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Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey

Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers: 2005

Tables 1 - 10

Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage, 2005 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 (1979-2005 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, 2005 annual averages
CharacteristicNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourAt or below $5.15 per hour
TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15
AGE AND SEX

Total, 16 years and over

75,6091,8824791,403100.0100.0100.0100.02.50.61.9

16 to 24 years

16,3741,00328372021.753.359.151.36.11.74.4

16 to 19 years

5,5284911793127.326.137.422.28.93.25.6

25 years and over

59,23587919668378.346.740.948.71.50.31.2

Men, 16 years and over

37,65264818945949.834.439.532.71.70.51.2

16 to 24 years

8,28835313022311.018.827.115.94.31.62.7

16 to 19 years

2,65417286863.59.118.06.16.53.23.2

25 years and over

29,3642966023638.815.712.516.81.00.20.8

Women, 16 years and over

37,9571,23429094450.265.660.567.33.30.82.5

16 to 24 years

8,08664915349610.734.531.935.48.01.96.1

16 to 19 years

2,874318932253.816.919.416.011.13.27.8

25 years and over

29,87158413744739.531.028.631.92.00.51.5
RACE, SEX, AND HISPANIC OR LATINO ETHNICITY

White (1)

60,9781,5373491,18880.681.772.984.72.50.61.9

Men

30,90148513335240.925.827.825.11.60.41.1

Women

30,0781,05221683639.855.945.159.63.50.72.8

Black or African American (1)

9,7932159611913.011.420.08.52.21.01.2

Men

4,42110542635.85.68.84.52.41.01.4

Women

5,37211154577.15.911.34.12.11.01.1

Asian (1)

2,7206514513.63.52.93.62.40.51.9

Men

1,283305251.71.61.01.82.30.41.9

Women

1,437359261.91.91.91.92.40.61.8

Hispanic or Latino (1)

12,5272817121016.614.914.815.02.20.61.7

Men

7,46711429859.96.16.16.11.50.41.1

Women

5,060167421256.78.98.88.93.30.82.5
FULL- AND PART-TIME STATUS AND SEX

Full-time workers (2)

57,38575114360875.939.929.943.31.30.21.1

Men

31,9113216925242.217.114.418.01.00.20.8

Women

25,4744307435633.722.815.425.41.70.31.4

Part-time workers (2)

18,0841,12633679023.959.870.156.36.21.94.4

Men

5,6693271202077.517.425.114.85.82.13.7

Women

12,41579921658316.442.545.141.66.41.74.7

1 Detail for the race groups (white, black or African American, and Asian) will not sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. In addition, persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race and, therefore, are classified by ethnicity as well as 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 the self-employed, both unincorporated and incorporated.

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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, 2005 annual averages
Region and divisionNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourAt or below $5.15 per hour
TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15

Total, 16 years and over

75,6091,8824791,403100.0100.0100.0100.02.50.61.9

Northeast

13,2843026124117.616.012.717.22.30.51.8

New England

3,836719625.13.81.94.41.90.21.6

Middle Atlantic

9,4482325218012.512.310.912.82.50.61.9

North Central

18,87950211239025.026.723.427.82.70.62.1

East North Central

13,0153416527617.218.113.619.72.60.52.1

West North Central

5,864160461147.88.59.68.12.70.81.9

South

26,13881323258134.643.248.441.43.10.92.2

South Atlantic

13,5783888330518.020.617.321.72.90.62.2

East South Central

4,44214551945.97.710.66.73.31.12.1

West South Central

8,1182799718210.714.820.313.03.41.22.2

West

17,3092667519122.914.115.713.61.50.41.1

Mountain

5,237158521066.98.410.97.63.01.02.0

Pacific

12,071108238516.05.74.86.10.90.20.7

NOTE: Data exclude all the self-employed, both unincorporated and 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, 2005 annual averages
StateNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourAt or below $5.15 per hour
TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15

