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: 2012

Tables 1 - 10

Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage, 2012 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 (1979–2012 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, 2012 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

75,2763,5501,5661,984100.0100.0100.0100.04.72.12.6

16 to 24 years

14,9091,79786293519.850.655.047.112.15.86.3

16 to 19 years

4,0448544843705.424.130.918.621.112.09.1

25 years and over

60,3671,7537041,04980.249.445.052.92.91.21.7

Men, 16 years and over

37,1131,26356769649.335.636.235.13.41.51.9

16 to 24 years

7,4546733333409.919.021.317.19.04.54.6

16 to 19 years

1,9223662071592.610.313.28.019.010.88.3

25 years and over

29,65959123535639.416.615.017.92.00.81.2

Women, 16 years and over

38,1632,2879991,28850.764.463.864.96.02.63.4

16 to 24 years

7,4551,1245295959.931.733.830.015.17.18.0

16 to 19 years

2,1224892782112.813.817.810.623.013.19.9

25 years and over

30,7081,16347069340.832.830.034.93.81.52.3
RACE AND HISPANIC OR LATINO ETHNICITY

White (1)

59,1802,7601,1851,57578.677.775.779.44.72.02.7

Men

29,69198444454039.427.728.427.23.31.51.8

Women

29,4901,7767411,03539.250.047.352.26.02.53.5

Black or African American (1)

10,04953327725613.315.017.712.95.32.82.5

Men

4,52218385986.05.25.44.94.01.92.2

Women

5,5273501931577.39.912.37.96.33.52.8

Asian (1)

3,40311748694.53.33.13.53.41.42.0

Men

1,5683916232.11.11.01.22.51.01.5

Women

1,8357832462.42.22.02.34.31.72.5

Hispanic or Latino (1)

14,40471833738119.120.221.519.25.02.32.6

Men

8,11429512716810.88.38.18.53.61.62.1

Women

6,2904232102138.411.913.410.76.73.33.4
FULL- AND PART-TIME STATUS

Full-time workers (2)

54,7451,26150176072.735.532.038.32.30.91.4

Men

30,05249119729439.913.812.614.81.60.71.0

Women

24,69377030446632.821.719.423.53.11.21.9

Part-time workers (2)

20,4112,2861,0631,22327.164.467.961.611.25.26.0

Men

6,9987723704029.321.723.620.311.05.35.7

Women

13,4131,51369382017.842.644.341.311.35.26.1

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.

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, 2012 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

75,2763,5501,5661,984100.0100.0100.0100.04.72.12.6

Northeast

12,95164828036817.218.317.918.55.02.22.8

New England

3,64912530954.83.51.94.83.40.82.6

Middle Atlantic

9,30252325027312.414.716.013.85.62.72.9

Midwest

18,10080832748124.022.820.924.24.51.82.7

East North Central

12,32151016334716.414.410.417.54.11.32.8

West North Central

5,7792981641347.78.410.56.85.22.82.3

South

26,6751,67480986535.447.251.743.66.33.03.2

South Atlantic

13,47377730147617.921.919.224.05.82.23.5

East South Central

4,4842561281286.07.28.26.55.72.92.9

West South Central

8,71864037926111.618.024.213.27.34.33.0

West

17,55142015027023.311.89.613.62.40.91.5

Mountain

5,533237821557.46.75.27.84.31.52.8

Pacific

12,0171836811516.05.24.35.81.50.61.0

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, 2012 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

