Department of Labor Logo United States Department of Labor
Dot gov

The .gov means it's official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey

Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers: 2008

Tables 1 - 10

Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage, 2008 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 (1979-2008 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, 2008 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

75,3052,2262861,940100.0100.0100.0100.03.00.42.6

16 to 24 years

15,6801,12216196120.850.456.349.57.21.06.1

16 to 19 years

5,1375451084376.824.537.822.510.62.18.5

25 years and over

59,6261,10412597979.249.643.750.51.90.21.6

Men, 16 years and over

37,3347289063849.632.731.532.91.90.21.7

16 to 24 years

7,9783845832610.617.320.316.84.80.74.1

16 to 19 years

2,478194391553.38.713.68.07.81.66.3

25 years and over

29,3563453231339.015.511.216.11.20.11.1

Women, 16 years and over

37,9721,4981961,30250.467.368.567.13.90.53.4

16 to 24 years

7,70173810363510.233.236.032.79.61.38.2

16 to 19 years

2,660351702813.515.824.514.513.22.610.6

25 years and over

30,2707599366640.234.132.534.32.50.32.2
RACE, SEX, AND HISPANIC OR LATINO ETHNICITY

White (1)

60,4641,7832151,56880.380.175.280.82.90.42.6

Men

30,5335606549540.525.222.725.51.80.21.6

Women

29,9311,2241511,07339.755.052.855.34.10.53.6

Black or African American (1)

9,8663084925913.113.817.113.43.10.52.6

Men

4,408122171055.95.55.95.42.80.42.4

Women

5,457186321547.28.411.27.93.40.62.8

Asian (1)

2,8446911583.83.13.83.02.40.42.0

Men

1,301273241.71.21.01.22.10.21.8

Women

1,543428342.01.92.81.82.70.52.2

Hispanic or Latino (1)

13,0703243928517.414.613.614.72.50.32.2

Men

7,7561321511710.35.95.26.01.70.21.5

Women

5,313191231687.18.68.08.73.60.43.2
FULL- AND PART-TIME STATUS AND SEX

Full-time workers (2)

56,8378739577875.539.233.240.11.50.21.4

Men

31,3633402731341.615.39.416.11.10.11.0

Women

25,4745326846433.823.923.823.92.10.31.8

Part-time workers (2)

18,3341,3531911,16224.360.866.859.97.41.06.3

Men

5,903388633257.817.422.016.86.61.15.5

Women

12,43196512883716.543.444.843.17.81.06.7

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 whether or not their businesses are incorporated.

top

 

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, 2008 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

75,3052,2262861,940100.0100.0100.0100.03.00.42.6

Northeast

13,3033182129717.314.37.315.32.40.22.3

New England

3,690814774.93.61.44.02.20.12.1

Middle Atlantic

9,3422381722112.410.75.911.42.50.22.4

Midwest

18,5675224747524.723.516.424.52.80.32.6

East North Central

12,7403472632116.915.69.116.52.70.22.5

West North Central

5,827175211547.77.97.37.93.00.42.6

South

25,9421,09218790534.449.165.446.64.20.73.5

South Atlantic

13,4614885443417.921.918.922.43.60.43.2

East South Central

4,419221471745.99.916.49.05.01.13.9

West South Central

8,0613848629810.717.330.115.44.81.13.7

West

17,7642923026223.613.110.513.51.60.21.5

Mountain

5,571166191477.47.56.67.63.00.32.6

Pacific

12,1931271111616.25.73.86.01.00.11.0

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons 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

top

 

Table 3. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by State, 2008 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

