Understanding Low-Wage Work in the United States
Publication Date:
Publisher: Center for Economic and Policy Research
Author(s): Heather Boushey; Shawn Fremstad; Rachel Gragg; Margy Waller
Research Area: Labor
Keywords: Underemployment; Standard of living; Retail sales
Type: Report
Coverage: United States
Abstract:
Over 40 million jobs in the United States — about 1 in 3 — pay low wages ($11.11 per hour or less) and often do not offer employment benefits like health insurance, retirement savings accounts, paid sick days or family leave. These low-wage jobs are replacing jobs that have historically supported a broad middle class. This report provides a clear and sobering picture of the low-wage labor market through analysis of labor market data, including: downward wage trends over time, poor work conditions, largest occupations, and declining mobility. The authors used a social inclusion definition of low-wage work that allows for comparison among jobs in the United States.
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