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Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey

Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers: 2007

Tables 1 - 10

Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage, 2007 annual averages:

  1. by selected characteristics
  2. by census region and division
  3. by State
  4. by major occupation group
  5. by major industry group
  6. by educational attainment
  7. by age and sex
  8. by marital status, age, and sex
  9. by usual hours worked per week
  10. by sex (1979-2007 annual averages)

Table 1. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by selected characteristics, 2007 annual averages
CharacteristicNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageAt or below minimum wage
TotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wage
AGE AND SEX

Total, 16 years and over

75,8731,7292671,462100.0100.0100.0100.02.30.41.9

16 to 24 years

16,27581414566921.547.154.345.85.00.94.1

16 to 19 years

5,434373932807.221.634.819.26.91.75.2

25 years and over

59,59791512279378.552.945.754.21.50.21.3

Men, 16 years and over

37,7905468646049.831.632.231.51.40.21.2

16 to 24 years

8,3142425219011.014.019.513.02.90.62.3

16 to 19 years

2,65213637993.57.913.96.85.11.43.7

25 years and over

29,4763043427038.817.612.718.51.00.10.9

Women, 16 years and over

38,0821,1831811,00250.268.467.868.53.10.52.6

16 to 24 years

7,9615729347910.533.134.832.87.21.26.0

16 to 19 years

2,782238561823.713.821.012.48.62.06.5

25 years and over

30,1216118852339.735.333.035.82.00.31.7
RACE, SEX, AND HISPANIC OR LATINO ETHNICITY

White (1)

61,0611,4202041,21680.582.176.483.22.30.32.0

Men

30,9444717339840.827.227.327.21.50.21.3

Women

30,11794913181839.754.949.156.03.20.42.7

Black or African American (1)

9,9652055515013.111.920.610.32.10.61.5

Men

4,4824910395.92.83.72.71.10.20.9

Women

5,483156451117.29.016.97.62.80.82.0

Asian (1)

2,730511503.62.90.43.41.90.01.8

Men

1,26014-141.70.8-1.01.1-1.1

Women

1,469371361.92.10.42.52.50.12.5

Hispanic or Latino (1)

13,1682464120517.414.215.414.01.90.31.6

Men

7,796114199510.36.67.16.51.50.21.2

Women

5,372132221107.17.68.27.52.50.42.0
FULL- AND PART-TIME STATUS AND SEX

Full-time workers (2)

57,7457529465876.143.535.245.01.30.21.1

Men

32,0032833025342.216.411.217.30.90.10.8

Women

25,7434696440533.927.124.027.71.80.21.6

Part-time workers (2)

17,99797117279923.756.264.454.75.41.04.4

Men

5,721260562047.515.021.014.04.51.03.6

Women

12,27671111759416.241.143.840.65.81.04.8

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

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

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet publication criteria.

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Table 2. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by census region and division, 2007 annual averages
Region and divisionNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageAt or below minimum wage
TotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wage

Total, 16 years and over

75,8731,7292671,462100.0100.0100.0100.02.30.41.9

Northeast

12,9032922027217.016.97.518.62.30.22.1

New England

3,69410551004.96.11.96.82.80.12.7

Middle Atlantic

9,2091871517212.110.85.611.82.00.21.9

Midwest

18,8464103937124.823.714.625.42.20.22.0

East North Central

12,9892802125917.116.27.917.72.20.22.0

West North Central

5,856130181127.77.56.77.72.20.31.9

South

26,33581718063734.747.367.443.63.10.72.4

South Atlantic

13,7103745731718.121.621.321.72.70.42.3

East South Central

4,57714149926.08.218.46.33.11.12.0

West South Central

8,0483027422810.617.527.715.63.80.92.8

West

17,7892092818123.412.110.512.41.20.21.0

Mountain

5,57610514917.36.15.26.21.90.31.6

Pacific

12,214105149116.16.15.26.20.90.10.7

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

The four major regions and nine census divisions of the United States are as follows:

  • Northeast:
    • New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont
    • Middle Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
  • Midwest:
    • East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin
    • West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota
  • South:
    • South Atlantic: Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia
    • East South Central: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee
    • West South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas
  • West:
    • Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming
    • Pacific: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington

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Table 3. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by State, 2007 annual averages
StateNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageAt or below minimum wage
TotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wage

Total, 16 years and over

75,8731,7292671,462100.0100.0100.0100.02.30.41.9

Alabama

1,1323714231.52.15.21.63.31.22.0

Alaska

1972-20.30.1-0.11.0-1.0

Arizona

1,560282262.11.60.71.81.80.11.7

Arkansas

677171160.91.00.41.12.50.12.4

California

8,7857496511.64.33.44.40.80.10.7

Colorado

1,164251241.51.40.41.62.10.12.1

Connecticut

92314-141.20.8-1.01.5-1.5

Delaware

2345-50.30.3-0.32.1-2.1

District of Columbia

1093120.10.20.40.12.80.91.8

Florida

4,26111415995.66.65.66.82.70.42.3

Georgia

2,2167011592.94.04.14.03.20.52.7

Hawaii

3384-40.40.2-0.31.2-1.2

Idaho

42412480.60.71.50.52.80.91.9

Illinois

3,335743714.44.31.14.92.20.12.1

Indiana

1,826367292.42.12.62.02.00.41.6

Iowa

933242221.21.40.71.52.60.22.4

Kansas

796255201.01.41.91.43.10.62.5

Kentucky

1,152359261.52.03.41.83.00.82.3

Louisiana

9374017231.22.36.41.64.31.82.5

Maine

3999-90.50.5-0.62.3-2.3

Maryland

1,317272251.71.60.71.72.10.21.9

Massachusetts

1,505602582.03.50.74.04.00.13.9

Michigan

2,678581573.53.40.43.92.20.02.1

Minnesota

1,565212192.11.20.71.31.30.11.2

Mississippi

6913116150.91.86.01.04.52.32.2

Missouri

1,577333302.11.91.12.12.10.21.9

Montana

2891-10.40.1-0.10.3-0.3

Nebraska

553173140.71.01.11.03.10.52.5

Nevada

74712391.00.71.10.61.60.41.2

New Hampshire

3729180.50.50.40.52.40.32.2

New Jersey

1,697294252.21.71.51.71.70.21.5

New Mexico

47911290.60.60.70.62.30.41.9

New York

4,078887815.45.12.65.52.20.22.0

North Carolina

2,156464422.82.71.52.92.10.21.9

North Dakota

1915230.30.30.70.22.61.01.6

Ohio

3,422795744.54.61.95.12.30.12.2

Oklahoma

8492510151.11.43.71.02.91.21.8

Oregon

1,0509271.40.50.70.50.90.20.7

Pennsylvania

3,434693664.54.01.14.52.00.11.9

Rhode Island

3157-70.40.4-0.52.2-2.2

South Carolina

1,1784710371.62.73.72.54.00.83.1

South Dakota

2416150.30.30.40.32.50.42.1

Tennesee

1,6023910292.12.33.72.02.40.61.8

Texas

5,585221461757.412.817.212.04.00.83.1

Utah

748111101.00.60.40.71.50.11.3

Vermont

1814-40.20.2-0.32.2-2.2

Virginia

1,761465412.32.71.92.82.60.32.3

Washington

1,844173142.41.01.11.00.90.20.8

West Virginia

47816970.60.93.40.53.31.91.5

Wisconsin

1,730324282.31.91.51.91.80.21.6

Wyoming

1644130.20.20.40.22.40.61.8

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Users are reminded that these data are based on a sample and are therefore subject to sampling error; the degree of error may be quite large for less populous States. It is not possible to clearly determine whether workers surveyed in the CPS are actually covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or by individual State minimum wage laws. Thus, some workers reported as earning an hourly wage of $5.15 may not in fact be covered by Federal or State minimum wage laws. At the same time, the presence of a sizable number of workers with wages below the prevailing Federal minimum wage does not necessarily indicate violations of the FLSA or applicable State laws, because there are numerous exclusions and exemptions to these minimum wage statutes. Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet publication criteria.

