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Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey

Tables 1 ‐ 10; Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers: 2011

Tables 1 - 10

Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage, 2011 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 (1979-2011 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, 2011 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

73,9263,8291,6772,152100.0100.0100.0100.05.22.32.9

16 to 24 years

14,4361,8968931,00319.549.553.246.613.16.26.9

16 to 19 years

3,9368994914085.323.529.319.022.812.510.4

25 years and over

59,4901,9337841,14980.550.546.853.43.21.31.9

Men, 16 years and over

36,4571,43364878549.337.438.636.53.91.82.2

16 to 24 years

7,2907873883999.920.623.118.510.85.35.5

16 to 19 years

1,8723732121612.59.712.67.519.911.38.6

25 years and over

29,16764726038739.516.915.518.02.20.91.3

Women, 16 years and over

37,4692,3951,0291,36650.762.561.463.56.42.73.6

16 to 24 years

7,1471,1095056049.729.030.128.115.57.18.5

16 to 19 years

2,0645262792472.813.716.611.525.513.512.0

25 years and over

30,3231,28652476241.033.631.235.44.21.72.5
RACE, SEX, AND HISPANIC OR LATINO ETHNICITY

White (1)

59,3143,0061,2581,74880.278.575.081.25.12.12.9

Men

29,7431,10848462440.228.928.929.03.71.62.1

Women

29,5711,8987741,12440.049.646.252.26.42.63.8

Black or African American (1)

9,52357732425312.915.119.311.86.13.42.7

Men

4,2522221171055.85.87.04.95.22.82.5

Women

5,2713562081487.19.312.46.96.83.92.8

Asian (1)

3,0379936634.12.62.12.93.31.22.1

Men

1,4254113281.91.10.81.32.90.92.0

Women

1,6125823352.21.51.41.63.61.42.2

Hispanic or Latino (1)

13,26472034038017.918.820.317.75.42.62.9

Men

7,70332615417210.48.59.28.04.22.02.2

Women

5,5613941862087.510.311.19.77.13.33.7
FULL- AND PART-TIME STATUS AND SEX

Full-time workers (2)

53,5941,27452275272.533.331.134.92.41.01.4

Men

29,29250120529639.613.112.213.81.70.71.0

Women

24,30277331745632.920.218.921.23.21.31.9

Part-time workers (2)

20,1992,5451,1531,39227.366.568.864.712.65.76.9

Men

7,1039324434899.624.326.422.713.16.26.9

Women

13,0961,61571190417.742.242.442.012.35.46.9

Footnotes:
(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. Full time is 35 hours or more per week; part time is less than 35 hours.

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons whether or not their businesses are 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, 2011 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

73,9263,8291,6772,152100.0100.0100.0100.05.22.32.9

Northeast

12,75561925536417.316.215.216.94.92.02.9

New England

3,629128261024.93.31.64.73.50.72.8

Middle Atlantic

9,12649022826212.312.813.612.25.42.52.9

Midwest

18,13591035455624.523.821.125.85.02.03.1

East North Central

12,31156217139116.714.710.218.24.61.43.2

West North Central

5,8233491831667.99.110.97.76.03.12.9

South

25,6521,84591293334.748.254.443.47.23.63.6

South Atlantic

12,80689539350217.323.423.423.37.03.13.9

East South Central

4,3652971581395.97.89.46.56.83.63.2

West South Central

8,48165436229211.517.121.613.67.74.33.4

West

17,38545415629823.511.99.313.82.60.91.7

Mountain

5,450252831697.46.64.97.94.61.53.1

Pacific

11,9352037313016.15.34.46.01.70.61.1

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

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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, 2011 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

73,9263,8291,6772,152100.0100.0100.0100.05.22.32.9

Alabama

1,1477443311.61.92.61.46.53.72.7

Alaska

2124130.30.10.10.11.90.51.4

Arizona

1,5178520652.12.21.23.05.61.34.3

Arkansas

7464933161.01.32.00.76.64.42.1

California

8,706139538611.83.63.24.01.60.61.0

Colorado

1,222499401.71.30.51.94.00.73.3

Connecticut

870254211.20.70.21.02.90.52.4

Delaware

21311380.30.30.20.45.21.43.8

District of Columbia

944130.10.10.10.14.31.13.2

Florida

3,891246731735.36.44.48.06.31.94.4

Georgia

2,041196105912.85.16.34.29.65.14.5

Hawaii

32115870.40.40.50.34.72.52.2

Idaho

379191270.50.50.70.35.03.21.8

Illinois

3,09510929804.22.81.73.73.50.92.6

Indiana

1,73010854542.32.83.22.56.23.13.1

Iowa

9415328251.31.41.71.25.63.02.7

Kansas

8025627291.11.51.61.37.03.43.6

Kentucky

1,0776330331.51.61.81.55.82.83.1

Louisiana

1,0117533421.42.02.02.07.43.34.2

Maine

381143110.50.40.20.53.70.82.9

Maryland

1,2746527381.71.71.61.85.12.13.0

Massachusetts

1,5396011492.11.60.72.33.90.73.2

Michigan

2,55011729883.43.11.74.14.61.13.5

Minnesota

1,5447847312.12.02.81.45.13.02.0

Mississippi

6865837210.91.52.21.08.55.43.1

Missouri

1,54310954552.12.83.22.67.13.53.6

Montana

27110640.40.30.40.23.72.21.5

Nebraska

5322915140.70.80.90.75.52.82.6

Nevada

670229130.90.60.50.63.31.31.9

New Hampshire

368144100.50.40.20.53.81.12.7

New Jersey

1,7959941582.42.62.42.75.52.33.2

New Mexico

459206140.60.50.40.74.41.33.1

New York

3,930199911085.35.25.45.05.12.32.7

North Carolina

2,05514065752.83.73.93.56.83.23.6

North Dakota

20811650.30.30.40.25.32.92.4

Ohio

3,224150271234.43.91.65.74.70.83.8

Oklahoma

8285636201.11.52.10.96.84.32.4

Oregon

1,01012481.40.30.20.41.20.40.8

Pennsylvania

3,40019397964.65.05.84.55.72.92.8

Rhode Island

28911380.40.30.20.43.81.02.8

South Carolina

1,0787942371.52.12.51.77.33.93.4

South Dakota

25313760.30.30.40.35.12.82.4

Tennessee

1,45510148532.02.62.92.56.93.33.6

Texas

5,8964732592148.012.415.49.98.04.43.6

Utah

7653515201.00.90.90.94.62.02.6

Vermont

1824130.20.10.10.12.20.51.6

Virginia

1,69712157642.33.23.43.07.13.43.8

Washington

1,686316252.30.80.41.21.80.41.5

West Virginia

4623420140.60.91.20.77.44.33.0

Wisconsin

1,7117832462.32.01.92.14.61.92.7

Wyoming

16710550.20.30.30.26.03.03.0

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 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. Hourly earnings do not include overtime pay, commissions, or tips.

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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 occupation, 2011 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

73,9263,8291,6772,152100.0100.0100.0100.05.22.32.9

Management, professional, and related occupations

15,5241958910621.05.15.34.91.30.60.7

Management, business, and financial operations occupations

4,3004811375.81.30.71.71.10.30.9

Professional and related occupations

11,224147786915.23.84.73.21.30.70.6

Service occupations

17,8002,3227421,58024.160.644.273.413.04.28.9

Healthcare support occupations

2,7009852463.72.63.12.13.61.91.7

Protective service occupations

2,0286122392.71.61.31.83.01.11.9

Food preparation and serving related occupations

6,7101,6534221,2319.143.225.257.224.66.318.3

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations

3,6182111111004.95.56.64.65.83.12.8

Personal care and service occupations

2,7452991351643.77.88.17.610.94.96.0

Sales and office occupations

19,98785661723927.022.436.811.14.33.11.2

Sales and related occupations

7,81360044115910.615.726.37.47.75.62.0

Office and administrative support occupations

12,1742571778016.56.710.63.72.11.50.7

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations

8,22196484811.12.52.92.21.20.60.6

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations

6754224180.91.11.40.86.23.62.7

Construction and extraction occupations

4,3322813155.90.70.80.70.60.30.3

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

3,2142611154.30.70.70.70.80.30.5

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations

12,39436018117916.89.410.88.32.91.51.4

Production occupations

6,48510053478.82.63.22.21.50.80.7

Transportation and material moving occupations

5,9092601281328.06.87.66.14.42.22.2

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Effective with January 2011 data, occupations reflect the introduction of the 2010 Census occupational classification system into the Current Population Survey, or household survey. This classification system is derived from the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC). No historical data have been revised. Data for 2011 are not strictly comparable with earlier years.

