830 954 1,301

1990 901 614 808 954 1,305

1991 888 593 798 956 1,297

1992 887 581 793 919 1,310

1993 897 575 787 924 1,302

1994 911 541 785 929 1,307

1995 909 536 784 921 1,306

Table 19. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by educational attainment, for full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older, 1979–

2015 annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

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

Page 92

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The Consumer Price Index research series using current methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert current dollars to constant (inflation-adjusted) dollars. See the technical notes 

section.

Year Total, 25 years and older Less than a high school 

diploma

High school graduates, no 

college

Some college or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's degree and 

higher

1996 901 537 776 908 1,314

1997 906 538 788 915 1,320

1998 929 557 812 935 1,365

1999 950 562 825 946 1,390

2000 953 558 813 950 1,403

2001 964 561 815 968 1,428

2002 964 555 813 963 1,436

2003 959 553 809 954 1,457

2004 956 560 809 955 1,434

2005 936 552 791 930 1,416

2006 937 551 797 935 1,416

2007 941 550 787 926 1,421

2008 944 547 781 914 1,415

2009 965 552 791 923 1,466

2010 950 528 772 918 1,446

2011 934 514 759 885 1,404

2012 939 524 759 884 1,415

2013 928 509 745 873 1,419

2014 923 518 752 873 1,386

2015 947 520 759 883 1,420

Table 19. Inflation-adjusted median usual weekly earnings, by educational attainment, for full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older, 1979–

2015 annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

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

Page 93

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

Total

1979 $13.54 $10.64 $9.45 $12.26 $15.58 $15.85 $16.13 $15.73 $15.15 $9.85

1980 13.21 10.16 8.82 11.75 15.21 15.51 15.78 15.48 14.77 9.75

1981 12.88 9.92 8.95 11.52 14.98 15.22 15.50 15.02 14.52 9.80

1982 12.74 9.55 8.49 10.99 14.81 14.98 15.59 15.14 14.41 9.72

1983 12.65 9.23 8.17 10.61 14.82 14.71 15.63 15.23 14.50 9.95

1984 12.67 9.09 7.93 10.48 14.87 14.72 15.59 15.39 14.39 10.07

1985 12.67 8.95 7.71 10.38 14.81 14.54 15.74 15.48 14.52 9.96

1986 12.81 9.11 7.67 10.45 14.94 14.48 16.10 15.97 14.81 10.27

1987 12.91 9.16 7.60 10.40 14.89 14.35 15.85 15.69 14.81 10.14

1988 12.97 9.23 7.76 10.37 14.91 14.32 15.74 15.72 14.41 10.08

1989 12.90 9.13 7.79 10.42 14.65 14.10 15.79 15.54 14.43 10.00

1990 12.73 9.08 7.90 10.40 14.37 13.91 15.53 15.48 14.12 10.12

1991 12.73 8.93 7.96 10.19 14.40 13.65 15.57 15.47 13.90 10.08

1992 12.78 8.89 7.83 9.98 14.45 13.53 15.53 15.76 14.04 10.17

1993 12.71 8.90 7.75 9.94 14.46 13.36 15.53 15.93 14.38 10.32

1994 12.67 8.89 7.77 9.84 14.43 13.26 15.70 15.85 14.27 10.11

1995 12.63 8.96 7.79 9.92 14.47 13.46 15.49 15.66 14.22 10.28

1996 12.63 8.93 7.77 10.06 14.47 13.26 15.25 15.40 14.12 10.18

1997 12.89 9.06 8.11 10.18 14.54 13.31 15.26 15.61 14.33 10.15

1998 13.23 9.56 8.55 10.52 14.72 14.03 15.78 15.93 14.65 10.76

1999 13.56 9.77 8.65 11.01 14.89 14.20 15.68 16.12 14.77 10.95

2000 13.63 9.96 8.82 11.10 14.97 14.00 15.61 16.26 14.88 11.07

2001 13.64 10.29 9.05 11.22 15.26 14.28 16.02 16.29 15.22 11.42

2002 13.79 10.29 9.10 11.16 15.59 14.47 16.05 16.42 15.61 11.95

2003 13.98 10.18 8.93 11.16 15.53 14.50 16.06 16.71 15.71 11.84

2004 13.80 10.01 8.78 11.02 15.35 14.27 16.17 16.60 15.78 12.07

Table 20. Inflation-adjusted median hourly earnings, by age, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–2015 annual averages (in constant 

2015 dollars)

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

Page 94

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

2005 13.58 9.79 8.56 10.81 15.15 14.27 15.91 16.36 15.72 12.05

2006 13.82 9.68 8.50 10.76 15.21 14.04 15.85 16.49 15.66 11.93

2007 13.66 9.89 8.65 11.04 15.04 13.77 15.92 16.45 15.67 11.85

2008 13.47 9.77 8.63 10.75 15.21 13.77 15.84 16.38 15.64 11.99

2009 13.75 9.83 8.75 10.80 15.37 13.92 16.12 16.41 16.24 12.70

2010 13.59 9.67 8.70 10.36 15.20 13.62 15.88 16.28 16.18 12.55

2011 13.39 9.45 8.49 10.13 14.88 13.39 15.63 15.81 15.88 12.85

2012 13.21 9.34 8.36 10.01 14.71 13.23 15.34 15.55 15.88 12.60

2013 13.15 9.32 8.33 10.00 14.75 13.10 15.24 15.43 15.89 12.69

2014 13.15 9.56 8.44 9.99 14.81 13.14 15.13 15.41 15.38 13.03

2015 13.44 9.85 8.85 10.14 14.91 13.60 15.16 15.84 15.91 13.08

Women

1979 11.04 9.73 9.24 10.73 11.89 12.32 12.10 11.71 11.43 9.51

1980 10.82 9.45 8.60 10.38 11.62 12.16 11.75 11.59 11.18 9.26

1981 10.70 9.28 8.80 10.22 11.72 12.22 11.92 11.48 11.08 9.28

1982 10.87 8.92 8.37 9.88 11.84 12.24 11.98 11.67 11.32 9.27

1983 10.86 8.64 8.03 9.64 11.83 12.31 12.01 11.74 11.47 9.41

1984 10.80 8.54 7.80 9.48 11.91 12.17 12.20 11.98 11.46 9.50

1985 10.78 8.42 7.58 9.58 12.04 12.16 12.42 12.10 11.47 9.31

1986 11.01 8.49 7.54 9.73 12.29 12.29 12.67 12.38 11.88 9.77

1987 11.18 8.42 7.41 9.76 12.30 12.26 12.67 12.53 12.04 9.68

1988 11.25 8.63 7.53 9.73 12.41 12.25 13.03 12.70 11.71 9.87

1989 11.27 8.65 7.56 9.65 12.51 12.32 13.10 12.73 11.77 9.48

1990 11.34 8.71 7.66 9.81 12.45 12.34 12.98 12.61 11.85 9.60

1991 11.46 8.62 7.88 9.69 12.46 12.21 13.12 12.92 11.80 9.78

1992 11.52 8.54 7.76 9.55 12.67 12.33 13.23 13.15 11.92 9.88

1993 11.50 8.51 7.64 9.63 12.71 12.29 13.18 13.21 12.21 9.98

1994 11.47 8.42 7.64 9.46 12.74 12.31 13.35 13.39 12.37 9.87

1995 11.53 8.49 7.64 9.41 12.63 12.24 13.34 13.48 12.26 9.97

Table 20. Inflation-adjusted median hourly earnings, by age, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–2015 annual averages (in constant 

2015 dollars)