75,3052,2262861,940100.0100.0100.0100.03.00.42.6

Alabama

1,1194717301.52.15.91.54.21.52.7

Alaska

2042-20.30.1-0.11.0-1.0

Arizona

1,533465412.02.11.72.13.00.32.7

Arkansas

703265210.91.21.71.13.70.73.0

California

8,7788668011.73.92.14.11.00.10.9

Colorado

1,211481471.62.20.32.44.00.13.9

Connecticut

892161151.20.70.30.81.80.11.7

Delaware

2206-60.30.3-0.32.7-2.7

District of Columbia

1103-30.10.1-0.22.7-2.7

Florida

4,05812751225.45.71.76.33.10.13.0

Georgia

2,0847613632.83.44.53.23.60.63.0

Hawaii

3385-50.40.2-0.31.5-1.5

Idaho

412154110.50.71.40.63.61.02.7

Illinois

3,21180-804.33.6-4.12.5-2.5

Indiana

1,8126410542.42.93.52.83.50.63.0

Iowa

927211201.20.90.31.02.30.12.2

Kansas

791315261.11.41.71.33.90.63.3

Kentucky

1,101459361.52.03.11.94.10.83.3

Louisiana

953489391.32.23.12.05.00.94.1

Maine

3977-70.50.3-0.41.8-1.8

Maryland

1,339375321.81.71.71.62.80.42.4

Massachusetts

1,543352332.01.60.71.72.30.12.1

Michigan

2,641732713.53.30.73.72.80.12.7

Minnesota

1,511406342.01.82.11.82.60.42.3

Mississippi

667409310.91.83.11.66.01.34.6

Missouri

1,592504462.12.21.42.43.10.32.9

Montana

2874220.40.20.70.11.40.70.7

Nebraska

551203170.70.91.00.93.60.53.1

Nevada

736162141.00.70.70.72.20.31.9

New Hampshire

38011-110.50.5-0.62.9-2.9

New Jersey

1,781535482.42.41.72.53.00.32.7

New Mexico

49513-130.70.6-0.72.6-2.6

New York

4,1051006945.54.52.14.82.40.12.3

North Carolina

2,2357811673.03.53.83.53.50.53.0

North Dakota

1998170.30.40.30.44.00.53.5

Ohio

3,329775724.43.51.73.72.30.22.2

Oklahoma

8784819291.22.26.61.55.52.23.3

Oregon

9998261.30.40.70.30.80.20.6

Pennsylvania

3,457856794.63.82.14.12.50.22.3

Rhode Island

2966-60.40.3-0.32.0-2.0

South Carolina

1,111666601.53.02.13.15.90.55.4

South Dakota

2566150.30.30.30.32.30.42.0

Tennessee

1,5338912772.04.04.24.05.80.85.0

Texas

5,527262542087.311.818.910.74.71.03.8

Utah

736185131.00.81.70.72.40.71.8

Vermont

1834-40.20.2-0.22.2-2.2

Virginia

1,809705652.43.11.73.43.90.33.6

Washington

1,875263232.51.21.01.21.40.21.2

West Virginia

4942610160.71.23.50.85.32.03.2

Wisconsin

1,748539442.32.43.12.33.00.52.5

Wyoming

1607160.20.30.30.34.40.63.8

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons 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 determine clearly 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 the prevailing Federal minimum wage may not in fact be covered by Federal or State minimum wage laws. Also, there are a number of States that have minimum wages that exceed the Federal minimum wage. 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.

top

 

Table 4. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by major occupation group, 2008 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

75,3052,2262861,940100.0100.0100.0100.03.00.42.6

Management, professional, and related occupations

14,774114258919.65.18.74.60.80.20.6

Management, business, and financial operations occupations

4,118302285.51.30.71.40.70.00.7

Professional and related occupations

10,65684236114.23.88.03.10.80.20.6

Service occupations

17,2611,5411431,39822.969.250.072.18.90.88.1

Healthcare support occupations

2,564573543.42.61.02.82.20.12.1

Protective service occupations

1,895465412.52.11.72.12.40.32.2

Food preparation and serving related occupations

6,6491,170831,0878.852.629.056.017.61.216.3

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations

3,62710619874.84.86.64.52.90.52.4

Personal care and service occupations

2,526162341283.47.311.96.66.41.35.1

Sales and office occupations

20,5633639127227.316.331.814.01.80.41.3

Sales and related occupations

7,7132245816610.210.120.38.62.90.82.2

Office and administrative support occupats

12,8501383210617.16.211.25.51.10.20.8

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations

9,4345264612.52.32.12.40.60.10.5

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations

63613-130.80.6-0.72.0-2.0

Construction and extraction occupations

5,388295247.21.31.71.20.50.10.4

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

3,41010-104.50.4-0.50.3-0.3

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations

13,2731572213517.67.17.77.01.20.21.0

Production occupations

7,191447379.52.02.41.90.60.10.5

Transportation and material moving occupations

6,08211315988.15.15.25.11.90.21.6

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

top

 

Table 5. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by major industry group, 2008 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

