U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

OCTOBER 2013 REPOR T 1045

BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 1

Highlights of Women’s Earnings 

in 2012

I

n 2012, women who were full-time wage and salary 

workers had median usual weekly earnings of $691. On 

average in 2012, women made about 81 percent of the 

median earnings of male full-time wage and salary workers 

($854). In 1979, the first year for which comparable

earnings data are available, women earned 62 percent of 

what men earned. (See chart 1 and tables 1 and 12.) 

This report presents data highlights and statistical tables 

of earnings data from the Current Population Survey 

(CPS), a national monthly survey of approximately 60,000 

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

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Information on 

earnings is collected from one-fourth of the CPS sample 

each month. It is important to note that the comparisons 

of earnings in this report are on a broad level and do 

not control for many factors that can be significant in

explaining earnings differences. For a detailed description 

of the source of the data and an explanation of the concepts 

and definitions used in this report, see the accompanying

technical notes section. 

Earnings of full-time workers

Age 

Median weekly earnings were highest for women age 35 to 

64 in 2012, with little difference in the earnings of 35- to 

44-year-olds ($747), 45- to 54-year-olds ($746), and 55- to 

64-year-olds ($766). Among men, workers who were age 

45 to 64 had the highest earnings, with 45- to 54-yearolds ($994) making about the same as 55- to 64-year-olds 

($1,005). Young women and men age 16 to 24 had the 

lowest earnings ($416 and $468, respectively). (See table 1.) 

Among the age groupings of those 35 years and older, 

women had earnings that ranged from 75 percent to 78 

CONTENTS

Earnings of full-time workers. 

Age. 

Race and ethnicity. 

Education. 

Occupation. 

Status as a parent. 

State of residence. 

Weekly work hours. 

Earnings of part-time workers. 

Earnings of workers paid by the hour. 

Statistical Tables. 

Technical Notes. .
2 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

percent of the earnings of their male counterparts. Among 

younger workers, the earnings differences between women 

and men were not as great. Among workers who were 25 

to 34 years old, women earned 90 percent of what men 

earned; among 16- to 24-year-olds, women earned 89 

percent as much as men. (See table 1.) 

Between 1979 and 2012, women’s-to-men’s earnings ratios 

rose for most age groups. Among 25- to 34-year-olds, for 

example, the ratio increased from 68 percent in 1979 to 

90 percent in 2012. The women’s-to-men’s earnings ratio 

for 45- to 54-year-olds increased from 57 percent to 75 

percent. (See table 12.) 

Race and ethnicity 

Asian women and men earned more than their White, 

Black, and Hispanic or Latino counterparts in 2012. Among 

women, Whites ($710) earned 92 percent as much as 

Asians ($770), while Blacks ($599) and Hispanics ($521) 

earned 78 percent and 68 percent as much as Asians, 

respectively. In comparison, White men ($879) earned 83 

percent as much as Asian men ($1,055); Black men ($665) 

earned 63 percent as much as Asians; and Hispanic men 

($592), 56 percent. (See chart 2 and table 1.)

Earnings differences between women and men were the 

most pronounced for Whites and for Asians. White women 

earned 81 percent as much as White men in 2012, while 

Asian women earned 73 percent as much as their male 

counterparts. In comparison, Black and Hispanic women 

had median earnings that were 90 percent and 88 percent, 

respectively, of those of their male counterparts. (See 

table 1.)

When adjusted for inflation, women’s earnings since 1979

have increased considerably across the major race and 

50.0

55.0

60.0

65.0

70.0

75.0

80.0

85.0

90.0

1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003 2006 2009 2012

Percent

Chart 1

Women's earnings as a percentage of men's, full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2012 annual averages

Note: Data relate to annual averages of median usual weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 3

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Hispanic ethnicity categories. Earnings growth has been 

largest for White women, outpacing that of their Black and 

Hispanic counterparts. Between 1979 and 2012, inflationadjusted earnings (also called constant-dollar earnings) 

rose by 31 percent for White women, compared with an 

increase of 20 percent for Black women and 13 percent for 

Hispanic women. In contrast, earnings for White and Black 

men in 2012 showed little or no change from their 1979 

constant-dollar levels, while Hispanic men’s earnings were 

down by 8 percent after adjusting for inflation. (See table

18.) Asians were not included in this analysis because 

comparable data for the group are not available until 2003. 

(See note in table 18.) 

Education 

Median weekly earnings vary significantly by level of

educational attainment. Among both women and men age 

25 and older, the weekly earnings of those without a high 

school diploma ($386 for women and $508 for men) were 

about two-fifths of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher

($1,001 for women and $1,371 for men) in 2012. Women 

and men with a high school diploma who had not attended 

college earned a little more than half of what women and 

men with a bachelor’s degree or higher did, and those with 

some college or an associate’s degree earned around twothirds as much as those with a bachelor’s. (See table 1.)

At each level of education, women have fared better 

than men with respect to earnings growth. Although both 

women and men without a high school diploma have 

experienced declines in inflation-adjusted earnings since

1979, the drop for women was significantly less than that

for men: a 14-percent decrease for women as opposed to 

a 32-percent decline for men. On an inflation-adjusted

$691 $710

$599

$770

$521

$854 $879

$665

$1,055

$592

$0

$200

$400

$600

$800

$1,000

$1,200

Total White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity

Women Men

Earnings 

(dollars)

Note: Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics..

Chart 2

Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 2012 

annual averages
4 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

-13.8

2.7

5.9

28.5

-31.6

-19.1

-11.7

17.4

-40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40

Less than a high school diploma

High school graduates, no college

Some college or associate's degree

Bachelor's degree and higher

Men Women

Percent change

basis, earnings for women with a college degree have 

increased by 28 percent since 1979, while those of 

male college graduates have risen by 17 percent. (Data 

pertain to workers age 25 and older.) (See chart 3 and 

table 19.)

Occupation

Among both women and men, median weekly earnings 

for those working full time in management, business, 

and financial operations jobs were higher than in any

other major occupational category in 2012 ($993 for 

women and $1,387 for men). Of women in management, 

business, and financial operations occupations, those

who were chief executives, computer and information 

systems managers, and management analysts had the 

highest median weekly earnings ($1,730, $1,527, and 

$1,325, respectively). Among men in this job group, 

chief executives and architectural and engineering 

managers had the highest earnings ($2,275 and $2,116, 

respectively). The second highest paying occupational 

group for women and men was professional and related 

occupations ($928 for women and $1,267 for men). 

Among women in professional and related occupations, 

those who were pharmacists ($1,871) and lawyers 

($1,636) had the highest earnings. For men in professional 

and related occupations, those who were physicians and 

surgeons ($2,099), lawyers ($2,055), and pharmacists 

($1,879) earned the most. (See table 2.)

Chart 3

Percent change in constant-dollar median usual weekly earnings, by educational attainment and sex, 1979–2012

Note: Data relate to earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, 25 years and older.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 5

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

The occupational distributions of female and male fulltime workers differ significantly. Compared with men,

relatively few women work in construction, production, 

or transportation occupations, and women are far more 

concentrated in administrative support jobs. (See chart 4 

and table 2.)

Women are more likely than men to work in professional 

and related occupations. 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 2012, 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 in this field. Women in

professional and related occupations were more likely to 

work in education and healthcare jobs, in which the pay 

is generally lower than that for computer and engineering 

jobs. Sixty-eight percent of women in this occupational 

category worked in the education and healthcare fields in

2012, compared with 30 percent of men. (See table 2.)

Status as a parent

In 2012, a little more than one-third of full-time wage 

and salary workers were parents of children under age 18 

(36 percent of women and 37 percent of men). Among 

women, median weekly earnings for mothers of children 

under age 18 were $680, slightly below the earnings for 

women without children under 18 ($697). Among men, 

earnings for fathers with children under 18 were $946, 

compared with $799 for men without children under 18. 

(See table 7.) 

17.3

29.0

16.1

8.8

21.8

0.9

6.1

15.9

18.9

13.1

9.5

6.6

16.7

19.3

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Management, 

business, and 

financial operations 

occupations

Professional and 

related occupations

Service occupations Sales and related 

occupations

Office and 

administrative 

support occupations

Natural resources, 

construction, and 

maintenance 

occupations

Production, 

transportation, and 

material moving 

occupations

Women Men

Percentage of total employment

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Chart 4

Distribution of full-time wage and salary employment, by sex and major occupational group, 2012 annual averages 
6 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

State of residence

Median weekly earnings and women’s-to-men’s earnings 

ratios vary by state of residence. The differences among 

the states reflect, in part, variation in the occupations and

industries found in each state and diversity in the age 

composition of each state’s labor force. 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. (See table 3.)

Weekly work hours 

Among full-time workers (that is, those working at a job 35 

hours or more per week), men are more likely than women 

to have a longer workweek. Twenty-six percent of men 

worked 41 or more hours per week in 2012, compared with 

14 percent of women who did so. Women were more likely 

than men to work 35 to 39 hours per week: 12 percent of 

women worked those hours in 2012, while 5 percent of 

men did. A large 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 earned. (People 

who usually work 35 or more hours per week but whose 

hours vary were excluded from this analysis.) (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 principal, job. 

Women who worked part time made up 26 percent of all 

female wage and salary workers in 2012. In contrast, 13 

percent of men in wage and salary jobs worked part time. 

(See tables 4 and 5.) 

Women and men who worked part time had similar median 

earnings. Median weekly earnings for female part-timers 

were $236 in 2012, just slightly above the $226 median for 

their male counterparts. (See table 4.)

Men who work part time tend to be younger than women 

who work part time. In 2012, 43 percent of male parttime workers were 16 to 24 years old, compared with 29 

percent of female part-time workers who were that age. 

(See table 4.) 

Earnings of workers paid by the 

hour

Sixty-two percent of women and 56 percent of men 

employed in wage and salary jobs were paid by the hour 

in 2012. Women who were paid hourly rates had median 

hourly earnings of $11.99, which was 86 percent of the 

median for men paid by the hour ($13.88). (See tables 8 

and 11.)

Among workers who were paid hourly rates in 2012, 

6 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. Twenty-one percent of teenage workers 

who were paid hourly rates earned the prevailing federal 

minimum wage or less in 2012, compared with just 3 

percent of hourly paid workers age 25 and older. Nine 

percent of hourly paid workers who were age 20 to 24 had 

earnings at or below the minimum wage. (See table 10.)
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 7

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Statistical Tables
8 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages 

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Age

Total, 16 years and older....................................... 102,749 $768 $2 45,462 $691 $3

16 to 24 years.................................................... 9,030 444 4 3,866 416 3

16 to 19 years................................................. 1,019 356 5 415 330 8

20 to 24 years................................................. 8,011 464 4 3,450 429 6

25 years and older............................................. 93,719 815 2 41,597 727 2

25 to 34 years................................................. 24,585 707 3 10,617 666 4

35 to 44 years................................................. 24,084 858 5 10,410 747 5

45 to 54 years................................................. 25,345 878 5 11,505 746 5

55 to 64 years................................................. 16,518 897 6 7,680 766 5

65 years and older.......................................... 3,186 757 13 1,385 667 15

Race and Hispanic or

Latino Ethnicity

White..................................................................... 81,779 792 3 35,108 710 3

Black or African American..................................... 12,230 621 4 6,474 599 4

Asian..................................................................... 5,790 920 12 2,560 770 13

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.................................... 16,302 568 5 6,414 521 4

Marital Status

Never married....................................................... 27,428 609 2 11,993 594 3

Married, spouse present........................................ 58,088 880 3 23,718 751 3

Other marital status............................................... 17,233 735 4 9,752 675 6

Both sexes Women

Characteristic

Divorced............................................................. 11,531 774 5 6,462 720 6

Separated.......................................................... 4,082 620 8 2,081 570 10

Widowed............................................................ 1,620 691 18 1,208 645 15

Union Affiliation1

Members of unions2....................................... 12,847 943 6 5,494 877 7

Represented by unions3

.................................... 14,173 933 5 6,174 865 7

Not represented by a union................................... 88,575 742 2 39,289 663 3

Educational Attainment

Total, 25 years and older....................................... 93,719 815 2 41,597 727 2

Less than a high school diploma........................ 7,010 471 4 2,236 386 4

High school graduates, no college..................... 25,239 652 3 10,152 561 4

Some college or associate's degree................... 25,826 749 3 12,310 659 4

Bachelor's degree and higher............................. 35,644 1,165 4 16,899 1,001 5

See footnotes at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 9

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 1. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by

selected characteristics, 2012 annual averages (continued)

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Age

Total, 16 years and older....................................... 57,286 $854 $4 80.9

16 to 24 years.................................................... 5,164 468 5 88.9

16 to 19 years................................................. 603 373 7 88.5

20 to 24 years................................................. 4,561 482 3 89.0

25 years and older............................................. 52,122 910 3 79.9

25 to 34 years................................................. 13,968 738 4 90.2

35 to 44 years................................................. 13,675 957 6 78.1

45 to 54 years................................................. 13,840 994 6 75.1

55 to 64 years................................................. 8,838 1,005 7 76.2

65 years and older.......................................... 1,801 860 26 77.6

Race and Hispanic or

Latino Ethnicity

White..................................................................... 46,672 879 4 80.8

Black or African American..................................... 5,756 665 8 90.1

Asian..................................................................... 3,231 1,055 23 73.0

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.................................... 9,887 592 4 88.0

Marital Status

Never married....................................................... 15,435 620 4 95.8

Married, spouse present........................................ 34,370 981 4 76.6

Other marital status............................................... 7,481 815 7 82.8

Characteristic

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Divorced............................................................. 5,069 858 10 83.9

Separated.......................................................... 2,001 696 14 81.9

Widowed............................................................ 411 847 39 76.2

Union Affiliation1

Members of unions2....................................... 7,353 997 7 88.0

Represented by unions3

.................................... 8,000 990 7 87.4

Not represented by a union................................... 49,287 821 4 80.8

Educational Attainment

Total, 25 years and older....................................... 52,122 910 3 79.9

Less than a high school diploma........................ 4,773 508 3 76.0

High school graduates, no college..................... 15,087 735 4 76.3

Some college or associate's degree................... 13,517 857 6 76.9

Bachelor's degree and higher............................. 18,745 1,371 7 73.0

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 male 

and female employees by occupation, industry, firm size, and geographic region.

2 Data refer to members of a labor union or an employee association similar to a union.

3 Data refer to workers who report no union affiliation but whose jobs are covered by a union or an 

employee association contract, as well as to members of a labor union or an employee association 

similar to a union. 

Note: Estimates for the race groups listed (White, Black or African American, and Asian) do not sum 

to totals because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as 

Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
10 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages 

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Total, 16 years and older.......................................... 102,749 $768 $2 45,462 $691 $3

Management, professional, and related occupations...... 40,984 1,108 5 21,059 951 4

Management, business, and financial 

 operations occupations.......................................... 16,991 1,171 8 7,869 993 7

Management occupations.................................... 11,547 1,248 7 4,765 1,036 12

Chief executives............................................. 1,004 2,060 72 265 1,730 89

General and operations managers..................... 983 1,264 22 278 971 37

Legislators...................................................... 7 – – 3 – –

Advertising and promotions managers.................. 65 1,334 54 29 – –

Marketing and sales managers........................... 916 1,396 48 402 1,110 53

Public relations and fundraising managers............ 56 1,237 53 39 – –

Administrative services managers........................ 133 1,103 74 57 1,038 55

Computer and information systems managers...... 568 1,672 60 145 1,527 78

Financial managers.......................................... 1,125 1,169 28 616 988 28

Compensation and benefits managers.................. 16 – – 9 – –

Human resources managers.............................. 216 1,271 73 160 1,208 80

Training and development managers.................. 33 – – 17 – –

Industrial production managers........................... 219 1,183 72 34 – –

Purchasing managers....................................... 204 1,319 83 99 1,072 169

Transportation, storage, and 

 distribution managers.................................... 276 953 37 36 – –

Farmers, ranchers, and other 

 agricultural managers.................................... 104 708 74 14 – –

Construction managers.................................... 460 1,208 66 35 – –

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Construction managers.................................... 460 1,208 66 35

Education administrators.................................. 704 1,255 34 454 1,052 64

Architectural and engineering managers............... 111 2,122 184 9 – –

Food service managers.................................... 678 689 21 327 601 20

Funeral service managers.................................. 8 – – 4 – –

Gaming managers............................................ 21 – – 6 – –

Lodging managers.......................................... 100 774 184 47 – –

Medical and health services managers.................. 502 1,280 42 358 1,190 66

Natural sciences managers.............................. 18 – – 11 – –

Postmasters and mail superintendents.................. 35 – – 21 – –

Property, real estate, and

 community association managers....................... 353 907 43 200 817 35

Social and community service managers............... 260 947 28 184 883 55

Emergency management directors..................... 5 – – 2 – –

Managers, all other.......................................... 2,367 1,258 16 902 1,078 27

Business and financial operations occupations......... 5,443 1,058 12 3,105 952 9

Agents and business managers of

 artists, performers, and athletes........................ 31 – – 16 – –

Buyers and purchasing agents, farm products...... 8 – – 2 – –

Wholesale and retail buyers,

 except farm products....................................... 141 850 47 75 847 76

Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and 

 farm products................................................ 239 987 29 130 942 69

Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners,

 and investigators.......................................... 307 909 36 203 803 21

Compliance officers.......................................... 192 1,183 80 91 999 32

Cost estimators................................................ 91 1,154 38 10 – –

Human resources workers................................. 559 994 27 401 944 21

Compensation, benefits, and job 

 analysis specialists....................................... 72 961 67 59 866 124

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 11

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

occupation and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Total, 16 years and older.......................................... 57,286 $854 $4 80.9

Management, professional, and related occupations...... 19,926 1,328 8 71.6

Management, business, and financial 

 operations occupations.......................................... 9,121 1,387 12 71.6

Management occupations.................................... 6,783 1,428 12 72.5

Chief executives............................................. 739 2,275 88 76.0

General and operations managers..................... 705 1,436 35 67.6

Legislators...................................................... 4 – – –

Advertising and promotions managers.................. 36 – – –

Marketing and sales managers........................... 514 1,640 31 67.7

Public relations and fundraising managers............ 17 – – –

Administrative services managers........................ 76 1,212 166 85.6

Computer and information systems managers...... 423 1,740 49 87.8

Financial managers.......................................... 509 1,405 34 70.3

Compensation and benefits managers.................. 7 – – –

Human resources managers.............................. 56 1,447 61 83.5

Training and development managers.................. 16 – – –

Industrial production managers........................... 185 1,181 67 –

Purchasing managers....................................... 104 1,467 35 73.1

Transportation, storage, and 

 distribution managers.................................... 240 938 41 –

Farmers, ranchers, and other 

 agricultural managers.................................... 89 699 84 –

Construction managers.................................... 425 1,233 31 –

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Construction managers.................................... 425 1,233 31

Education administrators.................................. 250 1,566 45 67.2

Architectural and engineering managers............... 101 2,116 148 –

Food service managers.................................... 351 744 21 80.8

Funeral service managers.................................. 5 – – –

Gaming managers............................................ 15 – – –

Lodging managers.......................................... 53 1,131 249 –

Medical and health services managers.................. 144 1,544 63 77.1

Natural sciences managers.............................. 7 – – –

Postmasters and mail superintendents.................. 14 – – –

Property, real estate, and

 community association managers....................... 153 1,045 66 78.2

Social and community service managers............... 76 1,151 39 76.7

Emergency management directors..................... 3 – – –

Managers, all other.......................................... 1,465 1,409 35 76.5

Business and financial operations occupations......... 2,339 1,274 35 74.7

Agents and business managers of

 artists, performers, and athletes........................ 15 – – –

Buyers and purchasing agents, farm products...... 6 – – –

Wholesale and retail buyers,

 except farm products....................................... 66 853 55 99.3

Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and 

 farm products................................................ 109 1,057 111 89.1

Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners,

 and investigators.......................................... 104 1,158 84 69.3

Compliance officers.......................................... 101 1,304 101 76.6

Cost estimators................................................ 81 1,164 43 –

Human resources workers................................. 158 1,249 36 75.6

Compensation, benefits, and job 

 analysis specialists....................................... 13 – – –

See note at end of table.
12 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages (continued)

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Training and development specialists.................. 120 $983 $55 69 $866 $49

Logisticians................................................... 88 1,009 78 30 – –

Management analysts....................................... 479 1,452 42 202 1,325 159

Meeting, convention, and event planners............... 86 819 30 72 824 76

Fundraisers................................................... 61 1,058 51 45 – –

Market research analysts and marketing 

 specialists................................................... 175 1,148 44 90 1,073 47

Business operations specialists, all other............... 220 970 33 147 904 37

Accountants and auditors................................. 1,471 1,110 24 886 996 19