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

Page 95

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

1996 11.62 8.54 7.65 9.41 12.68 12.12 13.37 13.44 12.14 9.70

1997 11.69 8.76 7.98 9.65 12.89 12.08 13.46 13.64 12.24 10.06

1998 11.96 9.07 8.40 10.07 13.27 12.79 14.04 14.22 12.86 10.48

1999 12.29 9.39 8.51 10.27 13.56 12.94 13.98 14.15 13.27 10.67

2000 12.46 9.63 8.57 10.73 13.60 13.33 13.80 14.00 13.54 10.83

2001 12.90 9.71 8.85 10.71 13.65 13.31 13.98 14.52 13.91 10.90

2002 13.03 9.82 8.96 10.69 14.11 13.33 14.47 14.73 14.24 11.50

2003 12.99 9.78 8.83 10.55 14.19 13.54 14.39 15.19 14.24 11.39

2004 12.76 9.67 8.61 10.44 14.09 13.32 14.37 14.99 14.52 11.49

2005 12.51 9.47 8.40 10.32 14.05 13.18 14.37 14.72 14.39 11.92

2006 12.51 9.39 8.35 10.36 13.95 13.01 14.16 14.41 14.24 11.72

2007 12.55 9.31 8.47 10.29 13.77 12.81 14.13 14.69 13.98 11.60

2008 12.65 9.28 8.49 10.09 13.74 12.91 14.20 14.49 14.32 11.60

2009 12.99 9.48 8.64 10.15 14.10 13.22 14.36 14.46 15.02 12.28

2010 12.86 9.37 8.60 9.87 14.00 13.09 14.26 14.67 14.87 12.15

2011 12.62 9.20 8.39 9.65 13.80 12.77 14.16 14.50 14.78 12.39

2012 12.37 9.06 8.28 9.46 13.59 12.54 13.89 14.24 14.82 12.22

2013 12.33 9.08 8.23 9.56 13.59 12.44 14.01 14.18 14.78 12.43

2014 12.19 9.15 8.30 9.78 13.51 12.26 14.01 14.15 14.20 12.48

2015 12.56 9.54 8.75 9.95 13.92 12.89 14.13 14.80 14.77 12.66

Men

1979 17.23 11.89 9.73 14.15 20.40 19.45 21.71 21.65 20.09 10.85

1980 16.71 11.23 9.23 13.48 19.78 18.99 21.40 21.32 19.84 10.38

1981 16.42 10.78 9.10 12.78 19.45 18.32 20.75 21.22 19.70 10.52

1982 16.16 10.33 8.63 12.08 19.06 18.09 20.97 20.94 19.20 10.52

1983 15.66 9.91 8.30 11.43 18.80 17.51 20.86 20.72 19.77 10.75

1984 15.48 9.93 8.09 11.22 18.70 17.13 20.67 21.07 19.26 10.67

1985 15.40 9.83 7.88 10.99 18.59 16.81 20.59 20.95 18.99 10.48

1986 15.68 9.90 7.89 11.22 18.64 16.59 20.64 20.97 19.71 10.70

Table 20. Inflation-adjusted median hourly earnings, by age, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–2015 annual averages (in constant 

2015 dollars)

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

Page 96

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

1987 15.51 9.80 7.88 11.34 18.28 16.49 20.16 20.44 19.40 10.62

1988 15.24 9.69 7.98 11.16 18.07 16.20 19.69 20.60 18.77 10.64

1989 14.94 9.54 8.10 11.11 17.92 15.79 19.54 20.07 18.45 10.89

1990 14.56 9.58 8.17 10.88 17.32 15.55 18.89 19.60 17.90 10.70

1991 14.58 9.47 8.05 10.58 16.94 15.18 18.64 19.88 17.11 10.56

1992 14.35 9.35 7.95 10.33 16.66 14.93 18.10 19.90 17.20 10.68

1993 14.31 9.29 7.87 10.23 16.45 14.70 18.03 19.63 17.71 10.84

1994 14.24 9.30 7.88 10.38 16.28 14.40 18.20 19.15 17.50 10.51

1995 14.27 9.34 7.94 10.54 16.58 14.62 18.38 19.04 17.17 10.59

1996 14.32 9.28 7.89 10.51 16.21 14.59 17.91 18.65 16.77 10.59

1997 14.48 9.50 8.26 10.57 16.35 14.61 17.78 18.85 17.36 10.25

1998 14.62 10.04 8.69 11.31 17.03 14.85 18.14 18.95 17.76 11.25

1999 14.67 10.13 8.79 11.42 17.07 15.42 18.18 19.46 17.37 11.18

2000 14.87 10.50 9.13 11.54 16.84 15.09 18.07 19.12 17.62 11.43

2001 15.15 10.72 9.24 11.94 17.24 15.50 18.63 19.08 17.34 12.05

2002 15.34 10.61 9.25 11.70 17.19 15.67 18.39 18.97 17.63 12.89

2003 15.32 10.49 9.05 11.60 17.07 15.48 18.21 19.24 18.16 12.62

2004 15.08 10.30 8.97 11.38 17.24 15.09 18.32 18.96 18.24 12.42

2005 14.76 10.22 8.75 11.17 16.88 14.77 18.06 18.36 17.95 12.18

2006 14.90 10.33 8.73 11.46 16.77 14.84 17.70 18.85 17.67 12.60

2007 14.80 10.43 8.88 11.38 16.86 14.66 17.34 18.46 17.66 12.58

2008 14.82 10.18 8.79 11.01 16.55 14.83 17.64 18.52 17.51 12.67

2009 15.20 10.19 8.90 11.04 16.65 14.59 17.79 18.77 17.78 13.26

2010 14.96 10.01 8.79 10.76 16.35 14.24 17.21 18.36 17.88 12.96

2011 14.54 9.73 8.60 10.43 15.92 13.89 16.89 17.79 17.99 13.54

2012 14.32 9.74 8.45 10.29 15.66 13.70 16.56 17.53 17.83 13.45

2013 14.24 9.84 8.51 10.17 15.53 13.65 16.49 17.47 17.58 13.10

2014 14.40 9.90 8.64 10.16 15.78 14.09 16.57 17.43 17.48 13.99

2015 14.67 10.03 8.97 10.64 15.86 14.17 16.48 17.55 17.99 14.15

Table 20. Inflation-adjusted median hourly earnings, by age, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–2015 annual averages (in constant 

2015 dollars)

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

Page 97

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The Consumer Price Index research series using current methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert current dollars to constant (inflation-adjusted) dollars. See the technical notes 

section.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Total

1979 $13.54 $13.75 $12.53 – $12.44

1980 13.21 13.37 12.16 – 12.16

1981 12.88 12.95 12.25 – 12.02

1982 12.74 12.90 11.93 – 11.82

1983 12.65 12.81 11.65 – 11.52

1984 12.67 12.83 11.65 – 11.46

1985 12.67 12.82 11.55 – 11.49

1986 12.81 12.98 11.98 – 11.67

1987 12.91 13.09 11.96 – 11.62

1988 12.97 13.12 11.85 – 11.46

1989 12.90 13.06 11.86 – 11.20

1990 12.73 12.90 11.99 – 11.06

1991 12.73 12.92 11.88 – 10.97

1992 12.78 12.95 11.69 – 11.01

1993 12.71 12.88 11.60 – 11.03

1994 12.67 12.83 11.53 – 10.97

1995 12.63 12.86 11.84 – 10.82

1996 12.63 12.89 11.67 – 10.78

1997 12.89 13.08 11.80 – 10.88

1998 13.23 13.40 12.19 – 11.51

1999 13.56 13.85 12.59 – 11.48

2000 13.63 13.70 12.85 $13.85 11.75

2001 13.64 13.73 13.09 14.39 12.13

2002 13.79 14.11 13.08 13.65 12.15

2003 13.98 14.14 13.08 14.33 12.58

Table 21. Inflation-adjusted median hourly earnings, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–2015 

annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

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

Page 98

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

2004 13.80 13.96 12.79 13.93 12.31

2005 13.58 13.93 12.34 14.58 12.08

2006 13.82 13.94 12.53 14.72 11.89

2007 13.66 13.81 12.45 13.97 11.70

2008 13.47 13.81 12.33 14.33 12.08

2009 13.75 13.99 12.86 14.54 12.20

2010 13.59 13.85 12.79 14.37 11.83

2011 13.39 13.60 12.42 14.07 11.64

2012 13.21 13.46 12.22 13.65 11.48

2013 13.15 13.38 12.11 13.86 11.44

2014 13.15 13.58 11.89 14.01 11.84

2015 13.44 13.87 12.06 14.19 12.04

Women

1979 11.04 11.04 10.82 – 10.49

1980 10.82 10.85 10.63 – 10.36

1981 10.70 10.70 10.48 – 10.25

1982 10.87 10.87 10.59 – 10.21

1983 10.86 10.88 10.68 – 10.00

1984 10.80 10.83 10.59 – 10.11

1985 10.78 10.80 10.59 – 10.13

1986 11.01 11.05 10.68 – 10.33

1987 11.18 11.22 10.78 – 10.20

1988 11.25 11.29 10.81 – 10.17

1989 11.27 11.31 10.85 – 10.20

1990 11.34 11.37 10.97 – 10.21

1991 11.46 11.48 11.12 – 10.15

1992 11.52 11.57 10.99 – 10.22

1993 11.50 11.57 11.10 – 10.19

1994 11.47 11.61 10.97 – 10.13

1995 11.53 11.65 11.00 – 10.20

1996 11.62 11.71 10.83 – 10.18

Table 21. Inflation-adjusted median hourly earnings, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–2015 

annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

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

Page 99

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

1997 11.69 11.78 11.18 – 10.04

1998 11.96 12.11 11.48 – 10.49

1999 12.29 12.42 11.56 – 10.61

2000 12.46 12.50 12.19 13.44 10.85

2001 12.90 13.03 12.25 13.48 11.08

2002 13.03 13.10 12.45 13.31 11.25

2003 12.99 13.03 12.77 13.76 11.44

2004 12.76 12.81 12.46 13.26 11.34

2005 12.51 12.74 12.05 14.13 11.14

2006 12.51 12.66 11.88 14.04 11.16

2007 12.55 12.64 11.94 13.52 11.20

2008 12.65 12.89 11.87 13.49 11.09

2009 12.99 13.07 12.17 14.00 11.15

2010 12.86 12.91 12.17 13.49 10.99

2011 12.62 12.70 11.89 13.49 10.80

2012 12.37 12.47 11.59 13.16 10.54

2013 12.33 12.42 11.74 13.27 10.67

2014 12.19 12.39 11.58 13.24 10.73

2015 12.56 12.82 11.70 13.80 11.08

Men

1979 17.23 17.65 14.91 – 14.60

1980 16.71 17.07 14.19 – 13.78

1981 16.42 16.78 14.52 – 13.42

1982 16.16 16.46 14.08 – 13.51

1983 15.66 16.00 13.48 – 13.14

1984 15.48 15.78 13.39 – 13.13

1985 15.40 15.92 12.92 – 12.75

1986 15.68 16.07 13.57 – 12.79

1987 15.51 15.83 13.45 – 12.71

1988 15.24 15.53 13.37 – 12.54

1989 14.94 15.28 13.04 – 12.29

Table 21. Inflation-adjusted median hourly earnings, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–2015 

annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

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

Page 100

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups shown (White, Black or African American, and Asian) include people who selected that race group only; people who selected more than one 

race group are not included. Prior to 2003, people who reported more than one race were included in the group they identified as the main race. Asian data for 2000–02 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians 

constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. People of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race; estimates for the race groups include Hispanics. The Consumer Price Index research 

series using current methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert current dollars to constant (inflation-adjusted) dollars. See the technical notes section. Dash indicates data not available. 

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

1990 14.56 15.05 12.98 – 11.87

1991 14.58 14.97 12.85 – 11.68

1992 14.35 14.72 12.62 – 11.57

1993 14.31 14.65 12.39 – 11.50

1994 14.24 14.57 12.53 – 11.34

1995 14.27 14.87 12.61 – 11.22

1996 14.32 14.72 12.30 – 11.46

1997 14.48 14.67 12.77 – 11.63

1998 14.62 14.80 13.21 – 11.98

1999 14.67 15.09 13.90 – 12.25

2000 14.87 15.06 13.73 14.84 12.43

2001 15.15 15.54 13.63 15.85 12.95

2002 15.34 15.63 13.49 14.52 13.07

2003 15.32 15.50 13.93 15.32 12.93

2004 15.08 15.26 13.65 14.93 12.57

2005 14.76 15.13 13.23 15.47 12.37

2006 14.90 15.14 13.42 15.49 12.74

2007 14.80 15.11 13.22 15.11 12.65

2008 14.82 15.25 13.20 15.45 13.03

2009 15.20 15.41 13.56 15.48 13.17

2010 14.96 15.18 13.22 15.34 12.75

2011 14.54 14.77 12.71 15.02 12.44

2012 14.32 14.62 12.59 14.60 12.34

2013 14.24 14.49 12.37 14.49 12.20

2014 14.40 14.87 12.22 14.67 12.39

2015 14.67 14.93 12.66 14.87 12.92

Table 21. Inflation-adjusted median hourly earnings, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–2015 

annual averages (in constant 2015 dollars)

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

Page 101

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

Total

1979 $241 $172 $144 $186 $265 $255 $280 $276 $262 $198

1980 262 187 154 200 286 276 302 298 285 203

1981 284 200 161 213 308 296 326 320 309 222

1982 302 208 164 220 327 311 354 345 325 253

1983 313 211 164 223 343 321 370 367 346 261

1984 326 217 169 231 362 335 389 385 366 272

1985 344 224 174 240 379 349 406 400 381 297

1986 359 232 178 248 391 360 419 416 397 298

1987 374 243 186 259 403 373 435 429 405 310

1988 385 249 196 266 414 383 450 453 419 323

1989 399 259 204 276 427 394 472 472 431 334

1990 412 269 209 285 449 407 486 489 457 343

1991 426 277 213 291 467 415 498 507 469 381

1992 440 276 212 290 479 422 503 522 483 378

1993 459 282 214 297 491 436 517 542 492 393

1994 467 286 221 300 500 439 537 566 501 384

1995 479 292 231 306 510 451 550 582 514 389

1996 490 298 240 312 520 463 559 594 535 384

1997 503 306 252 321 540 481 579 607 558 393

1998 523 319 268 339 572 502 597 620 592 405

1999 549 341 281 363 592 518 611 652 604 404

2000 576 361 297 383 609 549 625 669 620 463

2001 596 375 305 394 630 576 657 693 638 488

2002 608 381 305 399 646 591 668 706 674 502

2003 620 387 311 402 662 594 687 723 708 516

2004 638 390 309 406 683 604 713 743 725 560

2005 651 397 318 411 696 610 731 748 742 569

Table 22. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by age, 1979–2015 annual averages (in current dollars)

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

Page 102

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

2006 671 409 324 423 718 621 748 773 765 583

2007 695 424 337 450 738 643 769 790 803 605

2008 722 443 349 467 761 666 804 822 825 644

2009 739 442 344 464 774 678 817 838 841 684

2010 747 432 347 454 782 682 824 844 860 684

2011 756 440 352 457 797 693 837 866 881 742

2012 768 444 356 464 815 707 858 878 897 757

2013 776 454 373 472 827 708 874 883 904 801

2014 791 477 378 491 839 726 881 899 911 824

2015 809 487 389 501 860 735 900 923 927 873

Women

1979 182 154 132 161 195 199 196 192 189 170

1980 201 167 145 175 213 218 214 209 205 175

1981 219 180 154 191 233 239 238 225 222 189

1982 239 192 158 201 255 258 258 252 245 211

1983 252 198 158 207 268 272 272 264 257 212

1984 265 203 162 213 283 285 292 279 270 219

1985 277 211 166 221 296 296 307 292 285 242

1986 291 219 170 231 308 306 319 308 296 256

1987 303 227 172 242 321 316 337 324 308 261

1988 315 235 184 251 335 327 354 339 317 280

1989 328 246 197 260 351 340 370 357 333 292

1990 346 254 198 269 369 356 390 377 348 300

1991 366 266 205 280 387 371 407 398 363 319

1992 380 267 205 280 400 382 418 417 376 328

1993 393 273 205 289 415 395 435 440 395 335

1994 399 276 211 290 421 397 448 450 398 336

1995 406 275 215 291 428 403 453 464 403 353

1996 418 284 223 298 444 415 463 481 420 334

1997 431 292 240 306 462 427 482 495 433 348

Table 22. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by age, 1979–2015 annual averages (in current dollars)

