The National Context
EARNCon 2017
Heidi Shierholz, Ph.D.
Senior Economist and Director of Policy
Economic Policy Institute
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Dramatic improvement in the unemployment rate: Unemployment rate of workers age 16 and older, 1997–2017
| Date | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| Jan-1997 | 5.3% |
| Feb-1997 | 5.2% |
| Mar-1997 | 5.2% |
| Apr-1997 | 5.1% |
| May-1997 | 4.9% |
| Jun-1997 | 5.0% |
| Jul-1997 | 4.9% |
| Aug-1997 | 4.8% |
| Sep-1997 | 4.9% |
| Oct-1997 | 4.7% |
| Nov-1997 | 4.6% |
| Dec-1997 | 4.7% |
| Jan-1998 | 4.6% |
| Feb-1998 | 4.6% |
| Mar-1998 | 4.7% |
| Apr-1998 | 4.3% |
| May-1998 | 4.4% |
| Jun-1998 | 4.5% |
| Jul-1998 | 4.5% |
| Aug-1998 | 4.5% |
| Sep-1998 | 4.6% |
| Oct-1998 | 4.5% |
| Nov-1998 | 4.4% |
| Dec-1998 | 4.4% |
| Jan-1999 | 4.3% |
| Feb-1999 | 4.4% |
| Mar-1999 | 4.2% |
| Apr-1999 | 4.3% |
| May-1999 | 4.2% |
| Jun-1999 | 4.3% |
| Jul-1999 | 4.3% |
| Aug-1999 | 4.2% |
| Sep-1999 | 4.2% |
| Oct-1999 | 4.1% |
| Nov-1999 | 4.1% |
| Dec-1999 | 4.0% |
| Jan-2000 | 4.0% |
| Feb-2000 | 4.1% |
| Mar-2000 | 4.0% |
| Apr-2000 | 3.8% |
| May-2000 | 4.0% |
| Jun-2000 | 4.0% |
| Jul-2000 | 4.0% |
| Aug-2000 | 4.1% |
| Sep-2000 | 3.9% |
| Oct-2000 | 3.9% |
| Nov-2000 | 3.9% |
| Dec-2000 | 3.9% |
| Jan-2001 | 4.2% |
| Feb-2001 | 4.2% |
| Mar-2001 | 4.3% |
| Apr-2001 | 4.4% |
| May-2001 | 4.3% |
| Jun-2001 | 4.5% |
| Jul-2001 | 4.6% |
| Aug-2001 | 4.9% |
| Sep-2001 | 5.0% |
| Oct-2001 | 5.3% |
| Nov-2001 | 5.5% |
| Dec-2001 | 5.7% |
| Jan-2002 | 5.7% |
| Feb-2002 | 5.7% |
| Mar-2002 | 5.7% |
| Apr-2002 | 5.9% |
| May-2002 | 5.8% |
| Jun-2002 | 5.8% |
| Jul-2002 | 5.8% |
| Aug-2002 | 5.7% |
| Sep-2002 | 5.7% |
| Oct-2002 | 5.7% |
| Nov-2002 | 5.9% |
| Dec-2002 | 6.0% |
| Jan-2003 | 5.8% |
| Feb-2003 | 5.9% |
| Mar-2003 | 5.9% |
| Apr-2003 | 6.0% |
| May-2003 | 6.1% |
| Jun-2003 | 6.3% |
| Jul-2003 | 6.2% |
| Aug-2003 | 6.1% |
| Sep-2003 | 6.1% |
| Oct-2003 | 6.0% |
| Nov-2003 | 5.8% |
| Dec-2003 | 5.7% |
| Jan-2004 | 5.7% |
| Feb-2004 | 5.6% |
| Mar-2004 | 5.8% |
| Apr-2004 | 5.6% |
| May-2004 | 5.6% |
| Jun-2004 | 5.6% |
| Jul-2004 | 5.5% |
| Aug-2004 | 5.4% |
| Sep-2004 | 5.4% |
| Oct-2004 | 5.5% |
| Nov-2004 | 5.4% |
| Dec-2004 | 5.4% |