75,3052,2262861,940100.0100.0100.0100.03.00.42.6

Private sector

65,7582,0932611,83287.394.091.394.43.20.42.8

Agriculture and related industries

69212-120.90.5-0.61.7-1.7

Nonagricultural industries

65,0662,0802601,82086.493.490.993.83.20.42.8

Mining

4711-10.60.0-0.10.2-0.2

Construction

5,392295247.21.31.71.20.50.10.4

Manufacturing

9,5576275512.72.82.42.80.60.10.6

Durable goods

6,034462448.02.10.72.30.80.00.7

Nondurable goods

3,523154114.70.71.40.60.40.10.3

Wholesale and retail trade

12,4372716420716.512.222.410.72.20.51.7

Wholesale trade

1,752122102.30.50.70.50.70.10.6

Retail trade

10,6852606319714.211.722.010.22.40.61.8

Transportation and utilities

3,193376314.21.72.11.61.20.21.0

Information

1,475212192.00.90.71.01.40.11.3

Financial activities

3,338338254.41.52.81.31.00.20.7

Professional and business services

5,688568487.62.52.82.51.00.10.8

Education and health services

11,8952033816515.89.113.38.51.70.31.4

Leisure and hospitality

8,6421,2471011,14611.556.035.359.114.41.213.3

Other services

2,97811921984.05.37.35.14.00.73.3

Public sector

9,5471332510812.76.08.75.61.40.31.1

Federal

1,844161152.40.70.30.80.90.10.8

State

2,4904712353.32.14.21.81.90.51.4

Local

5,2137012586.93.14.23.01.30.21.1

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

top

 

Table 6. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by educational attainment, 2008 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

75,3052,2262861,940100.0100.0100.0100.03.00.42.6

Less than a high school diploma

11,25357811446414.926.039.923.95.11.04.1

Less than 1 year of high school

3,1089312814.14.24.24.23.00.42.6

1 to 3 years of high school

6,974450943569.320.232.918.46.51.35.1

4 years of high school, no diploma

1,171357281.61.62.41.43.00.62.4

High school graduates or more

64,0531,6481721,47685.174.060.176.12.60.32.3

High school graduates, no college

27,1637098962036.131.931.132.02.60.32.3

Some college or associate degree

25,2677537567833.633.826.234.93.00.32.7

Some college, no degree

17,2676346357122.928.522.029.43.70.43.3

Associate degree

8,0011191110810.65.33.85.61.50.11.3

Occupational program

3,800465415.02.11.72.11.20.11.1

Academic program

4,201747675.63.32.43.51.80.21.6

Bachelor's degree and higher

11,622187917815.48.43.19.21.60.11.5

Bachelor's degree

9,215161815312.27.22.87.91.70.11.7

Master's degree

1,90318-182.50.8-0.90.9-0.9

Professional degree

3145140.40.20.30.21.60.31.3

Doctoral degree

1903-30.30.1-0.21.6-1.6

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

top

 

Table 7. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by age and sex, 2008 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