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Table 4. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by major occupation group, 2007 annual averages
OccupationNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageAt or below minimum wage
TotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wage

Total, 16 years and over

75,8731,7292671,462100.0100.0100.0100.02.30.41.9

Management, professional, and related occupations

14,44775126319.04.34.54.30.50.10.4

Management, business, and financial operations occupations

4,033224185.31.31.51.20.50.10.4

Professional and related occupations

10,4135384513.73.13.03.10.50.10.4

Service occupations

16,8821,2481301,11822.372.248.776.57.40.86.6

Healthcare support occupations

2,5143710273.32.13.71.81.50.41.1

Protective service occupations

1,823297222.41.72.61.51.60.41.2

Food preparation and serving related occupations

6,4791,013719428.558.626.664.415.61.114.5

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations

3,5735822364.73.48.22.51.60.61.0

Personal care and service occupations

2,49511120913.36.47.56.24.40.83.6

Sales and office occupations

20,9512408515527.613.931.810.61.10.40.7

Sales and related occupations

7,851125507510.37.218.75.11.60.61.0

Office and administrative support occupats

13,099115358017.36.713.15.50.90.30.6

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations

10,1164444013.32.51.52.70.40.00.4

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations

62812480.80.71.50.51.90.61.3

Construction and extraction occupations

6,00927-277.91.6-1.80.4-0.4

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

3,4805-54.60.3-0.30.1-0.1

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations

13,477121358617.87.013.15.90.90.30.6

Production occupations

7,3734213299.72.44.92.00.60.20.4

Transportation and material moving occupations

6,1047922578.04.68.23.91.30.40.9

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet publication criteria.

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Table 5. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by major industry group, 2007 annual averages
IndustryNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageAt or below minimum wage
TotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wage

Total, 16 years and over

75,8731,7292671,462100.0100.0100.0100.02.30.41.9

Private sector

66,4321,6182321,38687.693.686.994.82.40.32.1

Agriculture and related industries

6889-90.90.5-0.61.3-1.3

Nonagricultural industries

65,7441,6092321,37786.793.186.994.22.40.42.1

Mining

436---0.6------

Construction

6,041343318.02.01.12.10.60.00.5

Manufacturing

9,86238102813.02.23.71.90.40.10.3

Durable goods

6,226254218.21.41.51.40.40.10.3

Nondurable goods

3,63712574.80.71.90.50.30.10.2

Wholesale and retail trade

12,658151529916.78.719.56.81.20.40.8

Wholesale trade

1,9869272.60.50.70.50.50.10.4

Retail trade

10,671142509214.18.218.76.31.30.50.9

Transportation and utilities

3,160184144.21.01.51.00.60.10.4

Information

1,505196132.01.12.20.91.30.40.9

Financial activities

3,409247174.51.42.61.20.70.20.5

Professional and business services

5,767436377.62.52.22.50.70.10.6

Education and health services

11,4551444110315.18.315.47.01.30.40.9

Leisure and hospitality

8,5201,0599396611.261.234.866.112.41.111.3

Other services

2,9328010703.94.63.74.82.70.32.4

Public sector

9,441111357612.46.413.15.21.20.40.8

Federal

1,729154112.30.91.50.80.90.20.6

State

2,5964316273.42.56.01.81.70.61.0

Local

5,1155315386.73.15.62.61.00.30.7

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet publication criteria.

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Table 6. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by educational attainment, 2007 annual averages
Educational attainmentNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageAt or below minimum wage
TotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wage

Total, 16 years and over

75,8731,7292671,462100.0100.0100.0100.02.30.41.9

Less than a high school diploma

12,20241910031916.124.237.521.83.40.82.6

Less than 1 year of high school

3,4386214484.53.65.23.31.80.41.4

1 to 3 years of high school

7,442319792409.818.429.616.44.31.13.2

4 years of high school, no diploma

1,323387311.72.22.62.12.90.52.3

High school graduates, no college

27,7015669447236.532.735.232.32.00.31.7

Some college or associate degree

24,7076027352932.634.827.336.22.40.32.1

Some college, no degree

16,9835065944722.429.322.130.63.00.32.6

Associate degree

7,72497148310.25.65.25.71.30.21.1

Occupational program

3,970409315.22.33.42.11.00.20.8

Academic program

3,754565514.93.21.93.51.50.11.4

College graduates, total

11,262142-14214.88.2-9.71.3-1.3

Bachelor's degree

8,923127-12711.87.3-8.71.4-1.4

Master's degree

1,84411-112.40.6-0.80.6-0.6

Professional degree

3272-20.40.1-0.10.6-0.6

Doctoral degree

1672-20.20.1-0.11.2-1.2

High school graduates or more

63,6701,3111671,14483.975.862.578.22.10.31.8

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet publication criteria.