| Jan-2005 | 5.3% |
| Feb-2005 | 5.4% |
| Mar-2005 | 5.2% |
| Apr-2005 | 5.2% |
| May-2005 | 5.1% |
| Jun-2005 | 5.0% |
| Jul-2005 | 5.0% |
| Aug-2005 | 4.9% |
| Sep-2005 | 5.0% |
| Oct-2005 | 5.0% |
| Nov-2005 | 5.0% |
| Dec-2005 | 4.9% |
| Jan-2006 | 4.7% |
| Feb-2006 | 4.8% |
| Mar-2006 | 4.7% |
| Apr-2006 | 4.7% |
| May-2006 | 4.6% |
| Jun-2006 | 4.6% |
| Jul-2006 | 4.7% |
| Aug-2006 | 4.7% |
| Sep-2006 | 4.5% |
| Oct-2006 | 4.4% |
| Nov-2006 | 4.5% |
| Dec-2006 | 4.4% |
| Jan-2007 | 4.6% |
| Feb-2007 | 4.5% |
| Mar-2007 | 4.4% |
| Apr-2007 | 4.5% |
| May-2007 | 4.4% |
| Jun-2007 | 4.6% |
| Jul-2007 | 4.7% |
| Aug-2007 | 4.6% |
| Sep-2007 | 4.7% |
| Oct-2007 | 4.7% |
| Nov-2007 | 4.7% |
| Dec-2007 | 5.0% |
| Jan-2008 | 5.0% |
| Feb-2008 | 4.9% |
| Mar-2008 | 5.1% |
| Apr-2008 | 5.0% |
| May-2008 | 5.4% |
| Jun-2008 | 5.6% |
| Jul-2008 | 5.8% |
| Aug-2008 | 6.1% |
| Sep-2008 | 6.1% |
| Oct-2008 | 6.5% |
| Nov-2008 | 6.8% |
| Dec-2008 | 7.3% |
| Jan-2009 | 7.8% |
| Feb-2009 | 8.3% |
| Mar-2009 | 8.7% |
| Apr-2009 | 9.0% |
| May-2009 | 9.4% |
| Jun-2009 | 9.5% |
| Jul-2009 | 9.5% |
| Aug-2009 | 9.6% |
| Sep-2009 | 9.8% |
| Oct-2009 | 10.0% |
| Nov-2009 | 9.9% |
| Dec-2009 | 9.9% |
| Jan-2010 | 9.8% |
| Feb-2010 | 9.8% |
| Mar-2010 | 9.9% |
| Apr-2010 | 9.9% |
| May-2010 | 9.6% |
| Jun-2010 | 9.4% |
| Jul-2010 | 9.4% |
| Aug-2010 | 9.5% |
| Sep-2010 | 9.5% |
| Oct-2010 | 9.4% |
| Nov-2010 | 9.8% |
| Dec-2010 | 9.3% |
| Jan-2011 | 9.1% |
| Feb-2011 | 9.0% |
| Mar-2011 | 9.0% |
| Apr-2011 | 9.1% |
| May-2011 | 9.0% |
| Jun-2011 | 9.1% |
| Jul-2011 | 9.0% |
| Aug-2011 | 9.0% |
| Sep-2011 | 9.0% |
| Oct-2011 | 8.8% |
| Nov-2011 | 8.6% |
| Dec-2011 | 8.5% |
| Jan-2012 | 8.3% |
| Feb-2012 | 8.3% |
| Mar-2012 | 8.2% |
| Apr-2012 | 8.2% |
| May-2012 | 8.2% |
| Jun-2012 | 8.2% |
| Jul-2012 | 8.2% |
| Aug-2012 | 8.1% |
| Sep-2012 | 7.8% |
| Oct-2012 | 7.8% |
| Nov-2012 | 7.7% |
| Dec-2012 | 7.9% |
| Jan-2013 | 8.0% |
| Feb-2013 | 7.7% |
| Mar-2013 | 7.5% |
| Apr-2013 | 7.6% |
| May-2013 | 7.5% |
| Jun-2013 | 7.5% |
| Jul-2013 | 7.3% |
| Aug-2013 | 7.3% |
| Sep-2013 | 7.3% |
| Oct-2013 | 7.2% |
| Nov-2013 | 6.9% |
| Dec-2013 | 6.7% |
| Jan-2014 | 6.6% |
| Feb-2014 | 6.7% |
| Mar-2014 | 6.7% |
| Apr-2014 | 6.2% |