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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 industry, 2011 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

73,9263,8291,6772,152100.0100.0100.0100.05.22.32.9

Private sector

64,5253,6251,5772,04887.394.794.095.25.62.43.2

Agriculture and related industries

7754120211.01.11.21.05.32.62.7

Nonagricultural industries

63,7503,5841,5572,02786.293.692.894.25.62.43.2

Mining

4893210.70.10.10.00.60.40.2

Construction

4,3044115265.81.10.91.21.00.30.6

Manufacturing

8,55691474411.62.42.82.01.10.50.5

Durable goods

5,2644118237.11.11.11.10.80.30.4

Nondurable goods

3,2925029214.51.31.71.01.50.90.6

Wholesale and retail trade

12,42366946320616.817.527.69.65.43.71.7

Wholesale trade

1,6892717102.30.71.00.51.61.00.6

Retail trade

10,73464244619614.516.826.69.16.04.21.8

Transportation and utilities

3,0694622244.21.21.31.11.50.70.8

Information

1,2733618181.70.91.10.82.81.41.4

Financial activities

3,2284025154.41.01.50.71.20.80.5

Professional and business services

5,85715785727.94.15.13.32.71.51.2

Education and health services

12,63635518517017.19.311.07.92.81.51.3

Leisure and hospitality

8,9431,9636101,35312.151.336.462.922.06.815.1

Other services

2,97018386974.04.85.14.56.22.93.3

Public sector

9,40120410010412.75.36.04.82.21.11.1

Federal

1,770201282.40.50.70.41.10.70.5

State

2,6046537283.51.72.21.32.51.41.1

Local

5,02611950696.83.13.03.22.41.01.4

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

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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, 2011 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

73,9263,8291,6772,152100.0100.0100.0100.05.22.32.9

Less than a high school diploma

9,5621,06158247912.927.734.722.311.16.15.0

Less than 1 year of high school

2,79418295873.84.85.74.06.53.43.1

1 to 3 years of high school

5,6317734273467.620.225.516.113.77.66.1

4 years of high school, no diploma

1,13710660461.52.83.62.19.35.34.0

High school graduates or more

64,3642,7671,0941,67387.172.365.277.74.31.72.6

High school graduates, no college

25,7101,17953264734.830.831.730.14.62.12.5

Some college or associate degree

25,8581,30950080935.034.229.837.65.11.93.1

Some college, no degree

17,1781,05742263523.227.625.229.56.22.53.7

Associate degree

8,6802537917411.76.64.78.12.90.92.0

Occupational program

4,0219335585.42.42.12.72.30.91.4

Academic program

4,659158431156.34.12.65.33.40.92.5

Bachelor's degree and higher

12,7962796221717.37.33.710.12.20.51.7

Bachelor's degree

9,9842485519313.56.53.39.02.50.61.9

Master's degree

2,230246183.00.60.40.81.10.30.8

Professional degree

2936-60.40.2-0.32.0-2.0

Doctoral degree

28911-0.40.00.1-0.30.3-

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.

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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, 2011 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