Appraisers and assessors of real estate............... 48 – – 25 – –

Budget analysts............................................. 52 1,207 88 28 – –

Credit analysts................................................ 33 – – 18 – –

Financial analysts............................................. 77 1,487 88 30 – –

Personal financial advisors................................. 278 1,327 72 96 1,016 79

Insurance underwriters.................................... 91 954 29 66 933 26

Financial examiners.......................................... 11 – – 6 – –

Credit counselors and loan officers..................... 310 934 22 181 850 26

Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue 

 agents......................................................... 87 937 63 54 849 53

Tax preparers................................................ 48 – – 25 – –

Financial specialists, all other.............................. 68 1,025 105 48 – –

Professional and related occupations........................ 23,993 1,053 6 13,189 928 5

Computer and mathematical occupations............... 3,416 1,349 13 872 1,146 18

Computer and information research scientists...... 27 – – 6 – –

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Computer systems analysts.............................. 440 1,406 53 145 1,254 39

Information security analysts.............................. 51 1,592 60 8 – –

Computer programmers.................................... 439 1,324 37 100 1,148 49

Software developers, applications and systems 

 software...................................................... 1,005 1,591 36 197 1,362 44

Web developers............................................. 123 1,082 181 36 – –

Computer support specialists.............................. 429 960 21 116 881 38

Database administrators.................................... 97 1,376 82 40 – –

Network and computer systems administrators...... 204 1,191 108 51 1,056 36

Computer network architects.............................. 115 1,548 72 11 – –

Computer occupations, all other........................ 288 1,110 76 65 887 110

Actuaries...................................................... 19 – – 6 – –

Mathematicians................................................ 4 – – 1 – –

Operations research analysts.............................. 127 1,334 82 70 1,169 86

Statisticians................................................... 44 – – 18 – –

Miscellaneous mathematical 

 science occupations....................................... 4 – – 3 – –

Architecture and engineering occupations............... 2,588 1,337 14 319 1,136 28

Architects, except naval.................................... 130 1,325 202 29 – –

Surveyors, cartographers, and

 photogrammetrists....................................... 45 – – 12 – –

Aerospace engineers....................................... 120 1,645 50 10 – –

Agricultural engineers....................................... 4 – – 1 – –

Biomedical engineers....................................... 11 – – 1 – –

Chemical engineers.......................................... 71 1,509 166 10 – –

Civil engineers................................................ 334 1,367 27 47 – –

Computer hardware engineers........................... 73 1,548 56 7 – –

Electrical and electronics engineers..................... 311 1,550 50 27 – –

Environmental engineers.................................... 39 – – 6 – –

Industrial engineers, including health and safety...... 202 1,393 45 34 – –

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 13

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

occupation and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Training and development specialists.................. 51 $1,144 $53 75.7

Logisticians................................................... 57 1,225 123 –

Management analysts....................................... 277 1,535 83 86.3

Meeting, convention and event planners............... 15 – – –

Fundraisers................................................... 16 – – –

Market research analysts and marketing 

 specialists................................................... 85 1,197 98 89.6

Business operations specialists, all other............... 73 1,271 242 71.1

Accountants and auditors................................. 585 1,350 18 73.8

Appraisers and assessors of real estate............... 23 – – –

Budget analysts............................................. 24 – – –

Credit analysts................................................ 15 – – –

Financial analysts............................................. 48 – – –

Personal financial advisors................................. 182 1,532 109 66.3

Insurance underwriters.................................... 24 – – –

Financial examiners.......................................... 5 – – –

Credit counselors and loan officers..................... 130 1,074 120 79.1

Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue 

 agents......................................................... 33 – – –

Tax preparers................................................ 24 – – –

Financial specialists, all other.............................. 20 – – –

Professional and related occupations........................ 10,804 1,267 10 73.2

Computer and mathematical occupations............... 2,544 1,414 18 81.0

Computer and information research scientists...... 21 – – –

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Computer systems analysts.............................. 295 1,477 42 84.9

Information security analysts.............................. 43 – – –

Computer programmers.................................... 340 1,363 35 84.2

Software developers, applications and systems 

 software...................................................... 808 1,674 53 81.4

Web developers............................................. 86 1,204 67 –

Computer support specialists.............................. 313 985 30 89.4

Database administrators.................................... 57 1,657 48 –

Network and computer systems administrators...... 153 1,253 31 84.3

Computer network architects.............................. 104 1,569 80 –

Computer occupations, all other........................ 223 1,155 45 76.8

Actuaries...................................................... 14 – – –

Mathematicians................................................ 3 – – –

Operations research analysts.............................. 57 1,551 87 75.4

Statisticians................................................... 26 – – –

Miscellaneous mathematical 

 science occupations....................................... 1 – – –

Architecture and engineering occupations............... 2,269 1,358 14 83.7

Architects, except naval.................................... 102 1,415 67 –

Surveyors, cartographers, and

 photogrammetrists....................................... 32 – – –

Aerospace engineers....................................... 111 1,665 48 –

Agricultural engineers....................................... 3 – – –

Biomedical engineers....................................... 10 – – –

Chemical engineers.......................................... 61 1,582 289 –

Civil engineers................................................ 287 1,428 54 –

Computer hardware engineers........................... 66 1,571 71 –

Electrical and electronics engineers..................... 284 1,614 103 –

Environmental engineers.................................... 33 – – –

Industrial engineers, including health and safety...... 167 1,408 48 –

See note at end of table.
14 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages (continued)

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Marine engineers and naval architects.................. 10 – – 2 – –

Materials engineers.......................................... 36 – – 6 – –

Mechanical engineers....................................... 280 $1,434 $40 10 – –

Mining and geological engineers, including

 mining safety engineers................................. 9 – – – – –

Nuclear engineers.......................................... 10 – – – – –

Petroleum engineers....................................... 33 – – 3 – –

Engineers, all other.......................................... 315 1,439 48 40 – –

Drafters......................................................... 129 962 52 21 – –

Engineering technicians, except drafters............... 360 989 21 48 – –

Surveying and mapping technicians..................... 67 885 54 4 – –

Life, physical, and social science occupations......... 1,098 1,134 16 467 $1,015 $25

Agricultural and food scientists........................... 34 – – 10 – –

Biological scientists.......................................... 94 1,181 40 43 – –

Conservation scientists and foresters.................. 18 – – 2 – –

Medical scientists............................................. 123 1,163 37 59 1,060 50

Life scientists, all other.................................... 1 – – – – –

Astronomers and physicists.............................. 22 – – 3 – –

Atmospheric and space scientists........................ 14 – – 2 – –

Chemists and materials scientists........................ 98 1,163 33 42 – –

Environmental scientists and geoscientists............ 93 1,266 202 25 – –

Physical scientists, all other.............................. 145 1,456 164 50 1,171 225

Economists................................................... 23 – – 5 – –

Survey researchers.......................................... 3 – – 2 – –

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Psychologists................................................ 93 1,228 186 72 1,155 29

Sociologists................................................... 4 – – 1 – –

Urban and regional planners.............................. 28 – – 12 – –

Miscellaneous social scientists and related

 workers......................................................... 44 – – 22 – –

Agricultural and food science technicians............ 29 – – 15 – –

Biological technicians....................................... 14 – – 6 – –

Chemical technicians....................................... 62 779 128 17 – –

Geological and petroleum technicians.................. 22 – – 10 – –

Nuclear technicians.......................................... 4 – – – – –

Social science research assistants..................... 3 – – 3 – –

Miscellaneous life, physical, and social science 

 technicians................................................... 128 745 33 66 620 17

Community and social services occupations............ 1,891 838 11 1,177 820 17

Counselors...................................................... 519 848 20 347 855 23

Social workers................................................ 668 847 16 535 845 19

Probation officers and correctional treatment 

 specialists................................................... 85 948 37 40 – –

Social and human service assistants .................. 124 637 79 99 656 76

Miscellaneous community and social service 

 specialists, including health educators and 

 community health workers.............................. 74 667 55 51 642 102

Clergy............................................................ 344 895 65 63 777 58

Directors, religious activities and education............ 37 – – 23 – –

Religious workers, all other................................. 40 – – 20 – –

Legal occupations............................................. 1,315 1,328 46 716 1,013 28

Lawyers......................................................... 690 1,909 19 228 1,636 75

Judicial law clerks............................................. 9 – – 5 – –

Judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers...... 64 1,637 352 26 – –

Paralegals and legal assistants........................... 372 872 26 317 865 28

Miscellaneous legal support workers.................. 181 815 63 139 754 37

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 15

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

occupation and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Marine engineers and naval architects.................. 7 –– –

Materials engineers.......................................... 30 – – –

Mechanical engineers....................................... 270 $1,442 $41 –

Mining and geological engineers, including

 mining safety engineers................................. 8 – – –

Nuclear engineers.......................................... 10 – – –

Petroleum engineers....................................... 30 – – –

Engineers, all other.......................................... 275 1,456 45 –

Drafters......................................................... 108 958 47 –

Engineering technicians, except drafters............... 312 1,008 22 –

Surveying and mapping technicians..................... 63 891 53 –

Life, physical, and social science occupations......... 631 1,226 51 82.8

Agricultural and food scientists........................... 23 – – –

Biological scientists.......................................... 51 1,331 44 –

Conservation scientists and foresters.................. 15 – – –

Medical scientists............................................. 64 1,331 256 79.6

Life scientists, all other.................................... 1 – – –

Astronomers and physicists.............................. 19 – – –

Atmospheric and space scientists........................ 13 – – –

Chemists and materials scientists........................ 56 1,226 158 –

Environmental scientists and geoscientists............ 68 1,390 80 –

Physical scientists, all other.............................. 96 1,522 72 76.9

Economists................................................... 18 – – –

Survey researchers.......................................... 1 – – –

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Psychologists................................................ 21 – – –

Sociologists................................................... 2 – – –

Urban and regional planners.............................. 16 – – –

Miscellaneous social scientists and related

 workers......................................................... 22 – – –

Agricultural and food science technicians............ 14 – – –

Biological technicians....................................... 8 – – –

Chemical technicians....................................... 45 – – –

Geological and petroleum technicians.................. 12 – – –

Nuclear technicians.......................................... 4 – – –

Social science research assistants..................... – – – –

Miscellaneous life, physical, and social science 

 technicians................................................... 62 825 66 75.2

Community and social services occupations............ 714 869 25 94.4

Counselors...................................................... 172 833 38 102.6

Social workers................................................ 134 856 29 98.7

Probation officers and correctional treatment 

 specialists................................................... 44 – – –

Social and human service assistants .................. 25 – – –

Miscellaneous community and social service 

 specialists, including health educators and 

 community health workers.............................. 24 – – –

Clergy............................................................ 281 959 44 81.0

Directors, religious activities and education............ 14 – – –

Religious workers, all other................................. 21 – – –

Legal occupations............................................. 600 1,884 24 53.8

Lawyers......................................................... 462 2,055 85 79.6

Judicial law clerks............................................. 4 – – –

Judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers...... 38 – – –

Paralegals and legal assistants........................... 54 919 109 94.1

Miscellaneous legal support workers.................. 42 – – –

See note at end of table.
16 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages (continued)

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Education, training, and library occupations............ 6,454 $915 $7 4,687 $858 $7

Postsecondary teachers.................................... 920 1,216 37 424 1,055 35

Preschool and kindergarten teachers.................. 494 589 23 485 588 23

Elementary and middle school teachers............... 2,435 942 8 1,971 921 9

Secondary school teachers................................. 1,043 1,009 18 578 978 21

Special education teachers................................. 307 944 29 264 940 26

Other teachers and instructors........................... 372 785 30 220 729 52

Archivists, curators, and museum technicians......... 40 – – 21 – –

Librarians...................................................... 143 966 31 120 960 30

Library technicians.......................................... 21 – – 17 – –

Teacher assistants.......................................... 567 458 12 515 452 13

Other education, training, and library workers......... 110 1,011 71 72 932 54

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media 

 occupations...................................................... 1,440 969 15 631 885 23

Artists and related workers................................. 68 1,131 33 24 – –

Designers...................................................... 467 953 27 226 855 42

Actors............................................................ 10 – – 5 – –

Producers and directors.................................... 75 1,048 37 34 – –

Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers... 89 958 61 25 – –

Dancers and choreographers.............................. 5 – – 5 – –

Musicians, singers, and related workers............... 49 – – 13 – –

Entertainers and performers, sports and related

 workers, all other.......................................... 14 – – 5 – –

Announcers................................................... 20 – – 3 – –

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

News analysts, reporters and correspondents...... 63 1,021 70 24 – –

Public relations specialists................................. 133 1,127 65 79 989 67

Editors......................................................... 121 946 26 62 889 71

Technical writers............................................. 52 1,227 102 27 – –

Writers and authors.......................................... 86 899 43 46 – –

Miscellaneous media and communication workers... 43 – – 28 – –

Broadcast and sound engineering technicians 

 and radio operators........................................ 70 875 150 5 – –

Photographers................................................ 37 – – 14 – –

Television, video, and motion picture camera

 operators and editors....................................... 34 – – 5 – –

Media and communication equipment workers, 

 all other...................................................... 3 – – 2 – –

Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations...... 5,791 1,028 11 4,320 980 9

Chiropractors................................................... 7 – – 3 – –

Dentists......................................................... 49 – – 13 – –

Dietitians and nutritionists................................. 79 840 109 73 845 97

Optometrists................................................... 7 – – 3 – –

Pharmacists................................................... 223 1,877 48 116 1,871 89

Physicians and surgeons................................. 655 1,887 27 226 1,418 98

Physician assistants.......................................... 88 1,329 147 61 1,364 69

Podiatrists...................................................... 1 – – 1 – –

Audiologists................................................... 7 – – 6 – –

Occupational therapists.................................... 85 1,189 92 82 1,200 90

Physical therapists.......................................... 144 1,287 38 88 1,190 114

Radiation therapists.......................................... 11 – – 9 – –

Recreational therapists.................................... 10 – – 9 – –

Respiratory therapists....................................... 92 979 81 56 936 39

Speech-language pathologists........................... 88 1,128 40 86 1,121 56

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 17

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

occupation and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Education, training, and library occupations............ 1,766 $1,133 $12 75.7

Postsecondary teachers.................................... 497 1,366 34 77.2

Preschool and kindergarten teachers.................. 9 – – –

Elementary and middle school teachers............... 464 1,128 24 81.6

Secondary school teachers................................. 465 1,050 31 93.1

Special education teachers................................. 43 – – –

Other teachers and instructors........................... 151 917 50 79.5

Archivists, curators, and museum technicians......... 20 – – –

Librarians...................................................... 24 – – –

Library technicians.......................................... 4 – – –

Teacher assistants.......................................... 51 493 16 91.7

Other education, training, and library workers......... 38 – – –

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media 

 occupations...................................................... 809 1,055 23 83.9

Artists and related workers................................. 44 – – –

Designers...................................................... 241 1,028 58 83.2

Actors............................................................ 5 – – –

Producers and directors.................................... 41 – – –

Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers... 63 1,018 58 –

Dancers and choreographers.............................. – – – –

Musicians, singers, and related workers............... 36 – – –

Entertainers and performers, sports and related

 workers, all other.......................................... 9 – – –

Announcers................................................... 17 – – –

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

News analysts, reporters and correspondents...... 39 – – –

Public relations specialists................................. 55 1,351 70 73.2

Editors......................................................... 59 993 121 89.5

Technical writers............................................. 24 – – –

Writers and authors.......................................... 40 – – –

Miscellaneous media and communication workers... 15 – – –

Broadcast and sound engineering technicians 

 and radio operators........................................ 64 924 177 –

Photographers................................................ 24 – – –

Television, video, and motion picture camera

 operators and editors....................................... 29 – – –

Media and communication equipment workers, 

 all other...................................................... 1 – – –

Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations...... 1,471 1,245 23 78.7

Chiropractors................................................... 4 – – –

Dentists......................................................... 37 – – –

Dietitians and nutritionists................................. 6 – – –

Optometrists................................................... 4 – – –

Pharmacists................................................... 107 1,879 25 99.6

Physicians and surgeons................................. 429 2,099 146 67.6

Physician assistants.......................................... 27 – – –

Podiatrists...................................................... – – – –

Audiologists................................................... 1 – – –

Occupational therapists.................................... 3 – – –

Physical therapists.......................................... 56 1,362 36 87.4

Radiation therapists.......................................... 1 – – –

Recreational therapists.................................... 1 – – –

Respiratory therapists....................................... 36 – – –

Speech-language pathologists........................... 3 – – –

See note at end of table.
18 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages (continued)

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Therapists, all other.......................................... 88 $926 $60 71 $877 $93

Veterinarians................................................... 49 – – 29 – –

Registered nurses.......................................... 2,176 1,097 13 1,946 1,086 13

Nurse anesthetists.......................................... 24 – – 12 – –

Nurse midwives................................................ 2 – – 2 – –

Nurse practitioners.......................................... 77 1,610 52 65 1,530 90

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners,

 all other...................................................... 3 – – – – –

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians... 256 869 34 180 842 34

Dental hygienists............................................. 51 1,045 41 50 1,047 39

Diagnostic related technologists and technicians... 241 961 32 174 912 36

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics... 145 780 33 44 – –

Health practitioner support technologists and

 technicians................................................... 403 615 16 322 621 18

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses... 433 731 17 400 730 17

Medical records and health information

 technicians................................................... 74 618 57 65 663 65

Opticians, dispensing....................................... 41 – – 24 – –

Miscellaneous health technologists and

 technicians................................................... 113 772 53 71 714 34

Other healthcare practitioners and technical

 occupations................................................... 69 900 69 34 – –

Service occupations................................................ 14,839 485 2 7,328 435 4

Healthcare support occupations.............................. 2,350 482 5 2,060 477 5

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides......... 1,458 451 6 1,285 445 6

Occupational therapy assistants and aides............ 11 – – 11 – –

Physical therapist assistants and aides............... 45 – – 26 – –

Massage therapists.......................................... 42 – – 32 – –

Dental assistants............................................. 174 579 14 172 581 13

Medical assistants.......................................... 323 514 9 302 515 9

Medical transcriptionists.................................... 30 – – 29 – –

Pharmacy aides............................................. 30 – – 28 – –

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal 

 caretakers................................................... 22 – – 15 – –

Phlebotomists................................................ 101 520 27 82 516 27

Miscellaneous healthcare support occupations, 

 including medical equipment preparers............... 112 487 32 77 462 32

Protective service occupations................................. 2,655 791 14 500 658 13

First-line supervisors of correctional officers......... 51 820 44 17 – –

First-line supervisors of police and detectives......... 105 1,216 124 16 – –

First-line supervisors of fire fighting and

 prevention workers.......................................... 59 1,271 114 – – –

First-line supervisors of protective service 

 workers, all other.......................................... 80 881 37 26 – –

Firefighters...................................................... 276 1,068 38 8 – –

Fire inspectors................................................ 15 – – 2 – –

Bailiffs, correctional officers, and jailers............... 363 722 23 102 643 27

Detectives and criminal investigators.................. 151 1,062 52 37 – –

Fish and game wardens.................................... 5 –– 1 ––

Parking enforcement workers.............................. 3 –– 1 ––

Police and sheriff's patrol officers........................ 629 979 32 76 815 77

Transit and railroad police................................. 3 – – – – –

Animal control workers.................................... 8 – – 3 – –

Private detectives and investigators..................... 76 848 53 34 – –

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 19

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

occupation and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Therapists, all other.......................................... 16 –– –

Veterinarians................................................... 20 – – –

Registered nurses.......................................... 230 $1,189 $29 91.3

Nurse anesthetists.......................................... 11 – – –

Nurse midwives................................................ – – – –

Nurse practitioners.......................................... 12 – – –

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners,

 all other...................................................... 3 – – –

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians... 76 943 59 89.3

Dental hygienists............................................. – – – –

Diagnostic related technologists and technicians... 67 1,131 43 80.6

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics... 100 809 31 –

Health practitioner support technologists and

 technicians................................................... 82 599 26 103.7

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses... 33 – – –

Medical records and health information

 technicians................................................... 9 – – –

Opticians, dispensing....................................... 17 – – –

Miscellaneous health technologists and

 technicians................................................... 42 – – –

Other healthcare practitioners and technical

 occupations................................................... 36 – – –

Service occupations................................................ 7,511 543 6 80.1

Healthcare support occupations.............................. 290 529 23 90.2

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides......... 173 508 23 87.6

Occupational therapy assistants and aides............ – – – –

Physical therapist assistants and aides............... 19 – – –

Massage therapists.......................................... 11 – – –

Dental assistants............................................. 2 – – –

Medical assistants.......................................... 21 – – –

Medical transcriptionists.................................... 1 – – –

Pharmacy aides............................................. 2 – – –

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal 

 caretakers................................................... 7 – – –

Phlebotomists................................................ 19 – – –

Miscellaneous healthcare support occupations, 

 including medical equipment preparers............... 35 – – –

Protective service occupations................................. 2,154 841 17 78.2

