March 6, 2012 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Characteristics of minimum wage workers in 2011

Percent of hourly paid workers with earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage by selected characteristics, 2011 annual averages
Characteristic Percent at or below the Federal minimum wage

Total

 5.2

Age

  

Workers aged 16-19

 22.8

Workers aged 20-24

 9.5

Workers aged 25 and over

 3.2

Sex

  

Men

 3.9

Women

 6.4

Race or ethnicity

  

White

 5.1

Black or African American

 6.1

Asian

 3.3

Hispanic or Latino

 5.4

Educational attainment

  

Less than a high school diploma

 11.1

High school graduates, no college

 4.6

Some college or associate degree

 5.1

Bachelor's degree and higher

 2.2

Marital status

  

Married, spouse present

 2.4

Never married

 9.2

Other marital status (married, spouse absent; divorced; separated; and widowed persons)

 4.2

Full- and part-time status

  

Usual full-time workers

 2.4

Usual part-time workers (fewer than 35 hours per week)

 12.6

These data are featured in the TED article, Characteristics of minimum wage workers in 2011.

 

 

Of interest

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