75,2763,5501,5661,984100.0100.0100.0100.04.72.12.6

Alabama

1,0836531341.41.82.01.76.02.93.1

Alaska

1942110.30.10.10.11.00.50.5

Arizona

1,4726817512.01.91.12.64.61.23.5

Arkansas

7255033171.01.42.10.96.94.62.3

California

8,805127458211.73.62.94.11.40.50.9

Colorado

1,234427351.61.20.41.83.40.62.8

Connecticut

853232211.10.60.11.12.70.22.5

Delaware

21911470.30.30.30.45.01.83.2

District of Columbia

1035140.10.10.10.24.91.03.9

Florida

4,164214491655.56.03.18.35.11.24.0

Georgia

2,11413660762.83.83.83.86.42.83.6

Hawaii

33114770.40.40.40.44.22.12.1

Idaho

4043116150.50.91.00.87.74.03.7

Illinois

3,0658521644.12.41.33.22.80.72.1

Indiana

1,7859350432.42.63.22.25.22.82.4

Iowa

9204625211.21.31.61.15.02.72.3

Kansas

7804429151.01.21.90.85.63.71.9

Kentucky

1,1476030301.51.71.91.55.22.62.6

Louisiana

1,0437435391.42.12.22.07.13.43.7

Maine

37811380.50.30.20.42.90.82.1

Maryland

1,3276725421.81.91.62.15.01.93.2

Massachusetts

1,5676217452.11.71.12.34.01.12.9

Michigan

2,4499019713.32.51.23.63.70.82.9

Minnesota

1,5226035252.01.72.21.33.92.31.6

Mississippi

7004521240.91.31.31.26.43.03.4

Missouri

1,5389749482.02.73.12.46.33.23.1

Montana

2744130.40.10.10.21.50.41.1

Nebraska

5613217150.70.91.10.85.73.02.7

Nevada

730239141.00.60.60.73.21.21.9

New Hampshire

37013580.50.40.30.43.51.42.2

New Jersey

1,77710349542.42.93.12.75.82.83.0

New Mexico

488236170.60.60.40.94.71.23.5

New York

4,0752241131115.46.37.25.65.52.82.7

North Carolina

2,20613774632.93.94.73.26.23.42.9

North Dakota

2057340.30.20.20.23.41.52.0

Ohio

3,277147311164.44.12.05.84.50.93.5

Oklahoma

8906429351.21.81.91.87.23.33.9

Oregon

98211381.30.30.20.41.10.30.8

Pennsylvania

3,450195871084.65.55.65.45.72.53.1

Rhode Island

29810280.40.30.10.43.40.72.7

South Carolina

1,0845928311.41.71.81.65.42.62.9

South Dakota

25312660.30.30.40.34.72.42.4

Tennessee

1,5548646402.12.42.92.05.53.02.6

Texas

6,0604522821708.112.718.08.67.54.72.8

Utah

7583721161.01.01.30.84.92.82.1

Vermont

1845140.20.10.10.22.70.52.2

Virginia

1,80312348752.43.53.13.86.82.74.2

Washington

1,7052911182.30.80.70.91.70.61.1

West Virginia

4532613130.60.70.80.75.72.92.9

Wisconsin

1,7459441532.32.62.62.75.42.33.0

Wyoming

1739450.20.30.30.35.22.32.9

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.

top

 

Table 4. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage by occupation, 2012 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

75,2763,5501,5661,984100.0100.0100.0100.04.72.12.6

Management, professional, and related occupations

15,962145697621.24.14.43.80.90.40.5

Management, business, and financial operations occupations

4,6093311226.10.90.71.10.70.20.5

Professional and related occupations

11,353112585415.13.23.72.71.00.50.5

Service occupations

18,2772,2047131,49124.362.145.575.212.13.98.2

Healthcare support occupations

2,83510055453.82.83.52.33.51.91.6

Protective service occupations

1,9354917322.61.41.11.62.50.91.7

Food preparation and serving related occupations

6,9711,5554081,1479.343.826.157.822.35.916.5

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations

3,7722311121195.06.57.26.06.13.03.2

Personal care and service occupations

2,7642681201483.77.57.77.59.74.35.4

Sales and office occupations

20,12377254922326.721.735.111.23.82.71.1

Sales and related occupations

7,95654640014610.615.425.57.46.95.01.8

Office and administrative support occupations

12,1672271507716.26.49.63.91.91.20.6

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations

8,21779394010.92.22.52.01.00.50.5

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations

6834019210.91.11.21.15.92.83.1

Construction and extraction occupations

4,3302313105.80.60.80.50.50.30.2

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

3,204166104.30.50.40.50.50.20.3

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations

12,69734919615316.99.812.57.72.71.51.2

Production occupations

6,74010960499.03.13.82.51.60.90.7

Transportation and material moving occupations

5,9572401361047.96.88.75.24.02.31.7

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

top

 

Table 5. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage by industry, 2012 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

75,2763,5501,5661,984100.0100.0100.0100.04.72.12.6

Private sector

65,9273,3771,4841,89387.695.194.895.45.12.32.9

Agriculture and related industries

7753517181.01.01.10.94.52.22.3

Nonagricultural industries

65,1523,3421,4671,87586.694.193.794.55.12.32.9

Mining

5384220.70.10.10.10.70.40.4

Construction

4,2772915145.70.81.00.70.70.40.3

Manufacturing

8,757116625411.63.34.02.71.30.70.6

Durable goods

5,3995727307.21.61.71.51.10.50.6

Nondurable goods

3,3585834244.51.62.21.21.71.00.7

Wholesale and retail trade

12,43058341017316.516.426.28.74.73.31.4

Wholesale trade

1,653228142.20.60.50.71.30.50.8

Retail trade

10,77656140215914.315.825.78.05.23.71.5

Transportation and utilities

3,1874823254.21.41.51.31.50.70.8

Information

1,1903521141.61.01.30.72.91.81.2

Financial activities

3,3093617194.41.01.11.01.10.50.6

Professional and business services

6,13015067838.14.24.34.22.41.11.4

Education and health services

12,90833019014017.19.312.17.12.61.51.1

Leisure and hospitality

9,8211,8195851,23413.051.237.462.218.56.012.6

Other services

3,145193761174.25.44.95.96.12.43.7

Public sector

9,349173829112.44.95.24.61.90.91.0

Federal

1,76716792.30.50.40.50.90.40.5

state

2,5766035253.41.72.21.32.31.41.0

Local

5,0069841576.72.82.62.92.00.81.1

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

top

 

Table 6. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage by educational attainment, 2012 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

75,2763,5501,5661,984100.0100.0100.0100.04.72.12.6

Less than a high school diploma

9,60198956842112.827.936.321.210.35.94.4

Less than 1 year of high school

2,97916993764.04.85.93.85.73.12.6

1 to 3 years of high school

5,4647144123027.320.126.315.213.17.55.5

4 years of high school, no diploma

1,15710663431.53.04.02.29.25.43.7

High school graduates or more

65,6752,5629991,56387.272.263.878.83.91.52.4

High school graduates, no college

25,7321,04747457334.229.530.328.94.11.82.2

Some college or associate degree

26,5441,23046576535.334.629.738.64.61.82.9

Some college, no degree

17,5531,00739261523.328.425.031.05.72.23.5

Associate degree

8,9912237414911.96.34.77.52.50.81.7

Occupational program

4,0739635615.42.72.23.12.40.91.5

Academic program

4,91812739886.53.62.54.42.60.81.8

Bachelor's degree and higher

13,4002845922517.88.03.811.32.10.41.7

Bachelor's degree

10,4252425119113.86.83.39.62.30.51.8

Master's degree

2,370307233.10.80.41.21.30.31.0

Professional degree

2886-50.40.2-0.32.1-1.7

Doctoral degree

3161160.40.00.10.30.30.31.9

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, 2012 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