First-line supervisors of correctional officers......... 33 – – –

First-line supervisors of police and detectives......... 89 1,240 80 –

First-line supervisors of fire fighting and

 prevention workers.......................................... 59 1,272 120 –

First-line supervisors of protective service 

 workers, all other.......................................... 54 806 94 –

Firefighters...................................................... 268 1,073 40 –

Fire inspectors................................................ 13 – – –

Bailiffs, correctional officers, and jailers............... 261 768 26 83.7

Detectives and criminal investigators.................. 114 1,171 84 –

Fish and game wardens.................................... 4 –– –

Parking enforcement workers.............................. 2 –– –

Police and sheriff's patrol officers........................ 554 1,016 34 80.2

Transit and railroad police................................. 3 – – –

Animal control workers.................................... 5 – – –

Private detectives and investigators..................... 42 – – –

See note at end of table.
20 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages (continued)

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Security guards and gaming surveillance officers... 742 $528 $14 138 $501 $20

Crossing guards............................................. 17 – – 9 – –

Transportation security screeners........................ 18 – – 6 – –

Lifeguards and other recreational, and all 

 other protective service workers........................ 55 472 66 24 – –

Food preparation and serving related occupations......... 4,164 410 3 1,975 389 4

Chefs and head cooks....................................... 318 562 21 56 462 49

First-line supervisors of food preparation

 and serving workers....................................... 415 491 15 245 451 21

Cooks............................................................ 1,240 389 5 408 361 6

Food preparation workers................................. 432 383 8 241 357 12

Bartenders...................................................... 209 460 22 112 421 18

Combined food preparation and serving workers, 

 including fast food....................................... 166 382 16 109 368 31

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, 

 and coffee shop............................................. 56 350 18 40 – –

Waiters and waitresses.................................... 891 411 7 569 396 8

Food servers, nonrestaurant.............................. 112 456 27 63 434 40

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and 

 bartender helpers............................................ 137 370 13 67 366 15

Dishwashers................................................... 127 345 13 21 – –

Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and 

 coffee shop................................................... 59 391 19 44 – –

Food preparation and serving related workers,

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

 all other...................................................... 1 – – – – –

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 

 occupations......................................................... 3,430 465 6 1,156 407 4

First-line supervisors of housekeeping and 

 janitorial workers.......................................... 159 569 19 72 505 22

First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn

 service, and groundskeeping workers............... 109 745 25 4 – –

Janitors and building cleaners........................... 1,514 484 7 380 408 8

Maids and housekeeping cleaners..................... 791 399 5 668 395 6

Pest control workers.......................................... 62 571 29 3 – –

Grounds maintenance workers........................... 795 455 14 29 – –

Personal care and service occupations..................... 2,241 468 9 1,637 428 8

First-line supervisors of gaming workers............... 92 752 48 34 – –

First-line supervisors of personal service workers... 83 600 29 53 518 19

Animal trainers................................................ 11 – – 8 – –

Nonfarm animal caretakers................................. 78 414 17 57 417 17

Gaming services workers................................. 74 604 34 38 – –

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers............ 10 – – 5 – –

Miscellaneous entertainment attendants and

 related workers............................................. 61 470 40 26 – –

Embalmers and funeral attendents..................... 8 – – 2 – –

Morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors......... 23 – – 3 – –

Barbers......................................................... 57 466 67 15 – –

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists......... 294 473 18 272 468 20

Miscellaneous personal appearance workers......... 154 427 42 123 430 50

Baggage porters, bellhops, and concierges............ 49 – – 7 – –

Tour and travel guides....................................... 20 – – 8 – –

Childcare workers............................................. 425 390 9 395 386 9

Personal care aides.......................................... 549 422 8 450 412 8

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 21

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

occupation and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Security guards and gaming surveillance officers... 603 $537 $15 93.3

Crossing guards............................................. 8 – – –

Transportation security screeners........................ 12 – – –

Lifeguards and other recreational, and all 

 other protective service workers........................ 32 – – –

Food preparation and serving related occupations......... 2,189 433 8 89.8

Chefs and head cooks....................................... 261 582 19 79.4

First-line supervisors of food preparation

 and serving workers....................................... 170 561 25 80.4

Cooks............................................................ 833 403 6 89.6

Food preparation workers................................. 191 408 11 87.5

Bartenders...................................................... 97 520 47 81.0

Combined food preparation and serving workers, 

 including fast food....................................... 57 406 30 90.6

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, 

 and coffee shop............................................. 17 – – –

Waiters and waitresses.................................... 322 456 24 86.8

Food servers, nonrestaurant.............................. 49 – – –

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and 

 bartender helpers............................................ 70 374 26 97.9

Dishwashers................................................... 106 337 15 –

Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and 

 coffee shop................................................... 15 – – –

Food preparation and serving related workers,

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

 all other...................................................... 1 – – –

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 

 occupations......................................................... 2,275 501 5 81.2

First-line supervisors of housekeeping and 

 janitorial workers.......................................... 88 687 37 73.5

First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn

 service, and groundskeeping workers............... 105 748 29 –

Janitors and building cleaners........................... 1,134 511 8 79.8

Maids and housekeeping cleaners..................... 123 425 24 92.9

Pest control workers.......................................... 59 570 28 –

Grounds maintenance workers........................... 766 452 15 –

Personal care and service occupations..................... 603 569 27 75.2

First-line supervisors of gaming workers............... 59 864 58 –

First-line supervisors of personal service workers... 30 – – –

Animal trainers................................................ 4 – – –

Nonfarm animal caretakers................................. 21 – – –

Gaming services workers................................. 36 – – –

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers............ 5 – – –

Miscellaneous entertainment attendants and

 related workers............................................. 35 – – –

Embalmers and funeral attendents..................... 6 – – –

Morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors......... 19 – – –

Barbers......................................................... 42 – – –

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists......... 22 – – –

Miscellaneous personal appearance workers......... 31 – – –

Baggage porters, bellhops, and concierges............ 41 –– –

Tour and travel guides....................................... 12 –– –

Childcare workers............................................. 31 – – –

Personal care aides.......................................... 99 465 16 88.6

See note at end of table.
22 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages (continued)

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Recreation and fitness workers........................... 174 $575 $26 102 $542 $25

Residential advisors.......................................... 48 – – 27 – –

Personal care and service workers, all other......... 32 – – 13 – –

Sales and office occupations....................................... 23,115 655 3 13,914 610 2

Sales and related occupations................................. 9,433 689 8 4,005 521 6

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers......... 2,295 711 11 977 598 9

First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers... 791 1,045 21 220 847 27

Cashiers......................................................... 1,348 376 5 941 368 6

Counter and rental clerks................................. 96 495 22 42 – –

Parts salespersons.......................................... 88 643 37 9 – –

Retail salespersons.......................................... 1,842 576 13 707 436 15

Advertising sales agents.................................... 191 909 47 91 842 57

Insurance sales agents.................................... 389 827 35 191 641 41

Securities, commodities, and financial services 

 sales agents................................................ 220 1,131 86 64 862 69

Travel agents................................................... 44 – – 33 – –

Sales representatives, services, all other............... 415 935 30 130 825 52

Sales representatives, wholesale and 

 manufacturing................................................ 1,091 1,064 34 285 822 33

Models, demonstrators, and product promoters...... 18 – – 12 – –

Real estate brokers and sales agents.................. 328 789 99 194 680 57

Sales engineers............................................. 26 – – 1 – –

Telemarketers................................................ 65 464 80 29 – –

Door-to-door sales workers, news and street 

d d ltd k 43 16

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

 vendors, and related workers........................... 43 – – 16 – –

Sales and related workers, all other..................... 144 785 54 62 653 48

Office and administrative support occupations............ 13,683 643 3 9,909 629 3

First-line supervisors of office and administrative

 support workers............................................. 1,274 795 13 858 760 11

Switchboard operators, including answering

 service......................................................... 28 – – 20 – –

Telephone operators....................................... 35 – – 30 – –

Communications equipment operators, all other...... 8 – – 4 – –

Bill and account collectors................................. 183 640 17 122 633 15

Billing and posting clerks.................................... 394 627 14 347 615 13

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks......... 857 677 11 755 672 11

Gaming cage workers....................................... 6 – – 5 – –

Payroll and timekeeping clerks........................... 126 702 23 116 707 22

Procurement clerks.......................................... 26 – – 11 – –

Tellers............................................................ 268 497 8 238 499 9

Financial clerks, all other.................................... 44 – – 32 – –

Brokerage clerks............................................. 5 – – 1 – –

Correspondence clerks.................................... 6 – – 4 – –

Court, municipal, and license clerks..................... 77 699 63 63 693 54

Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks............... 42 – – 31 – –

Customer service representatives........................ 1,535 608 8 1,033 585 8

Eligibility interviewers, government programs......... 78 769 44 61 730 40

File clerks...................................................... 204 645 15 159 635 18

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks..................... 73 522 40 44 – –

Interviewers, except eligibility and loan.................. 104 593 22 91 581 23

Library assistants, clerical................................. 34 – – 28 – –

Loan interviewers and clerks.............................. 133 692 18 107 682 17

New accounts clerks....................................... 22 – – 15 – –

Order clerks................................................... 90 561 40 53 595 64

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 23

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

occupation and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Recreation and fitness workers........................... 71 $675 $68 80.3

Residential advisors.......................................... 21 – – –

Personal care and service workers, all other......... 19 – – –

Sales and office occupations....................................... 9,202 768 6 79.4

Sales and related occupations................................. 5,428 838 12 62.2

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers......... 1,317 792 18 75.5

First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers... 571 1,130 23 75.0

Cashiers......................................................... 407 400 12 92.0

Counter and rental clerks................................. 54 591 22 –

Parts salespersons.......................................... 79 661 60 –

Retail salespersons.......................................... 1,135 678 21 64.3

Advertising sales agents.................................... 100 945 51 89.1

Insurance sales agents.................................... 197 1,026 53 62.5

Securities, commodities, and financial services 

 sales agents................................................ 156 1,247 59 69.1

Travel agents................................................... 11 – – –

Sales representatives, services, all other............... 286 992 54 83.2

Sales representatives, wholesale and 

 manufacturing................................................ 806 1,161 27 70.8

Models, demonstrators, and product promoters...... 6 – – –

Real estate brokers and sales agents.................. 134 1,031 58 66.0

Sales engineers............................................. 25 – – –

Telemarketers................................................ 35 – – –

Door-to-door sales workers, news and street 

d d ltd k 27

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

 vendors, and related workers........................... 27 – – –

Sales and related workers, all other..................... 81 996 85 65.6

Office and administrative support occupations............ 3,774 700 9 89.9

First-line supervisors of office and administrative

 support workers............................................. 416 895 23 84.9

Switchboard operators, including answering

 service......................................................... 8 – – –

Telephone operators....................................... 5 – – –

Communications equipment operators, all other...... 4 – – –

Bill and account collectors................................. 61 681 51 93.0

Billing and posting clerks.................................... 47 – – –

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks......... 102 740 39 90.8

Gaming cage workers....................................... 2 – – –

Payroll and timekeeping clerks........................... 9 – – –

Procurement clerks.......................................... 15 – – –

Tellers............................................................ 30 – – –

Financial clerks, all other.................................... 12 – – –

Brokerage clerks............................................. 4 – – –

Correspondence clerks.................................... 2 – – –

Court, municipal, and license clerks..................... 14 – – –

Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks............... 10 – – –

Customer service representatives........................ 502 684 21 85.5

Eligibility interviewers, government programs......... 17 – – –

File clerks...................................................... 44 – – –

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks..................... 29 – – –

Interviewers, except eligibility and loan.................. 13 – – –

Library assistants, clerical................................. 6 – – –

Loan interviewers and clerks.............................. 26 – – –

New accounts clerks....................................... 7 – – –

Order clerks................................................... 37 –– –

See note at end of table.
24 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages (continued)

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Human resources assistants, except payroll and

 timekeeping................................................... 105 $759 $35 88 $724 $37

Receptionists and information clerks..................... 831 531 12 758 524 9

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and

 travel clerks.................................................. 99 738 39 54 634 38

Information and record clerks, all other.................. 87 661 102 73 677 56

Cargo and freight agents.................................... 21 – – 5 – –

Couriers and messengers................................. 139 737 32 19 – –

Dispatchers................................................... 252 648 34 159 605 17

Meter readers, utilities....................................... 25 – – 5 – –

Postal service clerks....................................... 137 980 11 73 910 34

Postal service mail carriers................................. 279 990 18 93 907 33

Postal service mail sorters, processors, and

 processing machine operators........................... 56 891 38 23 – –

Production, planning, and expediting clerks............ 242 858 42 131 765 28

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks.................. 458 556 23 125 522 11

Stock clerks and order fillers.............................. 936 505 8 310 484 14

Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers,

 recordkeeping................................................ 64 638 33 29 – –

Secretaries and administrative assistants............ 2,251 669 7 2,146 665 7

Computer operators.......................................... 87 785 31 45 – –

Data entry keyers............................................. 259 591 13 202 586 14

Word processors and typists.............................. 90 624 27 82 622 22

Desktop publishers.......................................... 3 – – – – –

I l i d li i l k 226 643 18 182 631 21

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Insurance claims and policy processing clerks...... 226 643 18 182 631 21

Mail clerks and mail machine operators, 

 except postal service....................................... 72 580 41 27 – –

Office clerks, general....................................... 798 601 9 667 600 9

Office machine operators, except computer............ 34 – – 16 – –

Proofreaders and copy markers........................... 5 – – 4 – –

Statistical assistants.......................................... 25 – – 14 – –

Office and administrative support workers, all

 other............................................................ 452 707 18 349 686 19

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance 

 occupations......................................................... 9,968 740 6 389 550 23

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations.................. 777 435 10 166 377 14

First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and

 forestry workers........................................... 39 – – 5 – –

Agricultural inspectors....................................... 17 – – 5 – –

Animal breeders............................................. 1 – – – – –

Graders and sorters, agricultural products............ 108 410 14 70 396 17

Miscellaneous agricultural workers..................... 560 426 9 81 350 11

Fishers and related fishing workers..................... 8 – – 1 – –

Hunters and trappers....................................... 2 – – 2 – –

Forest and conservation workers........................ 5 – – – – –

Logging workers............................................. 37 – – 2 – –

Construction and extraction occupations..................... 5,102 740 10 98 723 41

First-line supervisors of construction trades

 and extraction workers ................................. 488 1,019 26 13 – –

Boilermakers................................................... 23 – – – – –

Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons...... 94 641 93 – – –

Carpenters...................................................... 750 675 18 7 – –

Carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers......... 84 599 29 1 – –

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 25

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

occupation and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Human resources assistants, except payroll and

 timekeeping................................................... 17 – – –

Receptionists and information clerks..................... 73 $604 $33 86.8

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and

 travel clerks.................................................. 45 – – –

Information and record clerks, all other.................. 15 – – –

Cargo and freight agents.................................... 15 – – –

Couriers and messengers................................. 120 744 29 –

Dispatchers................................................... 94 796 71 76.0

Meter readers, utilities....................................... 21 – – –

Postal service clerks....................................... 64 1,000 14 91.0

Postal service mail carriers................................. 186 1,026 19 88.4

Postal service mail sorters, processors, and

 processing machine operators........................... 33 – – –

Production, planning, and expediting clerks............ 111 946 28 80.9

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks.................. 333 577 17 90.5

Stock clerks and order fillers.............................. 625 516 10 93.8

Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers,

 recordkeeping................................................ 35 – – –

Secretaries and administrative assistants............ 105 803 60 82.8

Computer operators.......................................... 42 – – –

Data entry keyers............................................. 57 611 35 95.9

Word processors and typists.............................. 8 – – –

Desktop publishers.......................................... 3 – – –

I l i d li i l k 44

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Insurance claims and policy processing clerks...... 44 – – –

Mail clerks and mail machine operators, 

 except postal service....................................... 44 – – –

Office clerks, general....................................... 131 607 19 98.8

Office machine operators, except computer............ 18 – – –

Proofreaders and copy markers........................... 1 – – –

Statistical assistants.......................................... 11 – – –

Office and administrative support workers, all

 other............................................................ 103 788 34 87.1

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance 

 occupations......................................................... 9,579 749 6 73.4

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations.................. 611 457 12 82.5

First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and

 forestry workers........................................... 34 – – –

Agricultural inspectors....................................... 12 – – –

Animal breeders............................................. 1 – – –

Graders and sorters, agricultural products............ 37 – – –

Miscellaneous agricultural workers..................... 478 444 12 78.8

Fishers and related fishing workers..................... 8 – – –

Hunters and trappers....................................... – – – –

Forest and conservation workers........................ 5 – – –

Logging workers............................................. 36 – – –

Construction and extraction occupations..................... 5,004 741 10 97.6

First-line supervisors of construction trades

 and extraction workers ................................. 475 1,018 25 –

Boilermakers................................................... 23 – – –

Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons...... 94 641 93 –

Carpenters...................................................... 743 673 19 –

Carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers......... 83 603 29 –

See note at end of table.
26 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages (continued)

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Cement masons, concrete finishers, and 

 terrazzo workers............................................. 53 $601 $36 – – –

Construction laborers....................................... 937 607 9 24 – –

Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment

 operators...................................................... 15 – – – – –

Pile-driver operators.......................................... 2 – – – – –

Operating engineers and other construction 

 equipment operators....................................... 321 805 22 5 – –

Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers... 94 568 36 – – –

Electricians................................................... 574 932 23 11 – –

Glaziers......................................................... 38 – – – – –

Insulation workers............................................. 33 – – – – –

Painters, construction and maintenance............... 261 568 29 8 – –

Paperhangers................................................ 2 – – – – –

Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters... 436 878 25 6 – –

Plasterers and stucco masons........................... 14 – – – – –

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers..................... 8 – – – – –

Roofers......................................................... 123 533 48 2 – –

Sheet metal workers....................................... 103 885 54 3 – –

Structural iron and steel workers........................ 60 759 62 1 – –

Solar photovoltaic installers.............................. 4 – – – – –

Helpers, construction trades.............................. 42 – – 1 – –

Construction and building inspectors.................. 87 932 88 4 – –

Elevator installers and repairers........................... 31 – – 1 – –

F t 26

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Fence erectors................................................ 26 – – – – –

Hazardous materials removal workers.................. 28 – – 4 – –

Highway maintenance workers........................... 98 683 40 1 – –

Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment

 operators...................................................... 7 – – – – –

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners...... 6 – – – – –

Miscellaneous construction and related workers...... 24 – – 1 – –

Derrick, rotary drill, and service unit operators,

 oil, gas, and mining....................................... 32 – – 1 – –

Earth drillers, except oil and gas........................ 28 – – – – –

Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts,

 and blasters................................................... 5 – – – – –

Mining machine operators................................. 65 997 37 – –

Roof bolters, mining.......................................... 4 – – – – –

Roustabouts, oil and gas.................................... 16 – – 1 – –

Helpers—extraction workers.............................. 3 – – – – –

Other extraction workers.................................... 84 985 33 1 – –

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations......... 4,088 808 7 125 $757 $37

First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers,

 and repairers................................................ 280 936 25 17 – –

Computer, automated teller, and office machine 

 repairers...................................................... 218 854 60 26 – –

Radio and telecommunications equipment 

 installers and repairers.................................... 142 885 46 10 – –

Avionics technicians.......................................... 10 – – 3 – –

Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers...... 37 – – – – –

Electrical and electronics installers and

 repairers, transportation equipment.................. 5 – – – – –

Electrical and electronics repairers, industrial

 and utility...................................................... 10 – – – – –

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 27

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

occupation and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Cement masons, concrete finishers, and 

 terrazzo workers............................................. 53 $601 $36 –

Construction laborers....................................... 913 609 9 –

Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment

 operators...................................................... 15 – – –

Pile-driver operators.......................................... 2 – – –

Operating engineers and other construction 

 equipment operators....................................... 316 805 22 –

Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers... 94 567 37 –

Electricians................................................... 563 929 23 –

Glaziers......................................................... 38 – – –

Insulation workers............................................. 32 – – –

Painters, construction and maintenance............... 252 559 32 –

Paperhangers................................................ 2 – – –

Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters... 430 876 30 –

Plasterers and stucco masons........................... 14 – – –

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers..................... 8 – – –

Roofers......................................................... 121 524 33 –

Sheet metal workers....................................... 100 880 58 –

Structural iron and steel workers........................ 59 767 60 –

Solar photovoltaic installers.............................. 4 – – –

Helpers, construction trades.............................. 40 – – –

Construction and building inspectors.................. 83 940 104 –

Elevator installers and repairers........................... 29 – – –

F t 26

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Fence erectors................................................ 26 – – –

Hazardous materials removal workers.................. 23 – – –

Highway maintenance workers........................... 97 683 39 –

Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment

 operators...................................................... 7 – – –

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners...... 6 – – –

Miscellaneous construction and related workers...... 23 – – –

Derrick, rotary drill, and service unit operators,

 oil, gas, and mining....................................... 32 – – –

Earth drillers, except oil and gas........................ 28 – – –

Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts,

 and blasters................................................... 5 – – –

Mining machine operators................................. 65 996 37 –

Roof bolters, mining.......................................... 4 – – –

Roustabouts, oil and gas.................................... 15 – – –

Helpers—extraction workers.............................. 3 – – –

Other extraction workers.................................... 83 981 32 –

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations......... 3,963 809 7 93.6

First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers,

 and repairers................................................ 262 934 24 –

Computer, automated teller, and office machine 

 repairers...................................................... 193 880 51 –

Radio and telecommunications equipment 

 installers and repairers.................................... 132 898 44 –

Avionics technicians.......................................... 7 – – –

Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers...... 37 – – –

Electrical and electronics installers and

 repairers, transportation equipment.................. 5 – – –

Electrical and electronics repairers, industrial

 and utility...................................................... 10 – – –

See note at end of table.
28 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages (continued)

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Electronic equipment installers and repairers,

 motor vehicles................................................ 15 – – 1 – –

Electronic home entertainment equipment

 installers and repairers.................................... 44 – – – – –

Security and fire alarm systems installers............ 34 – – – – –

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians............ 144 $993 $42 2 – –

Automotive body and related repairers.................. 120 619 20 2 – –

Automotive glass installers and repairers............... 17 – – – – –

Automotive service technicians and mechanics...... 691 702 15 7 – –

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine 

 specialists................................................... 271 843 28 1 – –

Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service 

 technicians and mechanics.............................. 174 941 47 3 – –

Small engine mechanics.................................... 42 – – 1 – –

Miscellaneous vehicle and mobile equipment

 mechanics, installers, and repairers.................. 67 493 22 1 – –

Control and valve installers and repairers............ 25 – – 1 – –

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration 

 mechanics and installers................................. 280 827 27 4 – –

Home appliance repairers................................. 35 – – 3 – –

Industrial and refractory machinery mechanics...... 424 867 26 10 – –

Maintenance and repair workers, general............ 371 731 23 6 – –

Maintenance workers, machinery........................ 25 – – 3 – –

Millwrights...................................................... 50 938 109 3 – –

El t i l li i t ll d i 117 988 48 2

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Electrical power-line installers and repairers......... 117 988 48 2 – –

Telecommunications line installers and repairers... 171 915 47 8 – –

Precision instrument and equipment repairers...... 44 – – 5 – –

Wind turbine service technicians........................ 1 – – – – –

Coin, vending, and amusement machine 

 servicers and repairers.................................... 23 – – 1 – –

Locksmiths and safe repairers........................... 17 – – – – –

Manufactured building and mobile home installers... 4 – – – – –

Riggers......................................................... 10 – – – – –

Signal and track switch repairers........................ 3 – – – – –

Helpers—installation, maintenance, and repair

 workers......................................................... 20 – – – – –

Other installation, maintenance, and repair

 workers......................................................... 147 677 58 5 – –

Production, transportation, and material moving 

 occupations......................................................... 13,842 624 4 2,773 $493 $5

Production occupations.......................................... 7,427 627 5 1,930 496 5

First-line supervisors of production and 

 operating workers.......................................... 734 917 24 132 674 32

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems

 assemblers................................................... 22 – – 5 – –

Electrical, electronics, and electromechanical 

 assemblers................................................... 155 564 29 78 520 22

Engine and other machine assemblers.................. 32 – – 5 – –

Structural metal fabricators and fitters.................. 19 – – 2 – –

Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators............ 833 557 15 320 499 9

Bakers......................................................... 121 474 23 55 450 31

Butchers and other meat, poultry, and fish

 processing workers....................................... 273 507 12 64 417 25

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 29

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

occupation and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Electronic equipment installers and repairers,

 motor vehicles................................................ 14 – – –

Electronic home entertainment equipment

 installers and repairers.................................... 44 – – –

Security and fire alarm systems installers............ 34 – – –

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians............ 142 $986 $41 –

Automotive body and related repairers.................. 119 618 20 –

Automotive glass installers and repairers............... 17 – – –

Automotive service technicians and mechanics...... 684 704 15 –

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine 

 specialists................................................... 271 844 28 –

Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service 

 technicians and mechanics.............................. 171 942 50 –

Small engine mechanics.................................... 41 – – –

Miscellaneous vehicle and mobile equipment

 mechanics, installers, and repairers.................. 66 496 21 –

Control and valve installers and repairers............ 24 – – –

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration 

 mechanics and installers................................. 276 829 26 –

Home appliance repairers................................. 33 – – –

Industrial and refractory machinery mechanics...... 415 871 24 –

Maintenance and repair workers, general............ 364 732 23 –

Maintenance workers, machinery........................ 22 – – –

Millwrights...................................................... 46 – – –

El t i l li i t ll d i 115 990 56

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Electrical power-line installers and repairers......... 115 990 56 –

Telecommunications line installers and repairers... 164 910 46 –

Precision instrument and equipment repairers...... 38 – – –

Wind turbine service technicians........................ 1 – – –

Coin, vending, and amusement machine 

 servicers and repairers.................................... 22 – – –

Locksmiths and safe repairers........................... 17 – – –

Manufactured building and mobile home installers... 4 – – –

Riggers......................................................... 10 – – –

Signal and track switch repairers........................ 3 – – –

Helpers—installation, maintenance, and repair

 workers......................................................... 20 – – –

Other installation, maintenance, and repair

 workers......................................................... 142 671 44 –

Production, transportation, and material moving 

 occupations......................................................... 11,069 675 5 73.0

Production occupations.......................................... 5,497 695 6 71.4

First-line supervisors of production and 

 operating workers.......................................... 601 954 17 70.6

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems

 assemblers................................................... 17 – – –

Electrical, electronics, and electromechanical 

 assemblers................................................... 77 620 30 83.9

Engine and other machine assemblers.................. 26 – – –

Structural metal fabricators and fitters.................. 17 – – –

Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators............ 513 606 12 82.3

Bakers......................................................... 65 501 39 89.8

Butchers and other meat, poultry, and fish

 processing workers....................................... 208 537 19 77.7

See note at end of table.
30 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages (continued)

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying

 machine operators and tenders........................ 10 – – 4 – –

Food batchmakers.......................................... 59 $512 $23 32 – –

Food cooking machine operators and tenders......... 13 – – 4 – –

Food processing workers, all other..................... 90 529 30 23 – –

Computer control programmers and operators...... 67 710 27 5 – –

Extruding and drawing machine setters,

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 10 – – 3 – –

Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders,

 metal and plastic............................................. 10 – – – – –

Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders,

 metal and plastic............................................. 7 – – – – –

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 80 556 38 15 – –

Drilling and boring machine tool setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 3 – – 1 – –

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine 

 tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and

 plastic......................................................... 53 588 25 5 – –

Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators,

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 15 – – 4 – –

Milling and planing machine setters, operators,

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 3 – – – – –

Machinists...................................................... 381 760 19 16 – –

M t lf t t d d

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Metal furnace operators, tenders, pourers, and

 casters...................................................... 12 – – 1 – –

Model makers and patternmakers, metal and

 plastic......................................................... 7 – – 1 – –

Molders and molding machine setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 38 – – 9 – –

Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and

 tenders, metal and plastic................................. 7 – – – – –

Tool and die makers.......................................... 51 1,005 44 – – –

Welding, soldering, and brazing workers............... 551 712 15 26 – –

Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and

 tenders, metal and plastic................................. 5 –– – ––

Layout workers, metal and plastic........................ 6 –– – ––

Plating and coating machine setters, operators,

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 16 – – 2 – –

Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners..................... 2 –– – ––

Metal workers and plastic workers, all other......... 374 618 15 70 $544 $30

Prepress technicians and workers........................ 23 – – 9 – –

Printing press operators.................................... 167 628 31 28 – –

Print binding and finishing workers..................... 17 – – 9 – –

Laundry and dry-cleaning workers........................ 123 410 12 66 359 14

Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials... 41 – – 29 – –

Sewing machine operators................................. 127 385 18 86 369 11

Shoe and leather workers and repairers............... 5 – – 2 – –

Shoe machine operators and tenders.................. 10 – – 5 – –

Tailors, dressmakers, and sewers........................ 42 – – 30 – –

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators

 and tenders................................................... 5 – – 1 – –

Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and

 tenders......................................................... 9 – – 4 – –

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 31

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

occupation and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying

 machine operators and tenders........................ 5 – – –

Food batchmakers.......................................... 27 – – –

Food cooking machine operators and tenders......... 9 – – –

Food processing workers, all other..................... 67 $549 $32 –

Computer control programmers and operators...... 62 728 62 –

Extruding and drawing machine setters,

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 7 – – –

Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders,

 metal and plastic............................................. 10 – – –

Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders,

 metal and plastic............................................. 7 – – –

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 65 575 57 –

Drilling and boring machine tool setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 2 – – –

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine 

 tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and

 plastic......................................................... 48 – – –

Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators,

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 11 – – –

Milling and planing machine setters, operators,

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 3 – – –

Machinists...................................................... 366 762 19 –

M t lf t t d d

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Metal furnace operators, tenders, pourers, and

 casters...................................................... 12 – – –

Model makers and patternmakers, metal and

 plastic......................................................... 6 – – –

Molders and molding machine setters, 

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 30 – – –

Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and

 tenders, metal and plastic................................. 7 – – –

Tool and die makers.......................................... 51 1,005 44 –

Welding, soldering, and brazing workers............... 525 722 14 –

Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and

 tenders, metal and plastic................................. 5 –– –

Layout workers, metal and plastic........................ 6 –– –

Plating and coating machine setters, operators,

 and tenders, metal and plastic........................... 13 –– –

Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners..................... 2 –– –

Metal workers and plastic workers, all other......... 304 645 25 84.3

Prepress technicians and workers........................ 14 –– –

Printing press operators.................................... 139 666 34 –

Print binding and finishing workers..................... 8 – – –

Laundry and dry-cleaning workers........................ 57 462 32 77.7

Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials... 12 – – –

Sewing machine operators................................. 41 – – –

Shoe and leather workers and repairers............... 3 – – –

Shoe machine operators and tenders.................. 5 – – –

Tailors, dressmakers, and sewers........................ 12 – – –

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators

 and tenders................................................... 5 – – –

Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and

 tenders......................................................... 5 – – –

See note at end of table.
32 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages (continued)

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters,

 operators, and tenders.................................... 6 – – 5 – –

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out 

 machine setters, operators, and tenders............ 15 – – 5 – –

Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, 

 and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers............... 2 – – – – –

Fabric and apparel patternmakers........................ 1 – – 1 – –

Upholsterers................................................... 14 – – 1 – –

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other... 16 – – 10 – –

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters.................. 35 – – 2 – –

Furniture finishers............................................. 5 – – 2 – –

Sawing machine setters, operators, and 

 tenders, wood................................................ 26 – – 1 – –

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and

 tenders, except sawing................................... 21 – – 3 – –

Woodworkers, all other.................................... 12 – – – – –

Power plant operators, distributors, and

 dispatchers................................................... 43 – – 2 – –

Stationary engineers and boiler operators............ 105 $830 $41 6 – –

Water and wastewater treatment plant and 

 system operators.......................................... 70 862 44 3 – –

Miscellaneous plant and system operators............ 35 – – 4 – –

Chemical processing machine setters, 

 operators, and tenders.................................... 72 851 158 10 – –

C hi i di li hi i i d

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Crushing, grinding, polishing, mixing, and

 blending workers.......................................... 86 628 36 12 – –

Cutting workers................................................ 60 524 44 11 – –

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting

 machine setters, operators, and tenders............ 38 – – 10 – –

Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators

 and tenders................................................... 14 – – 1 – –

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and

 weighers...................................................... 621 729 21 206 $570 $26

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers... 22 – – 9 – –

Medical, dental, and ophthalmic laboratory 

 technicians................................................... 76 585 52 42 – –

Packaging and filling machine operators and 

 tenders......................................................... 242 481 18 131 431 17

Painting workers............................................. 135 626 20 24 – –

Photographic process workers and processing 

 machine operators.......................................... 39 – – 15 – –

Semiconductor processors................................. 6 – – 3 – –

Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders... 8 – – 2 – –

Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling

 equipment operators and tenders..................... 8 – – 1 – –

Cooling and freezing equipment operators and

 tenders......................................................... 2 – – 1 – –

Etchers and engravers....................................... 4 – – 1 – –

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal

 and plastic................................................... 26 – – 5 – –

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and

 tenders......................................................... 32 – – 9 – –

Tire builders................................................... 17 – – 3 – –

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 33

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

occupation and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters,

 operators, and tenders.................................... – – – –

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out 

 machine setters, operators, and tenders............ 10 – – –

Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, 

 and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers............... 2 – – –

Fabric and apparel patternmakers........................ – – – –

Upholsterers................................................... 12 – – –

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other... 6 – – –

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters.................. 34 – – –

Furniture finishers............................................. 3 – – –

Sawing machine setters, operators, and 

 tenders, wood................................................ 25 – – –

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and

 tenders, except sawing................................... 18 – – –

Woodworkers, all other.................................... 12 – – –

Power plant operators, distributors, and

 dispatchers................................................... 41 – – –

Stationary engineers and boiler operators............ 99 $831 $41 –

Water and wastewater treatment plant and 

 system operators.......................................... 67 870 41 –

Miscellaneous plant and system operators............ 31 – – –

Chemical processing machine setters, 

 operators, and tenders.................................... 62 890 65 –

C hi i di li hi i i d

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Crushing, grinding, polishing, mixing, and

 blending workers.......................................... 74 651 35 –

Cutting workers................................................ 49 – – –

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting

 machine setters, operators, and tenders............ 28 – – –

Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators

 and tenders................................................... 12 – – –

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and

 weighers...................................................... 416 824 31 69.2

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers... 13 – – –

Medical, dental, and ophthalmic laboratory 

 technicians................................................... 35 – – –

Packaging and filling machine operators and 

 tenders......................................................... 111 553 19 77.9

Painting workers............................................. 111 654 27 –

Photographic process workers and processing 

 machine operators.......................................... 24 – – –

Semiconductor processors................................. 2 – – –

Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders... 6 – – –

Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling

 equipment operators and tenders..................... 7 – – –

Cooling and freezing equipment operators and

 tenders......................................................... 1 – – –

Etchers and engravers....................................... 3 – – –

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal

 and plastic................................................... 21 – – –

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and

 tenders......................................................... 23 – – –

Tire builders................................................... 14 – – –

See note at end of table.
34 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages (continued)

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Helpers—production workers.............................. 40 – – 13 – –

Production workers, all other.............................. 849 $584 $11 223 $504 $19

Transportation and material moving occupations......... 6,415 621 5 843 487 8

Supervisors of transportation and material moving 

 workers......................................................... 189 812 60 42 – –

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers........................ 90 1,440 133 4 – –

Air traffic controllers and airfield operations

 specialists................................................... 47 – – 3 – –

Flight attendants............................................. 59 775 37 42 – –

Ambulance drivers and attendants, except

 emergency medical technicians........................ 16 – – 3 – –

Bus drivers...................................................... 302 601 19 126 516 33

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers.................. 2,533 730 9 101 537 33

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs................................. 183 554 39 22 – –

Motor vehicle operators, all other........................ 35 – – 7 – –

Locomotive engineers and operators.................. 44 – – 2 – –

Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators......... 9 – – – – –

Railroad conductors and yardmasters.................. 46 – – 2 – –

Subway, streetcar, and other rail transportation

 workers......................................................... 12 – – – – –

Sailors and marine oilers.................................... 15 – – 1 – –

Ship and boat captains and operators.................. 29 – – 1 – –

Ship engineers................................................ 5 – – – – –

Bridge and lock tenders.................................... 8 – – – – –

P ki l t tt d t 50 404 22 5

Occupation 

Both sexes Women

Parking lot attendants....................................... 50 404 22 5 – –

Automotive and watercraft service attendants......... 67 428 43 4 – –

Transportation inspectors................................. 29 – – 4 – –

Transportation attendants, except flight attendants 23 – – 15 – –

Other transportation workers.............................. 14 – – 1 – –

Conveyor operators and tenders........................ 3 – – 2 – –

Crane and tower operators................................. 61 753 101 3 – –

Dredge, excavating, and loading machine

 operators...................................................... 32 – – 1 – –

Hoist and winch operators................................. 5 – – – – –

Industrial truck and tractor operators..................... 498 562 18 31 – –

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment..................... 217 425 18 30 – –

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, 

 hand............................................................ 1,322 510 7 218 476 18

Machine feeders and offbearers........................... 26 – – 8 – –

Packers and packagers, hand........................... 306 404 10 160 394 10

Pumping station operators................................. 21 – – 1 – –

Refuse and recyclable material collectors............ 75 501 44 3 – –

Mine shuttle car operators................................. 1 – – – – –

Tank car, truck, and ship loaders........................ 3 – – – – –

Material moving workers, all other........................ 40 – – 1 – –

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 35

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

occupation and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Helpers—production workers.............................. 26 –– –

Production workers, all other.............................. 626 $619 $15 81.4

Transportation and material moving occupations......... 5,572 650 7 74.9

Supervisors of transportation and material moving 

 workers......................................................... 146 873 47 –

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers........................ 86 1,444 120 –

Air traffic controllers and airfield operations

 specialists................................................... 44 – – –

Flight attendants............................................. 16 – – –

Ambulance drivers and attendants, except

 emergency medical technicians........................ 13 – – –

Bus drivers...................................................... 177 652 17 79.1

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers.................. 2,433 736 9 73.0

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs................................. 161 572 39 –

Motor vehicle operators, all other........................ 28 – – –

Locomotive engineers and operators.................. 42 – – –

Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators......... 9 – – –

Railroad conductors and yardmasters.................. 45 – – –

Subway, streetcar, and other rail transportation

 workers......................................................... 12 – – –

Sailors and marine oilers.................................... 14 – – –

Ship and boat captains and operators.................. 28 – – –

Ship engineers................................................ 5 – – –

Bridge and lock tenders.................................... 8 – – –

P ki l t tt d t 45

Occupation 

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Parking lot attendants....................................... 45 – – –

Automotive and watercraft service attendants......... 63 453 49 –

Transportation inspectors................................. 25 – – –

Transportation attendants, except flight attendants 8 – – –

Other transportation workers.............................. 13 – – –

Conveyor operators and tenders........................ 1 – – –

Crane and tower operators................................. 58 777 112 –

Dredge, excavating, and loading machine

 operators...................................................... 31 – – –

Hoist and winch operators................................. 5 – – –

Industrial truck and tractor operators..................... 467 566 17 –

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment..................... 187 431 24 –

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, 

 hand............................................................ 1,103 519 8 91.7