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

Page 103

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

1998 456 305 249 319 485 451 498 516 476 350

1999 473 324 266 343 497 470 503 534 492 370

2000 493 344 283 366 516 493 521 564 508 392

2001 512 353 288 375 543 512 547 587 536 390

2002 529 367 295 385 568 530 571 602 574 430

2003 552 371 299 387 584 546 590 609 601 435

2004 573 375 293 391 599 561 608 625 615 478

2005 585 381 304 396 612 573 621 644 639 492

2006 600 395 305 413 627 583 645 659 658 510

2007 614 409 318 426 646 597 668 677 679 534

2008 638 420 322 445 670 623 682 707 711 563

2009 657 424 323 445 687 634 709 712 727 602

2010 669 422 336 439 704 648 731 730 736 601

2011 684 421 328 438 718 662 734 744 749 664

2012 691 416 330 429 727 666 747 746 766 667

2013 706 423 350 442 740 665 767 761 779 691

2014 719 451 357 468 752 679 781 780 780 740

2015 726 450 364 468 761 690 804 799 784 740

Men

1979 292 196 155 211 314 295 336 338 312 219

1980 313 208 162 224 339 314 367 367 345 229

1981 340 218 168 237 372 340 397 396 377 266

1982 364 225 170 244 393 358 422 419 399 300

1983 379 223 168 242 407 371 442 444 416 308

1984 392 231 174 250 422 382 471 470 439 328

1985 407 241 183 258 443 394 487 489 467 367

1986 419 246 186 264 463 402 499 506 484 358

1987 434 257 196 275 477 412 510 520 495 380

1988 449 262 205 279 487 421 517 549 509 395

1989 468 271 209 290 500 434 542 569 521 393

Table 22. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by age, 1979–2015 annual averages (in current dollars)

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

Page 104

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

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

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

1990 481 282 218 298 512 449 560 591 546 403

1991 493 285 219 300 523 458 576 612 563 467

1992 501 284 218 297 536 466 581 634 579 421

1993 510 288 221 303 555 476 596 653 586 451

1994 522 294 228 307 576 479 617 671 603 441

1995 538 303 244 315 588 490 624 685 623 441

1996 557 307 251 321 599 499 632 698 643 477

1997 579 317 262 338 615 515 651 713 669 452

1998 598 334 281 357 639 544 677 732 699 482

1999 618 356 291 379 668 577 702 763 725 470

2000 641 375 306 395 693 598 728 771 735 522

2001 670 391 319 408 720 617 754 799 760 565

2002 679 391 312 410 732 627 759 807 802 583

2003 695 398 321 412 744 628 775 834 827 612

2004 713 400 318 417 762 639 804 857 843 641

2005 722 409 330 422 771 644 822 853 855 644

2006 743 418 348 435 797 661 836 897 902 658

2007 766 443 357 472 823 687 873 909 933 686

2008 798 461 369 481 857 704 915 944 943 753

2009 819 458 356 479 873 715 916 967 965 791

2010 824 443 355 468 874 714 915 954 979 794

2011 832 455 370 470 886 717 935 979 997 821

2012 854 468 373 482 910 738 957 994 1,005 860

2013 860 479 390 492 912 744 956 994 1,011 937

2014 871 493 392 507 922 755 964 1,011 1,021 942

2015 895 510 407 522 947 770 983 1,040 1,064 1,003

Table 22. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by age, 1979–2015 annual averages (in current dollars)

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

Page 105

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Total

1979 $241 $248 $199 – $194

1980 262 269 212 – 209

1981 284 291 235 – 223

1982 302 310 245 – 240

1983 313 320 261 – 250

1984 326 336 269 – 259

1985 344 356 277 – 270

1986 359 371 291 – 277

1987 374 384 301 – 285

1988 385 395 314 – 290

1989 399 409 319 – 298

1990 412 424 329 – 304

1991 426 442 348 – 312

1992 440 458 357 – 321

1993 459 475 369 – 331

1994 467 484 371 – 324

1995 479 494 383 – 329

1996 490 506 387 – 339

1997 503 519 400 – 351

1998 523 545 426 – 370

1999 549 573 445 – 385

2000 576 590 474 $615 399

2001 596 610 491 639 417

2002 608 623 498 658 424

2003 620 636 514 693 440

2004 638 657 525 708 456

2005 651 672 520 753 471

2006 671 690 554 784 486

Table 23. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2015 annual averages (in 

current dollars)

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

Page 106

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

2007 695 716 569 830 503

2008 722 742 589 861 529

2009 739 757 601 880 541

2010 747 765 611 855 535

2011 756 775 615 866 549

2012 768 792 621 920 568

2013 776 802 629 942 578

2014 791 816 639 953 594

2015 809 835 641 993 604

Women

1979 182 184 169 – 157

1980 201 203 185 – 172

1981 219 221 206 – 190

1982 239 242 217 – 203

1983 252 254 232 – 215

1984 265 268 241 – 223

1985 277 281 252 – 230

1986 291 294 264 – 241

1987 303 307 276 – 251

1988 315 318 288 – 260

1989 328 334 301 – 269

1990 346 353 308 – 278

1991 366 373 323 – 292

1992 380 387 335 – 302

1993 393 401 348 – 313

1994 399 408 346 – 305

1995 406 415 355 – 305

1996 418 428 362 – 316

1997 431 444 375 – 318

1998 456 468 400 – 337

1999 473 483 409 – 348

Table 23. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2015 annual averages (in 

current dollars)

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

Page 107

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

2000 493 502 429 547 366

2001 512 522 454 563 388

2002 529 547 473 566 397

2003 552 567 491 598 410

2004 573 584 505 613 419

2005 585 596 499 665 429

2006 600 609 519 699 440

2007 614 626 533 731 473

2008 638 654 554 753 501

2009 657 669 582 779 509

2010 669 684 592 773 508

2011 684 703 595 751 518

2012 691 710 599 770 521

2013 706 722 606 819 541

2014 719 734 611 841 548

2015 726 743 615 877 566

Men

1979 292 298 227 – 219

1980 313 320 244 – 234

1981 340 350 268 – 251

1982 364 375 278 – 269

1983 379 387 294 – 274

1984 392 401 303 – 287

1985 407 418 305 – 296

1986 419 433 319 – 299

1987 434 450 327 – 306

1988 449 465 348 – 308

1989 468 482 348 – 315

1990 481 494 361 – 318

1991 493 506 375 – 323

1992 501 514 380 – 339

Table 23. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2015 annual averages (in 

current dollars)

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

Page 108

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups shown (White, Black or African American, and Asian) include people who selected that race group only; people who selected more than one 

race group are not included. Prior to 2003, people who reported more than one race were included in the group they identified as the main race. Asian data for 2000–02 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians 

constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. People of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race; estimates for the race groups include Hispanics. Dash indicates data not available.

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

1993 510 524 392 – 346

1994 522 547 400 – 343

1995 538 566 411 – 350

1996 557 580 412 – 356

1997 579 595 432 – 371

1998 598 615 468 – 390

1999 618 638 488 – 406

2000 641 662 510 685 417

2001 670 689 529 732 440

2002 679 702 524 756 451

2003 695 715 555 772 464

2004 713 732 569 802 480

2005 722 743 559 825 489

2006 743 761 591 882 505

2007 766 788 600 936 520

2008 798 825 620 966 559

2009 819 845 621 952 569

2010 824 850 633 936 560

2011 832 856 653 970 571

2012 854 879 665 1,055 592

2013 860 884 664 1,059 594

2014 871 897 680 1,080 616

2015 895 920 680 1,129 631

Table 23. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2015 annual averages (in 

current dollars)

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

Page 109

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 25 years and older Less than a high school 

diploma

High school graduates, no 

college

Some college or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's degree and 

higher

Total

1979 $265 $210 $249 $282 $344

1980 286 222 266 304 376

1981 308 240 286 324 407

1982 327 248 302 351 438

1983 343 256 311 363 461

1984 362 263 323 382 486

1985 379 270 333 399 506

1986 391 278 344 409 525

1987 403 284 356 421 564

1988 414 288 368 430 585

1989 427 297 375 452 609

1990 449 303 386 476 638

1991 467 307 397 489 666

1992 479 311 403 484 696

1993 491 314 415 494 715

1994 500 307 421 499 733

1995 510 309 432 508 747

1996 520 317 443 518 758

1997 540 321 461 535 779

1998 572 337 479 558 821

1999 592 346 490 580 860

2000 609 362 505 596 891

2001 630 382 520 617 921

2002 646 388 535 629 941

2003 662 396 554 639 964

2004 683 401 574 661 986

2005 696 409 583 670 1,013

Table 24. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older, by educational attainment, 1979–2015 annual averages 

(in current dollars)

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

Page 110

Year Total, 25 years and older Less than a high school 

diploma

High school graduates, no 

college

Some college or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's degree and 

higher

2006 718 419 595 692 1,039

2007 738 428 604 704 1,072

2008 761 453 618 722 1,115

2009 774 454 626 726 1,137

2010 782 444 626 734 1,144

2011 797 451 638 739 1,150

2012 815 471 652 749 1,165

2013 827 472 651 748 1,194

2014 839 488 668 761 1,193

2015 860 493 678 762 1,230

Women

1979 195 152 185 211 264

1980 213 164 201 231 290

1981 233 175 217 255 318

1982 255 184 236 274 346

1983 268 195 246 288 369

1984 283 200 259 305 390

1985 296 202 268 317 414

1986 308 208 277 330 436

1987 321 214 288 347 466

1988 335 221 298 360 485

1989 351 231 304 379 507

1990 369 240 315 395 535

1991 387 250 328 409 562

1992 400 256 337 407 594

1993 415 263 347 422 611

1994 421 257 351 423 634

1995 428 262 356 427 644

1996 444 268 365 442 657

1997 462 275 378 459 672

1998 485 283 396 476 707

Table 24. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older, by educational attainment, 1979–2015 annual averages 

(in current dollars)

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

Page 111

Year Total, 25 years and older Less than a high school 

diploma

High school graduates, no 

college

Some college or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's degree and 

higher

1999 497 290 405 488 740

2000 516 304 420 505 756

2001 543 316 443 520 786

2002 568 325 458 543 809

2003 584 329 474 560 832

2004 599 334 488 577 860

2005 612 341 493 587 883

2006 627 358 500 602 905

2007 646 369 512 609 932

2008 670 378 520 628 955

2009 687 382 542 630 970

2010 704 388 543 638 986

2011 718 395 554 645 998

2012 727 386 561 659 1,001

2013 740 400 573 657 1,043

2014 752 409 578 661 1,049

2015 761 418 586 664 1,064

Men

1979 314 252 308 329 396

1980 339 267 327 358 427

1981 372 286 356 389 475

1982 393 293 374 411 503

1983 407 301 388 422 518

1984 422 308 399 446 562

1985 443 314 407 472 590

1986 463 321 416 485 618

1987 477 324 423 497 653

1988 487 332 437 503 679

1989 500 346 450 517 705

1990 512 349 459 542 741

1991 523 349 470 563 764

Table 24. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older, by educational attainment, 1979–2015 annual averages 

(in current dollars)

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

Page 112

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

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

Year Total, 25 years and older Less than a high school 

diploma

High school graduates, no 

college

Some college or associate's 

degree

Bachelor's degree and 

higher

1992 536 351 479 555 791

1993 555 356 487 572 806

1994 576 342 496 587 826

1995 588 347 507 596 845

1996 599 357 516 604 874

1997 615 365 535 621 896

1998 639 383 559 643 939

1999 668 395 580 665 977

2000 693 406 591 691 1,020

2001 720 419 609 723 1,067

2002 732 421 617 731 1,090

2003 744 429 628 740 1,131

2004 762 446 645 761 1,143

2005 771 455 652 766 1,167

2006 797 469 678 796 1,205

2007 823 481 689 810 1,243

2008 857 497 709 830 1,285

2009 873 500 716 835 1,327

2010 874 486 710 845 1,330

2011 886 488 720 840 1,332

2012 910 508 735 857 1,371

2013 912 500 732 858 1,395

2014 922 517 751 872 1,385

2015 947 520 759 883 1,420

Table 24. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and older, by educational attainment, 1979–2015 annual averages 

(in current dollars)

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

Page 113

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

Total

1979 $4.44 $3.49 $3.10 $4.02 $5.11 $5.20 $5.29 $5.16 $4.97 $3.23

1980 4.82 3.71 3.22 4.29 5.55 5.66 5.76 5.65 5.39 3.56

1981 5.15 3.97 3.58 4.61 5.99 6.09 6.20 6.01 5.81 3.92

1982 5.40 4.05 3.60 4.66 6.28 6.35 6.61 6.42 6.11 4.12

1983 5.59 4.08 3.61 4.69 6.55 6.50 6.91 6.73 6.41 4.40

1984 5.83 4.18 3.65 4.82 6.84 6.77 7.17 7.08 6.62 4.63

1985 6.03 4.26 3.67 4.94 7.05 6.92 7.49 7.37 6.91 4.74

1986 6.20 4.41 3.71 5.06 7.23 7.01 7.79 7.73 7.17 4.97

1987 6.47 4.59 3.81 5.21 7.46 7.19 7.94 7.86 7.42 5.08

1988 6.73 4.79 4.03 5.38 7.74 7.43 8.17 8.16 7.48 5.23

1989 6.99 4.95 4.22 5.65 7.94 7.64 8.56 8.42 7.82 5.42

1990 7.23 5.16 4.49 5.91 8.16 7.90 8.82 8.79 8.02 5.75

1991 7.50 5.26 4.69 6.00 8.48 8.04 9.17 9.11 8.19 5.94

1992 7.72 5.37 4.73 6.03 8.73 8.17 9.38 9.52 8.48 6.14

1993 7.87 5.51 4.80 6.15 8.95 8.27 9.61 9.86 8.90 6.39

1994 8.01 5.62 4.91 6.22 9.12 8.38 9.92 10.02 9.02 6.39

1995 8.17 5.80 5.04 6.42 9.36 8.71 10.02 10.13 9.20 6.65

1996 8.40 5.94 5.17 6.69 9.62 8.82 10.14 10.24 9.39 6.77

1997 8.75 6.15 5.51 6.91 9.87 9.04 10.36 10.60 9.73 6.89

1998 9.10 6.58 5.88 7.24 10.13 9.65 10.86 10.96 10.08 7.40

1999 9.53 6.87 6.08 7.74 10.47 9.98 11.02 11.33 10.38 7.70

2000 9.91 7.24 6.41 8.07 10.88 10.18 11.35 11.82 10.82 8.05

2001 10.19 7.69 6.76 8.38 11.40 10.67 11.97 12.17 11.37 8.53

2002 10.47 7.81 6.91 8.47 11.83 10.98 12.18 12.46 11.85 9.07

2003 10.85 7.90 6.93 8.66 12.05 11.25 12.46 12.97 12.19 9.19

2004 11.00 7.98 7.00 8.78 12.23 11.37 12.89 13.23 12.58 9.62

2005 11.19 8.07 7.05 8.91 12.48 11.76 13.11 13.48 12.95 9.93

Table 25. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by age, 1979–2015 annual averages (in current dollars)

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

Page 114

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

2006 11.76 8.24 7.23 9.16 12.94 11.95 13.49 14.03 13.33 10.15

2007 11.95 8.65 7.57 9.66 13.16 12.05 13.93 14.39 13.71 10.37

2008 12.23 8.87 7.84 9.76 13.81 12.50 14.38 14.87 14.20 10.89

2009 12.44 8.90 7.92 9.77 13.91 12.60 14.59 14.85 14.70 11.49

2010 12.50 8.90 8.00 9.53 13.98 12.53 14.61 14.98 14.89 11.55

2011 12.71 8.97 8.06 9.61 14.12 12.71 14.83 15.00 15.07 12.19

2012 12.80 9.05 8.10 9.70 14.25 12.82 14.86 15.07 15.39 12.21

2013 12.93 9.16 8.19 9.83 14.50 12.88 14.98 15.17 15.62 12.47

2014 13.14 9.55 8.43 9.98 14.80 13.13 15.11 15.39 15.36 13.02

2015 13.44 9.85 8.85 10.14 14.91 13.60 15.16 15.84 15.91 13.08

Women

1979 3.62 3.19 3.03 3.52 3.90 4.04 3.97 3.84 3.75 3.12

1980 3.95 3.45 3.14 3.79 4.24 4.44 4.29 4.23 4.08 3.38

1981 4.28 3.71 3.52 4.09 4.69 4.89 4.77 4.59 4.43 3.71

1982 4.61 3.78 3.55 4.19 5.02 5.19 5.08 4.95 4.80 3.93

1983 4.80 3.82 3.55 4.26 5.23 5.44 5.31 5.19 5.07 4.16

1984 4.97 3.93 3.59 4.36 5.48 5.60 5.61 5.51 5.27 4.37

1985 5.13 4.01 3.61 4.56 5.73 5.79 5.91 5.76 5.46 4.43

1986 5.33 4.11 3.65 4.71 5.95 5.95 6.13 5.99 5.75 4.73

1987 5.60 4.22 3.71 4.89 6.16 6.14 6.35 6.28 6.03 4.85

1988 5.84 4.48 3.91 5.05 6.44 6.36 6.76 6.59 6.08 5.12

1989 6.11 4.69 4.10 5.23 6.78 6.68 7.10 6.90 6.38 5.14

1990 6.44 4.95 4.35 5.57 7.07 7.01 7.37 7.16 6.73 5.45

1991 6.75 5.08 4.64 5.71 7.34 7.19 7.73 7.61 6.95 5.76

1992 6.96 5.16 4.69 5.77 7.65 7.45 7.99 7.94 7.20 5.97

1993 7.12 5.27 4.73 5.96 7.87 7.61 8.16 8.18 7.56 6.18

1994 7.25 5.32 4.83 5.98 8.05 7.78 8.44 8.46 7.82 6.24

1995 7.46 5.49 4.94 6.09 8.17 7.92 8.63 8.72 7.93 6.45

1996 7.73 5.68 5.09 6.26 8.43 8.06 8.89 8.94 8.07 6.45

1997 7.94 5.95 5.42 6.55 8.75 8.20 9.14 9.26 8.31 6.83

Table 25. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by age, 1979–2015 annual averages (in current dollars)

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

Page 115

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

1998 8.23 6.24 5.78 6.93 9.13 8.80 9.66 9.78 8.85 7.21

1999 8.64 6.60 5.98 7.22 9.53 9.10 9.83 9.95 9.33 7.50

2000 9.06 7.00 6.23 7.80 9.89 9.69 10.03 10.18 9.84 7.87

2001 9.64 7.25 6.61 8.00 10.20 9.94 10.44 10.85 10.39 8.14

2002 9.89 7.45 6.80 8.11 10.71 10.12 10.98 11.18 10.81 8.73

2003 10.08 7.59 6.85 8.19 11.01 10.51 11.17 11.79 11.05 8.84

2004 10.17 7.71 6.86 8.32 11.23 10.62 11.45 11.95 11.57 9.16

2005 10.31 7.80 6.92 8.50 11.58 10.86 11.84 12.13 11.86 9.82

2006 10.65 7.99 7.11 8.82 11.87 11.07 12.05 12.26 12.12 9.97

2007 10.98 8.15 7.41 9.00 12.05 11.21 12.36 12.85 12.23 10.15

2008 11.49 8.43 7.71 9.16 12.48 11.72 12.89 13.16 13.00 10.53

2009 11.76 8.58 7.82 9.19 12.76 11.96 13.00 13.09 13.59 11.11

2010 11.83 8.62 7.91 9.08 12.88 12.04 13.12 13.50 13.68 11.18

2011 11.98 8.73 7.96 9.16 13.10 12.12 13.44 13.76 14.03 11.76

2012 11.99 8.78 8.02 9.17 13.17 12.15 13.46 13.80 14.36 11.84

2013 12.12 8.93 8.09 9.40 13.36 12.23 13.77 13.94 14.53 12.22

2014 12.18 9.14 8.29 9.77 13.50 12.25 14.00 14.14 14.19 12.47

2015 12.56 9.54 8.75 9.95 13.92 12.89 14.13 14.80 14.77 12.66

Men

1979 5.65 3.90 3.19 4.64 6.69 6.38 7.12 7.10 6.59 3.56

1980 6.10 4.10 3.37 4.92 7.22 6.93 7.81 7.78 7.24 3.79

1981 6.57 4.31 3.64 5.11 7.78 7.33 8.30 8.49 7.88 4.21

1982 6.85 4.38 3.66 5.12 8.08 7.67 8.89 8.88 8.14 4.46

1983 6.92 4.38 3.67 5.05 8.31 7.74 9.22 9.16 8.74 4.75

1984 7.12 4.57 3.72 5.16 8.60 7.88 9.51 9.69 8.86 4.91

1985 7.33 4.68 3.75 5.23 8.85 8.00 9.80 9.97 9.04 4.99

1986 7.59 4.79 3.82 5.43 9.02 8.03 9.99 10.15 9.54 5.18

1987 7.77 4.91 3.95 5.68 9.16 8.26 10.10 10.24 9.72 5.32

1988 7.91 5.03 4.14 5.79 9.38 8.41 10.22 10.69 9.74 5.52

1989 8.10 5.17 4.39 6.02 9.71 8.56 10.59 10.88 10.00 5.90

Table 25. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by age, 1979–2015 annual averages (in current dollars)

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

Page 116

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

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

Year Total, 16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years 25 years and older