75,2763,5501,5661,984100.0100.0100.0100.04.72.12.6

16 to 24 years

14,9091,79786293519.850.655.047.112.15.86.3

16 to 19 years

4,0448544843705.424.130.918.621.112.09.1

20 to 24 years

10,86594237756514.426.524.128.58.73.55.2

25 years and over

60,3671,7537041,04980.249.445.052.92.91.21.7

25 to 34 years

17,16772024347722.820.315.524.04.21.42.8

25 to 29 years

9,13341512529012.111.78.014.64.51.43.2

30 to 34 years

8,03430511818710.78.67.59.43.81.52.3

35 to 44 years

14,38338815423419.110.99.811.82.71.11.6

35 to 39 years

7,051204821229.45.75.26.12.91.21.7

40 to 44 years

7,333185731129.75.24.75.62.51.01.5

45 to 54 years

15,16936816420420.210.410.510.32.41.11.3

45 to 49 years

7,5521948710710.05.55.65.42.61.21.4

50 to 54 years

7,616173779610.14.94.94.82.31.01.3

55 to 64 years

10,6421901009014.15.46.44.51.80.90.8

55 to 59 years

6,49510450548.62.93.22.71.60.80.8

60 to 64 years

4,1478750375.52.53.21.92.11.20.9

65 years and over

3,0068844444.02.52.82.22.91.51.5

65 to 69 years

1,7495025252.31.41.61.32.91.41.4

70 years and over

1,2573819191.71.11.21.03.01.51.5
MEN

Total, 16 years and over

37,1131,26356769649.335.636.235.13.41.51.9

16 to 24 years

7,4546733333409.919.021.317.19.04.54.6

16 to 19 years

1,9223662071592.610.313.28.019.010.88.3

20 to 24 years

5,5323071261817.38.68.09.15.52.33.3

25 years and over

29,65959123535639.416.615.017.92.00.81.2

25 to 34 years

9,0782528616612.17.15.58.42.80.91.8

25 to 29 years

4,838143381056.44.02.45.33.00.82.2

30 to 34 years

4,24010948615.63.13.13.12.61.11.4

35 to 44 years

7,14012045759.53.42.93.81.70.61.1

35 to 39 years

3,5686622444.71.91.42.21.80.61.2

40 to 44 years

3,5725523324.71.51.51.61.50.60.9

45 to 54 years

7,13511450649.53.23.23.21.60.70.9

45 to 49 years

3,5596630364.71.91.91.81.90.81.0

50 to 54 years

3,5764820284.81.41.31.41.30.60.8

55 to 64 years

4,8976734336.51.92.21.71.40.70.7

55 to 59 years

3,0123615214.01.01.01.11.20.50.7

60 to 64 years

1,8853018122.50.81.10.61.61.00.6

65 years and over

1,4093720171.91.01.30.92.61.41.2

65 to 69 years

7982312111.10.60.80.62.91.51.4

70 years and over

61114860.80.40.50.32.31.31.0
WOMEN

Total, 16 years and over

38,1632,2879991,28850.764.463.864.96.02.63.4

16 to 24 years

7,4551,1245295959.931.733.830.015.17.18.0

16 to 19 years

2,1224892782112.813.817.810.623.013.19.9

20 to 24 years

5,3336352513847.117.916.019.411.94.77.2

25 years and over

30,7081,16347069340.832.830.034.93.81.52.3

25 to 34 years

8,09046715631110.713.210.015.75.81.93.8

25 to 29 years

4,295272871855.77.75.69.36.32.04.3

30 to 34 years

3,794194691255.05.54.46.35.11.83.3

35 to 44 years

7,2432681091599.67.57.08.03.71.52.2

35 to 39 years

3,48313960794.63.93.84.04.01.72.3

40 to 44 years

3,76013150815.03.73.24.13.51.32.2

45 to 54 years

8,03425411414010.77.27.37.13.21.41.7

45 to 49 years

3,99312857715.33.63.63.63.21.41.8

50 to 54 years

4,04112657695.43.53.63.53.11.41.7

55 to 64 years

5,74512467577.63.54.32.92.21.21.0

55 to 59 years

3,4836735324.61.92.21.61.91.00.9

60 to 64 years

2,2625732253.01.62.01.32.51.41.1

65 years and over

1,5975024262.11.41.51.33.11.51.6

65 to 69 years

9512613131.30.70.80.72.71.41.4

70 years and over

6462411130.90.70.70.73.71.72.0

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, 2012 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

75,2763,5501,5661,984100.0100.0100.0100.04.72.12.6

Never married

27,4532,3141,0331,28136.565.266.064.68.43.84.7

16 to 24 years

13,2131,67080286817.647.051.243.812.66.16.6

25 years and over

14,24064423241218.918.114.820.84.51.62.9

25 to 54 years

13,12361221339917.417.213.620.14.71.63.0

Married, spouse present

34,92677932345646.421.920.623.02.20.91.3

16 to 24 years

1,2167537381.62.12.41.96.23.03.1

25 years and over

33,71070428641844.819.818.321.12.10.81.2

25 to 54 years

25,13556921935033.416.014.017.62.30.91.4

Other marital status

12,89645721024717.112.913.412.43.51.61.9

16 to 24 years

4795123280.61.41.51.410.64.85.8

25 years and over

12,41740618721916.511.411.911.03.31.51.8

25 to 54 years

8,46129412816611.28.38.28.43.51.52.0
MEN

Total, 16 years and over

37,1131,26356769649.335.636.235.13.41.51.9

Never married

14,39492042249819.125.926.925.16.42.93.5

16 to 24 years

6,6946483213278.918.320.516.59.74.84.9

25 years and over

7,70027110017110.27.66.48.63.51.32.2

25 to 54 years

7,162256921649.57.25.98.33.61.32.3

Married, spouse present

17,62024110014123.46.86.47.11.40.60.8

16 to 24 years

56016790.70.50.40.52.91.21.6

25 years and over

17,0602259313222.76.35.96.71.30.50.8

25 to 54 years

12,5941656210316.74.64.05.21.30.50.8

Other marital status

5,10010346576.82.92.92.92.00.91.1

16 to 24 years

2008440.30.20.30.24.02.02.0

25 years and over

4,9009542536.52.72.72.71.90.91.1

25 to 54 years

3,5986527384.81.81.71.91.80.81.1
WOMEN

Total, 16 years and over .