75,3052,2262861,940100.0100.0100.0100.03.00.42.6

Under 25 years

15,6801,12216196120.850.456.349.57.21.06.1

16 to 19 years

5,1375451084376.824.537.822.510.62.18.5

20 to 24 years

10,5425775352414.025.918.527.05.50.55.0

25 years and over

59,6261,10412597979.249.643.750.51.90.21.6

25 to 34 years

16,8934824144122.421.714.322.72.90.22.6

25 to 29 years

9,3092922227012.413.17.713.93.10.22.9

30 to 34 years

7,5841901917110.18.56.68.82.50.32.3

35 to 44 years

15,4782422321920.610.98.011.31.60.11.4

35 to 39 years

7,6831271111610.25.73.86.01.70.11.5

40 to 44 years

7,7951141110310.45.13.85.31.50.11.3

45 to 54 years

15,6252012917220.79.010.18.91.30.21.1

45 to 49 years

8,2461262010611.05.77.05.51.50.21.3

50 to 54 years

7,3797610669.83.43.53.41.00.10.9

55 to 64 years

8,987106238311.94.88.04.31.20.30.9

55 to 59 years

5,6606711567.53.03.82.91.20.21.0

60 to 64 years

3,3274013274.41.84.51.41.20.40.8

65 years and over

2,642729633.53.23.13.22.70.32.4

65 to 69 years

1,465374331.91.71.41.72.50.32.3

70 years and over

1,177355301.61.61.71.53.00.42.5
MEN

Total, 16 years and over

37,3347289063849.632.731.532.91.90.21.7

Under 25 years

7,9783845832610.617.320.316.84.80.74.1

16 to 19 years

2,478194391553.38.713.68.07.81.66.3

20 to 24 years

5,500190201707.38.57.08.83.50.43.1

25 years and over

29,3563453231339.015.511.216.11.20.11.1

25 to 34 years

9,029150914112.06.73.17.31.70.11.6

25 to 29 years

4,963865816.63.91.74.21.70.11.6

30 to 34 years

4,066644605.42.91.43.11.60.11.5

35 to 44 years

7,6967156610.23.21.73.40.90.10.9

35 to 39 years

3,885424385.21.91.42.01.10.11.0

40 to 44 years

3,810301295.11.30.31.50.80.00.8

45 to 54 years

7,365687619.83.12.43.10.90.10.8

45 to 49 years

3,899392375.21.80.71.91.00.10.9

50 to 54 years

3,467284244.61.31.41.20.80.10.7

55 to 64 years

4,092359265.41.63.11.30.90.20.6

55 to 59 years

2,593181173.40.80.30.90.70.00.7

60 to 64 years

1,49916882.00.72.80.41.10.50.5

65 years and over

1,174223191.61.01.01.01.90.31.6

65 to 69 years

645121110.90.50.30.61.90.21.7

70 years and over

52910280.70.40.70.41.90.41.5
WOMEN

Total, 16 years and over

37,9721,4981961,30250.467.368.567.13.90.53.4

Under 25 years

7,70173810363510.233.236.032.79.61.38.2

16 to 19 years

2,660351702813.515.824.514.513.22.610.6

20 to 24 years

5,042387333546.717.411.518.27.70.77.0

25 years and over

30,2707599366640.234.132.534.32.50.32.2

25 to 34 years

7,8643323230010.414.911.215.54.20.43.8

25 to 29 years

4,346207181895.89.36.39.74.80.44.3

30 to 34 years

3,518127151124.75.75.25.83.60.43.2

35 to 44 years

7,7831701715310.37.65.97.92.20.22.0

35 to 39 years

3,798867795.03.92.44.12.30.22.1

40 to 44 years

3,9858410745.33.83.53.82.10.31.9

45 to 54 years

8,2601342311111.06.08.05.71.60.31.3

45 to 49 years

4,3478617695.83.95.93.62.00.41.6

50 to 54 years

3,913496435.22.22.12.21.30.21.1

55 to 64 years

4,8957215576.53.25.22.91.50.31.2

55 to 59 years

3,0674810384.12.23.52.01.60.31.2

60 to 64 years

1,828245192.41.11.71.01.30.31.0

65 years and over

1,469506442.02.22.12.33.40.43.0

65 to 69 years

820252231.11.10.71.23.00.22.8

70 years and over

648253220.91.11.01.13.90.53.4

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

top

 

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, 2008 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

75,3052,2262861,940100.0100.0100.0100.03.00.42.6

Never married

26,7901,3881731,21535.662.460.562.65.20.64.5

16 to 24 years

13,8761,03414588918.446.550.745.87.51.06.4

25 years and over

12,9143552932617.115.910.116.82.70.22.5

25 to 54 years

12,1223322330916.114.98.015.92.70.22.5

Married, spouse present

35,7835327645647.523.926.623.51.50.21.3

16 to 24 years

1,3356112491.82.74.22.54.60.93.7

25 years and over

34,4484716440745.721.222.421.01.40.21.2

25 to 54 years

27,0603875133635.917.417.817.31.40.21.2

Other marital status

12,7323053626916.913.712.613.92.40.32.1

16 to 24 years

468284240.61.31.41.26.00.95.1

25 years and over

12,2632783224616.312.511.212.72.30.32.0

25 to 54 years

8,8152071918811.79.36.69.72.30.22.1
MEN

Total, 16 years and over

37,3347289063849.632.731.532.91.90.21.7

Never married

14,2585106444618.922.922.423.03.60.43.1

16 to 24 years

7,213363543099.616.318.915.95.00.74.3

25 years and over

7,046147101379.46.63.57.12.10.11.9

25 to 54 years

6,69113461288.96.02.16.62.00.11.9

Married, spouse present

18,1341521713524.16.85.97.00.80.10.7

16 to 24 years

582143110.80.61.00.62.40.51.9

25 years and over

17,5521381412423.36.24.96.40.80.10.7

25 to 54 years

13,666109119818.14.93.85.10.80.10.7

Other marital status

4,941679586.63.03.13.01.40.21.2

16 to 24 years

1847160.20.30.30.33.80.53.3

25 years and over

4,758608526.32.72.82.71.30.21.1

25 to 54 years

3,733464425.02.11.42.21.20.11.1
WOMEN

Total, 16 years and over .