Total, 16 years and over

75,6091,8824791,403100.0100.0100.0100.02.50.61.9

Alabama

1,1523616201.51.93.31.43.11.41.7

Alaska

1921-10.30.1-0.10.5-0.5

Arizona

1,3964711361.82.52.32.63.40.82.6

Arkansas

7002514110.91.32.90.83.62.01.6

California

8,84682206211.74.44.24.40.90.20.7

Colorado

1,131349251.51.81.91.83.00.82.2

Connecticut

8929181.20.50.20.61.00.10.9

Delaware

2194130.30.20.20.21.80.51.4

District of Columbia

1102-20.10.1-0.11.8-1.8

Florida

4,404117121055.86.22.57.52.70.32.4

Georgia

2,0606614522.73.52.93.73.20.72.5

Hawaii

3414-40.40.3-0.31.2-1.2

Idaho

41512480.50.60.80.62.91.01.9

Illinois

3,2077712654.24.12.54.62.40.42.0

Indiana

1,794376312.42.01.32.22.10.31.7

Iowa

922204161.21.10.81.12.20.41.7

Kansas

770278191.01.41.71.43.51.02.5

Kentucky

1,120359261.51.91.91.93.10.82.3

Louisiana

1,1094218241.52.23.81.73.81.62.2

Maine

4098170.50.40.20.52.00.21.7

Maryland

1,318282261.71.50.41.92.10.22.0

Massachusetts

1,666314272.21.60.81.91.90.21.6

Michigan

2,8698816723.84.73.35.13.10.62.5

Minnesota

1,5932911182.11.52.31.31.80.71.1

Mississippi

664238150.91.21.71.13.51.22.3

Missouri

1,6135615412.13.03.12.93.50.92.5

Montana

2786420.40.30.80.12.21.40.7

Nebraska

544175120.70.91.00.93.10.92.2

Nevada

684191090.91.02.10.62.81.51.3

New Hampshire

37711290.50.60.40.62.90.52.4

New Jersey

1,922409312.52.11.92.22.10.51.6

New Mexico

505188100.71.01.70.73.61.62.0

New York

4,1869518775.55.03.85.52.30.41.8

North Carolina

2,1765813452.93.12.73.22.70.62.1

North Dakota

1834130.20.20.20.22.20.51.6

Ohio

3,40311126854.55.95.46.13.30.82.5

Oklahoma

8413610261.11.92.11.94.31.23.1

Oregon

95910191.30.50.20.61.00.10.9

Pennsylvania

3,3409725724.45.25.25.12.90.72.2

Rhode Island

3098-80.40.4-0.62.6-2.6

South Carolina

1,0733410241.41.82.11.73.20.92.2

South Dakota

2409360.30.50.60.43.81.22.5

Tennesee

1,5065117342.02.73.52.43.41.12.3

Texas

5,467176551217.29.411.58.63.21.02.2

Utah

677164120.90.90.80.92.40.61.8

Vermont

1823-30.20.2-0.21.6-1.6

Virginia

1,7536022382.33.24.62.73.41.32.2

Washington

1,73310192.30.50.20.60.60.10.5

West Virginia

4662010100.61.12.10.74.32.12.1

Wisconsin

1,743275222.31.41.01.61.50.31.3

Wyoming

1504130.20.20.20.22.70.72.0

NOTE: Data exclude all the self-employed, both unincorporated and 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, 2005 annual averages
OccupationNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourAt or below $5.15 per hour
TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15

Total, 16 years and over

75,6091,8824791,403100.0100.0100.0100.02.50.61.9

Management, professional, and related occupations

14,25872264618.93.85.43.30.50.20.3

Management, business, and financial operations occupations

3,893227155.11.21.51.10.60.20.4

Professional and related occupations

10,36651193213.72.74.02.30.50.20.3

Service occupations

16,7511,3942421,15222.274.150.582.18.31.46.9

Healthcare support occupations

2,565406343.42.11.32.41.60.21.3

Protective service occupations

1,775214172.31.10.81.21.20.21.0

Food preparation and serving related occupations

6,4931,1311659668.660.134.468.917.42.514.9

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations

3,5908934554.74.77.13.92.50.91.5

Personal care and service occupations

2,32811332813.16.06.75.84.91.43.5

Sales and office occupations

20,93024013610427.712.828.47.41.10.60.5

Sales and related occupations

7,612142776510.17.516.14.61.91.00.9

Office and administrative support occupations

13,31898593917.65.212.32.80.70.40.3

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations

9,90048183013.12.63.82.10.50.20.3

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations

62314770.80.71.50.52.21.11.1

Construction and extraction occupations

5,828186127.71.01.30.90.30.10.2

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

3,449165114.60.91.00.80.50.10.3

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations

13,770128577118.26.811.95.10.90.40.5

Production occupations

7,65847192810.12.54.02.00.60.20.4

Transportation and material moving occupations

6,1128138438.14.37.93.11.30.60.7

NOTE: Data exclude all the self-employed, both unincorporated and incorporated.