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Table 7. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by age and sex, 2007 annual averages
Age and sexNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageAt or below minimum wage
TotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wage
BOTH SEXES

Total, 16 years and over

75,8731,7292671,462100.0100.0100.0100.02.30.41.9

Under 25 years

16,27581414566921.547.154.345.85.00.94.1

16 to 19 years

5,434373932807.221.634.819.26.91.75.2

20 to 24 years

10,8414415238914.325.519.526.64.10.53.6

25 years and over

59,59791512279378.552.945.754.21.50.21.3

25 to 34 years

16,9124013536622.323.213.125.02.40.22.2

25 to 29 years

9,2382332021312.213.57.514.62.50.22.3

30 to 34 years

7,6741681615210.19.76.010.42.20.22.0

35 to 44 years

16,0262263918721.113.114.612.81.40.21.2

35 to 39 years

7,800118209810.36.87.56.71.50.31.3

40 to 44 years

8,226109208910.86.37.56.11.30.21.1

45 to 54 years

15,5511482012820.58.67.58.81.00.10.8

45 to 49 years

8,36690147611.05.25.25.21.10.20.9

50 to 54 years

7,186565519.53.21.93.50.80.10.7

55 to 64 years

8,61392177511.45.36.45.11.10.20.9

55 to 59 years

5,416496437.12.82.22.90.90.10.8

60 to 64 years

3,1974311324.22.54.12.21.30.31.0

65 years and over

2,4954911383.32.84.12.62.00.41.5

65 to 69 years

1,378246181.81.42.21.21.70.41.3

70 years and over

1,118255201.51.41.91.42.20.41.8
MEN

Total, 16 years and over

37,7905468646049.831.632.231.51.40.21.2

Under 25 years

8,3142425219011.014.019.513.02.90.62.3

16 to 19 years

2,65213637993.57.913.96.85.11.43.7

20 to 24 years

5,66210614927.56.15.26.31.90.21.6

25 years and over

29,4763043427038.817.612.718.51.00.10.9

25 to 34 years

9,1141481013812.08.63.79.41.60.11.5

25 to 29 years

5,081946886.75.42.26.01.90.11.7

30 to 34 years

4,033534495.33.11.53.41.30.11.2

35 to 44 years

7,98170125810.54.04.54.00.90.20.7

35 to 39 years

3,988346285.32.02.21.90.90.20.7

40 to 44 years

3,993356295.32.02.22.00.90.20.7

45 to 54 years

7,372404369.72.31.52.50.50.10.5

45 to 49 years

3,985193165.31.11.11.10.50.10.4

50 to 54 years

3,387211204.51.20.41.40.60.00.6

55 to 64 years

3,899285235.11.61.91.60.70.10.6

55 to 59 years

2,47813-133.30.8-0.90.5-0.5

60 to 64 years

1,42114591.90.81.90.61.00.40.6

65 years and over

1,110204161.51.21.51.11.80.41.4

65 to 69 years

6068260.80.50.70.41.30.31.0

70 years and over

504122100.70.70.70.72.40.42.0
WOMEN

Total, 16 years and over

38,0821,1831811,00250.268.467.868.53.10.52.6

Under 25 years

7,9615729347910.533.134.832.87.21.26.0

16 to 19 years

2,782238561823.713.821.012.48.62.06.5

20 to 24 years

5,179334372976.819.313.920.36.40.75.7

25 years and over

30,1216118852339.735.333.035.82.00.31.7

25 to 34 years

7,7982542622810.314.79.715.63.30.32.9

25 to 29 years

4,157139141255.58.05.28.53.30.33.0

30 to 34 years

3,641115121034.86.74.57.03.20.32.8

35 to 44 years

8,0451562712910.69.010.18.81.90.31.6

35 to 39 years

3,8128314695.04.85.24.72.20.41.8

40 to 44 years

4,2337313605.64.24.94.11.70.31.4

45 to 54 years

8,179107169110.86.26.06.21.30.21.1

45 to 49 years

4,3817212605.84.24.54.11.60.31.4

50 to 54 years

3,799364325.02.11.52.20.90.10.8

55 to 64 years

4,7146512536.23.84.53.61.40.31.1

55 to 59 years

2,938366303.92.12.22.11.20.21.0

60 to 64 years

1,776296232.31.72.21.61.60.31.3

65 years and over

1,386297221.81.72.61.52.10.51.6

65 to 69 years

771164121.00.91.50.82.10.51.6

70 years and over

614133100.80.81.10.72.10.51.6

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet publication criteria.