37,9721,4981961,30250.467.368.567.13.90.53.4

Never married

12,53287810976916.639.438.139.67.00.96.1

16 to 24 years

6,663671915808.830.131.829.910.11.48.7

25 years and over

5,869208181907.89.36.39.83.50.33.2

25 to 54 years

5,431198171817.28.95.99.33.60.33.3

Married, spouse present

17,6493816032123.417.121.016.52.20.31.8

16 to 24 years

753479381.02.13.12.06.21.25.0

25 years and over

16,8963335028322.415.017.514.62.00.31.7

25 to 54 years

13,3942774023717.812.414.012.22.10.31.8

Other marital status

7,7902392721210.310.79.410.93.10.32.7

16 to 24 years

285213180.40.91.00.97.41.16.3

25 years and over

7,5052182419410.09.88.410.02.90.32.6

25 to 54 years

5,082161151466.77.25.27.53.20.32.9

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

top

 

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, 2008 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

75,3052,2262861,940100.0100.0100.0100.03.00.42.6

Hours vary

4,938303292746.613.610.114.16.10.65.5

0 to 34 hours

16,4571,1691681,00121.952.558.751.67.11.06.1

0 to 4 hours

316224180.41.01.40.97.01.35.7

5 to 9 hours

8925810481.22.63.52.56.51.15.4

10 to 14 hours

1,47311920992.05.37.05.18.11.46.7

15 to 19 hours

2,221166211452.97.57.37.57.50.96.5

20 to 24 hours

4,935355622936.615.921.715.17.21.35.9

25 to 29 hours

2,331177141633.18.04.98.47.60.67.0

30 to 34 hours

4,289273382355.712.313.312.16.40.95.5

35 hours or more

53,9107538866571.633.830.834.31.40.21.2

35 to 39 hours

5,550230341967.410.311.910.14.10.63.5

40 hours or more

48,3605255547064.223.619.224.21.10.11.0

40 hours

41,8434394739255.619.716.420.21.00.10.9

41 hours or more

6,517868788.73.92.84.01.30.11.2

41 to 44 hours

819122101.10.50.70.51.50.21.2

45 to 48 hours

2,235153163.00.71.00.80.70.10.7

49 to 59 hours

2,433371363.21.70.31.91.50.01.5

60 hours or more

1,030171161.40.80.30.81.70.11.6

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

top

 

Table 10. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by sex, 1979-2008 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)

104,87663,17260.2(2)2,132(2)1,096(2)3,228(2)5.1

1991

103,72362,62760.4(2)2,377(2)2,906(2)5,283(2)8.4

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

111,96069,25561.9(2)1,863(2)1,861(2)3,724(2)5.4

1997 (1)

114,53370,73561.8(2)2,990(2)1,764(2)4,754(2)6.7

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

129,76775,87358.5(2)1,462(2)267(2)1,729(2)2.3

2008 (1)

129,37775,30558.2(2)1,940(2)286(2)2,226(2)3.0
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)

55,55332,10457.8(2)712(2)385(2)1,097(2)3.4

1991

54,61831,63957.9(2)795(2)1,114(2)1,909(2)6.0

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

58,47334,83859.6(2)619(2)755(2)1,374(2)3.9

1997 (1)

59,82535,52159.4(2)1,147(2)673(2)1,820(2)5.1

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

66,81138,19357.24221465681.5

2007

67,46837,79056.0(2)460(2)86(2)546(2)1.4

2008 (1)

66,84637,33455.9(2)638(2)90(2)728(2)1.9
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)

49,32331,06963.0(2)1,420(2)711(2)2,131(2)6.9

1991

49,10530,98863.1(2)1,582(2)1,792(2)3,374(2)10.9

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

53,48834,41864.3(2)1,244(2)1,106(2)2,350(2)6.8

1997 (1)

54,70835,21464.4(2)1,843(2)1,092(2)2,935(2)8.3

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

62,29938,08261.1(2)1,002(2)181(2)1,183(2)3.1

2008 (1)

62,53237,97260.7(2)1,302(2)196(2)1,498(2)3.9

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 Historical Comparability section of the Household Data technical documentation provided at https://www.bls.gov/cps/eetech_methods.pdf.

2 Data for 1990-91, 1996-97, and 2007-08 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, to $5.85 on July 24, 2007, and to $6.55 on July 24, 2008. Data exclude all self-employed persons 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. In addition, the relatively large number of workers with reported wages below the minimum in some years may reflect rounding on the part of survey respondents.

 

top

 

Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers: 2008

 

Last Modified Date: March 11, 2009