| May-2014 | 6.2% |
| Jun-2014 | 6.1% |
| Jul-2014 | 6.2% |
| Aug-2014 | 6.2% |
| Sep-2014 | 6.0% |
| Oct-2014 | 5.7% |
| Nov-2014 | 5.8% |
| Dec-2014 | 5.6% |
| Jan-2015 | 5.7% |
| Feb-2015 | 5.5% |
| Mar-2015 | 5.5% |
| Apr-2015 | 5.4% |
| May-2015 | 5.5% |
| Jun-2015 | 5.3% |
| Jul-2015 | 5.3% |
| Aug-2015 | 5.1% |
| Sep-2015 | 5.1% |
| Oct-2015 | 5.0% |
| Nov-2015 | 5.0% |
| Dec-2015 | 5.0% |
| Jan-2016 | 4.9% |
| Feb-2016 | 4.9% |
| Mar-2016 | 5.0% |
| Apr-2016 | 5.0% |
| May-2016 | 4.7% |
| Jun-2016 | 4.9% |
| Jul-2016 | 4.9% |
| Aug-2016 | 4.9% |
| Sept-2016 | 4.9% |
| Oct-2016 | 4.8% |
| Nov-2016 | 4.6% |
| Dec-2016 | 4.7% |
| Jan-2017 | 4.8% |
| Feb-2017 | 4.7% |
| Mar-2017 | 4.5% |
| Apr-2017 | 4.4% |
| May-2017 | 4.3% |
| June-2017 | 4.4% |
| July-2017 | 4.3% |
| Aug-2017 | 4.4% |
| Sep-2017 | 4.2% |
Note: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey, public data series
On average, racial and ethnic minorities have substantially worse labor market outcomes than white workers.: Unemployment rate of workers age 16 and older by race and ethnicity, 1997–2017
| date | White | Black | Hispanic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan-1997 | 4.5 | 10.8 | 8.4 |
| Feb-1997 | 4.5 | 10.7 | 8.2 |
| Mar-1997 | 4.4 | 10.5 | 8.3 |
| Apr-1997 | 4.3 | 10.2 | 8.2 |
| May-1997 | 4.1 | 10.3 | 7.7 |
| Jun-1997 | 4.2 | 10.8 | 7.5 |
| Jul-1997 | 4.2 | 9.5 | 7.9 |
| Aug-1997 | 4.2 | 9.4 | 7.2 |
| Sep-1997 | 4.2 | 9.5 | 7.4 |
| Oct-1997 | 4.1 | 9.5 | 7.8 |
| Nov-1997 | 3.9 | 9.5 | 7 |
| Dec-1997 | 3.9 | 10 | 7.3 |
| Jan-1998 | 4 | 9.4 | 7.1 |
| Feb-1998 | 3.9 | 9.3 | 6.9 |
| Mar-1998 | 4 | 9.2 | 6.9 |
| Apr-1998 | 3.7 | 9.1 | 6.7 |
| May-1998 | 3.8 | 8.9 | 6.9 |
| Jun-1998 | 3.9 | 8.8 | 7.4 |
| Jul-1998 | 3.8 | 9.5 | 7.3 |
| Aug-1998 | 3.9 | 8.8 | 7.4 |
| Sep-1998 | 3.9 | 9.1 | 7.3 |
| Oct-1998 | 3.9 | 8.6 | 7.2 |
| Nov-1998 | 3.8 | 8.6 | 7.1 |
| Dec-1998 | 3.8 | 7.7 | 7.7 |
| Jan-1999 | 3.8 | 7.8 | 6.7 |
| Feb-1999 | 3.8 | 8.2 | 6.7 |
| Mar-1999 | 3.6 | 8 | 5.8 |
| Apr-1999 | 3.8 | 7.8 | 7 |
| May-1999 | 3.7 | 7.4 | 6.7 |
| Jun-1999 | 3.8 | 7.7 | 6.6 |
| Jul-1999 | 3.7 | 8.7 | 6.5 |
| Aug-1999 | 3.7 | 7.7 | 6.5 |
| Sep-1999 | 3.6 | 8.5 | 6.7 |
| Oct-1999 | 3.5 | 8.4 | 6.4 |
| Nov-1999 | 3.5 | 8 | 6 |
