Figure Y
Real entry-level wages of male and female college graduates, 1979–2013
| YEAR | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | $ 21.34 | $ 16.88 |
| 1980 | $ 21.36 | $ 16.51 |
| 1981 | $ 21.07 | $ 16.75 |
| 1982 | $ 21.43 | $ 17.31 |
| 1983 | $ 21.22 | $ 17.27 |
| 1984 | $ 21.77 | $ 17.25 |
| 1985 | $ 22.13 | $ 18.07 |
| 1986 | $ 22.74 | $ 18.42 |
| 1987 | $ 22.50 | $ 19.03 |
| 1988 | $ 23.03 | $ 18.94 |
| 1989 | $ 21.82 | $ 18.99 |
| 1990 | $ 21.93 | $ 19.24 |
| 1991 | $ 21.27 | $ 18.66 |
| 1992 | $ 20.86 | $ 18.59 |
| 1993 | $ 20.91 | $ 18.79 |
| 1994 | $ 20.64 | $ 18.31 |
| 1995 | $ 20.20 | $ 18.58 |
| 1996 | $ 20.44 | $ 18.23 |
| 1997 | $ 21.03 | $ 18.54 |
| 1998 | $ 22.82 | $ 19.51 |
| 1999 | $ 23.25 | $ 20.44 |
| 2000 | $ 24.30 | $ 20.71 |
| 2001 | $ 25.35 | $ 21.07 |
| 2002 | $ 24.68 | $ 21.19 |
| 2003 | $ 23.60 | $ 20.49 |
| 2004 | $ 22.91 | $ 20.40 |
| 2005 | $ 23.53 | $ 20.38 |
| 2006 | $ 23.40 | $ 20.30 |
| 2007 | $ 23.69 | $ 20.37 |
| 2008 | $ 23.54 | $ 20.10 |
| 2009 | $ 23.59 | $ 20.28 |
| 2010 | $ 23.26 | $ 19.69 |
| 2011 | $ 22.46 | $ 19.48 |
| 2012 | $ 22.19 | $ 19.23 |
| 2013 | $ 22.67 | $ 19.04 |
Note: Entry-level workers are defined as having one to seven years of experience (i.e., workers age 23–29).
Source: Authors' analysis of the Current Population Survey Outgoing Rotation Group microdata
UPDATED FROM: Figure 4Q in The State of Working America, 12th Edition, an Economic Policy Institute book published by Cornell University Press in 2012
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