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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, 2005 annual averages
IndustryNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourAt or below $5.15 per hour
TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15

Total, 16 years and over

75,6091,8824791,403100.0100.0100.0100.02.50.61.9

Private sector

66,1351,7824381,34487.594.791.495.82.70.72.0

Agriculture and related industries

64115870.80.81.70.52.31.21.1

Nonagricultural industries

65,4951,7674301,33786.693.989.895.32.70.72.0

Mining

390---0.5------

Construction

5,897194157.81.00.81.10.30.10.3

Manufacturing

10,29939142513.62.12.91.80.40.10.2

Durable goods

6,462183158.51.00.61.10.30.00.2

Nondurable goods

3,8372010105.11.12.10.70.50.30.3

Wholesale and retail trade

12,7651811008116.99.620.95.81.40.80.6

Wholesale trade

2,0447432.70.40.80.20.30.20.1

Retail trade

10,721174967814.29.220.05.61.60.90.7

Transportation and utilities

3,029227154.01.21.51.10.70.20.5

Information

1,40616791.90.91.50.61.10.50.6

Financial activities

3,36617984.50.91.90.60.50.30.2

Professional and business services

5,5375919407.33.14.02.91.10.30.7

Education and health services

11,335126388815.06.77.96.31.10.30.8

Leisure and hospitality

8,4201,2011971,00411.163.841.171.614.32.311.9

Other services

3,0518735524.04.67.33.72.91.11.7

Public sector

9,474100415912.55.38.64.21.10.40.6

Federal

1,89214862.50.71.70.40.70.40.3

State

2,4642511143.31.32.31.01.00.40.6

Local

5,1186121406.83.24.42.91.20.40.8

NOTE: Data exclude all the self-employed, both unincorporated and 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, 2005 annual averages
Educational attainmentNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourAt or below $5.15 per hour
TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15

Total, 16 years and over

75,6091,8824791,403100.0100.0100.0100.02.50.61.9

Less than a high school diploma

12,64756121135016.729.844.124.94.41.72.8

Less than 1 year of high school

3,5769132594.74.86.74.22.50.91.6

1 to 3 years of high school

7,80043917026910.323.335.519.25.62.23.4

4 years of high school, no diploma

1,271329231.71.71.91.62.50.71.8

High school graduates or more

62,9631,3212681,05383.370.255.975.12.10.41.7

High school graduates, no college

27,62254712941836.529.126.929.82.00.51.5

Some college or associate degree

24,65464512052532.634.325.137.42.60.52.1

Some college, no degree

16,8575369743922.328.520.331.33.20.62.6

Associate degree

7,797109238610.35.84.86.11.40.31.1

Occupational program

4,3015210425.72.82.13.01.20.21.0

Academic program

3,4965713444.63.02.73.11.60.41.3

College graduates, total

10,6871271810914.16.73.87.81.20.21.0

Bachelor's degree

8,485113179611.26.03.56.81.30.21.1

Master's degree

1,702121112.30.60.20.80.70.10.6

Professional degree

3111-10.40.1-0.10.3-0.3

Doctoral degree

1882-20.20.1-0.11.1-1.1

NOTE: Data exclude all the self-employed, both unincorporated and 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, 2005 annual averages
Age and sexNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourAt or below $5.15 per hour
TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15
BOTH SEXES

