Figure F
Cumulative change in real hourly wages of all workers, by wage percentile,* 1979–2015
| YEAR | 10th percentile | 30th percentile | 50th percentile | 70th percentile | 95th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| 1980 | -5.51% | -2.11% | -1.02% | -2.52% | -1.94% |
| 1981 | -4.05% | -2.70% | -3.57% | -3.05% | -1.73% |
| 1982 | -7.67% | -4.01% | -2.23% | -1.95% | 0.15% |
| 1983 | -10.54% | -5.93% | -2.73% | -0.96% | 3.35% |
| 1984 | -12.70% | -6.63% | -2.26% | -1.71% | 4.16% |
| 1985 | -14.15% | -6.01% | -1.39% | -2.30% | 5.99% |
| 1986 | -14.29% | -3.31% | 0.52% | 0.73% | 7.55% |
| 1987 | -14.53% | -2.96% | 0.55% | 0.42% | 7.37% |
| 1988 | -14.52% | -3.56% | -0.07% | 0.88% | 10.06% |
| 1989 | -14.62% | -4.79% | -0.63% | 0.76% | 7.44% |
| 1990 | -13.16% | -3.71% | -0.65% | -0.31% | 9.56% |
| 1991 | -11.55% | -3.38% | -0.06% | -0.71% | 10.22% |
| 1992 | -11.71% | -3.98% | 0.80% | -0.50% | 8.51% |
| 1993 | -12.05% | -4.06% | 0.07% | 0.59% | 7.51% |
| 1994 | -12.94% | -5.64% | -1.65% | 0.44% | 13.14% |
| 1995 | -13.08% | -5.20% | -2.40% | 0.47% | 13.24% |
| 1996 | -13.51% | -4.24% | -2.84% | 0.81% | 13.77% |
| 1997 | -10.58% | -3.00% | -0.58% | 1.08% | 15.11% |
| 1998 | -5.71% | -0.47% | 2.24% | 4.34% | 18.02% |
| 1999 | -4.39% | 2.91% | 5.36% | 6.47% | 21.43% |
| 2000 | -3.52% | 3.63% | 5.05% | 7.53% | 25.13% |
| 2001 | -0.46% | 6.83% | 7.28% | 9.12% | 27.59% |
| 2002 | 0.67% | 7.68% | 8.20% | 10.68% | 31.92% |
| 2003 | 0.16% | 6.89% | 9.46% | 11.05% | 30.16% |
| 2004 | -1.18% | 5.01% | 9.48% | 9.70% | 31.48% |
| 2005 | -2.91% | 2.82% | 8.21% | 9.72% | 32.34% |
| 2006 | -2.30% | 4.20% | 8.67% | 8.33% | 33.07% |
| 2007 | -1.08% | 4.62% | 7.75% | 10.75% | 36.02% |
| 2008 | -1.99% | 5.32% | 8.17% | 10.82% | 37.46% |
| 2009 | -1.21% | 6.56% | 9.95% | 13.96% | 38.84% |
| 2010 | -1.99% | 4.82% | 8.52% | 12.84% | 38.53% |
| 2011 | -4.39% | 2.66% | 5.62% | 10.27% | 37.02% |
| 2012 | -5.99% | 1.35% | 4.95% | 10.42% | 38.93% |
| 2013 | -5.37% | 0.83% | 5.97% | 10.57% | 40.43% |
| 2014 | -4.12% | 0.42% | 5.53% | 9.65% | 39.08% |
| 2015 | -0.92% | 2.46% | 7.31% | 12.92% | 47.96% |
* The xth-percentile wage is the wage at which x% of wage earners earn less and (100-x)% earn more.
Note: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Current Population Survey Outgoing Rotation Group microdata
Previous chart: « Estimated effects of a D.C. minimum-wage increase to $15 by 2020
Next chart: Work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers, 1947-2015 »