73,9263,8291,6772,152100.0100.0100.0100.05.22.32.9

Under 25 years

14,4361,8968931,00319.549.553.246.613.16.26.9

16 to 19 years

3,9368994914085.323.529.319.022.812.510.4

20 to 24 years

10,50199740259514.226.024.027.69.53.85.7

25 years and over

59,4901,9337841,14980.550.546.853.43.21.31.9

25 to 34 years

17,15580829950923.221.117.823.74.71.73.0

25 to 29 years

9,22946017029012.512.010.113.55.01.83.1

30 to 34 years

7,92634812921910.79.17.710.24.41.62.8

35 to 44 years

14,16839916123819.210.49.611.12.81.11.7

35 to 39 years

6,889205751309.35.44.56.03.01.11.9

40 to 44 years

7,279194861089.85.15.15.02.71.21.5

45 to 54 years

15,33138215922320.710.09.510.42.51.01.5

45 to 49 years

7,7932088212610.55.44.95.92.71.11.6

50 to 54 years

7,537175789710.24.64.74.52.31.01.3

55 to 64 years

10,04622111710413.65.87.04.82.21.21.0

55 to 59 years

6,13512366578.33.23.92.62.01.10.9

60 to 64 years

3,9119851475.32.63.02.22.51.31.2

65 years and over

2,79012348753.83.22.93.54.41.72.7

65 to 69 years

1,5696827412.11.81.61.94.31.72.6

70 years and over

1,2205521341.71.41.31.64.51.72.8
MEN

Total, 16 years and over

36,4571,43364878549.337.438.636.53.91.82.2

Under 25 years

7,2907873883999.920.623.118.510.85.35.5

16 to 19 years

1,8723732121612.59.712.67.519.911.38.6

20 to 24 years

5,4184131752387.310.810.411.17.63.24.4

25 years and over

29,16764726038739.516.915.518.02.20.91.3

25 to 34 years

9,1322789618212.47.35.78.53.01.12.0

25 to 29 years

4,893157531046.64.13.24.83.21.12.1

30 to 34 years

4,23812243795.73.22.63.72.91.01.9

35 to 44 years

7,03614256869.53.73.34.02.00.81.2

35 to 39 years

3,4717426484.71.91.62.22.10.71.4

40 to 44 years

3,5656730374.81.71.81.71.90.81.0

45 to 54 years

7,16711355589.73.03.32.71.60.80.8

45 to 49 years

3,6896130315.01.61.81.41.70.80.8

50 to 54 years

3,4775124274.71.31.41.31.50.70.8

55 to 64 years

4,4917236366.11.92.11.71.60.80.8

55 to 59 years

2,8144223193.81.11.40.91.50.80.7

60 to 64 years

1,6773013172.30.80.80.81.80.81.0

65 years and over

1,3414217251.81.11.01.23.11.31.9

65 to 69 years

7542110111.00.50.60.52.81.31.5

70 years and over

587227150.80.60.40.73.71.22.6
WOMEN

Total, 16 years and over

37,4692,3951,0291,36650.762.561.463.56.42.73.6

Under 25 years

7,1471,1095056049.729.030.128.115.57.18.5

16 to 19 years

2,0645262792472.813.716.611.525.513.512.0

20 to 24 years

5,0835832263576.915.213.516.611.54.47.0

25 years and over

30,3231,28652476241.033.631.235.44.21.72.5

25 to 34 years

8,02452820232610.913.812.015.16.62.54.1

25 to 29 years

4,3363031171865.97.97.08.67.02.74.3

30 to 34 years

3,688225851405.05.95.16.56.12.33.8

35 to 44 years

7,1322571051529.66.76.37.13.61.52.1

35 to 39 years

3,41813149824.63.42.93.83.81.42.4

40 to 44 years

3,71412656705.03.33.33.33.41.51.9

45 to 54 years

8,16427010516511.07.16.37.73.31.32.0

45 to 49 years

4,10414651955.63.83.04.43.61.22.3

50 to 54 years

4,06012353705.53.23.23.33.01.31.7

55 to 64 years

5,55515081697.53.94.83.22.71.51.2

55 to 59 years

3,3218042384.52.12.51.82.41.31.1

60 to 64 years

2,2336838303.01.82.31.43.01.71.3

65 years and over

1,4488131502.02.11.82.35.62.13.5

65 to 69 years

8154616301.11.21.01.45.62.03.7

70 years and over

6333314190.90.90.80.95.22.23.0

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons whether or not their businesses are 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, 2011 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