Total, 16 years and over

75,6091,8824791,403100.0100.0100.0100.02.50.61.9

Under 25 years

16,3741,00328372021.753.359.151.36.11.74.4

16 to 19 years

5,5284911793127.326.137.422.28.93.25.6

20 to 24 years

10,84651210440814.327.221.729.14.71.03.8

25 years and over

59,23587919668378.346.740.948.71.50.31.2

25 to 34 years

16,7793736730622.219.814.021.82.20.41.8

25 to 29 years

8,6922293819111.512.27.913.62.60.42.2

30 to 34 years

8,0881442811610.77.75.88.31.80.31.4

35 to 44 years

16,7612083916922.211.18.112.01.20.21.0

35 to 39 years

7,992107238410.65.74.86.01.30.31.1

40 to 44 years

8,769101168511.65.43.36.11.20.21.0

45 to 54 years

15,4191643013420.48.76.39.61.10.20.9

45 to 49 years

8,417100198111.15.34.05.81.20.21.0

50 to 54 years

7,0026411539.33.42.33.80.90.20.8

55 to 64 years

8,01579374210.64.27.73.01.00.50.5

55 to 59 years

5,1634618286.82.43.82.00.90.30.5

60 to 64 years

2,8513218143.81.73.81.01.10.60.5

65 years and over

2,2615624323.03.05.02.32.51.11.4

65 to 69 years

1,2362210121.61.22.10.91.80.81.0

70 years and over

1,0253414201.41.82.91.43.31.42.0
MEN

Total, 16 years and over

37,65264818945949.834.439.532.71.70.51.2

Under 25 years

8,28835313022311.018.827.115.94.31.62.7

16 to 19 years

2,65417286863.59.118.06.16.53.23.2

20 to 24 years

5,634180431377.59.69.09.83.20.82.4

25 years and over

29,3642966023638.815.712.516.81.00.20.8

25 to 34 years

9,0631442212212.07.74.68.71.60.21.3

25 to 29 years

4,7569013776.34.82.75.51.90.31.6

30 to 34 years

4,307549455.72.91.93.21.30.21.0

35 to 44 years

8,37460144611.13.22.93.30.70.20.5

35 to 39 years

4,082359265.41.91.91.90.90.20.6

40 to 44 years

4,292265215.71.41.01.50.60.10.5

45 to 54 years

7,2225513429.62.92.73.00.80.20.6

45 to 49 years

3,959388305.22.01.72.11.00.20.8

50 to 54 years

3,264165114.30.91.00.80.50.20.3

55 to 64 years

3,695237164.91.21.51.10.60.20.4

55 to 59 years

2,369142123.10.70.40.90.60.10.5

60 to 64 years

1,3268441.80.40.80.30.60.30.3

65 years and over

1,009144101.30.70.80.71.40.41.0

65 to 69 years

5475230.70.30.40.20.90.40.5

70 years and over

4628170.60.40.20.51.70.21.5
WOMEN

Total, 16 years and over

37,9571,23429094450.265.660.567.33.30.82.5

Under 25 years

8,08664915349610.734.531.935.48.01.96.1

16 to 19 years

2,874318932253.816.919.416.011.13.27.8

20 to 24 years

5,212331602716.917.612.519.36.41.25.2

25 years and over

29,87158413744739.531.028.631.92.00.51.5

25 to 34 years

7,7162304518510.212.29.413.23.00.62.4

25 to 29 years

3,936140261145.27.45.48.13.60.72.9

30 to 34 years

3,7818919705.04.74.05.02.40.51.9

35 to 44 years

8,3871472512211.17.85.28.71.80.31.5

35 to 39 years

3,9107214585.23.82.94.11.80.41.5

40 to 44 years

4,4777612645.94.02.54.61.70.31.4

45 to 54 years

8,197110179310.85.83.56.61.30.21.1

45 to 49 years

4,4596211515.93.32.33.61.40.21.1

50 to 54 years

3,738475424.92.51.03.01.30.11.1

55 to 64 years

4,3195630265.73.06.31.91.30.70.6

55 to 59 years

2,7943316173.71.83.31.21.20.60.6

60 to 64 years

1,5252414102.01.32.90.71.60.90.7

65 years and over

1,2524220221.72.24.21.63.41.61.8

65 to 69 years

68917890.90.91.70.62.51.21.3

70 years and over

5632613130.71.42.70.94.62.32.3

NOTE: Data exclude all the self-employed, both unincorporated and incorporated.

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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, 2005 annual averages
Marital status, age and sexNumber of workers
(in thousands)
Percent distributionPercent of workers paid hourly rates
Total paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourAt or below $5.15 per hour
TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15
BOTH SEXES