Machine feeders and offbearers........................... 18 – – –

Packers and packagers, hand........................... 146 426 24 92.5

Pumping station operators................................. 20 – – –

Refuse and recyclable material collectors............ 71 497 51 –

Mine shuttle car operators................................. 1 – – –

Tank car, truck, and ship loaders........................ 3 – – –

Material moving workers, all other........................ 39 – – –

Note: Median earnings not shown where employment is less than 50,000. Women's earnings as a percent 

of men's 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.
36 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

sex, 2012 annual averages 

Women

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

United States.................................... 102,749 $768 $2 45,462 $691 $3

Alabama........................................ 1,522 724 14 683 620 15

Alaska........................................... 248 888 16 110 757 14

Arizona.......................................... 1,969 732 9 878 670 14

Arkansas....................................... 971 651 15 438 603 10

California....................................... 11,570 820 10 4,890 754 9

Colorado........................................ 1,714 850 18 725 750 15

Connecticut................................... 1,178 988 22 519 868 29

Delaware....................................... 309 807 20 146 737 20

District of Columbia....................... 276 1,102 37 138 1,072 43

Florida........................................... 6,299 735 6 2,992 676 9

Georgia......................................... 3,287 737 13 1,503 640 17

Hawaii........................................... 430 753 14 192 689 16

Idaho............................................. 478 706 13 187 614 11

Illinois............................................ 4,368 809 11 1,958 708 13

Indiana.......................................... 2,158 716 14 936 632 16

Iowa............................................... 1,096 744 14 491 654 17

Kansas.......................................... 988 738 14 428 649 14

Kentucky....................................... 1,414 663 12 644 596 13

Louisiana....................................... 1,449 676 18 637 573 17

Maine............................................ 423 741 13 191 654 25

Maryland....................................... 2,198 921 20 1,056 842 23

Massachusetts.............................. 2,167 935 12 980 840 19

Michigan........................................ 2,876 783 14 1,237 687 18

Mi t 1 897 865 15 816 779 23

Both sexes

State

Minnesota...................................... 1,897 865 15 816 779 23

Mississippi..................................... 922 677 14 413 582 19

Missouri......................................... 2,013 750 18 913 660 19

Montana........................................ 293 658 21 137 566 18

Nebraska....................................... 680 728 14 312 663 17

Nevada.......................................... 897 690 11 399 620 10

New Hampshire............................ 478 883 21 214 772 24

New Jersey................................... 3,142 935 13 1,425 818 26

New Mexico................................... 614 737 17 274 645 25

New York....................................... 6,513 819 10 2,951 746 9

North Carolina............................... 3,124 727 10 1,392 641 13

North Dakota................................. 266 735 12 116 651 12

Ohio............................................... 3,662 739 9 1,589 664 10

Oklahoma...................................... 1,299 695 11 570 631 15

Oregon.......................................... 1,144 823 19 480 756 17

Pennsylvania................................. 4,320 774 8 1,898 694 11

Rhode Island................................. 342 796 21 158 733 23

South Carolina.............................. 1,462 669 15 677 603 17

South Dakota................................ 282 664 10 129 604 9

Tennessee.................................... 2,125 675 12 922 611 12

Texas............................................ 8,904 718 7 3,852 633 9

Utah............................................... 879 760 14 326 661 18

Vermont......................................... 216 767 16 96 692 19

Virginia.......................................... 2,974 846 17 1,335 756 21

Washington................................... 2,204 870 21 935 746 20

West Virginia................................. 574 740 14 257 614 14

Wisconsin..................................... 1,929 783 16 833 696 25

Wyoming....................................... 207 808 17 81 645 22

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 37

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 3. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, 

by state and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

United States...................................... 57,286 $854 $4 80.9

Alabama.......................................... 839 812 27 76.4

Alaska.............................................. 138 1,025 27 73.9

Arizona............................................ 1,090 772 18 86.8

Arkansas......................................... 534 717 21 84.1

California......................................... 6,680 877 12 86.0

Colorado.......................................... 989 958 24 78.3

Connecticut..................................... 659 1,127 40 77.0

Delaware......................................... 163 888 36 83.0

District of Columbia......................... 138 1,131 38 94.8

Florida............................................. 3,307 796 13 84.9

Georgia............................................ 1,784 838 26 76.4

Hawaii.............................................. 238 839 35 82.1

Idaho............................................... 291 785 15 78.2

Illinois.............................................. 2,411 895 16 79.1

Indiana............................................. 1,221 809 19 78.1

Iowa................................................. 605 823 20 79.5

Kansas............................................ 560 825 22 78.7

Kentucky.......................................... 770 733 18 81.3

Louisiana......................................... 812 796 20 72.0

Maine............................................... 232 823 25 79.5

Maryland.......................................... 1,141 988 27 85.2

Massachusetts................................ 1,187 1,040 28 80.8

Michigan.......................................... 1,639 889 20 77.3

Mi t 1 081 948 24 82 2

State

Women's 

earnings as a 

percent of 

men's

Minnesota........................................ 1,081 948 24 82.2

Mississippi....................................... 509 776 23 75.0

Missouri........................................... 1,099 841 30 78.5

Montana.......................................... 156 733 23 77.2

Nebraska......................................... 369 787 21 84.2

Nevada............................................ 497 768 19 80.7

New Hampshire............................... 264 975 29 79.2

New Jersey...................................... 1,717 1,030 25 79.4

New Mexico..................................... 340 802 22 80.4

New York......................................... 3,562 900 14 82.9

North Carolina................................. 1,732 792 13 80.9

North Dakota................................... 149 834 23 78.1

Ohio................................................. 2,073 802 15 82.8

Oklahoma........................................ 729 760 16 83.0

Oregon............................................ 664 901 28 83.9

Pennsylvania................................... 2,423 849 13 81.7

Rhode Island................................... 184 886 42 82.7

South Carolina................................. 785 724 18 83.3

South Dakota................................... 153 737 16 82.0

Tennessee...................................... 1,203 740 15 82.6

Texas............................................... 5,051 795 15 79.6

Utah................................................. 552 870 25 76.0

Vermont........................................... 120 859 29 80.6

Virginia............................................ 1,640 951 24 79.5

Washington..................................... 1,269 982 28 76.0

West Virginia................................... 317 846 28 72.6

Wisconsin........................................ 1,095 863 20 80.6

Wyoming......................................... 126 984 19 65.5

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.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
38 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 4. Median usual weekly earnings of part-time wage and salary workers, by selected 

characteristics, 2012 annual averages

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Age

Total, 16 years and older....................................... 24,614 $233 $1 16,120 $236 $2

16 to 24 years..................................................... 8,367 174 1 4,710 172 2

16 to 19 years.................................................. 3,303 139 2 1,827 135 3

20 to 24 years.................................................. 5,065 202 2 2,883 198 2

25 years and older.............................................. 16,246 272 2 11,409 272 2

25 to 34 years.................................................. 4,238 265 3 2,771 267 4

35 to 44 years.................................................. 3,308 293 4 2,525 290 5

45 to 54 years.................................................. 3,371 285 4 2,638 284 5

55 to 64 years.................................................. 3,139 280 5 2,272 281 6

65 years and older.......................................... 2,190 236 4 1,204 222 6

Race and Hispanic or

Latino Ethnicity

White...................................................................... 19,892 234 1 13,120 239 2

Black or African American..................................... 2,728 222 3 1,742 221 3

Asian...................................................................... 1,154 250 8 739 258 9

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.................................... 3,822 228 3 2,306 223 3

Marital Status

Never married........................................................ 11,317 194 1 6,273 192 2

Both sexes Women

Characteristic

Never married........................................................ 11,317 194 1 6,273 192 2

Married, spouse present........................................ 9,850 285 2 7,278 284 3

Other marital status................................................ 3,446 252 3 2,569 249 3

Divorced.............................................................. 1,913 265 4 1,398 262 5

Separated........................................................... 835 246 6 583 242 8

Widowed............................................................. 698 224 7 588 225 8

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 39

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 4. Median usual weekly earnings of part-time wage and salary workers, by 

selected characteristics, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Age

Total, 16 years and older....................................... 8,494 $226 $2 104.4

16 to 24 years..................................................... 3,657 178 2 96.6

16 to 19 years.................................................. 1,476 144 3 93.8

20 to 24 years.................................................. 2,181 206 3 96.1

25 years and older.............................................. 4,837 273 3 99.6

25 to 34 years.................................................. 1,467 263 4 101.5

35 to 44 years.................................................. 783 302 7 96.0

45 to 54 years.................................................. 733 292 12 97.3

55 to 64 years.................................................. 867 278 9 101.1

65 years and older.......................................... 986 256 7 86.7

Race and Hispanic or

Latino Ethnicity

White...................................................................... 6,771 227 2 105.3

Black or African American..................................... 986 225 5 98.2

Asian...................................................................... 414 234 13 110.3

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.................................... 1,515 235 4 94.9

Marital Status

Never married........................................................ 5,044 197 2 97.5

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Characteristic

Never married........................................................ 5,044 197 2 97.5

Married, spouse present........................................ 2,572 288 4 98.6

Other marital status................................................ 878 262 6 95.0

Divorced.............................................................. 515 273 10 96.0

Separated........................................................... 252 255 11 94.9

Widowed............................................................. 110 221 14 101.8

Note: Estimates for the race groups listed (White, Black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to 

totals because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or 

Latino may be of any race.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
40 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

2012 annual averages 

Women

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Total, 16 years and older........................................ 127,577 $655 $2 61,679 $572 $2

1 to 34 hours....................................................... 22,121 236 1 14,596 240 2

1 to 4 hours...................................................... 518 59 3 359 54 3

5 to 9 hours...................................................... 1,215 74 2 800 81 4

10 to 14 hours.................................................. 1,911 113 1 1,290 114 2

15 to 19 hours.................................................. 2,708 157 1 1,809 160 2

20 to 24 hours.................................................. 6,528 215 1 4,304 222 2

25 to 29 hours.................................................. 3,129 261 2 2,065 266 3

30 to 34 hours.................................................. 6,112 335 4 3,969 350 4

35 or more hours................................................. 97,235 775 2 43,356 701 3

35 to 39 hours.................................................. 8,222 486 4 5,373 501 5

40 hours........................................................... 68,770 726 2 31,751 677 3

41 or more hours............................................. 20,243 1,168 6 6,232 1,059 9

41 to 44 hours.............................................. 1,155 882 18 455 811 29

45 to 48 hours.............................................. 5,383 1,049 10 1,940 969 14

49 to 59 hours.............................................. 9,145 1,247 8 2,754 1,146 11

60 or more hours.......................................... 4,559 1,338 16 1,083 1,173 25

Hours vary................................................ 8,221 419 6 3,727 319 5

Usually less than 35 hours........................ 2,493 203 4 1,524 198 4

Usually 35 or more hours........................... 5,513 602 8 2,106 469 11

Both sexes

Hours of work

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 41

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 5. Median usual weekly earnings of wage and salary workers, by hours 

usually worked and sex, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

weekly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Total, 16 years and older........................................ 65,898 $760 $3 75.3

1 to 34 hours....................................................... 7,525 228 2 105.3

1 to 4 hours...................................................... 160 77 19 70.1

5 to 9 hours...................................................... 415 68 2 119.1

10 to 14 hours.................................................. 621 110 2 103.6

15 to 19 hours.................................................. 899 152 2 105.3

20 to 24 hours.................................................. 2,224 203 2 109.4

25 to 29 hours.................................................. 1,064 254 3 104.7

30 to 34 hours.................................................. 2,143 315 3 111.1

35 or more hours................................................. 53,879 863 4 81.2

35 to 39 hours.................................................. 2,849 450 8 111.3

40 hours........................................................... 37,020 772 3 87.7

41 or more hours............................................. 14,010 1,238 8 85.5

41 to 44 hours.............................................. 701 928 24 87.4

45 to 48 hours.............................................. 3,443 1,104 15 87.8

49 to 59 hours.............................................. 6,391 1,312 21 87.3

60 or more hours.......................................... 3,476 1,380 19 85.0

Hours vary................................................ 4,493 548 18 58.2

Usually less than 35 hours........................ 968 212 6 93.4

Usually 35 or more hours........................... 3,407 716 14 65.5

Hours of work

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Note: Data refer to the sole or principal job of full Note: Data refer to the sole or principal job of full-time and part time and part-time workers Estimates for the "hours 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.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
42 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 6. Distribution of full-time wage and salary workers, by usual weekly earnings and selected 

characteristics, 2012 annual averages 

(In thousands)

Number of workers by usual weekly earnings

Under 

$150.00

$150.00 

to 

$249.99

$250.00 

to 

$349.99

$350.00 

to 

$499.99

$500.00 

to 

$749.99

$750.00 

to 

$999.99

$1,000.00 

to 

$1,499.00

$1,500.00 

or more

Age and Sex

Total, 16 years and older.......... 102,749 882 1,346 6,600 15,956 23,787 17,693 19,446 17,038

16 to 24 years........................ 9,030 214 387 1,737 3,069 2,275 779 451 117

16 to 19 years.................... 1,019 65 75 326 349 147 36 15 5

20 to 24 years.................... 8,011 149 312 1,411 2,721 2,128 743 436 111

25 years and older................. 93,719 668 959 4,863 12,887 21,512 16,914 18,994 16,921

25 to 34 years.................... 24,585 159 247 1,655 4,424 6,590 4,654 4,401 2,453

35 to 44 years.................... 24,084 146 228 1,181 3,081 5,220 4,292 4,997 4,940

45 to 54 years.................... 25,345 170 231 1,198 3,042 5,382 4,562 5,394 5,367

55 to 64 years.................... 16,518 119 183 663 1,849 3,564 2,909 3,684 3,546

65 years and older............. 3,186 74 70 165 490 756 497 518 615

Women, 16 years and older...... 45,462 497 785 3,676 8,110 11,721 8,001 7,554 5,117

16 to 24 years........................ 3,866 124 193 838 1,319 970 263 134 24

16 to 19 years.................... 415 39 38 147 129 50 10 3 –

20 to 24 years.................... 3,450 85 155 691 1,190 919 254 131 24

25 years and older................. 41,597 373 593 2,838 6,791 10,751 7,738 7,420 5,093

25 to 34 years.................... 10,617 85 145 862 1,990 3,038 2,071 1,654 771

35 to 44 years.................... 10,410 80 147 717 1,624 2,556 1,948 1,901 1,438

45 t 54 11 505 111 155 756 1 808 2 857 2 092 2 131 1 595

Characteristic Total 

employed

45 to 54 years.................... 11,505 111 155 756 1,808 2,857 2,092 2,131 1,595

55 to 64 years.................... 7,680 62 109 411 1,111 1,937 1,379 1,526 1,144

65 years and older............. 1,385 35 37 93 258 363 249 207 144

Men, 16 years and older........... 57,286 385 561 2,924 7,846 12,066 9,692 11,892 11,921

16 to 24 years........................ 5,164 90 195 899 1,750 1,306 516 317 92

16 to 19 years.................... 603 26 38 180 220 97 26 12 5

20 to 24 years.................... 4,561 64 157 719 1,530 1,209 490 305 87

25 years and older................. 52,122 295 366 2,025 6,096 10,760 9,176 11,575 11,829

25 to 34 years.................... 13,968 74 102 793 2,434 3,552 2,584 2,747 1,682

35 to 44 years.................... 13,675 66 81 465 1,458 2,664 2,344 3,095 3,502

45 to 54 years.................... 13,840 59 76 442 1,234 2,525 2,470 3,262 3,772

55 to 64 years.................... 8,838 57 74 253 737 1,626 1,531 2,158 2,402

65 years and older............. 1,801 39 34 73 233 393 248 311 471

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 43

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 6. Distribution of full-time wage and salary workers, by usual weekly earnings and selected 

characteristics, 2012 annual averages (continued)

(In thousands)

Number of workers by usual weekly earnings

Under 

$150.00

$150.00 

to 

$249.99

$250.00 

to 

$349.99

$350.00 

to 

$499.99

$500.00 

to 

$749.99

$750.00 

to 

$999.99

$1,000.00 

to 

$1,499.00

$1,500.00 

or more

Race, Hispanic or

 Latino Ethnicity, 

and Sex

White..................................... 81,779 699 954 4,854 11,919 18,769 14,335 16,004 14,246

Women.............................. 35,108 397 557 2,623 5,956 9,054 6,337 6,070 4,115

Men.................................... 46,672 302 398 2,231 5,963 9,715 7,998 9,934 10,131

Black or African American..... 12,230 116 276 1,159 2,611 3,246 2,018 1,762 1,042

Women.............................. 6,474 60 160 707 1,470 1,748 1,057 811 461

Men.................................... 5,756 57 116 452 1,141 1,498 961 951 581

Asian..................................... 5,790 36 73 320 795 1,051 847 1,223 1,445

Women.............................. 2,560 24 50 188 393 551 408 487 458

Men.................................... 3,231 12 24 131 403 500 439 735 988

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.... 16,302 174 320 2,107 4,101 4,304 2,271 1,898 1,127

Women.............................. 6,414 88 169 1,023 1,670 1,691 798 654 321

Men.................................... 9,887 86 151 1,084 2,430 2,613 1,473 1,245 806

Characteristic Total 

employed

Note: Estimates for the race groups listed (White, Black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not 

presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. Dash indicates no data or data 

that do not meet publication criteria.

Source: U S Bureau of Labor Statistics Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
44 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 7. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, by sex, marital 

status, and presence and age of own children under 18 years old, 2012 annual averages

Women

Total, all marital statuses................................................ 45,462 $691 $3

With children under 18 years.......................................... 16,415 680 4

With children 6 to 17 years, none younger..................... 9,864 698 6

With children under 6 years....................................... 6,551 653 7

With no children under 18 years.................................... 29,047 697 3

Total, married, spouse present.......................................... 23,718 751 3

With children under 18 years.......................................... 10,763 754 4

With children 6 to 17 years, none younger..................... 6,338 746 6

With children under 6 years....................................... 4,425 765 7

With no children under 18 years.................................... 12,955 748 4

Total, other marital statuses1

........................................... 21,745 625 3

With children under 18 years.......................................... 5,652 559 6

With children 6 to 17 years, none younger..................... 3,526 614 7

With children under 6 years....................................... 2,126 490 5

With no children under 18 years.................................... 16,092 654 4

Men

Total, all marital statuses................................................ 57,286 854 4

With hild d 18 21 227 946 5

Characteristic

Number of 

workers 

(in thousands)

Median weekly 

earnings

Standard error 

of median

With children under 18 years.......................................... 21,227 946 5

With children 6 to 17 years, none younger..................... 11,317 1,004 7

With children under 6 years....................................... 9,910 880 8

With no children under 18 years.................................... 36,059 799 4

Total, married, spouse present.......................................... 34,370 981 4

With children under 18 years.......................................... 18,681 988 6

With children 6 to 17 years, none younger..................... 10,105 1,035 10

With children under 6 years....................................... 8,576 935 8

With no children under 18 years.................................... 15,689 973 6

Total, other marital statuses1

........................................... 22,916 685 4

With children under 18 years.......................................... 2,546 673 10

With children 6 to 17 years, none younger..................... 1,213 790 17

With children under 6 years....................................... 1,333 595 9

With no children under 18 years.................................... 20,370 687 4

1 Includes never-married, divorced, separated, and widowed persons.

Note: Children refer to own children and include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Excluded are 

other related children such as grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as unrelated children. 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 45

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

characteristics, 2012 annual averages 

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

hourly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

hourly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Age

Total, 16 years and older....................................... 75,276 $12.80 $0.03 38,163 $11.99 $0.03

16 to 24 years.................................................... 14,909 9.05 .02 7,455 8.78 .03

16 to 19 years................................................. 4,044 8.10 .02 2,122 8.02 .03

20 to 24 years................................................. 10,865 9.70 .05 5,333 9.17 .03

25 years and older............................................. 60,367 14.25 .05 30,708 13.17 .05

25 to 34 years................................................. 17,167 12.82 .06 8,090 12.15 .05

35 to 44 years................................................. 14,383 14.86 .04 7,243 13.46 .14

45 to 54 years................................................. 15,169 15.07 .04 8,034 13.80 .10

55 to 64 years................................................. 10,642 15.39 .15 5,745 14.36 .14

65 years and older.......................................... 3,006 12.21 .11 1,597 11.84 .11

Race and Hispanic or

Latino Ethnicity

White..................................................................... 59,180 13.04 .03 29,490 12.08 .03

Black or African American..................................... 10,049 11.84 .05 5,527 11.23 .10

Asian..................................................................... 3,403 13.23 .30 1,835 12.75 .25

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.................................... 14,404 11.12 .06 6,290 10.21 .04

Marital Status

Never married....................................................... 27,453 10.16 .02 13,060 9.92 .02

Married, spouse present........................................ 34,926 14.99 .03 17,307 13.81 .07

Other marital status............................................... 12,896 13.28 .10 7,796 12.43 .10

Divorced 8 131 14 25 12 4 807 13 23 14

Both sexes Women

Characteristic

Divorced............................................................. 8,131 14.25 .12 4,807 13.23 .14

Separated.......................................................... 3,308 11.87 .08 1,848 11.02 .13

Widowed............................................................ 1,457 12.05 .17 1,142 11.62 .31

Union Affiliation1

Members of unions2....................................... 8,570 18.92 .14 3,328 16.47 .24

Represented by unions3

.................................... 9,432 18.52 .18 3,765 16.12 .15

Not represented by a union................................... 65,844 12.14 .02 34,398 11.73 .05

Educational Attainment

Total, 25 years and older....................................... 60,367 14.25 .05 30,708 13.17 .05

Less than a high school diploma........................ 6,899 10.34 .08 2,693 9.31 .09

High school graduates, no college..................... 21,418 13.58 .08 9,862 11.97 .04

Some college or associate's degree................... 19,878 14.86 .04 10,891 13.78 .08

Bachelor's degree and higher............................. 12,172 18.88 .18 7,262 18.18 .18

See footnotes at end of table.
46 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 8. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates,

by selected characteristics, 2012 annual averages (continued) 

Men

Number of 

workers 

(in 

thousands)

Median 

hourly 

earnings

Standard 

error of 

median

Age

Total, 16 years and older....................................... 37,113 $13.88 $0.04 86.4

16 to 24 years.................................................... 7,454 9.44 .07 93.0

16 to 19 years................................................. 1,922 8.19 .03 97.9

20 to 24 years................................................. 5,532 9.97 .03 92.0

25 years and older............................................. 29,659 15.17 .03 86.8

25 to 34 years................................................. 9,078 13.28 .11 91.5

35 to 44 years................................................. 7,140 16.05 .10 83.9

45 to 54 years................................................. 7,135 16.99 .11 81.2

55 to 64 years................................................. 4,897 17.28 .18 83.1

65 years and older.......................................... 1,409 13.03 .17 90.9

Race and Hispanic or

Latino Ethnicity

White..................................................................... 29,691 14.17 .06 85.3

Black or African American..................................... 4,522 12.20 .08 92.0

Asian..................................................................... 1,568 14.15 .42 90.1

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.................................... 8,114 11.96 .05 85.4

Marital Status

Never married....................................................... 14,394 10.75 .07 92.3

Married, spouse present........................................ 17,620 16.24 .10 85.0

Other marital status............................................... 5,100 14.88 .07 83.5

Divorced 3 325 15 32 20 86 4

Characteristic

Women's 

earnings as 

a percent of 

men's

Divorced............................................................. 3,325 15.32 .20 86.4

Separated.......................................................... 1,461 12.89 .22 85.5

Widowed............................................................ 315 14.12 .36 82.3

Union Affiliation1

Members of unions2....................................... 5,242 20.20 .18 81.5

Represented by unions3

.................................... 5,667 20.08 .08 80.3

Not represented by a union................................... 31,446 12.93 .04 90.7

Educational Attainment

Total, 25 years and older....................................... 29,659 15.17 .03 86.8

Less than a high school diploma........................ 4,207 11.83 .06 78.7

High school graduates, no college..................... 11,556 15.09 .04 79.3

Some college or associate's degree................... 8,987 16.15 .12 85.3

Bachelor's degree and higher............................. 4,910 19.87 .11 91.5

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 male 

and female employees by occupation, industry, firm size, and geographic region.