| Dec-1999 | 3.5 | 7.8 | 5.8 |
| Jan-2000 | 3.4 | 8.2 | 5.6 |
| Feb-2000 | 3.6 | 8.1 | 5.7 |
| Mar-2000 | 3.5 | 7.4 | 6.1 |
| Apr-2000 | 3.4 | 7 | 5.5 |
| May-2000 | 3.5 | 7.7 | 5.8 |
| Jun-2000 | 3.4 | 7.8 | 5.6 |
| Jul-2000 | 3.5 | 7.7 | 5.8 |
| Aug-2000 | 3.6 | 7.9 | 5.9 |
| Sep-2000 | 3.5 | 7.3 | 5.8 |
| Oct-2000 | 3.4 | 7.3 | 5.1 |
| Nov-2000 | 3.5 | 7.3 | 6 |
| Dec-2000 | 3.5 | 7.4 | 5.7 |
| Jan-2001 | 3.6 | 8.2 | 5.8 |
| Feb-2001 | 3.7 | 7.7 | 6.1 |
| Mar-2001 | 3.7 | 8.3 | 6.2 |
| Apr-2001 | 3.9 | 8 | 6.4 |
| May-2001 | 3.8 | 7.9 | 6.3 |
| Jun-2001 | 4 | 8.3 | 6.6 |
| Jul-2001 | 4 | 8 | 6.2 |
| Aug-2001 | 4.3 | 9.1 | 6.5 |
| Sep-2001 | 4.3 | 8.9 | 6.7 |
| Oct-2001 | 4.7 | 9.5 | 7.1 |
| Nov-2001 | 4.9 | 9.8 | 7.3 |
| Dec-2001 | 5.1 | 10.1 | 7.7 |
| Jan-2002 | 5.1 | 10 | 7.8 |
| Feb-2002 | 5 | 9.9 | 7 |
| Mar-2002 | 5 | 10.5 | 7.5 |
| Apr-2002 | 5.2 | 10.7 | 8 |
| May-2002 | 5.1 | 10.2 | 7.1 |
| Jun-2002 | 5.1 | 10.5 | 7.4 |
| Jul-2002 | 5.2 | 9.8 | 7.4 |
| Aug-2002 | 5.1 | 9.8 | 7.5 |
| Sep-2002 | 5.1 | 9.7 | 7.4 |
| Oct-2002 | 5.1 | 9.8 | 7.9 |
| Nov-2002 | 5.1 | 10.7 | 7.8 |
| Dec-2002 | 5.1 | 11.3 | 7.9 |
| Jan-2003 | 5.2 | 10.5 | 7.9 |
| Feb-2003 | 5.1 | 10.7 | 7.7 |
| Mar-2003 | 5.1 | 10.3 | 7.8 |
| Apr-2003 | 5.3 | 10.9 | 7.6 |
| May-2003 | 5.4 | 10.9 | 8 |
| Jun-2003 | 5.5 | 11.5 | 8.3 |
| Jul-2003 | 5.4 | 10.9 | 8 |
| Aug-2003 | 5.4 | 10.9 | 7.7 |
| Sep-2003 | 5.3 | 11.1 | 7.3 |
| Oct-2003 | 5.1 | 11.4 | 7.5 |
| Nov-2003 | 5.2 | 10.2 | 7.4 |
| Dec-2003 | 5 | 10.1 | 6.7 |
| Jan-2004 | 5 | 10.4 | 7.3 |
| Feb-2004 | 4.9 | 9.7 | 7.4 |
| Mar-2004 | 5.1 | 10.3 | 7.6 |
| Apr-2004 | 5 | 9.8 | 7.1 |
| May-2004 | 4.9 | 10.1 | 6.9 |
| Jun-2004 | 5 | 10.2 | 6.6 |
| Jul-2004 | 4.7 | 11 | 6.8 |
| Aug-2004 | 4.7 | 10.5 | 6.8 |
| Sep-2004 | 4.6 | 10.3 | 6.8 |
| Oct-2004 | 4.6 | 10.8 | 6.8 |
| Nov-2004 | 4.6 | 10.7 | 6.7 |
| Dec-2004 | 4.5 | 10.7 | 6.6 |
| Jan-2005 | 4.5 | 10.6 | 6 |
| Feb-2005 | 4.6 | 10.9 | 6.3 |
| Mar-2005 | 4.5 | 10.5 | 5.8 |
| Apr-2005 | 4.4 | 10.3 | 6.4 |
| May-2005 | 4.4 | 10.1 | 6 |
| Jun-2005 | 4.3 | 10.2 | 5.7 |
| Jul-2005 | 4.2 | 9.2 | 5.5 |
| Aug-2005 | 4.2 | 9.7 | 5.8 |
| Sep-2005 | 4.4 | 9.4 | 6.4 |
| Oct-2005 | 4.4 | 9.1 | 6 |
| Nov-2005 | 4.3 | 10.6 | 6.1 |
| Dec-2005 | 4.2 | 9.2 | 6.1 |
| Jan-2006 | 4.1 | 8.9 | 5.5 |
| Feb-2006 | 4.1 | 9.5 | 5.4 |
| Mar-2006 | 4 | 9.5 | 5.2 |
| Apr-2006 | 4.1 | 9.4 | 5.5 |
| May-2006 | 4.1 | 8.7 | 5 |
| Jun-2006 | 4.1 | 8.9 | 5.2 |
| Jul-2006 | 4.1 | 9.5 | 5.2 |
| Aug-2006 | 4.1 | 8.8 | 5.3 |
| Sep-2006 | 3.9 | 9 | 5.5 |
| Oct-2006 | 3.9 | 8.4 | 4.8 |
| Nov-2006 | 4 | 8.5 | 5.1 |
| Dec-2006 | 3.9 | 8.3 | 5 |
| Jan-2007 | 4.2 | 7.9 | 5.5 |
| Feb-2007 | 4.1 | 8 | 5.1 |
| Mar-2007 | 3.8 | 8.4 | 5 |
| Apr-2007 | 4 | 8.3 | 5.6 |
| May-2007 | 3.9 | 8.3 | 5.8 |
| Jun-2007 | 4.1 | 8.5 | 5.5 |
| Jul-2007 | 4.2 | 8.1 | 5.9 |
| Aug-2007 | 4.2 | 7.6 | 5.5 |
| Sep-2007 | 4.2 | 8 | 5.9 |
| Oct-2007 | 4.1 | 8.5 | 5.7 |
| Nov-2007 | 4.2 | 8.5 | 5.9 |
| Dec-2007 | 4.4 | 9 | 6.3 |
| Jan-2008 | 4.4 | 9.1 | 6.3 |
| Feb-2008 | 4.4 | 8.4 | 6.2 |
| Mar-2008 | 4.5 | 9.2 | 6.9 |
| Apr-2008 | 4.4 | 8.6 | 7.1 |
| May-2008 | 4.8 | 9.6 | 6.9 |
| Jun-2008 | 5 | 9.4 | 7.6 |
| Jul-2008 | 5.2 | 10 | 7.5 |
| Aug-2008 | 5.4 | 10.6 | 8 |
| Sep-2008 | 5.4 | 11.3 | 8 |
| Oct-2008 | 5.9 | 11.4 | 8.8 |
| Nov-2008 | 6.2 | 11.5 | 8.7 |
| Dec-2008 | 6.7 | 12.1 | 9.4 |
| Jan-2009 | 7.1 | 12.7 | 10.1 |
| Feb-2009 | 7.6 | 13.7 | 11.3 |
| Mar-2009 | 8 | 13.7 | 11.7 |
| Apr-2009 | 8.1 | 15 | 11.4 |
| May-2009 | 8.5 | 15 | 12.3 |
| Jun-2009 | 8.7 | 14.8 | 12.1 |
| Jul-2009 | 8.7 | 14.8 | 12.5 |
| Aug-2009 | 8.9 | 14.8 | 13 |
| Sep-2009 | 8.9 | 15.3 | 12.6 |
| Oct-2009 | 9.2 | 15.8 | 12.8 |
| Nov-2009 | 9.2 | 15.7 | 12.4 |
| Dec-2009 | 9 | 16.1 | 12.8 |
| Jan-2010 | 8.8 | 16.5 | 12.9 |
| Feb-2010 | 8.9 | 16.1 | 12.7 |
| Mar-2010 | 8.9 | 16.8 | 12.9 |
| Apr-2010 | 9 | 16.6 | 12.5 |
| May-2010 | 8.7 | 15.5 | 12 |
| Jun-2010 | 8.6 | 15.2 | 12.3 |
| Jul-2010 | 8.5 | 15.6 | 12.2 |
| Aug-2010 | 8.6 | 15.9 | 12 |
| Sep-2010 | 8.6 | 16 | 12.3 |
| Oct-2010 | 8.6 | 15.6 | 12.3 |
| Nov-2010 | 8.9 | 16.2 | 12.9 |
| Dec-2010 | 8.5 | 15.5 | 12.9 |
| Jan-2011 | 8.1 | 15.8 | 12.3 |
| Feb-2011 | 8.1 | 15.5 | 11.8 |
| Mar-2011 | 8 | 15.8 | 11.6 |
| Apr-2011 | 8.1 | 16.5 | 11.9 |
| May-2011 | 7.9 | 16.3 | 11.6 |
| Jun-2011 | 8.1 | 16.2 | 11.5 |
| Jul-2011 | 8 | 15.9 | 11.2 |
| Aug-2011 | 7.9 | 16.4 | 11.2 |
| Sep-2011 | 7.9 | 15.9 | 11.2 |
| Oct-2011 | 7.9 | 14.6 | 11.3 |
| Nov-2011 | 7.7 | 15.6 | 11.2 |
| Dec-2011 | 7.5 | 15.4 | 11.1 |