Total 16 to 19 years 20 to 24 years Total 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and 

older

1990 8.27 5.44 4.64 6.18 9.84 8.83 10.73 11.13 10.17 6.08

1991 8.59 5.58 4.74 6.23 9.98 8.94 10.98 11.71 10.08 6.22

1992 8.67 5.65 4.80 6.24 10.06 9.02 10.93 12.02 10.39 6.45

1993 8.86 5.75 4.87 6.33 10.18 9.10 11.16 12.15 10.96 6.71

1994 9.00 5.88 4.98 6.56 10.29 9.10 11.50 12.10 11.06 6.64

1995 9.23 6.04 5.14 6.82 10.73 9.46 11.89 12.32 11.11 6.85

1996 9.52 6.17 5.25 6.99 10.78 9.70 11.91 12.40 11.15 7.04

1997 9.83 6.45 5.61 7.18 11.10 9.92 12.07 12.80 11.79 6.96

1998 10.06 6.91 5.98 7.78 11.72 10.22 12.48 13.04 12.22 7.74

1999 10.31 7.12 6.18 8.03 12.00 10.84 12.78 13.68 12.21 7.86

2000 10.81 7.63 6.64 8.39 12.24 10.97 13.14 13.90 12.81 8.31

2001 11.32 8.01 6.90 8.92 12.88 11.58 13.92 14.25 12.95 9.00

2002 11.64 8.05 7.02 8.88 13.05 11.89 13.96 14.40 13.38 9.78

2003 11.89 8.14 7.02 9.00 13.25 12.01 14.13 14.93 14.09 9.79

2004 12.02 8.21 7.15 9.07 13.74 12.03 14.60 15.11 14.54 9.90

2005 12.16 8.42 7.21 9.20 13.91 12.17 14.88 15.13 14.79 10.04

2006 12.68 8.79 7.43 9.75 14.27 12.63 15.06 16.04 15.04 10.72

2007 12.95 9.13 7.77 9.96 14.75 12.83 15.17 16.15 15.45 11.01

2008 13.46 9.24 7.98 10.00 15.03 13.47 16.02 16.82 15.90 11.50

2009 13.76 9.22 8.05 9.99 15.07 13.20 16.10 16.99 16.09 12.00

2010 13.76 9.21 8.09 9.90 15.04 13.10 15.83 16.89 16.45 11.92

2011 13.80 9.23 8.16 9.90 15.11 13.18 16.03 16.88 17.07 12.85

2012 13.88 9.44 8.19 9.97 15.17 13.28 16.05 16.99 17.28 13.03

2013 14.00 9.67 8.37 10.00 15.27 13.42 16.21 17.17 17.28 12.88

2014 14.39 9.89 8.63 10.15 15.76 14.08 16.55 17.41 17.46 13.98

2015 14.67 10.03 8.97 10.64 15.86 14.17 16.48 17.55 17.99 14.15

Table 25. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by age, 1979–2015 annual averages (in current dollars)

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

Page 117

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Total

1979 $4.44 $4.51 $4.11 – $4.08

1980 4.82 4.88 4.44 – 4.44

1981 5.15 5.18 4.90 – 4.81

1982 5.40 5.47 5.06 – 5.01

1983 5.59 5.66 5.15 – 5.09

1984 5.83 5.90 5.36 – 5.27

1985 6.03 6.10 5.50 – 5.47

1986 6.20 6.28 5.80 – 5.65

1987 6.47 6.56 5.99 – 5.82

1988 6.73 6.81 6.15 – 5.95

1989 6.99 7.08 6.43 – 6.07

1990 7.23 7.33 6.81 – 6.28

1991 7.50 7.61 7.00 – 6.46

1992 7.72 7.82 7.06 – 6.65

1993 7.87 7.97 7.18 – 6.83

1994 8.01 8.11 7.29 – 6.93

1995 8.17 8.32 7.66 – 7.00

1996 8.40 8.57 7.76 – 7.17

1997 8.75 8.88 8.01 – 7.39

1998 9.10 9.22 8.39 – 7.92

1999 9.53 9.74 8.85 – 8.07

2000 9.91 9.96 9.34 $10.07 8.54

2001 10.19 10.26 9.78 10.75 9.06

2002 10.47 10.71 9.93 10.36 9.22

2003 10.85 10.97 10.15 11.12 9.76

2004 11.00 11.13 10.19 11.10 9.81

2005 11.19 11.48 10.17 12.01 9.95

2006 11.76 11.86 10.66 12.53 10.12

Table 26. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2015 annual averages (in 

current dollars)

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

Page 118

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

2007 11.95 12.08 10.89 12.22 10.24

2008 12.23 12.54 11.20 13.01 10.97

2009 12.44 12.66 11.64 13.16 11.04

2010 12.50 12.74 11.77 13.22 10.88

2011 12.71 12.91 11.79 13.35 11.05

2012 12.80 13.04 11.84 13.23 11.12

2013 12.93 13.15 11.90 13.62 11.25

2014 13.14 13.57 11.88 14.00 11.83

2015 13.44 13.87 12.06 14.19 12.04

Women

1979 3.62 3.62 3.55 – 3.44

1980 3.95 3.96 3.88 – 3.78

1981 4.28 4.28 4.19 – 4.10

1982 4.61 4.61 4.49 – 4.33

1983 4.80 4.81 4.72 – 4.42

1984 4.97 4.98 4.87 – 4.65

1985 5.13 5.14 5.04 – 4.82

1986 5.33 5.35 5.17 – 5.00

1987 5.60 5.62 5.40 – 5.11

1988 5.84 5.86 5.61 – 5.28

1989 6.11 6.13 5.88 – 5.53

1990 6.44 6.46 6.23 – 5.80

1991 6.75 6.76 6.55 – 5.98

1992 6.96 6.99 6.64 – 6.17

1993 7.12 7.16 6.87 – 6.31

1994 7.25 7.34 6.93 – 6.40

1995 7.46 7.54 7.12 – 6.60

1996 7.73 7.79 7.20 – 6.77

1997 7.94 8.00 7.59 – 6.82

1998 8.23 8.33 7.90 – 7.22

1999 8.64 8.73 8.13 – 7.46

Table 26. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2015 annual averages (in 

current dollars)

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

Page 119

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

2000 9.06 9.09 8.86 9.77 7.89

2001 9.64 9.73 9.15 10.07 8.28

2002 9.89 9.94 9.45 10.10 8.54

2003 10.08 10.11 9.91 10.68 8.88

2004 10.17 10.21 9.93 10.57 9.04

2005 10.31 10.50 9.93 11.64 9.18

2006 10.65 10.77 10.11 11.95 9.50

2007 10.98 11.06 10.45 11.83 9.80

2008 11.49 11.70 10.78 12.25 10.07

2009 11.76 11.83 11.01 12.67 10.09

2010 11.83 11.88 11.20 12.41 10.11

2011 11.98 12.05 11.28 12.80 10.25

2012 11.99 12.08 11.23 12.75 10.21

2013 12.12 12.21 11.54 13.04 10.49

2014 12.18 12.38 11.57 13.23 10.72

2015 12.56 12.82 11.70 13.80 11.08

Men

1979 5.65 5.79 4.89 – 4.79

1980 6.10 6.23 5.18 – 5.03

1981 6.57 6.71 5.81 – 5.37

1982 6.85 6.98 5.97 – 5.73

1983 6.92 7.07 5.96 – 5.81

1984 7.12 7.26 6.16 – 6.04

1985 7.33 7.58 6.15 – 6.07

1986 7.59 7.78 6.57 – 6.19

1987 7.77 7.93 6.74 – 6.37

1988 7.91 8.06 6.94 – 6.51

1989 8.10 8.28 7.07 – 6.66

1990 8.27 8.55 7.37 – 6.74

1991 8.59 8.82 7.57 – 6.88

1992 8.67 8.89 7.62 – 6.99

Table 26. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2015 annual averages (in 

current dollars)

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

Page 120

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups shown (White, Black or African American, and Asian) include people who selected that race group only; people who selected more than one 

race group are not included. Prior to 2003, people who reported more than one race were included in the group they identified as the main race. Asian data for 2000–02 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians 

constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. People of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race; estimates for the race groups include Hispanics. Dash indicates data not available.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year Total, 16 years and older White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

1993 8.86 9.07 7.67 – 7.12

1994 9.00 9.21 7.92 – 7.17

1995 9.23 9.62 8.16 – 7.26

1996 9.52 9.79 8.18 – 7.62

1997 9.83 9.96 8.67 – 7.90

1998 10.06 10.18 9.09 – 8.24

1999 10.31 10.61 9.77 – 8.61

2000 10.81 10.95 9.98 10.79 9.04

2001 11.32 11.61 10.18 11.84 9.67

2002 11.64 11.86 10.24 11.02 9.92

2003 11.89 12.03 10.81 11.89 10.03

2004 12.02 12.16 10.88 11.90 10.02

2005 12.16 12.47 10.90 12.75 10.19

2006 12.68 12.88 11.42 13.18 10.84

2007 12.95 13.22 11.57 13.22 11.07

2008 13.46 13.85 11.99 14.03 11.83

2009 13.76 13.95 12.27 14.01 11.92

2010 13.76 13.97 12.16 14.11 11.73

2011 13.80 14.02 12.06 14.25 11.81

2012 13.88 14.17 12.20 14.15 11.96

2013 14.00 14.24 12.16 14.24 11.99

2014 14.39 14.86 12.21 14.66 12.38

2015 14.67 14.93 12.66 14.87 12.92

Table 26. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2015 annual averages (in 

current dollars)
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 121

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 

representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The survey data on earnings 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 the data presented in this report.