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Table 8. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by marital status, age, and sex, 2007 annual averages
Marital status, age and sexNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageAt or below minimum wage
TotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wage
BOTH SEXES

Total, 16 years and over

75,8731,7292671,462100.0100.0100.0100.02.30.41.9

Never married

26,8681,08817990935.462.967.062.24.00.73.4

16 to 24 years

14,35075613761918.943.751.342.35.31.04.3

25 years and over

12,5183324229016.519.215.719.82.70.32.3

25 to 54 years

11,8223214128015.618.615.419.22.70.32.4

Married, spouse present

35,8933914734447.322.617.623.51.10.11.0

16 to 24 years

1,493437362.02.52.62.52.90.52.4

25 years and over

34,3993463930745.320.014.621.01.00.10.9

25 to 54 years

27,3992802625436.116.29.717.41.00.10.9

Other marital status

13,1122504120917.314.515.414.31.90.31.6

16 to 24 years

43214-140.60.8-1.03.2-3.2

25 years and over

12,6802364119516.713.615.413.31.90.31.5

25 to 54 years

9,2681732714612.210.010.110.01.90.31.6
MEN

Total, 16 years and over

37,7905468646049.831.632.231.51.40.21.2

Never married

14,4444326936319.025.025.824.83.00.52.5

16 to 24 years

7,474239491909.913.818.413.03.20.72.5

25 years and over

6,970193201739.211.27.511.82.80.32.5

25 to 54 years

6,656177181598.810.26.710.92.70.32.4

Married, spouse present

18,265113169724.16.56.06.60.60.10.5

16 to 24 years

67022-0.90.10.7-0.30.3-

25 years and over

17,595111149723.26.45.26.60.60.10.6

25 to 54 years

13,9218077318.34.62.65.00.60.10.5

Other marital status

5,081463436.72.71.12.90.90.10.8

16 to 24 years

1701-10.20.1-0.10.6-0.6

25 years and over

4,911453426.52.61.12.90.90.10.9

25 to 54 years

3,891352335.12.00.72.30.90.10.8
WOMEN

Total, 16 years and over .

38,0821,1831811,00250.268.467.868.53.10.52.6

Never married

12,42470211358916.440.642.340.35.70.94.7

16 to 24 years

6,875518884309.130.033.029.47.51.36.3

25 years and over

5,548184251597.310.69.410.93.30.52.9

25 to 54 years

5,166180251556.810.49.410.63.50.53.0

Married, spouse present

17,6282773024723.216.011.216.91.60.21.4

16 to 24 years

823415361.12.41.92.55.00.64.4

25 years and over

16,8042372621122.113.79.714.41.40.21.3

25 to 54 years

13,4792001918117.811.67.112.41.50.11.3

Other marital status

8,0312043816610.611.814.211.42.50.52.1

16 to 24 years

26213-130.30.8-0.95.0-5.0

25 years and over

7,7691903715310.211.013.910.52.40.52.0

25 to 54 years

5,377138251137.18.09.47.72.60.52.1

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet publication criteria.

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Table 9. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by usual hours worked on primary job, 2007 annual averages
Usual hours worked per week on primary jobNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below minimum wageAt or below minimum wage
TotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wageTotalAt minimum wageBelow minimum wage