2 Data refer to members of a labor union or an employee association similar to a union.

3 Data refer to workers who report no union affiliation but whose jobs are covered by a union or an 

employee association contract, as well as to members of a labor union or an employee association 

similar to a union. 

Note: Workers paid hourly rates represented 59 percent of all wage and salary workers in 2012. 

Estimates for the race groups listed (White, Black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals 

because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or 

Latino may be of any race.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 47

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 9. Distribution of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by hourly earnings and 

selected characteristics, 2012 annual averages

(In thousands)

Number of workers by hourly earnings

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 and Sex

Total, 16 years and older............ 75,276 1,225 5,300 14,030 11,706 12,888 13,469 16,659

16 to 24 years.......................... 14,909 560 2,883 5,411 2,840 1,841 944 429

16 to 19 years...................... 4,044 162 1,450 1,657 499 178 67 31

20 to 24 years...................... 10,865 397 1,433 3,755 2,341 1,662 878 398

25 years and older................... 60,367 665 2,417 8,619 8,866 11,047 12,524 16,230

25 to 34 years...................... 17,167 320 822 3,087 2,904 3,449 3,381 3,204

35 to 44 years...................... 14,383 145 545 1,914 1,925 2,586 3,048 4,219

45 to 54 years...................... 15,169 133 539 1,811 2,012 2,707 3,290 4,677

55 to 64 years...................... 10,642 42 348 1,282 1,370 1,769 2,298 3,534

65 years and older................ 3,006 26 163 524 654 536 508 596

Women, 16 years and older........ 38,163 860 3,215 7,975 6,358 6,545 6,269 6,940

16 to 24 years.......................... 7,455 396 1,646 2,823 1,340 756 343 152

16 to 19 years...................... 2,122 108 797 885 230 67 27 7

20 to 24 years...................... 5,333 288 849 1,938 1,110 689 315 145

25 years and older................... 30,708 464 1,569 5,152 5,018 5,789 5,927 6,788

25 to 34 years...................... 8,090 228 491 1,615 1,389 1,573 1,405 1,388

35 to 44 years...................... 7,243 100 377 1,210 1,089 1,352 1,412 1,703

45 to 54 years...................... 8,034 89 377 1,184 1,284 1,547 1,661 1,891

55 to 64 years...................... 5,745 30 224 832 891 1,027 1,213 1,527

Characteristic Total 

employed

55 to 64 years...................... 5,745 30 224 832 891 1,027 1,213 1,527

65 years and older................ 1,597 17 100 310 365 291 235 278

Men, 16 years and older............. 37,113 364 2,084 6,055 5,347 6,343 7,199 9,719

16 to 24 years.......................... 7,454 164 1,237 2,588 1,500 1,085 602 278

16 to 19 years...................... 1,922 53 653 772 268 112 39 24

20 to 24 years...................... 5,532 110 584 1,817 1,231 974 563 253

25 years and older................... 29,659 201 847 3,467 3,847 5,258 6,597 9,442

25 to 34 years...................... 9,078 92 331 1,472 1,515 1,877 1,976 1,815

35 to 44 years...................... 7,140 46 168 704 836 1,234 1,636 2,516

45 to 54 years...................... 7,135 44 162 627 728 1,160 1,629 2,786

55 to 64 years...................... 4,897 12 123 450 479 742 1,084 2,006

65 years and older................ 1,409 9 63 214 289 245 272 318

See note at end of table.
48 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 9. Distribution of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, by hourly earnings and 

selected characteristics, 2012 annual averages (continued)

(In thousands)

Number of workers by hourly earnings

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

Race, Hispanic or

 Latino Ethnicity, 

and Sex

White....................................... 59,180 1,030 3,957 10,766 8,809 10,003 10,902 13,714

Women................................. 29,490 729 2,389 6,084 4,755 5,026 4,945 5,562

Men...................................... 29,691 302 1,568 4,682 4,053 4,977 5,956 8,153

Black or African American....... 10,049 122 961 2,037 1,882 1,921 1,571 1,555

Women................................. 5,527 79 605 1,206 1,070 998 838 731

Men...................................... 4,522 43 356 830 813 923 734 824

Asian....................................... 3,403 34 166 619 546 535 583 920

Women................................. 1,835 26 99 348 312 309 291 450

Men...................................... 1,568 9 67 271 234 225 293 470

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity...... 14,404 208 1,054 3,770 2,605 2,570 2,267 1,931

Women................................. 6,290 126 621 1,876 1,152 1,080 827 607

Men...................................... 8,114 81 433 1,893 1,453 1,490 1,440 1,324

Characteristic Total 

employed

Note: Workers paid hourly rates represented 59 percent of all wage and salary workers in 2012. Estimates for the race 

groups listed (White, Black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all 

races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 49

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

federal minimum wage, by selected characteristics, 2012 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total at or below 

prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

Percent of 

workers 

paid hourly 

rates

Age and Sex

Total, 16 years and older.............................................. 75,276 1,984 1,566 3,550 4.7

16 to 24 years............................................................ 14,909 935 862 1,797 12.1

16 to 19 years........................................................ 4,044 370 484 854 21.1

20 to 24 years........................................................ 10,865 565 377 942 8.7

25 years and older..................................................... 60,367 1,049 704 1,753 2.9

25 to 34 years........................................................ 17,167 477 243 720 4.2

35 to 44 years........................................................ 14,383 234 154 388 2.7

45 to 54 years........................................................ 15,169 204 164 368 2.4

55 to 64 years........................................................ 10,642 90 100 190 1.8

65 years and older................................................. 3,006 44 44 88 2.9

Women, 16 years and older......................................... 38,163 1,288 999 2,287 6.0

16 to 24 years............................................................ 7,455 595 529 1,124 15.1

16 to 19 years........................................................ 2,122 211 278 489 23.0

At prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

Characteristic

Total

Below 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

y ,

20 to 24 years........................................................ 5,333 384 251 635 11.9

25 years and older..................................................... 30,708 693 470 1,163 3.8

25 to 34 years........................................................ 8,090 311 156 467 5.8

35 to 44 years........................................................ 7,243 159 109 268 3.7

45 to 54 years........................................................ 8,034 140 114 254 3.2

55 to 64 years........................................................ 5,745 57 67 124 2.2

65 years and older................................................. 1,597 26 24 50 3.1

Men, 16 years and older............................................... 37,113 696 567 1,263 3.4

16 to 24 years............................................................ 7,454 340 333 673 9.0

16 to 19 years........................................................ 1,922 159 207 366 19.0

20 to 24 years........................................................ 5,532 181 126 307 5.5

25 years and older..................................................... 29,659 356 235 591 2.0

25 to 34 years........................................................ 9,078 166 86 252 2.8

35 to 44 years........................................................ 7,140 75 45 120 1.7

45 to 54 years........................................................ 7,135 64 50 114 1.6

55 to 64 years........................................................ 4,897 33 34 67 1.4

65 years and older................................................. 1,409 17 20 37 2.6

See note at end of table.
50 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

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

federal minimum wage, by selected characteristics, 2012 annual averages (continued)

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total at or below 

prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

Percent of 

workers 

paid hourly 

rates

Race and Hispanic or

Latino Ethnicity

White......................................................................... 59,180 1,575 1,185 2,760 4.7

Women................................................................... 29,490 1,035 741 1,776 6.0

Men........................................................................ 29,691 540 444 984 3.3

Black or African American......................................... 10,049 256 277 533 5.3

Women................................................................... 5,527 157 193 350 6.3

Men........................................................................ 4,522 98 85 183 4.0

Asian.......................................................................... 3,403 69 48 117 3.4

Women................................................................... 1,835 46 32 78 4.3

Men........................................................................ 1,568 23 16 39 2.5

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity....................................... 14,404 381 337 718 5.0

Women 6 290 213 210 423 6 7

At prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

Characteristic

Total

Below 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

Women................................................................... 6,290 213 210 423 6.7

Men........................................................................ 8,114 168 127 295 3.6

Full- and Part-time Status and Sex1

Full-time workers....................................................... 54,745 760 501 1,261 2.3

Women................................................................... 24,693 466 304 770 3.1

Men........................................................................ 30,052 294 197 491 1.6

Part-time workers...................................................... 20,411 1,223 1,063 2,286 11.2

Women................................................................... 13,413 820 693 1,513 11.3

Men........................................................................ 6,998 402 370 772 11.0

1 The distinction between full-time and part-time workers is based on hours usually worked. These data do not sum to 

totals because full-time or part-time status on the principal or main job is not identifiable for a small number of multiple 

jobholders.

Note: The prevailing federal minimum wage was $7.25 in 2012. See the technical notes section for more information 

about minimum wage workers. Estimates for the race groups listed (White, Black or African American, and Asian) do 

not sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or 

Latino may be of any race. 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 51

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 11. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing 

federal minimum wage, by sex, 1979–2012 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total at or below 

prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

Percent of 

workers paid 

hourly rates

Both Sexes

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

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 1

2,132 11,096 13,228 15.1

1991................................. 103,723 62,627 60.4 1

2,377 12,906 15,283 18.4

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

Year and sex

Total wage 

and salary 

workers

Total 

workers 

paid hourly 

rates

Percent of 

total wage 

and salary 

workers

Below 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

At 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

, , , , ,

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

1996................................. 111,960 69,255 61.9 1

1,863 11,861 13,724 15.4

1997................................. 114,533 70,735 61.8 1

2,990 11,764 14,754 16.7

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

1,462 1267 11,729 12.3

2008................................. 129,377 75,305 58.2 1

1,940 1286 12,226 13.0

2009................................. 124,490 72,611 58.3 1

2,592 1980 13,572 14.9

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

See footnote at end of table.
52 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 11. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing 

federal minimum wage, by sex, 1979–2012 annual averages (continued)

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total at or below 

prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

Percent of 

workers paid 

hourly rates

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

1,420 1711 12,131 16.9

1991................................. 49,105 30,988 63.1 1

1,582 11,792 13,374 110.9

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

Year and sex

Total wage 

and salary 

workers

Total 

workers 

paid hourly 

rates

Percent of 

total wage 

and salary 

workers

Below 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

At 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

, , , , ,

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

1996................................. 53,488 34,418 64.3 1

1,244 11,106 12,350 16.8

1997................................. 54,708 35,214 64.4 1

1,843 11,092 12,935 18.3

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

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

1,002 1181 11,183 13.1

2008................................. 62,532 37,972 60.7 1

1,302 1196 11,498 13.9

2009................................. 60,951 37,426 61.4 1

1,603 1612 12,215 15.9

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

See footnote at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 53

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 11. Wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing 

federal minimum wage, by sex, 1979–2012 annual averages (continued)

(Numbers in thousands)

Workers paid hourly rates

Total at or below 

prevailing federal 

minimum wage

Number

Percent of 

workers paid 

hourly rates

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 1

712 1385 11,097 13.4

1991................................. 54,618 31,639 57.9 1

795 11,114 11,909 16.0

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

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

Year and sex

Total wage 

and salary 

workers

Total 

workers 

paid hourly 

rates

Percent of 

total wage 

and salary 

workers

Below 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

At 

prevailing 

federal 

minimum 

wage

, , ,

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

1996................................. 58,473 34,838 59.6 1

619 1755 11,374 13.9

1997................................. 59,825 35,521 59.4 1

1,147 1673 11,820 15.1

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 1

460 186 1546 11.4

2008................................. 66,846 37,334 55.9 1

638 190 1728 11.9

2009................................. 63,539 35,185 55.4 1

990 1368 11,358 13.9

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

1 Data for 1990–1991, 1996–1997, and 2007–2009 reflect changes in the minimum wage that took place in those 

years.

Note: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other 

changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at 

www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp. The prevailing federal minimum wage was $2.90 in 1979, $3.10 in 

1980, and $3.35 in 1981–1989. The minimum wage rose to $3.80 in April 1990, to $4.25 in April 1991, to $4.75 in 

October 1996, to $5.15 in September 1997, to $5.85 in July 2007, to $6.55 in July 2008, and to $7.25 in July 2009. See 

the technical notes section for more information about minimum wage workers. 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 
54 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 12. Women's earnings as a percent of men's, by age, for full-time wage and salary workers, 

1979–2012

25 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

Year

Total, 

16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years

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

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

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

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 currentdollar median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers in table 22. 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 55

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 13. Women's earnings as a percent of men's, by race and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity, for full-time wage and salary workers, 1979–2012

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

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

Year

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

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

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. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. As of 2003, estimates for 

the race groups listed (White, Black or African American, and Asian) include persons who selected that race 

group only; persons who selected more than one race group are not included. Prior to 2003, persons who 

reported more than one race were included in the group they identified as the main race. Asian data for 2000–

2002 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians constitute a separate category. Data for Asians 

were not tabulated prior to 2000. 

Dash indicates data not available. 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
56 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 14. Women's earnings as a percent of men's, by educational attainment, for full-time 

wage and salary workers 25 years and older, 1979–2012

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

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

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

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

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 caculated 

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.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 57

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 15. Women's earnings as a percent of men's, by age, for wage and salary workers paid hourly 

rates, 1979–2012

25 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

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

16 to 24 years

Year

Total, 

16 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

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

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. 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
58 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 16. Women's earnings as a percent of men's, by race and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity, for wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, 1979–2012

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

Year

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

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

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

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. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. As of 2003, 

estimates for the race groups listed (White, Black or African American, and Asian) include persons who 

selected that race group only; persons who selected more than one race group are not included. Prior to 

2003, persons who reported more than one race were included in the group they identified as the main race. 

Asian data for 2000–2002 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians constitute a separate 

category. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. 

Dash indicates data not available. 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 59

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 17. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in constant (2012) dollars,

by sex and age, 1979–2012 annual averages

25 years and older

Both Sexes

1979.................. $711 $507 $425 $549 $782 $752 $826 $814 $773 $584

1980.................. 695 496 408 531 759 732 801 790 756 538

1981.................. 688 484 390 516 746 717 789 775 748 538

1982.................. 689 475 374 502 747 710 808 788 742 578

1983.................. 686 463 360 489 752 704 811 805 759 572

1984.................. 686 457 356 486 762 705 819 811 771 573

1985.................. 701 456 354 489 772 711 827 815 776 605

1986.................. 718 464 356 496 782 720 838 832 794 596

1987.................. 723 470 360 501 779 721 841 830 783 600

1988.................. 718 465 366 496 772 715 840 845 782 603

1989.................. 714 463 365 494 764 705 844 844 771 597

1990.................. 702 458 356 486 765 693 828 833 779 584

1991.................. 701 456 350 479 768 683 819 834 771 627

1992.................. 705 442 340 465 768 676 806 837 774 606

1993.................. 718 441 335 465 768 682 809 848 770 615

1994.................. 715 438 338 459 766 672 822 867 767 588

1995.................. 717 437 346 458 763 675 823 871 769 582

1996.................. 714 434 350 455 758 675 815 866 780 560

1997.................. 718 437 359 458 770 686 826 866 796 561

1998.................. 736 449 377 477 805 706 840 872 833 570

1999 756 470 387 500 815 713 842 898 832 556

16 to 24 years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 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.................. 756 470 387 500 815 713 842 898 832 556

2000.................. 768 481 396 511 812 732 833 892 827 617

2001.................. 773 486 396 511 817 747 852 899 827 633

2002.................. 776 486 389 509 824 754 852 901 860 640

2003.................. 774 483 388 502 826 742 858 903 884 644

2004.................. 775 474 375 493 830 734 866 903 881 680

2005.................. 766 467 374 484 819 718 860 880 873 669

2006.................. 764 466 369 482 818 707 852 880 871 664

2007.................. 770 470 373 498 817 712 852 875 889 670

2008.................. 770 472 372 498 811 710 857 876 880 687

2009.................. 791 473 368 497 829 726 875 897 900 732

2010.................. 786 455 365 478 823 718 867 888 905 720

2011.................. 771 449 359 466 813 707 854 884 899 757

2012.................. 768 444 356 464 815 707 858 878 897 757

See note at end of table.
60 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 17. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in constant (2012) dollars,

by sex and age, 1979–2012 annual averages (continued)

25 years and older

Women

1979.................. $537 $454 $389 $475 $575 $587 $578 $566 $558 $501

1980.................. 533 443 385 464 565 578 568 554 544 464

1981.................. 530 436 373 462 564 579 576 545 538 458

1982.................. 546 438 361 459 582 589 589 575 559 482

1983.................. 553 434 346 454 588 596 596 579 564 465

1984.................. 558 427 341 448 596 600 615 587 568 461

1985.................. 564 430 338 450 603 603 625 595 580 493

1986.................. 582 438 340 462 616 612 638 616 592 512

1987.................. 586 439 333 468 621 611 652 627 596 505

1988.................. 588 438 343 468 625 610 660 632 591 522

1989.................. 587 440 352 465 628 608 662 639 596 522

1990.................. 589 433 337 458 629 606 664 642 593 511

1991.................. 602 438 337 461 637 610 669 655 597 525

1992.................. 609 428 329 449 641 612 670 668 603 526

1993.................. 615 427 321 452 649 618 681 689 618 524

1994.................. 611 423 323 444 645 608 686 689 609 515

1995.................. 608 412 322 436 641 603 678 695 603 528

1996.................. 609 414 325 434 647 605 675 701 612 487

1997.................. 615 417 342 437 659 609 688 706 618 496

1998.................. 641 429 350 449 682 634 700 726 669 492

1999 652 446 366 472 685 647 693 736 678 510

16 to 24 years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 25 to 34 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

35 to 44 

years

1999.................. 652 446 366 472 685 647 693 736 678 510

2000.................. 657 459 377 488 688 657 695 752 677 523

2001.................. 664 458 374 486 704 664 709 761 695 506

2002.................. 675 468 376 491 724 676 728 768 732 548

2003.................. 689 463 373 483 729 682 737 760 750 543

2004.................. 696 456 356 475 728 682 739 759 747 581

2005.................. 688 448 358 466 720 674 731 758 752 579

2006.................. 683 450 347 470 714 664 735 751 749 581

2007.................. 680 453 352 472 715 661 740 750 752 591

2008.................. 680 448 343 474 714 664 727 754 758 600

2009.................. 703 454 346 476 736 679 759 762 778 645

2010.................. 704 444 354 462 741 682 769 768 775 633

2011.................. 698 430 335 447 733 676 749 759 764 678

2012.................. 691 416 330 429 727 666 747 746 766 667

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 61

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 17. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in constant (2012) dollars,

by sex and age, 1979–2012 annual averages (continued)