The earnings comparisons in this report are on a broad level and do not control for many factors that can help explain 

earnings differences. This includes the direct comparisons of earnings levels among demographic groups and the 

women’s-to-men’s earnings ratios shown in the tables (that is, women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s). For 

example, the overall ratio of women’s-to-men’s earnings for full-time workers presented here is not controlled for 

differences in important determinants of earnings such as age, occupation, and educational attainment. The earnings 

comparisons in this report are not restricted to workers with otherwise comparable characteristics and comparable jobs. 

Even controlling for one of the factors may not fully explain earnings differences. Comparisons of women’s and men’s 

earnings by detailed occupation, for example, are not simultaneously controlled for differences in key factors such as job 

skills and responsibilities, work experience, and specialization.

Material in this report is in the public domain and may be used without permission. Information in this report will be made 

available upon request to individuals with sensory impairments. Voice telephone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay 

Service: 1 (800) 877-8339.

Concepts and definitions

The principal concepts and definitions used 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 public and private sectors. 

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

Full-time workers are defined for the purpose of these estimates 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 for the purpose of these estimates as those who usually work fewer than 35 hours per 

week at their sole or principal job. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not define full- or part-time 

employment.

Usual weekly earnings reflect earnings before taxes and other deductions and include any overtime pay, commissions, 

or tips usually received (at the main job in the case of multiple jobholders). Before 1994, respondents were asked how 

much they usually earned per week. Since January 1994, respondents have been asked to identify the easiest way for 

them to report earnings (hourly, weekly, biweekly, twice monthly, monthly, annually, or other) and how much they usually 

earn in the reported time period. Earnings reported on a basis other than weekly are converted to a weekly equivalent. 

The term “usual” is determined by each respondent’s own understanding of the term. If the respondent asks for a 

definition of “usual,” interviewers are instructed to define the term as more than half the weeks worked during the past 4 

or 5 months.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 122

•

•

Median of usual weekly earnings reflects the midpoint in a given earnings distribution, with half of workers having 

earnings above the median and the other half having earnings below the median.

The BLS procedure for estimating the median of a weekly earnings distribution places each reported or calculated 

weekly earnings value into a $50-wide interval that is centered around a multiple of $50. The median is calculated 

through the linear interpolation of the interval in which the median lies.

Changes over time in the medians for specific groups may not necessarily be consistent with the movements estimated 

for the overall median boundary. The most common reasons for this possible anomaly are as follows:

 There could be a change in the relative weights of the subgroups. For example, the median earnings of 16- to 

24-year-olds and the median earnings of those 25 years and older may rise, but if the lower earning 16-to-24 age 

group accounts for a greatly increased share of the total, the overall median could actually fall.

 There could be a large change in the shape of the distribution of reported earnings, particularly near a median 

boundary. This change could be caused by survey observations that are clustered at rounded values, such as 

$600 or $700. An estimate lying in a $50-wide centered interval containing such a cluster tends to change more 

slowly than one in other intervals. Consider, for example, the calculation of the median for a multipeaked earnings 

distribution that shifts over time. As such a distribution shifts, the median does not necessarily move at the same 

rate. Specifically, the median takes relatively more time to move through a frequently reported earnings interval, 

but once above the upper limit of such an interval, it can move relatively quickly to the next frequently reported 

interval. BLS procedures for estimating medians mitigate such irregular movements; however, users should be 

cautious of these effects when evaluating short-term changes in the medians and in ratios of the medians.

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

job. Typically, workers paid an hourly wage have made up around 60 percent 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 federal minimum wage include only workers who are paid hourly rates. Salaried workers 

and other nonhourly paid workers are excluded, even though some have earnings that, if converted to hourly rates, 

would be at or below the federal minimum wage.

The estimates of workers paid at or below the federal minimum wage in this report are based solely on whether the 

hourly wage they report (which does not include overtime pay, tips, or commissions) is at or below the federal minimum 

wage. Some respondents might round hourly earnings when answering survey questions. As a result, some workers 

might report having hourly earnings above or below the federal minimum wage when in fact they earn the minimum 

wage.

Some workers who reported earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage may not 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 federal Fair Labor 

Standards Act (FLSA) or state statutes in cases where such standards apply. The CPS does not include questions on 

whether workers are covered by the minimum wage provisions of the FLSA or by individual state or local minimum wage 
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 123

laws. For more information about the minimum wage exemptions in the FLSA, see the U.S. Department of Labor’s 

website at https://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/elg/minwage.htm#who.

The estimates presented in this report likely understate the actual number of workers with hourly earnings at or below 

the minimum wage. BLS does not routinely estimate the hourly earnings of workers not paid by the hour because there 

are data quality concerns associated with constructing such an estimate.

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

later years is as follows:

When the minimum wage has increased during a given year, the estimates of the annual average number of minimum 

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

Federal minimum wage Effective date

$2.90 January 1, 1979

$3.10 January 1, 1980

$3.35 January 1, 1981

$3.80 April 1, 1990

$4.25 April 1, 1991

$4.75 October 1, 1996

$5.15 September 1, 1997

$5.85 July 24, 2007

$6.55 July 24, 2008

$7.25 July 24, 2009
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 124

of workers who earned the federal minimum wage of $5.15 for January to July and the number of workers who earned 

the minimum wage of $5.85 for August to December.

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 the terms used to describe a person’s race. Beginning in 2003, people 

in these categories are those who selected that race group only. Those who identify multiple race groups are 

categorized as people of Two or More Races. Before 2003, people of two or more races identified one group as their 

main race. More information on the 2003 changes to questions on race is available at https://www.bls.gov/cps/

rvcps03.pdf. 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 sufficient quality.

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 and are 

included in estimates for the race groups (White, Black or African American, and Asian) in addition to being shown 

separately.

Inflation-adjusted earnings shown in this report use the Consumer Price Index research series using current methods 

(CPI-U-RS) to convert current dollars to constant, or inflation-adjusted, dollars. BLS has made numerous improvements 

to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the years. Although these improvements make the CPI more accurate, the 

official histories of price index series are not adjusted to reflect the improvements. Because many researchers need a 

historical series that measures price change consistently over time, BLS developed the CPI-U-RS to provide an estimate 

of the CPI that incorporates most of the methodological improvements made since 1978 into the entire series. For 

further information, see Kenneth J. Stewart and Stephen B. Reed, “CPI research series using current methods, 1978–

98,” Monthly Labor Review, June 1999, available at https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/1999/06/art4full.pdf; and 

“Questions and Answers: Consumer Price Index Research Series Using Current Methods,” at https://www.bls.gov/

opub/mlr/1999/06/cpirsqa.pdf.

This report uses the most recent version of the CPI-U-RS available at the time of production. Users should note that the 

CPI-U-RS is subject to periodic revision. As a result, the rate of inflation incorporated into the inflation-adjusted median 

earnings estimates in this report may differ from the rate used in previous reports in this series or in other publications.

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 on 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.
 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Page 125

Information about the reliability of data from the CPS is available at https://www.bls.gov/cps/

documentation.htm#reliability.