73,9263,8291,6772,152100.0100.0100.0100.05.22.32.9

Never married

26,7032,4621,0971,36536.164.365.463.49.24.15.1

16 to 24 years

12,8471,75183591617.445.749.842.613.66.57.1

25 years and over

13,85571126244918.718.615.620.95.11.93.2

25 to 54 years

12,82766023942117.417.214.319.65.11.93.3

Married, spouse present

34,62483635847846.821.821.322.22.41.01.4

16 to 24 years

1,1438940491.52.32.42.37.83.54.3

25 years and over

33,48174831843045.319.519.020.02.20.91.3

25 to 54 years

25,34760525235334.315.815.016.42.41.01.4

Other marital status

12,59953122230917.013.913.214.44.21.82.5

16 to 24 years

4465618380.61.51.11.812.64.08.5

25 years and over

12,15347520427116.412.412.212.63.91.72.2

25 to 54 years

8,48132412819611.58.57.69.13.81.52.3
MEN

Total, 16 years and over

36,4571,43364878549.337.438.636.53.91.82.2

Never married

14,1321,01945756219.126.627.326.17.23.24.0

16 to 24 years

6,5757343633718.919.221.617.211.25.55.6

25 years and over

7,5572859419110.27.45.68.93.81.22.5

25 to 54 years

7,072262851779.66.85.18.23.71.22.5

Married, spouse present

17,46227913114823.67.37.86.91.60.80.8

16 to 24 years

5183316170.70.91.00.86.43.13.3

25 years and over

16,94424511513022.96.46.96.01.40.70.8

25 to 54 years

12,7651888510317.34.95.14.81.50.70.8

Other marital status

4,86413761766.63.63.63.52.81.31.6

16 to 24 years

197209110.30.50.50.510.24.65.6

25 years and over

4,66611651656.33.03.03.02.51.11.4

25 to 54 years

3,4978236464.72.12.12.12.31.01.3
WOMEN

Total, 16 years and over

37,4692,3951,0291,36650.762.561.463.56.42.73.6

Never married

12,5711,44464180317.037.738.237.311.55.16.4

16 to 24 years

6,2731,0184735458.526.628.225.316.27.58.7

25 years and over

6,2984261682588.511.110.012.06.82.74.1

25 to 54 years

5,7543991542457.810.49.211.46.92.74.3

Married, spouse present

17,16255722733023.214.513.515.33.21.31.9

16 to 24 years

6255524310.81.41.41.48.83.85.0

25 years and over

16,53750220329922.413.112.113.93.01.21.8

25 to 54 years

12,58241516624917.010.89.911.63.31.32.0

Other marital status

7,73639416123310.510.39.610.85.12.13.0

16 to 24 years

249379280.31.00.51.314.93.611.2

25 years and over

7,48735715220510.19.39.19.54.82.02.7

25 to 54 years

4,983242921506.76.35.57.04.91.83.0

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Other marital status includes married, spouse absent; divorced; separated; and widowed persons.

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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, 2011 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

73,9263,8291,6772,152100.0100.0100.0100.05.22.32.9

Hours vary

4,9624911982936.712.811.813.69.94.05.9

0 to 34 hours

18,1272,2511,0291,22224.558.861.456.812.45.76.7

0 to 4 hours

4115922370.61.51.31.714.45.49.0

5 to 9 hours

99214663831.33.83.83.914.76.48.4

10 to 14 hours

1,550211128832.15.57.63.913.68.35.4

15 to 19 hours

2,2843631841793.19.511.08.315.98.17.8

20 to 24 hours

5,2726733373367.117.620.115.612.86.46.4

25 to 29 hours

2,6103141211933.58.27.29.012.04.67.4

30 to 34 hours

5,0064841733116.812.610.314.59.73.56.2

35 hours or more

50,8371,08745063768.828.426.829.62.10.91.3

35 to 39 hours

6,0503431342098.29.08.09.75.72.23.5

40 hours or more

44,78774331642760.619.418.819.81.70.71.0

40 hours

39,23165328636753.117.117.117.11.70.70.9

41 hours or more

5,5579030607.52.41.82.81.60.51.1

41 to 44 hours

65912390.90.30.20.41.80.51.4

45 to 48 hours

1,885319222.50.80.51.01.60.51.2

49 to 59 hours

2,038266202.80.70.40.91.30.31.0

60 hours or more

975201191.30.50.70.42.11.10.9

NOTE: Data exclude all self-employed persons whether or not their businesses are incorporated. Estimates of usual hours worked presented in this table differ from usual full- or part-time status (as shown in table 1) because of a sizable number of workers whose usual hours vary on the primary job.

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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, 1979-2011 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

2009 (1)

124,49072,61158.3(2)2,592(2)980(2)3,572(2)4.9

2010

124,07372,90258.82,5411,8204,3616.0

2011

125,18773,92659.12,1521,6773,8295.2
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)

55,55332,10457.8(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

2009 (1)

63,53935,18555.4(2)990(2)368(2)1,358(2)3.9

2010

63,53135,49855.99436691,6124.5

2011

64,68636,45756.47856481,4333.9
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

2009 (1)

60,95137,42661.4(2)1,603(2)612(2)2,215(2)5.9

2010

60,54237,40461.81,5981,1512,7497.3

2011

60,50237,46961.91,3661,0292,3956.4

Footnotes:
(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 www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp.
(2) Data for 1990-91, 1996-97, and 2007-09 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, to $6.55 on July 24, 2008, and to $7.25 on July 24, 2009. 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.

 

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Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers: 2011

 

Last Modified Date: March 2, 2012