25 years and older

Men

1979.................. $861 $578 $457 $622 $926 $870 $991 $997 $920 $646

1980.................. 830 552 430 594 899 833 973 973 915 607

1981.................. 823 528 407 574 901 823 961 959 913 644

1982.................. 831 514 388 557 897 817 963 957 911 685

1983.................. 831 489 368 531 893 814 969 974 912 675

1984.................. 825 486 366 526 888 804 992 989 924 691

1985.................. 829 491 373 525 902 802 992 996 951 747

1986.................. 838 492 372 528 926 804 998 1,012 968 716

1987.................. 839 497 379 532 923 797 986 1,006 957 735

1988.................. 838 489 382 521 909 785 965 1,024 950 737

1989.................. 837 485 374 519 894 776 970 1,018 932 703

1990.................. 819 480 371 508 872 765 954 1,007 930 687

1991.................. 811 469 360 493 860 753 947 1,007 926 768

1992.................. 803 455 349 476 859 747 931 1,016 928 675

1993.................. 798 451 346 474 869 745 933 1,022 917 706

1994.................. 799 450 349 470 882 734 945 1,028 923 675

1995.................. 805 454 365 472 880 734 934 1,025 933 660

1996.................. 812 448 366 468 873 727 921 1,017 937 695

1997.................. 826 452 374 482 877 735 929 1,017 954 645

1998.................. 841 470 395 502 899 765 952 1,030 983 678

1999 851 490 401 522 920 795 967 1 051 999 647

16 to 24 years

25 to 34 

years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

1999.................. 851 490 401 522 920 795 967 1,051 999 647

2000.................. 855 500 408 527 924 797 971 1,028 980 696

2001.................. 869 507 414 529 934 800 978 1,036 986 733

2002.................. 866 499 398 523 934 800 968 1,029 1,023 744

2003.................. 868 497 401 514 929 784 968 1,041 1,032 764

2004.................. 866 486 386 507 926 776 977 1,041 1,024 779

2005.................. 849 481 388 496 907 758 967 1,004 1,006 758

2006.................. 846 476 396 495 908 753 952 1,022 1,027 749

2007.................. 848 491 395 523 911 761 967 1,007 1,033 760

2008.................. 851 491 393 513 914 751 975 1,006 1,005 803

2009.................. 877 490 381 513 935 766 981 1,035 1,033 847

2010.................. 867 466 374 493 920 752 963 1,004 1,031 836

2011.................. 849 464 378 480 904 732 954 999 1,017 838

2012.................. 854 468 373 482 910 738 957 994 1,005 860

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 dollars. See the technical notes section.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
62 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in 

constant (2012) dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2012 

annual averages 

Both Sexes

1979.......................................... $711 $732 $587 – $572

1980.......................................... 695 714 562 – 554

1981.......................................... 688 705 569 – 540

1982.......................................... 689 708 559 – 548

1983.......................................... 686 702 572 – 548

1984.......................................... 686 707 566 – 545

1985.......................................... 701 725 564 – 550

1986........................................... 718 742 582 – 554

1987.......................................... 723 743 582 – 551

1988.......................................... 718 737 586 – 541

1989.......................................... 714 732 571 – 533

1990.......................................... 702 722 560 – 518

1991.......................................... 701 727 572 – 513

1992.......................................... 705 734 572 – 514

1993.......................................... 718 743 577 – 518

1994.......................................... 715 741 568 – 496

1995.......................................... 717 740 573 – 493

1996.......................................... 714 738 564 – 494

1997.......................................... 718 740 571 – 501

1998 736 767 599 520

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1998.......................................... 736 767 599 – 520

1999.......................................... 756 789 613 – 530

2000.......................................... 768 787 632 $820 532

2001.......................................... 773 791 637 829 541

2002.......................................... 776 795 635 839 541

2003.......................................... 774 794 642 865 549

2004.......................................... 775 798 638 860 554

2005.......................................... 766 791 612 886 554

2006.......................................... 764 786 631 893 554

2007.......................................... 770 793 630 919 557

2008.......................................... 770 791 628 918 564

2009.......................................... 791 810 643 942 579

2010.......................................... 786 805 643 900 563

2011.......................................... 771 791 628 884 560

2012.......................................... 768 792 621 920 568

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 63

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in 

constant (2012) dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2012 

annual averages (continued)

Women

1979.......................................... $537 $543 $499 – $463

1980.......................................... 533 538 491 – 456

1981.......................................... 530 535 499 – 460

1982.......................................... 546 553 495 – 463

1983.......................................... 553 557 509 – 471

1984.......................................... 558 564 507 – 469

1985.......................................... 564 572 513 – 468

1986........................................... 582 588 528 – 482

1987.......................................... 586 594 534 – 485

1988.......................................... 588 593 537 – 485

1989.......................................... 587 597 538 – 481

1990.......................................... 589 601 525 – 474

1991.......................................... 602 613 531 – 480

1992.......................................... 609 620 537 – 484

1993.......................................... 615 628 545 – 490

1994.......................................... 611 625 530 – 467

1995.......................................... 608 621 531 – 457

1996.......................................... 609 624 528 – 461

1997.......................................... 615 633 535 – 454

1998 641 658 563 474

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1998.......................................... 641 658 563 – 474

1999.......................................... 652 665 563 – 479

2000.......................................... 657 669 572 $729 488

2001.......................................... 664 677 589 730 503

2002.......................................... 675 698 603 722 506

2003.......................................... 689 708 613 747 512

2004.......................................... 696 710 614 745 509

2005.......................................... 688 701 587 782 505

2006.......................................... 683 694 591 796 501

2007.......................................... 680 693 590 810 524

2008.......................................... 680 697 591 803 534

2009.......................................... 703 716 623 834 545

2010.......................................... 704 720 623 814 535

2011.......................................... 698 717 607 766 529

2012.......................................... 691 710 599 770 521

See note at end of table.
64 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 18. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in 

constant (2012) dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2012 

annual averages (continued)

Men

1979.......................................... $861 $879 $670 – $646

1980.......................................... 830 849 647 – 621

1981.......................................... 823 847 649 – 608

1982.......................................... 831 856 635 – 614

1983.......................................... 831 849 645 – 601

1984.......................................... 825 844 638 – 604

1985.......................................... 829 851 621 – 603

1986........................................... 838 866 638 – 598

1987.......................................... 839 870 632 – 592

1988.......................................... 838 868 649 – 575

1989.......................................... 837 862 623 – 564

1990.......................................... 819 842 615 – 542

1991.......................................... 811 832 617 – 531

1992.......................................... 803 824 609 – 543

1993.......................................... 798 820 613 – 541

1994.......................................... 799 838 613 – 525

1995.......................................... 805 847 615 – 524

1996.......................................... 812 845 601 – 519

1997.......................................... 826 849 616 – 529

1998 841 865 658 549

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1998.......................................... 841 865 658 – 549

1999.......................................... 851 879 672 – 559

2000.......................................... 855 883 680 $913 556

2001.......................................... 869 894 686 949 571

2002.......................................... 866 895 668 964 575

2003.......................................... 868 893 693 964 579

2004.......................................... 866 889 691 974 583

2005.......................................... 849 874 658 971 575

2006.......................................... 846 867 673 1,005 575

2007.......................................... 848 873 664 1,037 576

2008.......................................... 851 880 661 1,030 596

2009.......................................... 877 905 665 1,019 609

2010.......................................... 867 895 666 985 589

2011.......................................... 849 873 666 990 583

2012.......................................... 854 879 665 1,055 592

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. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino 

may be of any race. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups listed (White, Black or African American, and 

Asian) include persons who selected that race group only; persons who selected more than one race group 

are not included. Prior to 2003, persons who reported more than one race were included in the group they 

identified as the main race. Asian data for 2000–2002 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians 

constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. The Consumer Price Index 

research series using current methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert current dollars to constant dollars. See 

the technical notes section. 

Dash indicates data not available.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 65

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 19. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and 

older, in constant (2012) dollars, by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2012 annual 

averages 

Both Sexes

1979.......................................... $782 $619 $735 $832 $1,015

1980.......................................... 759 589 706 806 997

1981.......................................... 746 581 692 785 985

1982.......................................... 747 566 689 801 1,000

1983.......................................... 752 561 682 796 1,011

1984.......................................... 762 554 680 804 1,023

1985.......................................... 772 550 678 813 1,031

1986......................................... 782 556 688 818 1,050

1987.......................................... 779 549 689 814 1,091

1988.......................................... 772 537 687 802 1,091

1989.......................................... 764 531 671 809 1,089

1990.......................................... 765 516 658 811 1,087

1991.......................................... 768 505 653 804 1,095

1992.......................................... 768 498 646 776 1,115

1993.......................................... 768 491 649 773 1,119

1994.......................................... 766 470 645 764 1,123

1995.......................................... 763 463 647 760 1,118

1996.......................................... 758 462 646 755 1,105

1997 770 458 658 763 1 111

Year and sex

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

1997.......................................... 770 458 658 763 1,111

1998.......................................... 805 474 674 785 1,155

1999.......................................... 815 477 675 799 1,185

2000.......................................... 812 483 673 795 1,188

2001.......................................... 817 495 674 800 1,195

2002.......................................... 824 495 682 802 1,200

2003.......................................... 826 494 692 798 1,203

2004.......................................... 830 487 697 803 1,198

2005.......................................... 819 481 686 788 1,192

2006.......................................... 818 477 678 788 1,183

2007.......................................... 817 474 669 780 1,187

2008.......................................... 811 483 659 770 1,189

2009.......................................... 829 486 670 777 1,217

2010.......................................... 823 467 659 773 1,204

2011.......................................... 813 460 651 754 1,173

2012.......................................... 815 471 652 749 1,165

See note at end of table.
66 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 19. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and 

older, in constant (2012) dollars, by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2012 annual 

averages (continued)

Women

1979.......................................... $575 $448 $546 $622 $779

1980.......................................... 565 435 533 613 769

1981.......................................... 564 424 525 617 770

1982.......................................... 582 420 539 626 790

1983.......................................... 588 428 539 632 809

1984.......................................... 596 421 545 642 821

1985.......................................... 603 411 546 646 843

1986......................................... 616 416 554 660 872

1987.......................................... 621 414 557 671 901

1988.......................................... 625 412 556 672 905

1989.......................................... 628 413 544 678 907

1990.......................................... 629 409 537 673 911

1991.......................................... 637 411 539 673 924

1992.......................................... 641 410 540 652 952

1993.......................................... 649 412 543 660 956

1994.......................................... 645 394 538 648 971

1995.......................................... 641 392 533 639 964

1996.......................................... 647 391 532 644 958

1997 659 392 539 655 959

Year and sex

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

1997.......................................... 659 392 539 655 959

1998.......................................... 682 398 557 669 994

1999.......................................... 685 399 558 672 1,019

2000.......................................... 688 405 560 673 1,008

2001.......................................... 704 410 575 674 1,019

2002.......................................... 724 415 584 693 1,032

2003.......................................... 729 411 592 699 1,039

2004.......................................... 728 406 593 701 1,045

2005.......................................... 720 401 580 691 1,039

2006.......................................... 714 408 569 686 1,031

2007.......................................... 715 409 567 674 1,032

2008.......................................... 714 403 554 670 1,018

2009.......................................... 736 409 580 675 1,039

2010.......................................... 741 408 572 672 1,038

2011.......................................... 733 403 565 658 1,018

2012.......................................... 727 386 561 659 1,001

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 67

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 19. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and 

older, in constant (2012) dollars, by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2012 annual 

averages (continued)

Men

1979.......................................... $926 $743 $909 $971 $1,168

1980.......................................... 899 708 867 950 1,133

1981.......................................... 901 692 862 942 1,150

1982.......................................... 897 669 854 938 1,148

1983.......................................... 893 660 851 925 1,136

1984.......................................... 888 648 840 939 1,183

1985.......................................... 902 640 829 961 1,202

1986......................................... 926 642 832 970 1,236

1987.......................................... 923 627 818 961 1,263

1988.......................................... 909 619 815 938 1,267

1989.......................................... 894 619 805 925 1,261

1990.......................................... 872 595 782 923 1,262

1991.......................................... 860 574 773 926 1,257

1992.......................................... 859 563 768 889 1,268

1993.......................................... 869 557 762 895 1,261

1994.......................................... 882 524 760 899 1,265

1995.......................................... 880 519 759 892 1,265

1996.......................................... 873 520 752 880 1,274

1997 877 521 763 886 1 278

Year and sex

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

1997.......................................... 877 521 763 886 1,278

1998.......................................... 899 539 786 904 1,321

1999.......................................... 920 544 799 916 1,346

2000.......................................... 924 541 788 921 1,360

2001.......................................... 934 543 790 938 1,384

2002.......................................... 934 537 787 932 1,390

2003.......................................... 929 536 784 924 1,412

2004.......................................... 926 542 784 925 1,389

2005.......................................... 907 535 767 901 1,373

2006.......................................... 908 534 772 907 1,372

2007.......................................... 911 533 763 897 1,377

2008.......................................... 914 530 756 885 1,370

2009.......................................... 935 535 767 894 1,421

2010.......................................... 920 512 747 889 1,400

2011.......................................... 904 498 735 857 1,359

2012.......................................... 910 508 735 857 1,371

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 dollars. See the technical notes section.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 
68 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 20. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in constant (2012) dollars, 

by sex and age, 1979–2012 annual averages

25 years and older

Both Sexes

1979.................. $13.10 $10.29 $9.14 $11.86 $15.07 $15.34 $15.60 $15.22 $14.66 $9.53

1980.................. 12.79 9.84 8.54 11.38 14.72 15.01 15.28 14.99 14.30 9.44

1981.................. 12.47 9.61 8.67 11.16 14.50 14.75 15.01 14.55 14.07 9.49

1982.................. 12.33 9.25 8.22 10.64 14.34 14.50 15.09 14.66 13.95 9.41

1983.................. 12.26 8.95 7.92 10.29 14.36 14.25 15.15 14.76 14.06 9.65

1984.................. 12.27 8.80 7.68 10.15 14.40 14.25 15.09 14.91 13.94 9.75

1985.................. 12.28 8.68 7.47 10.06 14.36 14.09 15.25 15.01 14.07 9.65

1986.................. 12.40 8.82 7.42 10.12 14.46 14.02 15.58 15.46 14.34 9.94

1987.................. 12.51 8.88 7.37 10.08 14.43 13.91 15.36 15.20 14.35 9.83

1988.................. 12.56 8.94 7.52 10.04 14.44 13.86 15.24 15.22 13.96 9.76

1989.................. 12.50 8.86 7.55 10.11 14.20 13.67 15.31 15.06 13.99 9.70

1990.................. 12.32 8.79 7.65 10.07 13.90 13.46 15.03 14.97 13.66 9.80

1991.................. 12.34 8.65 7.71 9.87 13.95 13.22 15.08 14.98 13.47 9.77

1992.................. 12.37 8.61 7.58 9.66 13.99 13.09 15.03 15.26 13.59 9.84

1993.................. 12.32 8.62 7.51 9.62 14.01 12.94 15.04 15.43 13.93 10.00

1994.................. 12.27 8.61 7.52 9.53 13.97 12.83 15.19 15.34 13.81 9.79

1995.................. 12.23 8.68 7.54 9.61 14.01 13.04 15.00 15.16 13.77 9.96

1996.................. 12.24 8.66 7.54 9.75 14.02 12.86 14.78 14.93 13.69 9.87

1997.................. 12.48 8.77 7.86 9.86 14.08 12.90 14.78 15.12 13.88 9.83

1998.................. 12.80 9.25 8.27 10.18 14.25 13.57 15.27 15.41 14.18 10.41

16 to 24 years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 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.................. 13.13 9.46 8.37 10.66 14.42 13.75 15.18 15.61 14.30 10.61

2000.................. 13.21 9.65 8.55 10.76 14.51 13.57 15.13 15.76 14.43 10.73

2001.................. 13.22 9.97 8.77 10.87 14.79 13.84 15.53 15.78 14.75 11.06

2002.................. 13.35 9.96 8.81 10.80 15.09 14.01 15.54 15.89 15.11 11.57

2003.................. 13.55 9.86 8.65 10.81 15.04 14.04 15.56 16.19 15.22 11.47

2004.................. 13.37 9.70 8.51 10.67 14.86 13.82 15.66 16.08 15.29 11.69

2005.................. 13.16 9.49 8.29 10.48 14.68 13.84 15.42 15.86 15.24 11.68

2006.................. 13.39 9.38 8.23 10.43 14.74 13.61 15.36 15.98 15.18 11.56

2007.................. 13.23 9.58 8.38 10.70 14.57 13.34 15.43 15.94 15.18 11.48

2008.................. 13.04 9.46 8.36 10.41 14.72 13.33 15.33 15.85 15.14 11.61

2009.................. 13.32 9.53 8.48 10.46 14.89 13.49 15.62 15.90 15.74 12.30

2010.................. 13.16 9.37 8.42 10.03 14.72 13.19 15.38 15.77 15.67 12.16

2011.................. 12.97 9.15 8.22 9.81 14.41 12.97 15.13 15.31 15.38 12.44

2012.................. 12.80 9.05 8.10 9.70 14.25 12.82 14.86 15.07 15.39 12.21

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 69

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 20. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in constant (2012) dollars, 

by sex and age, 1979–2012 annual averages (continued)

25 years and older

Women

1979.................. $10.68 $9.41 $8.94 $10.38 $11.50 $11.92 $11.71 $11.33 $11.06 $9.20

1980.................. 10.48 9.15 8.33 10.05 11.25 11.78 11.38 11.22 10.82 8.97

1981.................. 10.36 8.98 8.52 9.90 11.36 11.84 11.55 11.11 10.73 8.98

1982.................. 10.53 8.63 8.11 9.57 11.46 11.85 11.60 11.30 10.96 8.97

1983.................. 10.53 8.38 7.79 9.34 11.47 11.93 11.64 11.38 11.12 9.12

1984.................. 10.46 8.27 7.56 9.18 11.54 11.79 11.81 11.60 11.09 9.20

1985.................. 10.45 8.17 7.35 9.29 11.67 11.79 12.04 11.73 11.12 9.02

1986.................. 10.66 8.22 7.30 9.42 11.90 11.90 12.26 11.98 11.50 9.46

1987.................. 10.83 8.16 7.18 9.46 11.91 11.88 12.28 12.15 11.66 9.38

1988.................. 10.90 8.36 7.29 9.42 12.01 11.87 12.61 12.29 11.34 9.55

1989.................. 10.93 8.39 7.33 9.36 12.13 11.95 12.70 12.34 11.41 9.19

1990.................. 10.97 8.43 7.41 9.49 12.04 11.94 12.56 12.20 11.47 9.28

1991.................. 11.10 8.36 7.63 9.39 12.07 11.83 12.71 12.52 11.43 9.47

1992.................. 11.15 8.27 7.52 9.25 12.26 11.94 12.80 12.72 11.54 9.57

1993.................. 11.14 8.25 7.40 9.33 12.32 11.91 12.77 12.80 11.83 9.67

1994.................. 11.10 8.15 7.40 9.16 12.33 11.91 12.92 12.96 11.98 9.56

1995.................. 11.17 8.22 7.40 9.12 12.23 11.86 12.92 13.05 11.87 9.66

1996.................. 11.27 8.28 7.42 9.13 12.29 11.75 12.96 13.03 11.76 9.40

1997.................. 11.33 8.49 7.73 9.34 12.48 11.70 13.04 13.21 11.85 9.74

1998.................. 11.58 8.78 8.13 9.75 12.84 12.38 13.59 13.76 12.45 10.14

16 to 24 years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 25 to 34 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

35 to 44 

years

1999.................. 11.90 9.09 8.24 9.94 13.13 12.53 13.54 13.71 12.85 10.33

2000.................. 12.08 9.33 8.31 10.40 13.19 12.92 13.37 13.57 13.12 10.49

2001.................. 12.50 9.40 8.57 10.38 13.23 12.89 13.54 14.07 13.48 10.56

2002.................. 12.61 9.50 8.67 10.34 13.66 12.91 14.01 14.26 13.79 11.14

2003.................. 12.58 9.48 8.55 10.22 13.75 13.12 13.95 14.72 13.80 11.04

2004.................. 12.36 9.37 8.34 10.11 13.65 12.90 13.91 14.52 14.06 11.13

2005.................. 12.13 9.18 8.14 10.00 13.62 12.78 13.93 14.27 13.95 11.55

2006.................. 12.13 9.10 8.10 10.05 13.52 12.61 13.72 13.96 13.80 11.36

2007.................. 12.16 9.03 8.21 9.97 13.34 12.41 13.69 14.23 13.54 11.24

2008.................. 12.25 8.99 8.22 9.77 13.30 12.49 13.74 14.03 13.86 11.23

2009.................. 12.59 9.19 8.37 9.84 13.66 12.81 13.92 14.01 14.55 11.90

2010.................. 12.45 9.07 8.33 9.56 13.56 12.67 13.81 14.21 14.40 11.77

2011.................. 12.22 8.91 8.12 9.35 13.37 12.37 13.71 14.04 14.32 12.00

2012.................. 11.99 8.78 8.02 9.17 13.17 12.15 13.46 13.80 14.36 11.84

See note at end of table.
70 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 20. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in constant (2012) dollars, 

by sex and age, 1979–2012 annual averages (continued)

