Wives earning more than their husbands, 1987-2006
January 09, 2009
In 1987, 18 percent of working wives whose husbands also worked earned more than their spouses; in 2006, the proportion was 26 percent.
[Chart data—TXT]
Among all married-couple families in which the wife (but not necessarily the husband) had earnings from work in 2006, 33 percent of the wives earned more than their husbands. This is about a third higher than the 1987 figure of 24 percent.
These data on earnings are from the Current Population Survey. For more information see "Women in the Labor Force: A Databook (2008 Edition)," BLS Report 1011.
OF INTEREST
Recent editions of Spotlight on Statistics
- Fatal Injuries to Foreign-Born Hispanic or Latino Workers
Explores the industries, occupations, and events related to these fatalities.
- For-Profit, Nonprofit, and Government Sector Jobs in 2022
Compares the labor force characteristics and experiences of workers in the for-profit, nonprofit, government, and self-employed sectors.
- Union Membership, Activity, and Compensation in 2022
Focuses on trends in union membership, work stoppages, and pay and benefits among union members.
- A Look at a Neat Industry: Distilleries
Examines trends in employment, establishments, wages, and consumer prices for distilleries.
- Healthcare Occupations: Characteristics of the Employed
Compares the demographic characteristics of workers in healthcare occupations.
United States Department of Labor
