Figure A
Michigan’s wage advantage eroded in past decade: MI median wage relative to U.S. median, 1985–2022
| MI median wage relative to U.S. | |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 1.07 |
| 1986 | 1.07 |
| 1987 | 1.06 |
| 1988 | 1.06 |
| 1989 | 1.05 |
| 1990 | 1.05 |
| 1991 | 1.06 |
| 1992 | 1.06 |
| 1993 | 1.05 |
| 1994 | 1.03 |
| 1995 | 1.04 |
| 1996 | 1.06 |
| 1997 | 1.07 |
| 1998 | 1.08 |
| 1999 | 1.06 |
| 2000 | 1.06 |
| 2001 | 1.05 |
| 2002 | 1.06 |
| 2003 | 1.06 |
| 2004 | 1.07 |
| 2005 | 1.06 |
| 2006 | 1.05 |
| 2007 | 1.03 |
| 2008 | 1.01 |
| 2009 | 1.00 |
| 2010 | 1.00 |
| 2011 | 0.99 |
| 2012 | 0.98 |
| 2013 | 0.97 |
| 2014 | 0.97 |
| 2015 | 0.98 |
| 2016 | 0.98 |
| 2017 | 0.98 |
| 2018 | 0.97 |
| 2019 | 0.97 |
| 2020 | 0.98 |
| 2021 | 0.99 |
| 2022 | 0.99 |
Note: The relative median wage is the median wage in Michigan divided by the national median wage. Unionization and median wage data are rolling three-year averages.
Source: EPI analysis of Economic Policy Institute. 2023. Current Population Survey Extracts, Version 1.0.38, https://microdata.epi.org.
This chart appears in:
- Michigan RTW 2023
- Why ‘right-to-work’ was always wrong for Michigan: Restoring workers’ rights is key to reversing growing income inequality in Michigan
- MI Preemption testimony
- Testimony in support of SB 170 and SB 171 before the Michigan Senate Labor Committee: Repeal of Michigan laws preempting local labor standards will empower communities to address inequality, boost low wages, and ensure major public investments generate good jobs
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