25 years and older

Men

1979.................. $16.67 $11.50 $9.41 $13.69 $19.73 $18.82 $21.00 $20.94 $19.44 $10.50

1980.................. 16.18 10.88 8.94 13.05 19.15 18.38 20.72 20.64 19.20 10.05

1981.................. 15.91 10.44 8.81 12.37 18.84 17.75 20.10 20.56 19.08 10.19

1982.................. 15.64 10.00 8.36 11.69 18.45 17.51 20.30 20.27 18.58 10.18

1983.................. 15.18 9.61 8.05 11.07 18.22 16.97 20.22 20.09 19.17 10.42

1984.................. 14.99 9.62 7.83 10.86 18.11 16.59 20.02 20.40 18.65 10.34

1985.................. 14.93 9.53 7.64 10.65 18.02 16.29 19.96 20.31 18.41 10.16

1986.................. 15.18 9.58 7.64 10.86 18.04 16.06 19.98 20.30 19.08 10.36

1987.................. 15.03 9.50 7.64 10.99 17.72 15.98 19.54 19.81 18.80 10.29

1988.................. 14.76 9.38 7.72 10.80 17.50 15.69 19.07 19.94 18.17 10.30

1989.................. 14.49 9.25 7.85 10.77 17.37 15.31 18.94 19.46 17.89 10.55

1990.................. 14.09 9.27 7.90 10.53 16.76 15.04 18.28 18.96 17.33 10.36

1991.................. 14.13 9.18 7.80 10.25 16.41 14.70 18.06 19.26 16.58 10.23

1992.................. 13.89 9.05 7.69 10.00 16.12 14.46 17.52 19.26 16.65 10.34

1993.................. 13.87 9.00 7.62 9.91 15.93 14.24 17.46 19.01 17.15 10.50

1994.................. 13.78 9.00 7.63 10.05 15.76 13.94 17.61 18.53 16.94 10.17

1995.................. 13.82 9.04 7.69 10.21 16.06 14.16 17.80 18.44 16.63 10.25

1996.................. 13.88 8.99 7.65 10.19 15.71 14.14 17.36 18.08 16.25 10.26

1997.................. 14.02 9.20 8.00 10.24 15.83 14.15 17.22 18.26 16.82 9.93

1998.................. 14.15 9.72 8.41 10.94 16.48 14.37 17.55 18.34 17.19 10.89

1999 14 20 9 81 8 51 11 06 16 53 14 93 17 60 18 84 16 82 10 83

16 to 24 years

25 to 34 

years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

1999.................. 14.20 9.81 8.51 11.06 16.53 14.93 17.60 18.84 16.82 10.83

2000.................. 14.41 10.17 8.85 11.19 16.32 14.63 17.52 18.53 17.08 11.08

2001.................. 14.68 10.39 8.95 11.57 16.71 15.02 18.05 18.48 16.80 11.67

2002.................. 14.85 10.27 8.95 11.33 16.65 15.17 17.81 18.37 17.07 12.47

2003.................. 14.84 10.16 8.76 11.24 16.54 14.99 17.64 18.64 17.59 12.22

2004.................. 14.61 9.98 8.69 11.02 16.70 14.62 17.74 18.36 17.67 12.03

2005.................. 14.31 9.91 8.48 10.82 16.36 14.32 17.51 17.80 17.40 11.81

2006.................. 14.44 10.01 8.46 11.10 16.25 14.38 17.15 18.27 17.13 12.21

2007.................. 14.34 10.11 8.60 11.03 16.33 14.21 16.80 17.88 17.11 12.19

2008.................. 14.35 9.85 8.51 10.66 16.02 14.36 17.08 17.93 16.95 12.26

2009.................. 14.73 9.87 8.62 10.70 16.13 14.13 17.24 18.19 17.23 12.85

2010.................. 14.48 9.69 8.52 10.42 15.83 13.79 16.66 17.78 17.32 12.55

2011.................. 14.08 9.42 8.33 10.10 15.42 13.45 16.36 17.22 17.42 13.11

2012.................. 13.88 9.44 8.19 9.97 15.17 13.28 16.05 16.99 17.28 13.03

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 dollars. See the technical notes section.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 71

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 21. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in

constant (2012) dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2012 

annual averages 

Both Sexes

1979.......................................... $13.10 $13.30 $12.12 – $12.04

1980.......................................... 12.79 12.94 11.78 – 11.78

1981.......................................... 12.47 12.54 11.86 – 11.65

1982.......................................... 12.33 12.49 11.55 – 11.44

1983.......................................... 12.26 12.41 11.29 – 11.16

1984.......................................... 12.27 12.42 11.28 – 11.09

1985.......................................... 12.28 12.42 11.20 – 11.14

1986........................................... 12.40 12.56 11.60 – 11.30

1987.......................................... 12.51 12.69 11.59 – 11.26

1988.......................................... 12.56 12.71 11.47 – 11.10

1989.......................................... 12.50 12.67 11.50 – 10.86

1990.......................................... 12.32 12.49 11.60 – 10.70

1991.......................................... 12.34 12.52 11.51 – 10.63

1992.......................................... 12.37 12.53 11.31 – 10.66

1993.......................................... 12.32 12.47 11.24 – 10.69

1994.......................................... 12.27 12.42 11.16 – 10.61

1995.......................................... 12.23 12.46 11.47 – 10.48

1996.......................................... 12.24 12.49 11.31 – 10.45

1997.......................................... 12.48 12.67 11.43 – 10.54

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1998.......................................... 12.80 12.97 11.80 – 11.14

1999.......................................... 13.13 13.42 12.19 – 11.12

2000.......................................... 13.21 13.28 12.45 $13.43 11.39

2001.......................................... 13.22 13.31 12.68 13.94 11.75

2002.......................................... 13.35 13.66 12.67 13.21 11.76

2003.......................................... 13.55 13.70 12.67 13.88 12.18

2004.......................................... 13.37 13.52 12.38 13.49 11.92

2005.......................................... 13.16 13.51 11.96 14.13 11.71

2006.......................................... 13.39 13.51 12.14 14.27 11.53

2007.......................................... 13.23 13.38 12.06 13.53 11.34

2008.......................................... 13.04 13.37 11.94 13.87 11.70

2009.......................................... 13.32 13.55 12.46 14.09 11.82

2010.......................................... 13.16 13.41 12.39 13.92 11.45

2011.......................................... 12.97 13.17 12.03 13.62 11.28

2012.......................................... 12.80 13.04 11.84 13.23 11.12

See note at end of table.
72 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 21. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in

constant (2012) dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2012 

annual averages (continued)

Women

1979.......................................... $10.68 $10.68 $10.47 – $10.15

1980.......................................... 10.48 10.50 10.29 – 10.03

1981.......................................... 10.36 10.36 10.15 – 9.93

1982.......................................... 10.53 10.53 10.25 – 9.89

1983.......................................... 10.53 10.55 10.35 – 9.69

1984.......................................... 10.46 10.48 10.25 – 9.79

1985.......................................... 10.45 10.47 10.26 – 9.82

1986........................................... 10.66 10.70 10.34 – 10.00

1987.......................................... 10.83 10.87 10.44 – 9.88

1988.......................................... 10.90 10.93 10.47 – 9.85

1989.......................................... 10.93 10.97 10.52 – 9.89

1990.......................................... 10.97 11.01 10.61 – 9.88

1991.......................................... 11.10 11.12 10.77 – 9.84

1992.......................................... 11.15 11.20 10.64 – 9.89

1993.......................................... 11.14 11.21 10.75 – 9.87

1994.......................................... 11.10 11.24 10.61 – 9.80

1995.......................................... 11.17 11.29 10.66 – 9.88

1996.......................................... 11.27 11.36 10.50 – 9.87

1997.......................................... 11.33 11.41 10.83 – 9.73

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1998.......................................... 11.58 11.72 11.11 – 10.15

1999.......................................... 11.90 12.02 11.20 – 10.28

2000.......................................... 12.08 12.12 11.81 $13.03 10.52

2001.......................................... 12.50 12.62 11.87 13.06 10.74

2002.......................................... 12.61 12.68 12.05 12.88 10.89

2003.......................................... 12.58 12.62 12.37 13.33 11.09

2004.......................................... 12.36 12.41 12.07 12.84 10.98

2005.......................................... 12.13 12.35 11.68 13.69 10.80

2006.......................................... 12.13 12.27 11.51 13.61 10.82

2007.......................................... 12.16 12.25 11.57 13.10 10.85

2008.......................................... 12.25 12.47 11.49 13.06 10.74

2009.......................................... 12.59 12.67 11.79 13.57 10.80

2010.......................................... 12.45 12.51 11.79 13.06 10.64

2011.......................................... 12.22 12.30 11.51 13.06 10.46

2012.......................................... 11.99 12.08 11.23 12.75 10.21

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 73

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 21. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in 

constant (2012) dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2012 

annual averages (continued)

Men

1979.......................................... $16.67 $17.08 $14.42 – $14.13

1980.......................................... 16.18 16.53 13.74 – 13.34

1981.......................................... 15.91 16.25 14.07 – 13.00

1982.......................................... 15.64 15.94 13.63 – 13.08

1983.......................................... 15.18 15.50 13.07 – 12.74

1984.......................................... 14.99 15.28 12.97 – 12.72

1985.......................................... 14.93 15.44 12.53 – 12.36

1986........................................... 15.18 15.56 13.14 – 12.38

1987.......................................... 15.03 15.34 13.04 – 12.32

1988.......................................... 14.76 15.04 12.95 – 12.15

1989.......................................... 14.49 14.81 12.65 – 11.91

1990.......................................... 14.09 14.57 12.56 – 11.48

1991.......................................... 14.13 14.51 12.45 – 11.32

1992.......................................... 13.89 14.25 12.21 – 11.20

1993.......................................... 13.87 14.19 12.00 – 11.14

1994.......................................... 13.78 14.10 12.13 – 10.98

1995.......................................... 13.82 14.40 12.22 – 10.87

1996.......................................... 13.88 14.27 11.92 – 11.11

1997.......................................... 14.02 14.21 12.37 – 11.27

1998 14 15 14 32 12 78 11 59

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1998.......................................... 14.15 14.32 12.78 – 11.59

1999.......................................... 14.20 14.61 13.46 – 11.86

2000.......................................... 14.41 14.60 13.31 $14.39 12.05

2001.......................................... 14.68 15.06 13.20 15.36 12.54

2002.......................................... 14.85 15.13 13.06 14.06 12.65

2003.......................................... 14.84 15.02 13.50 14.84 12.52

2004.......................................... 14.61 14.78 13.22 14.46 12.17

2005.......................................... 14.31 14.67 12.82 15.00 11.99

2006.......................................... 14.44 14.67 13.01 15.01 12.35

2007.......................................... 14.34 14.64 12.81 14.64 12.26

2008.......................................... 14.35 14.77 12.78 14.96 12.61

2009.......................................... 14.73 14.94 13.14 15.00 12.76

2010.......................................... 14.48 14.71 12.80 14.85 12.35

2011.......................................... 14.08 14.31 12.31 14.54 12.05

2012.......................................... 13.88 14.17 12.20 14.15 11.96

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. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino 

may be of any race. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups listed (White, Black or African American, and 

Asian) include persons who selected that race group only; persons who selected more than one race group 

are not included. Prior to 2003, persons who reported more than one race were included in the group they 

identified as the main race. Asian data for 2000–2002 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians 

constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. The Consumer Price Index 

research series using current methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert current dollars to constant dollars. See 

the technical notes section. 

Dash indicates data not available.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
74 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 22. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in current dollars, by sex 

and age, 1979–2012 annual averages

25 years and older

Both Sexes

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

Total 25 to 34 

years

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years

Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

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

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

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 75

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 22. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in current dollars, by sex 

and age, 1979–2012 annual averages (continued)

25 years and older

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

1998.................. 456 305 249 319 485 451 498 516 476 350

1999.................. 473 324 266 343 497 470 503 534 492 370

Total 25 to 34 

years

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years

Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

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

See note at end of table.
76 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 22. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in current dollars, by sex 

and age, 1979–2012 annual averages (continued)

25 years and older

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

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

Total 25 to 34 

years

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older

16 to 24 years

Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

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

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.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 77

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 23. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in current

dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2012 annual averages 

Both Sexes

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

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

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

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

See note at end of table.
78 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 23. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in current

dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2012 annual 

averages (continued)

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

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

1999.......................................... 473 483 409 – 348

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

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 79

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 23. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, in current

dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2012 annual 

averages (continued)

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

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

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

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

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. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino 

may be of any race. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups listed (White, Black or African American, and 

Asian) include persons who selected that race group only; persons who selected more than one race group 

are not included. Prior to 2003, persons who reported more than one race were included in the group they 

identified as the main race. Asian data for 2000–2002 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians 

constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. 

Dash indicates data not available.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
80 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 24. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and

older, in current dollars, by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2012 annual averages 

Both Sexes

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

Year and sex

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.......................................... 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

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

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 81

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 24. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and

older, in current dollars, by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2012 annual 

averages (continued)

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

Year and sex

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

1998.......................................... 485 283 396 476 707

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

See note at end of table.
82 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 24. Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and

older, in current dollars, by sex and educational attainment, 1979–2012 annual 

averages (continued)

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

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

Year and sex

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

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

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.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 83

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 25. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in current dollars, by sex 

and age, 1979–2012 annual averages

25 years and older

Both Sexes

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

16 to 24 years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 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

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

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

See note at end of table.
84 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 25. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in current dollars, by sex 

and age, 1979–2012 annual averages (continued)

25 years and older

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

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

16 to 24 years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 25 to 34 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

35 to 44 

years

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

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 85

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 25. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in current dollars, by sex 

and age, 1979–2012 annual averages (continued)

25 years and older

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

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

16 to 24 years

25 to 34 

years

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years 

and older Total 16 to 19 

years

20 to 24 

years

Total 35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

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

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.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
86 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 26. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in

current dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2012 annual 

averages 

Both Sexes

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

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

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

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

See note at end of table.
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 87

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 26. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in

current dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2012 annual 

averages (continued)

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

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

8.23 8.33 7.90 7.22

1999.......................................... 8.64 8.73 8.13 – 7.46

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

See note at end of table.
88 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

Table 26. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary workers paid hourly rates, in

current dollars, by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 1979–2012 annual 

averages (continued)

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

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

Year and sex

Total, 

16 years and 

older

White

Black or 

African 

American

Asian Hispanic or 

Latino 

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

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. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino 

may be of any race. As of 2003, estimates for the race groups listed (White, Black or African American, and 

Asian) include persons who selected that race group only; persons who selected more than one race group 

are not included. Prior to 2003, persons who reported more than one race were included in the group they 

identified as the main race. Asian data for 2000–2002 are for Asians and Pacific Islanders. As of 2003, Asians 

constitute a separate category. Data for Asians were not tabulated prior to 2000. 

Dash indicates data not available. 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 
Technical Notes

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 89

The estimates in this report were obtained from the 

Current Population Survey (CPS), which provides 

a wide range of 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, with coverage in all 50 

states and the District of Columbia. The earnings data 

are collected from one-fourth of the CPS monthly 

sample and are limited to wage and salary workers. 

(Self-employed workers, both incorporated and 

unincorporated, are excluded from CPS earnings 

estimates.) The data, therefore, exclude selfemployment income. 

Material in this report is in the public domain and 

may be used without permission. This information is 

available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. 

Voice telephone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay 

Service: 1 (800) 877-8339. 

Concepts and definitions

The principal concepts and definitions used in 

connection with the earnings data in this report are 

described briefly below.

Usual weekly earnings. The data represent 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). Prior to 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 definition of

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.

Medians (and other quantiles) of weekly earnings. Most 

of the earnings estimates shown in this report are medians. 

The median (or upper limit of the second quartile) is 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. Ten percent of 

a given distribution have earnings below the upper limit 

of the first decile (90 percent have higher earnings), 25

percent have earnings below the upper limit of the first

quartile (75 percent have higher earnings), 75 percent 

have earnings below the upper limit of the third quartile 

(25 percent have higher earnings), and 90 percent have 

earnings below the upper limit of the ninth decile (10 

percent have higher earnings).

The BLS procedure for estimating the median of an 

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.

Over-the-year changes in the medians (and other 

quantile boundaries) for specific groups may not 

necessarily be consistent with the movements estimated 

for the overall quantile 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 quantile boundary. This change could be caused 

by survey observations that are clustered at rounded 

values, such as $400 or $500. An estimate lying in a 

89
90 BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

$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 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 (and other quantile boundaries) 

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. 

Constant dollars. The Consumer Price Index research 

series using current methods (CPI-U-RS) is used to convert 

current dollars to constant 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 CPIU-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 www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/1999/06/

art4full.pdf; and “Questions and Answers: Consumer Price 

Index Research Series Using Current Methods,” at www.

bls.gov/cpi/cpirsqa.pdf.

This report uses the most recent version of the CPI-URS available at the time of production. Users should 

note, however, that the CPI-U-RS is subject to periodic 

revision. As a result, the rate of inflation incorporated 

into the constant-dollar earnings estimates in this report 

may differ from that in previous reports in this series or 

in other publications. 

Wage and salary workers. These are workers who receive 

wages, salaries, commissions, tips, payment in kind, or 

piece rates. The group includes employees in both the 

private and public sectors but, for purposes of the earnings 

series, it excludes all self-employed persons, both those 

with incorporated businesses and those with unincorporated 

businesses.

Full-time workers. For the purpose of producing estimates 

of earnings, workers who usually work 35 hours or more 

per week at their sole or principal job are defined as

working full time. 

Part-time workers. For the purpose of producing estimates 

of earnings, workers who usually work fewer than 35 

hours per week at their sole or principal job are defined as

working part time.

Workers paid by the hour. Historically, workers paid an 

hourly wage have made up approximately three-fifths of

all wage and salary workers. Workers paid by the hour are 

included in the full- and part-time worker tables in this 

report, along with salaried workers and other workers not 

paid by the hour. Data for workers paid at hourly rates are 

presented separately in tables 8–11, 15–16, 20–21, and 

25–26.

Workers paid at or below the federal minimum wage.

The estimates of the numbers of workers with reported 

earnings at or below the federal minimum wage in tables 

10 and 11 pertain only to workers who are paid hourly 

rates. Salaried workers and other workers who are not 

paid by the hour are excluded, even though some have 

earnings that, if converted to hourly rates, would be at or 

below the minimum wage. Consequently, the estimates 

presented in this report likely understate the actual number 

of workers with hourly earnings at or below the minimum 

wage. Research has shown, however, that the degree of 

understatement is small. BLS does not routinely estimate 

the hourly earnings of workers not paid by the hour 

because of data quality concerns associated with such an 

estimation process. 

90
BLS Reports │ October 2013 • www.bls.gov 91

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S EARNINGS IN 2012

The prevailing federal minimum wage was $2.90, effective 

January 1, 1979; $3.10, effective January 1, 1980; $3.35, 

effective January 1, 1981; $3.80, effective April 1, 1990; 

$4.25, effective April 1, 1991; $4.75, effective October 1, 

1996; $5.15, effective September 1, 1997; $5.85, effective 

July 24, 2007; $6.55, effective July 24, 2008; and $7.25, 

effective July 24, 2009. Data for 1990–1991, 1996–1997, 

and 2007–2009 reflect changes in the minimum wage that

took place during those years. It should be noted that a 

number of states have established minimum-wage rates that 

exceed the federal level.

The presence of workers with hourly earnings below the 

minimum wage does not necessarily indicate violations of 

the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), because there are a 

number of exemptions to the minimum-wage provisions 

of the law. In addition, some workers might have rounded 

their hourly earnings in response to survey questions. As 

a result, some might have reported hourly earnings below 

the minimum wage when, in fact, they earned the minimum 

wage or higher. 

Race. In the survey process, race is determined by the 

household respondent. In accordance with the Office of

Management and Budget guidelines, White, Black or 

African American, and Asian are 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 

persons of two or more races. Previously, people identified

a group as their main race. More information on the 2003 

changes to questions on race is available at www.bls.gov/

cps/rvcps03.pdf. Data for American Indians and Alaska 

Natives, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, and

persons of two or more races are not included in this report 

because the number of survey respondents is too small to 

develop estimates of sufficient quality.

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. This refers to people who 

identified themselves in the survey process as being

Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino. People whose ethnicity is 

identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.

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.

Estimates of earnings and their standard errors can be 

used to construct approximate confidence intervals, or

ranges of values, that include the true population value 

with known probabilities.

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.

Additional information about reliability of data from 

the CPS and guidance on estimating standard errors 

is available at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.

htm#reliability. 

91