38,1632,2879991,28850.764.463.864.96.02.63.4

Never married

13,0601,39561278317.339.339.139.510.74.76.0

16 to 24 years

6,5191,0224805428.728.830.727.315.77.48.3

25 years and over

6,5413721312418.710.58.412.15.72.03.7

25 to 54 years

5,9613561212357.910.07.711.86.02.03.9

Married, spouse present

17,30753622231423.015.114.215.83.11.31.8

16 to 24 years

6565930290.91.71.91.59.04.64.4

25 years and over

16,65047919328622.113.512.314.42.91.21.7

25 to 54 years

12,54140415724716.711.410.012.43.21.32.0

Other marital status

7,79635416419010.410.010.59.64.52.12.4

16 to 24 years

2794319240.41.21.21.215.46.88.6

25 years and over

7,51731214616610.08.89.38.44.21.92.2

25 to 54 years

4,8632291011286.56.56.46.54.72.12.6

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.

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, 2012 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

75,2763,5501,5661,984100.0100.0100.0100.04.72.12.6

Hours vary

5,3294291852447.112.111.812.38.13.54.6

0 to 34 hours

18,3932,0379771,06024.457.462.453.411.15.35.8

0 to 4 hours

3813920190.51.11.31.010.25.25.0

5 to 9 hours

99414771761.34.14.53.814.87.17.6

10 to 14 hours

1,6202251121132.26.37.25.713.96.97.0

15 to 19 hours

2,3512731551183.17.79.95.911.66.65.0

20 to 24 hours

5,3695833032807.116.419.314.110.95.65.2

25 to 29 hours

2,6493341471873.59.49.49.412.65.57.1

30 to 34 hours

5,0304361692676.712.310.813.58.73.45.3

35 hours or more

51,5541,08540568068.530.625.934.32.10.81.3

35 to 39 hours

6,1223151261898.18.98.09.55.12.13.1

40 hours or more

45,43376827849060.421.617.824.71.70.61.1

40 hours

39,45667725642152.419.116.321.21.70.61.1

41 hours or more

5,9779222707.92.61.43.51.50.41.2

41 to 44 hours

672144100.90.40.30.52.10.61.5

45 to 48 hours

2,013249152.70.70.60.81.20.40.7

49 to 59 hours

2,256389293.01.10.61.51.70.41.3

60 hours or more

1,036161151.40.50.10.81.50.11.4

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.

top

 

Table 10. Employed wage and salary workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage by sex, 1979–2012 annual averages (Numbers in thousands)
Year and sexTotal wage and salary workersWorkers paid hourly rates
TotalPercent of total wage and salary workersAt prevailing federal minimum wageBelow prevailing federal minimum wageTotal at or below prevailing federal minimum wage
NumberPercent of hourly paid workers
BOTH SEXES