Total, 16 years and over

75,8731,7292671,462100.0100.0100.0100.02.30.41.9

Hours vary

4,866219381816.412.714.212.44.50.83.7

0 to 34 hours

16,15886614672021.350.154.749.25.40.94.5

0 to 4 hours

294162140.40.90.71.05.40.74.8

5 to 9 hours

8915315381.23.15.62.65.91.74.3

10 to 14 hours

1,4618213691.94.74.94.75.60.94.7

15 to 19 hours

2,212135261092.97.89.77.56.11.24.9

20 to 24 hours

4,969261572046.515.121.314.05.31.14.1

25 to 29 hours

2,175120141062.96.95.27.35.50.64.9

30 to 34 hours

4,156198191795.511.57.112.24.80.54.3

35 hours or more

54,8486448356172.337.231.138.41.20.21.0

35 to 39 hours

5,338166271397.09.610.19.53.10.52.6

40 hours or more

49,5104785642265.327.621.028.91.00.10.9

40 hours

42,6564104836256.223.718.024.81.00.10.8

41 hours or more

6,854709619.04.03.44.21.00.10.9

41 to 44 hours

7606241.00.30.70.30.80.30.5

45 to 48 hours

2,44815-153.20.9-1.00.6-0.6

49 to 59 hours

2,536376313.32.12.22.11.50.21.2

60 hours or more

1,110121111.50.70.40.81.10.11.0

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Dash indicates no data or data that do not meet publication criteria.

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Table 10. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by sex, 1979-2007 annual averages (Numbers in thousands)
Year and sexTotal wage and salary workersWorkers paid hourly rates
TotalPercent of total wage and salary workersBelow prevailing Federal minimum wageAt prevailing Federal minimum wageTotal at or below prevailing Federal minimum wage
NumberPercent of hourly paid workers
BOTH SEXES

1979

87,52951,72159.12,9163,9976,91213.4

1980

87,64451,33558.63,0874,6867,77315.1

1981

88,51651,86958.63,5134,3117,82415.1

1982

87,36850,84658.22,3484,1486,49612.8

1983

88,29051,82058.72,0774,2616,33812.2

1984

92,19454,14358.71,8384,1255,96311.0

1985

94,52155,76259.01,6393,8995,5389.9

1986 (1)

96,90357,52959.41,5993,4615,0608.8

1987

99,30359,55260.01,4683,2294,6987.9

1988

101,40760,87860.01,3192,6083,9276.5

1989

103,48062,38960.31,3721,7903,1625.1

1990 (1)

104,87663,17260.22,132(2) 1,096(2) 3,228(2) 5.1(2)

1991

103,72362,62760.42,377(2) 2,906(2) 5,283(2) 8.4(2)

1992

104,66863,61060.81,9392,9824,9217.7

1993

106,10164,27460.61,7072,6254,3326.7

1994 (1)

107,98966,54961.61,9952,1324,1286.2

1995

110,03868,35462.11,6991,9563,6565.3

1996

111,96069,25561.91,863(2) 1,861(2) 3,724(2) 5.4(2)

1997 (1)

114,53370,73561.82,990(2) 1,764(2) 4,754(2) 6.7(2)

1998 (1)

116,73071,44061.22,8341,5934,4276.2

1999 (1)

118,96372,30660.82,1941,1463,3404.6

2000 (1)

122,08973,49660.21,7528982,6503.6

2001

122,22973,39260.01,5186562,1743.0

2002

121,82672,50859.51,5795672,1463.0

2003 (1)

122,35872,94659.61,5555452,1002.9

2004 (1)

123,55473,93959.81,4835202,0032.7

2005

125,88975,60960.11,4034791,8822.5

2006

128,23776,51459.71,2834091,6922.2

2007

129,76775,87358.51,462(2) 267(2) 1,729(2) 2.3(2)
MEN

1979

49,40028,39257.58461,3532,1997.7

1980

48,70027,70956.99831,6962,6789.7

1981

48,84427,57656.51,1191,5332,6529.6

1982

47,59126,48155.66971,5872,2848.6

1983

47,85626,83156.15851,6582,2438.4

1984

50,02228,14056.34901,6262,1167.5

1985

51,01528,89356.64401,5441,9846.9

1986 (1)

51,94229,66657.14081,3361,7435.9

1987

52,93830,47457.63641,2831,6475.4

1988

53,91231,05857.63111,0661,3774.4

1989

54,78931,68757.83797331,1123.5

1990 (1)

55,55332,10457.8712(2) 385(2) 1,097(2) 3.4(2)

1991

54,61831,63957.9795(2) 1,114(2) 1,909(2) 6.0(2)