| Jan-2012 | 7.4 | 13.6 | 10.7 |
| Feb-2012 | 7.4 | 14 | 10.9 |
| Mar-2012 | 7.3 | 14 | 10.6 |
| Apr-2012 | 7.4 | 13.3 | 10.3 |
| May-2012 | 7.4 | 13.5 | 10.9 |
| Jun-2012 | 7.3 | 14.5 | 10.9 |
| Jul-2012 | 7.3 | 14.2 | 10.2 |
| Aug-2012 | 7.2 | 13.8 | 10.1 |
| Sep-2012 | 7 | 13.6 | 9.7 |
| Oct-2012 | 6.9 | 14.1 | 10 |
| Nov-2012 | 6.8 | 13.3 | 9.9 |
| Dec-2012 | 6.9 | 14 | 9.6 |
| Jan-2013 | 7.1 | 13.7 | 9.7 |
| Feb-2013 | 6.8 | 13.9 | 9.8 |
| Mar-2013 | 6.7 | 13 | 9.3 |
| Apr-2013 | 6.7 | 13.2 | 9 |
| May-2013 | 6.7 | 13.4 | 9 |
| Jun-2013 | 6.6 | 14 | 9 |
| Jul-2013 | 6.5 | 12.6 | 9.4 |
| Aug-2013 | 6.4 | 12.8 | 9.3 |
| Sep-2013 | 6.3 | 13.1 | 8.8 |
| Oct-2013 | 6.3 | 12.9 | 9.1 |
| Nov-2013 | 6.1 | 12.4 | 8.7 |
| Dec-2013 | 6 | 11.9 | 8.4 |
| Jan-2014 | 5.7 | 12.1 | 8.3 |
| Feb-2014 | 5.8 | 11.9 | 8.2 |
| Mar-2014 | 5.8 | 12.1 | 7.9 |
| Apr-2014 | 5.3 | 11.5 | 7.3 |
| May-2014 | 5.4 | 11.4 | 7.7 |
| Jun-2014 | 5.3 | 10.9 | 7.6 |
| Jul-2014 | 5.3 | 11.6 | 7.7 |
| Aug-2014 | 5.3 | 11.4 | 7.5 |
| Sep-2014 | 5.1 | 11 | 6.8 |
| Oct-2014 | 4.8 | 10.8 | 6.8 |
| Nov-2014 | 4.9 | 11 | 6.6 |
| Dec-2014 | 4.8 | 10.5 | 6.4 |
| Jan-2015 | 4.9 | 10.3 | 6.8 |
| Feb-2015 | 4.8 | 10.3 | 6.8 |
| Mar-2015 | 4.7 | 9.9 | 6.8 |
| Apr-2015 | 4.7 | 9.6 | 6.8 |
| May-2015 | 4.7 | 10.2 | 6.8 |
| Jun-2015 | 4.6 | 9.6 | 6.7 |
| Jul-2015 | 4.6 | 9.1 | 6.9 |
| Aug-2015 | 4.4 | 9.4 | 6.7 |
| Sep-2015 | 4.3 | 9.2 | 6.2 |
| Oct-2015 | 4.3 | 9.1 | 6.3 |
| Nov-2015 | 4.3 | 9.4 | 6.4 |
| Dec-2015 | 4.5 | 8.4 | 6.2 |
| Jan-2016 | 4.3 | 8.8 | 5.9 |
| Feb-2016 | 4.3 | 8.8 | 5.5 |
| Mar-2016 | 4.3 | 8.9 | 5.6 |
| Apr-2016 | 4.3 | 8.8 | 6.1 |
| May-2016 | 4.1 | 8.2 | 5.6 |
| Jun-2016 | 4.4 | 8.6 | 5.8 |
| Jul-2016 | 4.3 | 8.4 | 5.4 |
| Aug-2016 | 4.4 | 8.1 | 5.7 |
| Sep-2016 | 4.4 | 8.3 | 6.4 |
| Oct-2016 | 4.3 | 8.6 | 5.7 |
| Nov-2016 | 4.2 | 8 | 5.7 |
| Dec-2016 | 4.3 | 7.8 | 5.9 |
| Jan-2017 | 4.3 | 7.7 | 5.9 |
| Feb-2017 | 4.1 | 8.1 | 5.6 |
| Mar-2017 | 3.9 | 8 | 5.1 |
| Apr-2017 | 3.8 | 7.9 | 5.2 |
| May-2017 | 3.7 | 7.5 | 5.2 |
| Jun-2017 | 3.8 | 7.1 | 4.8 |
| Jul-2017 | 3.8 | 7.4 | 5.1 |
| Aug-2017 | 3.9 | 7.7 | 5.2 |
| Sep-2017 | 3.7 | 7.0 | 5.1 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey public data series