1979

87,52951,72159.13,9972,9166,91213.4

1980

87,64451,33558.64,6863,0877,77315.1

1981

88,51651,86958.64,3113,5137,82415.1

1982

87,36850,84658.24,1482,3486,49612.8

1983

88,29051,82058.74,2612,0776,33812.2

1984

92,19454,14358.74,1251,8385,96311.0

1985

94,52155,76259.03,8991,6395,5389.9

1986

96,90357,52959.43,4611,5995,0608.8

1987

99,30359,55260.03,2291,4684,6987.9

1988

101,40760,87860.02,6081,3193,9276.5

1989

103,48062,38960.31,7901,3723,1625.1

1990

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

1991

103,72362,62760.4(1)2,906(1)2,377(1)5,283(1)8.4

1992

104,66863,61060.82,9821,9394,9217.7

1993

106,10164,27460.62,6251,7074,3326.7

1994

107,98966,54961.62,1321,9954,1286.2

1995

110,03868,35462.11,9561,6993,6565.3

1996

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

1997

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

1998

116,73071,44061.21,5932,8344,4276.2

1999

118,96372,30660.81,1462,1943,3404.6

2000

122,08973,49660.28981,7522,6503.6

2001

122,22973,39260.06561,5182,1743.0

2002

121,82672,50859.55671,5792,1463.0

2003

122,35872,94659.65451,5552,1002.9

2004

123,55473,93959.85201,4832,0032.7

2005

125,88975,60960.14791,4031,8822.5

2006

128,23776,51459.74091,2831,6922.2

2007

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

2008

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

2009

124,49072,61158.3(1)980(1)2,592(1)3,572(1)4.9

2010

124,07372,90258.81,8202,5414,3616.0

2011

125,18773,92659.11,6772,1523,8295.2

2012

127,57775,27659.01,5661,9843,5504.7
MEN

1979

49,40028,39257.51,3538462,1997.7

1980

48,70027,70956.91,6969832,6789.7

1981

48,84427,57656.51,5331,1192,6529.6

1982

47,59126,48155.61,5876972,2848.6

1983

47,85626,83156.11,6585852,2438.4

1984

50,02228,14056.31,6264902,1167.5

1985

51,01528,89356.61,5444401,9846.9

1986

51,94229,66657.11,3364081,7435.9

1987

52,93830,47457.61,2833641,6475.4

1988

53,91231,05857.61,0663111,3774.4

1989

54,78931,68757.87333791,1123.5

1990

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

1991

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

1992

54,82632,15558.61,2316531,8855.9

1993

55,47532,33758.31,0915731,6645.1

1994

56,57033,52859.38916741,5654.7

1995

57,66934,42059.77965421,3383.9

1996

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

1997

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

1998

60,97335,76158.76281,0391,6674.7

1999

61,91436,07358.34467681,2143.4

2000

63,66236,72057.73195829012.5

2001

63,64736,54457.42474977442.0

2002

63,27236,00056.92175827992.2

2003

63,23635,85356.72134937062.0

2004

64,14536,80657.42104706801.8

2005

65,46637,65257.51894596481.7

2006

66,81138,19357.21464225681.5

2007

67,46837,79056.0(1)86(1)460(1)546(1)1.4

2008

66,84637,33455.9(1)90(1)638(1)728(1)1.9

2009

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

2010

63,53135,49855.96699431,6124.5

2011

64,68636,45756.46487851,4333.9

2012

65,89837,11356.35676961,2633.4
WOMEN

1979

38,12923,32961.22,6442,0704,71420.2

1980

38,94423,62660.72,9902,1045,09521.6

1981

39,67224,29461.22,7782,3945,17221.3

1982

39,77724,36561.32,5611,6514,21217.3

1983

40,43324,98961.82,6031,4924,09516.4

1984

42,17226,00361.72,4991,3483,84714.8

1985

43,50626,86961.82,3561,1983,55413.2

1986

44,96127,86362.02,1251,1923,31711.9

1987

46,36529,07862.71,9461,1053,05110.5

1988

47,49529,82062.81,5421,0082,5508.6

1989

48,69130,70263.11,0569942,0506.7

1990

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

1991

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

1992

49,84231,45463.11,7511,2863,0369.7

1993

50,62631,93763.11,5341,1332,6678.4

1994

51,41933,02164.21,2411,3222,5637.8

1995

52,36933,93464.81,1611,1572,3186.8

1996

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

1997

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

1998

55,75735,68064.09651,7942,7607.7

1999

57,05036,23363.57001,4262,1265.9

2000

58,42736,77762.95791,1701,7494.8

2001

58,58236,84862.94091,0211,4303.9

2002

58,55536,50862.33509971,3473.7

2003

59,12237,09362.73321,0621,3943.8

2004

59,40837,13362.53101,0131,3233.6

2005

60,42337,95762.82909441,2343.3

2006

61,42638,32162.42638611,1242.9

2007

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

2008

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

2009

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

2010

60,54237,40461.81,1511,5982,7497.3

2011

60,50237,46961.91,0291,3662,3956.4

2012

61,67938,16361.99991,2882,2876.0

Footnote:
(1) Data for 1990-91, 1996-97, and 2007-09 reflect changes in the minimum wage that took place in those years.

NOTE: The comparability of historical labor force data has been affected at various times by methodological and other changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Information about historical comparability is online at www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#comp.

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.

 

top

 

Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers: 2012

 

Last Modified Date: February 26, 2013