1992

54,82632,15558.66531,2311,8855.9

1993

55,47532,33758.35731,0911,6645.1

1994 (1)

56,57033,52859.36748911,5654.7

1995

57,66934,42059.75427961,3383.9

1996

58,47334,83859.6619(2) 755(2) 1,374(2) 3.9(2)

1997 (1)

59,82535,52159.41,147(2) 673(2) 1,820(2) 5.1(2)

1998 (1)

60,97335,76158.71,0396281,6674.7

1999 (1)

61,91436,07358.37684461,2143.4

2000 (1)

63,66236,72057.75823199012.5

2001

63,64736,54457.44972477442.0

2002

63,27236,00056.95822177992.2

2003 (1)

63,23635,85356.74932137062.0

2004 (1)

64,14536,80657.44702106801.8

2005

65,46637,65257.54591896481.7

2006

66,81138,19357.2422146c 5681.5

2007

67,46837,79056.0460(2) 86(2) 546(2) 1.4(2)
WOMEN

1979

38,12923,32961.22,0702,6444,71420.2

1980

38,94423,62660.72,1042,9905,09521.6

1981

39,67224,29461.22,3942,7785,17221.3

1982

39,77724,36561.31,6512,5614,21217.3

1983

40,43324,98961.81,4922,6034,09516.4

1984

42,17226,00361.71,3482,4993,84714.8

1985

43,50626,86961.81,1982,3563,55413.2

1986 (1)

44,96127,86362.01,1922,1253,31711.9

1987

46,36529,07862.71,1051,9463,05110.5

1988

47,49529,82062.81,0081,5422,5508.6

1989

48,69130,70263.19941,0562,0506.7

1990 (1)

49,32331,06963.01,420(2) 711(2) 2,131(2) 6.9(2)

1991

49,10530,98863.11,582(2) 1,792(2) 3,374(2) 10.9(2)

1992

49,84231,45463.11,2861,7513,0369.7

1993

50,62631,93763.11,1331,5342,6678.4

1994 (1)

51,41933,02164.21,3221,2412,5637.8

1995

52,36933,93464.81,1571,1612,3186.8

1996

53,48834,41864.31,244(2) 1,106(2) 2,350(2) 6.8(2)

1997 (1)

54,70835,21464.41,843(2) 1,092(2) 2,935(2) 8.3(2)

1998 (1)

55,75735,68064.01,7949652,7607.7

1999 (1)

57,05036,23363.51,4267002,1265.9

2000 (1)

58,42736,77762.91,1705791,7494.8

2001

58,58236,84862.91,0214091,4303.9

2002

58,55536,50862.39973501,3473.7

2003 (1)

59,12237,09362.71,0623321,3943.8

2004 (1)

59,40837,13362.51,0133101,3233.6

2005

60,42337,95762.89442901,2343.3

2006

61,42638,32162.48612631,1242.9

2007

62,29938,08261.11,002(2) 181(2) 1,183(2) 3.1(2)

1 The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and conceptual changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). For an explanation, see the "Explanatory Notes and Estimates of Error" section of the February 2007 and subsequent issues of Employment and Earnings.

2 Data for 1990-91 and 1996-97 reflect changes in the minimum wage that took place in those years.

NOTE: The prevailing Federal minimum wage was $2.90 in 1979, $3.10 in 1980, and $3.35 in 1981-89. The minimum wage rose to $3.80 on April 1, 1990, to $4.25 on April 1, 1991, to $4.75 on October 1, 1996, to $5.15 on September 1, 1997, and to $5.85 on July 24, 2007. Data exclude all self-employed persons regardless of whether or not their businesses are incorporated. The presence of a sizable number of workers with reported wages below the minimum does not necessarily indicate violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as there are numerous exemptions to the minimum wage provisions of the law. The relatively large number of workers with reported wages below the minimum in 1998-2006 includes some hourly-paid workers reported as earning exactly $5.00 per hour (about 1.4 million in 1998, about 900,000 in 1999, about 600,000 in 2000, about 500,000 in 2001 and in 2002, about 350,000 in 2003 and in 2004, 300,000 in 2005, and about 200,000 in 2006); to some extent, this may reflect rounding on the part of survey respondents.

 c = corrected.

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Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers: 2007

 

Last Modified Date: May 7, 2008