The typical worker earns $18.04 per hour.: Median hourly wage, 1973–2017
| Date | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| 1973 | 16.74 |
| 1974 | 16.37 |
| 1975 | 16.26 |
| 1976 | 16.36 |
| 1977 | 16.28 |
| 1978 | 16.57 |
| 1979 | 16.36 |
| 1980 | 16.28 |
| 1981 | 15.85 |
| 1982 | 15.95 |
| 1983 | 15.91 |
| 1984 | 15.91 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1986 | 16.47 |
| 1987 | 16.32 |
| 1988 | 16.31 |
| 1989 | 16.26 |
| 1990 | 16.05 |
| 1991 | 16.14 |
| 1992 | 16.19 |
| 1993 | 16.26 |
| 1994 | 16 |
| 1995 | 15.78 |
| 1996 | 15.85 |
| 1997 | 16.25 |
| 1998 | 16.7 |
| 1999 | 17.19 |
| 2000 | 17.04 |
| 2001 | 17.49 |
| 2002 | 17.49 |
| 2003 | 17.78 |
| 2004 | 17.77 |
| 2005 | 17.62 |
| 2006 | 17.73 |
| 2007 | 17.43 |
| 2008 | 17.52 |
| 2009 | 17.87 |
| 2010 | 17.62 |
| 2011 | 17.14 |
| 2012 | 17.04 |
| 2013 | 17.17 |
| 2014 | 17.11 |
| 2015 | 17.33 |
| 2016 | 17.86 |
| 2017 | $18.04 |
The typical family has a net worth of $97,300.: Wealth for families at the median, 1989-2016, 2016 dollars
| Date | Median |
|---|---|
| 1989 | $87,500 |
| 1992 | 83,100 |
| 1995 | 90,600 |
| 1998 | 105,800 |
| 2001 | 117,300 |
| 2004 | 118,400 |
| 2007 | 139,700 |
| 2010 | 85,400 |
| 2013 | 83,700 |
| 2016 | $97,300 |
Notes: The Survey of Consumer Finances is conducted every three years.
Source: EPI analysis of Survey of Consumer Finances data.
Racial and ethnic minorities have worse labor market outcomes than white workers.: Wealth for families at the median, 1989-2016, 2016 dollars
| White non-Hispanic | Black or African-American non-hispanic | Hispanic or Latino | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 132,700 | 7,400 | 9,700 |
| 1992 | 116,900 | 16,600 | 11,400 |
| 1995 | 120,000 | 17,100 | 19,000 |
| 1998 | 141,400 | 22,900 | 14,500 |
| 2001 | 166,300 | 26,300 | 15,500 |
| 2004 | 179,300 | 26,000 | 19,400 |
| 2007 | 198,300 | 24,400 | 24,400 |
| 2010 | 144,300 | 17,600 | 17,900 |
| 2013 | 146,400 | 13,600 | 14,200 |
| 2016 | $171,000 | $17,100 | $20,600 |
Notes: The Survey of Consumer Finances is conducted every three years.
Source: EPI analysis of Survey of Consumer Finances data.
Thank you!
Economic Policy Institute: epi.org
Link to presentation: http://www.epi.org/document/presentation-the-national-context/