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Understanding Low-Wage Work in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Heather Boushey
  • Shawn Fremstad
  • Rachel Gragg
  • Margy Waller

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Heather Boushey & Shawn Fremstad & Rachel Gragg & Margy Waller, 2007. "Understanding Low-Wage Work in the United States," CEPR Reports and Issue Briefs 2007-09, Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR).
    • Handle: RePEc:epo:papers:2007-09
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    File URL: http://www.inclusionist.org/files/lowwagework.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Grimshaw, Damian., 2011. "What do we know about low wage work and low wage workers? : Analysing the definitions, patterns, causes and consequences in international perspective," ILO Working Papers 994648583402676, International Labour Organization.
    2. John Schmitt & Hye Jin Rho, 2008. "The Reagan Question: Are You Better Off Now Than You Were Eight Years Ago?," CEPR Reports and Issue Briefs 2008-27, Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR).
    3. Gerhard Reinecke & Damian Grimshaw, 2015. "Labour market inequality between youth and adults: a special case?," Chapters, in: Janine Berg (ed.), Labour Markets, Institutions and Inequality, chapter 14, pages 361-398, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    4. John Schmitt, 2009. "Unions and Upward Mobility for Service-Sector Workers," CEPR Reports and Issue Briefs 2009-14, Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR).
    5. repec:ilo:ilowps:486283 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Randy Albelda, 2013. "Low-wage mothers on the edge in the US," Chapters, in: Deborah M. Figart & Tonia L. Warnecke (ed.), Handbook of Research on Gender and Economic Life, chapter 16, pages 257-272, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    7. David R. Howell, Mamadou Diallo, 2007. "WP 2007-6 Charting U.S. Economic Performance with Alternative Labor Market Indicators: The Importance of Accounting for Job Quality," SCEPA working paper series. 2007-6, Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis (SCEPA), The New School.
    8. Dean Baker, 2008. "The Key to Stabilizing House Prices: Bring Them Down," CEPR Reports and Issue Briefs 2008-32, Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR).
    9. Grimshaw, Damian., 2014. "At work but earning less : trends in decent pay and minimum wages for young people," ILO Working Papers 994862833402676, International Labour Organization.
    10. John Schmitt, 2008. "Unions and Upward Mobility for African-American Workers," CEPR Reports and Issue Briefs 2008-11, Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR).
    11. Janine Berg (ed.), 2015. "Labour Markets, Institutions and Inequality," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 16143.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • J38 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Public Policy

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