Total, 16 years and over

75,6091,8824791,403100.0100.0100.0100.02.50.61.9

Never married

26,2881,21332588834.864.567.863.34.61.23.4

16 to 24 years

14,28992926866118.949.455.947.16.51.94.6

25 years and over

11,9982845722715.915.111.916.22.40.51.9

25 to 54 years

11,3622735022315.014.510.415.92.40.42.0

Married, spouse present

36,3404229332948.122.419.423.41.20.30.9

16 to 24 years

1,6834910392.22.62.12.82.90.62.3

25 years and over

34,6573758429145.819.917.520.71.10.20.8

25 to 54 years

28,1813085425437.316.411.318.11.10.20.9

Other marital status

12,9822476118617.213.112.713.31.90.51.4

16 to 24 years

402255200.51.31.01.46.21.25.0

25 years and over

12,5802225616616.611.811.711.81.80.41.3

25 to 54 years

9,4161633113212.58.76.59.41.70.31.4
MEN

Total, 16 years and over

37,65264818945949.834.439.532.71.70.51.2

Never married

13,98047314532818.525.130.323.43.41.02.3

16 to 24 years

7,3493361282089.717.926.714.84.61.72.8

25 years and over

6,632138171218.87.33.58.62.10.31.8

25 to 54 years

6,344134161188.47.13.38.42.10.31.9

Married, spouse present

18,695111288324.75.95.85.90.60.10.4

16 to 24 years

769111101.00.60.20.71.40.11.3

25 years and over

17,926100277323.75.35.65.20.60.20.4

25 to 54 years

14,43381206119.14.34.24.30.60.10.4

Other marital status

4,9776416486.63.43.33.41.30.31.0

16 to 24 years

1716150.20.30.20.43.50.62.9

25 years and over

4,8065815436.43.13.13.11.20.30.9

25 to 54 years

3,8824413315.12.32.72.21.10.30.8
WOMEN

Total, 16 years and over

37,9571,23429094450.265.660.567.33.30.82.5

Never married

12,30774018056016.339.337.639.96.01.54.6

16 to 24 years

6,9415931404539.231.529.232.38.52.06.5

25 years and over

5,367147401077.17.88.47.62.70.72.0

25 to 54 years

5,018140351056.67.47.37.52.80.72.1

Married, spouse present

17,6453136624723.316.613.817.61.80.41.4

16 to 24 years

914389291.22.01.92.14.21.03.2

25 years and over

16,7302755721822.114.611.915.51.60.31.3

25 to 54 years

13,7482273419318.212.17.113.81.70.21.4

Other marital status

8,0051824513710.69.79.49.82.30.61.7

16 to 24 years

231184140.31.00.81.07.81.76.1

25 years and over

7,7741634012310.38.78.48.82.10.51.6

25 to 54 years

5,534119181017.36.33.87.22.20.31.8

NOTE: Data exclude all the self-employed, both unincorporated and incorporated.

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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 per week, 2005 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 $5.15 per hourTotal paid hourly ratesAt or below $5.15 per hourAt or below $5.15 per hour
TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15TotalAt $5.15Below $5.15

Total, 16 years and over

75,6091,8824791,403100.0100.0100.0100.02.50.61.9

Hours vary

5,695273552187.514.511.515.54.81.03.8

0 to 34 hours

15,86197430566921.051.863.747.76.11.94.2

0 to 4 hours

324205150.41.11.01.16.21.54.6

5 to 9 hours

8766524411.23.55.02.97.42.74.7

10 to 14 hours

1,42710441631.95.58.64.57.32.94.4

15 to 19 hours

2,100143421012.87.68.87.26.82.04.8

20 to 24 hours

4,7962911141776.315.523.812.66.12.43.7

25 to 29 hours

2,149148411072.87.98.67.66.91.95.0

30 to 34 hours

4,189202371655.510.77.711.84.80.93.9

35 hours or more

54,05463411951571.533.724.836.71.20.21.0

35 to 39 hours

5,330187381497.09.97.910.63.50.72.8

40 hours or more

48,7254488136764.423.816.926.20.90.20.8

40 hours

41,9543806331755.520.213.222.60.90.20.8

41 hours or more

6,7716718499.03.63.83.51.00.30.7

41 to 44 hours

8263121.10.20.20.10.40.10.2

45 to 48 hours

2,415268183.21.41.71.31.10.30.7

49 to 59 hours

2,518205153.31.11.01.10.80.20.6

60 hours or more

1,013194151.31.00.81.11.90.41.5

NOTE: Data exclude all the self-employed, both unincorporated and incorporated.

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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, 1979-2005 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
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
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

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 2005 and subsequent issues of Employment and Earnings, a monthly BLS periodical.

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 in April 1990, to $4.25 in April 1991, to $4.75 in October 1996, and to $5.15 in September 1997. Data exclude the incorporated self-employed. 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. Indeed, the relatively large number of workers with reported wages below the minimum in 1998-2005 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, and 300,000 in 2005); to some extent, this may reflect rounding on the part of survey respondents.

 

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Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers: 2005

 

Last Modified Date: May 19, 2006