Distribution of 30 state-group median wages relative to the national median wage, 1968, 1979, 2007, 2013
| 1968 | 1979 | 2007 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard deviation | ||||
| All state groups | 11.0 | 9.7 | 9.5 | 12.3 |
| Excluding Washington, D.C. | 11.2 | 9.8 | 9.1 | 10.7 |
| State-group medians relative to national median | ||||
| Number greater than 20% above | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Number between 10–20% above | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Number between 0–10% above | 9 | 11 | 11 | 7 |
| Number between 1–10% below | 9 | 9 | 10 | 14 |
| Number between 10–20% below | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Number greater than 20% below | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |

Note: The Current Population Survey does not report separate data for all 50 states for 1968; data are organized into 30 state groups available consistently from 1968 to the present.
Source: Authors' analysis of Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement