Remaining Challenges:
Why so many people feel forgotten in this recovery
Heidi Shierholz, Ph.D.
Senior Economist and Director of Policy
Economic Policy Institute
Thursday, February 9, 2017
The top lines look quite good.
Dramatic improvement in the unemployment rate: Unemployment rate of workers age 16 and older, 1995–2017
| Date | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| Jan-1995 | 5.6 |
| Feb-1995 | 5.4 |
| Mar-1995 | 5.4 |
| Apr-1995 | 5.8 |
| May-1995 | 5.6 |
| Jun-1995 | 5.6 |
| Jul-1995 | 5.7 |
| Aug-1995 | 5.7 |
| Sep-1995 | 5.6 |
| Oct-1995 | 5.5 |
| Nov-1995 | 5.6 |
| Dec-1995 | 5.6 |
| Jan-1996 | 5.6 |
| Feb-1996 | 5.5 |
| Mar-1996 | 5.5 |
| Apr-1996 | 5.6 |
| May-1996 | 5.6 |
| Jun-1996 | 5.3 |
| Jul-1996 | 5.5 |
| Aug-1996 | 5.1 |
| Sep-1996 | 5.2 |
| Oct-1996 | 5.2 |
| Nov-1996 | 5.4 |
| Dec-1996 | 5.4 |
| Jan-1997 | 5.3 |
| Feb-1997 | 5.2 |
| Mar-1997 | 5.2 |
| Apr-1997 | 5.1 |
| May-1997 | 4.9 |
| Jun-1997 | 5 |
| 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 |
| Jan-2000 | 4 |
| Feb-2000 | 4.1 |
| Mar-2000 | 4 |
| Apr-2000 | 3.8 |
| May-2000 | 4 |
| Jun-2000 | 4 |
| Jul-2000 | 4 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Jan-2003 | 5.8 |
| Feb-2003 | 5.9 |
| Mar-2003 | 5.9 |
| Apr-2003 | 6 |
| May-2003 | 6.1 |
| Jun-2003 | 6.3 |
| Jul-2003 | 6.2 |
| Aug-2003 | 6.1 |
| Sep-2003 | 6.1 |
| Oct-2003 | 6 |
| 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 |
| Jul-2005 | 5 |
| Aug-2005 | 4.9 |
| Sep-2005 | 5 |
| Oct-2005 | 5 |
| Nov-2005 | 5 |
| 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 |
| Jan-2008 | 5 |
| Feb-2008 | 4.9 |
| Mar-2008 | 5.1 |
| Apr-2008 | 5 |
| 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 |
| May-2009 | 9.4 |
| Jun-2009 | 9.5 |
| Jul-2009 | 9.5 |
| Aug-2009 | 9.6 |
| Sep-2009 | 9.8 |
| Oct-2009 | 10% |
| 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 |
| Mar-2011 | 9 |
| Apr-2011 | 9.1 |
| May-2011 | 9 |
| Jun-2011 | 9.1 |
| Jul-2011 | 9 |
| Aug-2011 | 9 |
| Sep-2011 | 9 |
| 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 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| Jun-2014 | 6.1 |
| Jul-2014 | 6.2 |
| Aug-2014 | 6.2 |
| Sep-2014 | 5.9 |
| Oct-2014 | 5.7 |
| Nov-2014 | 5.8 |
| Dec-2014 | 5.6 |
| Jan-2015 | 5.7 |
| Feb-2015 | 5.5 |
| Mar-2015 | 5.4 |
| Apr-2015 | 5.4 |
| May-2015 | 5.5 |
| Jun-2015 | 5.3 |
| Jul-2015 | 5.2 |
| Aug-2015 | 5.1 |
| Sep-2015 | 5 |
| Oct-2015 | 5 |
| Nov-2015 | 5 |
| Dec-2015 | 5 |
| Jan-2016 | 4.9 |
| Feb-2016 | 4.9 |
| Mar-2016 | 5 |
| Apr-2016 | 5 |
| May-2016 | 4.7 |
| Jun-2016 | 4.9 |
| Jul-2016 | 4.9 |
| Aug-2016 | 4.9 |
| Sep-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 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey, public data series
Labor market has added nearly 16 million jobs in the recovery.: Total nonfarm employment, 1995–2017
| Date | Total nonfarm employment |
|---|---|
| Jan-1995 | 116492 |
| Feb-1995 | 116693 |
| Mar-1995 | 116912 |
| Apr-1995 | 117075 |
| May-1995 | 117059 |
| Jun-1995 | 117293 |
| Jul-1995 | 117389 |
| Aug-1995 | 117644 |
| Sep-1995 | 117888 |
| Oct-1995 | 118039 |
| Nov-1995 | 118188 |
| Dec-1995 | 118322 |
| Jan-1996 | 118307 |
| Feb-1996 | 118736 |
| Mar-1996 | 119001 |
| Apr-1996 | 119165 |
| May-1996 | 119488 |
| Jun-1996 | 119773 |
| Jul-1996 | 120023 |
| Aug-1996 | 120203 |
| Sep-1996 | 120427 |
| Oct-1996 | 120676 |
| Nov-1996 | 120975 |
| Dec-1996 | 121146 |
| Jan-1997 | 121379 |
| Feb-1997 | 121684 |
| Mar-1997 | 121999 |
| Apr-1997 | 122291 |
| May-1997 | 122552 |
| Jun-1997 | 122818 |
| Jul-1997 | 123124 |
| Aug-1997 | 123093 |
| Sep-1997 | 123604 |
| Oct-1997 | 123946 |
| Nov-1997 | 124250 |
| Dec-1997 | 124554 |
| Jan-1998 | 124828 |
| Feb-1998 | 125027 |
| Mar-1998 | 125176 |
| Apr-1998 | 125456 |
| May-1998 | 125860 |
| Jun-1998 | 126080 |
| Jul-1998 | 126209 |
| Aug-1998 | 126551 |
| Sep-1998 | 126773 |
| Oct-1998 | 126974 |
| Nov-1998 | 127254 |
| Dec-1998 | 127601 |
| Jan-1999 | 127727 |
| Feb-1999 | 128136 |
| Mar-1999 | 128244 |
| Apr-1999 | 128618 |
| May-1999 | 128830 |
| Jun-1999 | 129093 |
| Jul-1999 | 129414 |
| Aug-1999 | 129576 |
| Sep-1999 | 129792 |
| Oct-1999 | 130189 |
| Nov-1999 | 130482 |
| Dec-1999 | 130781 |
| Jan-2000 | 131009 |
| Feb-2000 | 131140 |
| Mar-2000 | 131608 |
| Apr-2000 | 131895 |
| May-2000 | 132121 |
| Jun-2000 | 132077 |
| Jul-2000 | 132253 |
| Aug-2000 | 132240 |
| Sep-2000 | 132375 |
| Oct-2000 | 132361 |
| Nov-2000 | 132589 |
| Dec-2000 | 132731 |
| Jan-2001 | 132706 |
| Feb-2001 | 132778 |
| Mar-2001 | 132751 |
| Apr-2001 | 132471 |
| May-2001 | 132432 |
| Jun-2001 | 132302 |
| Jul-2001 | 132191 |
| Aug-2001 | 132035 |
| Sep-2001 | 131794 |
| Oct-2001 | 131467 |
| Nov-2001 | 131176 |
| Dec-2001 | 131004 |
| Jan-2002 | 130869 |
| Feb-2002 | 130733 |
| Mar-2002 | 130712 |
| Apr-2002 | 130634 |
| May-2002 | 130629 |
| Jun-2002 | 130685 |
| Jul-2002 | 130601 |
| Aug-2002 | 130587 |
| Sep-2002 | 130527 |
| Oct-2002 | 130649 |
| Nov-2002 | 130662 |
| Dec-2002 | 130504 |
| Jan-2003 | 130596 |
| Feb-2003 | 130447 |
| Mar-2003 | 130238 |
| Apr-2003 | 130194 |
| May-2003 | 130187 |
| Jun-2003 | 130197 |
| Jul-2003 | 130219 |
| Aug-2003 | 130178 |
| Sep-2003 | 130282 |
| Oct-2003 | 130485 |
| Nov-2003 | 130496 |
| Dec-2003 | 130619 |
| Jan-2004 | 130778 |
| Feb-2004 | 130826 |
| Mar-2004 | 131157 |
| Apr-2004 | 131408 |
| May-2004 | 131715 |
| Jun-2004 | 131792 |
| Jul-2004 | 131837 |
| Aug-2004 | 131956 |
| Sep-2004 | 132118 |
| Oct-2004 | 132464 |
| Nov-2004 | 132530 |
| Dec-2004 | 132659 |
| Jan-2005 | 132795 |
| Feb-2005 | 133034 |
| Mar-2005 | 133169 |
| Apr-2005 | 133533 |
| May-2005 | 133710 |
| Jun-2005 | 133955 |
| Jul-2005 | 134329 |
| Aug-2005 | 134525 |
| Sep-2005 | 134592 |
| Oct-2005 | 134676 |
| Nov-2005 | 135017 |
| Dec-2005 | 135174 |
| Jan-2006 | 135452 |
| Feb-2006 | 135767 |
| Mar-2006 | 136049 |
| Apr-2006 | 136232 |
| May-2006 | 136257 |
| Jun-2006 | 136336 |
| Jul-2006 | 136542 |
| Aug-2006 | 136725 |
| Sep-2006 | 136878 |
| Oct-2006 | 136886 |
| Nov-2006 | 137095 |
| Dec-2006 | 137266 |
| Jan-2007 | 137506 |
| Feb-2007 | 137595 |
| Mar-2007 | 137785 |
| Apr-2007 | 137865 |
| May-2007 | 138008 |
| Jun-2007 | 138083 |
| Jul-2007 | 138049 |
| Aug-2007 | 138029 |
| Sep-2007 | 138117 |
| Oct-2007 | 138201 |
| Nov-2007 | 138315 |
| Dec-2007 | 138413 |
| Jan-2008 | 138430 |
| Feb-2008 | 138346 |
| Mar-2008 | 138268 |
| Apr-2008 | 138058 |
| May-2008 | 137872 |
| Jun-2008 | 137710 |
| Jul-2008 | 137497 |
| Aug-2008 | 137230 |
| Sep-2008 | 136780 |
| Oct-2008 | 136306 |
| Nov-2008 | 135540 |
| Dec-2008 | 134846 |
| Jan-2009 | 134053 |
| Feb-2009 | 133351 |
| Mar-2009 | 132528 |
| Apr-2009 | 131841 |
| May-2009 | 131492 |
| Jun-2009 | 131021 |
| Jul-2009 | 130692 |
| Aug-2009 | 130479 |
| Sep-2009 | 130259 |
| Oct-2009 | 130055 |
| Nov-2009 | 130053 |
| Dec-2009 | 129778 |
| Jan-2010 | 129801 |
| Feb-2010 | 129733 |
| Mar-2010 | 129897 |
| Apr-2010 | 130140 |
| May-2010 | 130664 |
| Jun-2010 | 130527 |
| Jul-2010 | 130459 |
| Aug-2010 | 130423 |
| Sep-2010 | 130371 |
| Oct-2010 | 130633 |
| Nov-2010 | 130752 |
| Dec-2010 | 130839 |
| Jan-2011 | 130882 |
| Feb-2011 | 131071 |
| Mar-2011 | 131296 |
| Apr-2011 | 131642 |
| May-2011 | 131719 |
| Jun-2011 | 131944 |
| Jul-2011 | 132013 |
| Aug-2011 | 132123 |
| Sep-2011 | 132371 |
| Oct-2011 | 132580 |
| Nov-2011 | 132721 |
| Dec-2011 | 132930 |
| Jan-2012 | 133288 |
| Feb-2012 | 133525 |
| Mar-2012 | 133758 |
| Apr-2012 | 133836 |
| May-2012 | 133951 |
| Jun-2012 | 134027 |
| Jul-2012 | 134170 |
| Aug-2012 | 134347 |
| Sep-2012 | 134550 |
| Oct-2012 | 134696 |
| Nov-2012 | 134828 |
| Dec-2012 | 135072 |
| Jan-2013 | 135283 |
| Feb-2013 | 135569 |
| Mar-2013 | 135699 |
| Apr-2013 | 135896 |
| May-2013 | 136122 |
| Jun-2013 | 136284 |
| Jul-2013 | 136406 |
| Aug-2013 | 136667 |
| Sep-2013 | 136857 |
| Oct-2013 | 137069 |
| Nov-2013 | 137327 |
| Dec-2013 | 137374 |
| Jan-2014 | 137564 |
| Feb-2014 | 137715 |
| Mar-2014 | 137987 |
| Apr-2014 | 138316 |
| May-2014 | 138562 |
| Jun-2014 | 138866 |
| Jul-2014 | 139068 |
| Aug-2014 | 139298 |
| Sep-2014 | 139578 |
| Oct-2014 | 139805 |
| Nov-2014 | 140117 |
| Dec-2014 | 140372 |
| Jan-2015 | 140606 |
| Feb-2015 | 140844 |
| Mar-2015 | 140930 |
| Apr-2015 | 141192 |
| May-2015 | 141536 |
| Jun-2015 | 141742 |
| Jul-2015 | 141996 |
| Aug-2015 | 142153 |
| Sep-2015 | 142253 |
| Oct-2015 | 142574 |
| Nov-2015 | 142846 |
| Dec-2015 | 143085 |
| Jan-2016 | 143211 |
| Feb-2016 | 143448 |
| Mar-2016 | 143673 |
| Apr-2016 | 143826 |
| May-2016 | 143869 |
| Jun-2016 | 144166 |
| Jul-2016 | 144457 |
| Aug-2016 | 144633 |
| Sep-2016 | 144882 |
| Oct-2016 | 145006 |
| Nov-2016 | 145170 |
| Dec-2016 | 145327 |
| Jan-2017 | 145554 |
Source: EPI analysis of Current Employment Statistics public data.
Top lines do not tell the whole story.
Source: EPI analysis of QCEW employment data.
On average, racial and ethnic minorities have substantially worse labor market outcomes.: Unemployment rate of workers age 16 and older by race and ethnicity, 1995–2017
| White | Black | Hispanic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan-1995 | 4.8 | 10.3 | 10.2 |
| Feb-1995 | 4.7 | 10.1 | 9.0 |
| Mar-1995 | 4.7 | 9.7 | 8.9 |
| Apr-1995 | 5.0 | 10.7 | 8.9 |
| May-1995 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 9.8 |
| Jun-1995 | 4.9 | 10.7 | 9.1 |
| Jul-1995 | 4.9 | 10.9 | 8.8 |
| Aug-1995 | 4.9 | 11.1 | 9.6 |
| Sep-1995 | 4.9 | 11.1 | 9.1 |
| Oct-1995 | 4.9 | 10.0 | 9.4 |
| Nov-1995 | 5.0 | 9.7 | 9.5 |
| Dec-1995 | 4.9 | 10.2 | 9.3 |
| Jan-1996 | 4.9 | 10.6 | 9.4 |
| Feb-1996 | 4.8 | 10.0 | 9.6 |
| Mar-1996 | 4.8 | 10.6 | 9.6 |
| Apr-1996 | 4.8 | 10.7 | 9.6 |
| May-1996 | 4.9 | 10.2 | 9.6 |
| Jun-1996 | 4.6 | 10.4 | 8.8 |
| Jul-1996 | 4.7 | 10.6 | 8.8 |
| Aug-1996 | 4.4 | 10.6 | 8.8 |
| Sep-1996 | 4.5 | 10.6 | 8.2 |
| Oct-1996 | 4.5 | 10.7 | 8.0 |
| Nov-1996 | 4.6 | 10.6 | 8.5 |
| Dec-1996 | 4.6 | 10.5 | 7.4 |
| 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 | 7.0 |
| Dec-1997 | 3.9 | 10.0 | 7.3 |
| Jan-1998 | 4.0 | 9.4 | 7.1 |
| Feb-1998 | 3.9 | 9.3 | 6.9 |
| Mar-1998 | 4.0 | 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 | 8.0 | 5.8 |
| Apr-1999 | 3.8 | 7.8 | 7.0 |
| 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 | 8.0 | 6.0 |
| 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 | 7.0% | 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 | 6.0 |
| 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 | 8.0 | 6.4 |
| May-2001 | 3.8 | 7.9 | 6.3 |
| Jun-2001 | 4.0 | 8.3 | 6.6 |
| Jul-2001 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 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 | 10.0 | 7.8 |
| Feb-2002 | 5.0 | 9.9 | 7.0 |
| Mar-2002 | 5.0 | 10.5 | 7.5 |
| Apr-2002 | 5.2 | 10.7 | 8.0 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| Mar-2003 | 5.1 | 10.3 | 7.8 |
| Apr-2003 | 5.3 | 10.9 | 7.6 |
| May-2003 | 5.4 | 10.9 | 8.1 |
| Jun-2003 | 5.5 | 11.5 | 8.4 |
| Jul-2003 | 5.4 | 10.9 | 8.1 |
| Aug-2003 | 5.4 | 10.9 | 7.7 |
| Sep-2003 | 5.3 | 11.1 | 7.3 |
| Oct-2003 | 5.1 | 11.4 | 7.4 |
| Nov-2003 | 5.2 | 10.2 | 7.5 |
| Dec-2003 | 5.0 | 10.1 | 6.6 |
| Jan-2004 | 5.0 | 10.4 | 7.4 |
| Feb-2004 | 4.9 | 9.7 | 7.4 |
| Mar-2004 | 5.1 | 10.3 | 7.5 |
| Apr-2004 | 5.0 | 9.8 | 7.1 |
| May-2004 | 4.9 | 10.1 | 7.0 |
| Jun-2004 | 5.0 | 10.2 | 6.6 |
| Jul-2004 | 4.7 | 11.0 | 6.9 |
| Aug-2004 | 4.7 | 10.5 | 6.8 |
| Sep-2004 | 4.6 | 10.3 | 6.9 |
| Oct-2004 | 4.6 | 10.8 | 6.7 |
| Nov-2004 | 4.6 | 10.7 | 6.7 |
| Dec-2004 | 4.5 | 10.7 | 6.5 |
| Jan-2005 | 4.5 | 10.6 | 6.2 |
| Feb-2005 | 4.6 | 10.9 | 6.4 |
| Mar-2005 | 4.5 | 10.5 | 5.8 |
| Apr-2005 | 4.4 | 10.3 | 6.4 |
| May-2005 | 4.4 | 10.1 | 5.9 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| Oct-2005 | 4.4 | 9.1 | 5.9 |
| Nov-2005 | 4.3 | 10.6 | 6.2 |
| Dec-2005 | 4.2 | 9.2 | 6.1 |
| Jan-2006 | 4.1 | 8.9 | 5.7 |
| Feb-2006 | 4.1 | 9.5 | 5.5 |
| Mar-2006 | 4.0 | 9.5 | 5.2 |
| Apr-2006 | 4.1 | 9.4 | 5.3 |
| May-2006 | 4.1 | 8.7 | 4.9 |
| Jun-2006 | 4.1 | 8.9 | 5.2 |
| Jul-2006 | 4.1 | 9.5 | 5.3 |
| Aug-2006 | 4.1 | 8.8 | 5.3 |
| Sep-2006 | 3.9 | 9.0 | 5.5 |
| Oct-2006 | 3.9 | 8.4 | 4.7% |
| Nov-2006 | 4.0 | 8.5 | 5.1 |
| Dec-2006 | 3.9 | 8.3 | 5.0 |
| Jan-2007 | 4.2 | 7.9 | 5.5 |
| Feb-2007 | 4.1 | 8.0 | 5.1 |
| Mar-2007 | 3.8 | 8.4 | 5.0 |
| Apr-2007 | 4.0 | 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 | 8.0 | 5.9 |
| Oct-2007 | 4.1 | 8.5 | 5.7 |
| Nov-2007 | 4.2 | 8.5 | 5.9 |
| Dec-2007 | 4.4 | 9.0 | 6.3 |
| Jan-2008 | 4.4 | 9.1 | 6.5 |
| Feb-2008 | 4.4 | 8.4 | 6.3 |
| Mar-2008 | 4.5 | 9.2 | 7.0 |
| Apr-2008 | 4.4 | 8.6 | 7.0 |
| May-2008 | 4.8 | 9.6 | 6.9 |
| Jun-2008 | 5.0 | 9.4 | 7.7 |
| Jul-2008 | 5.2 | 10.0 | 7.6 |
| Aug-2008 | 5.4 | 10.6 | 8.1 |
| Sep-2008 | 5.4 | 11.3 | 8.0 |
| Oct-2008 | 5.9 | 11.4 | 8.8 |
| Nov-2008 | 6.2 | 11.5 | 8.6 |
| Dec-2008 | 6.7 | 12.1 | 9.3 |
| Jan-2009 | 7.1 | 12.7 | 10.0 |
| Feb-2009 | 7.6 | 13.7 | 11.1 |
| Mar-2009 | 8.0 | 13.7 | 11.7 |
| Apr-2009 | 8.1 | 15.0 | 11.5 |
| May-2009 | 8.5 | 15.0 | 12.6 |
| Jun-2009 | 8.7 | 14.8 | 12.2 |
| Jul-2009 | 8.7 | 14.8 | 12.5 |
| Aug-2009 | 8.9 | 14.8 | 13.1% |
| Sep-2009 | 8.9 | 15.3 | 12.7 |
| Oct-2009 | 9.2 | 15.8 | 12.9 |
| Nov-2009 | 9.2% | 15.7 | 12.4 |
| Dec-2009 | 9.0 | 16.1 | 12.7 |
| 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 | 9.0 | 16.6 | 12.5 |
| May-2010 | 8.7 | 15.5 | 12.0 |
| Jun-2010 | 8.6 | 15.2 | 12.3 |
| Jul-2010 | 8.5 | 15.6 | 12.2 |
| Aug-2010 | 8.6 | 15.9 | 12.0 |
| Sep-2010 | 8.6 | 16.0 | 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 | 8.0 | 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 | 8.0 | 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 | 14.0 | 10.9 |
| Mar-2012 | 7.3 | 14.0 | 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 | 7.0 | 13.6 | 9.7 |
| Oct-2012 | 6.9 | 14.1 | 10.0 |
| Nov-2012 | 6.8 | 13.3 | 9.9 |
| Dec-2012 | 6.9 | 14.0 | 9.6 |
| Jan-2013 | 7.1 | 13.7 | 9.7 |
| Feb-2013 | 6.8 | 13.9 | 9.8 |
| Mar-2013 | 6.7 | 13.0 | 9.3 |
| Apr-2013 | 6.7 | 13.2 | 9.0 |
| May-2013 | 6.7 | 13.4 | 9.0 |
| Jun-2013 | 6.6 | 14.0 | 9.0 |
| 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 | 6.0 | 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 | 11.0 | 6.8 |
| Oct-2014 | 4.8 | 10.8 | 6.8 |
| Nov-2014 | 4.9 | 11.0 | 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 | 8.0 | 5.7 |
| Dec-2016 | 4.3 | 7.8 | 5.9 |
| Jan-2017 | 4.3% | 7.7% | 5.9% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey public data series
Trends that pre-date the Great Recession
have been holding most workers back
for decades.
The typical worker earns $17.86 per hour.: Median hourly wage, 1973–2016
| 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 |
The typical family has a net worth of $81,400.: Wealth for families at the median, 2013 dollars
| Date | Median |
|---|---|
| 1989 | $85064.29 |
| 1992 | 80750.76 |
| 1995 | 87733.51 |
| 1998 | 102496.72 |
| 2001 | 113908.37 |
| 2004 | 114805.52 |
| 2007 | 135858.26 |
| 2010 | 82520.57 |
| 2013 | $81400 |
Notes: The Survey of Consumer Finances is conducted every three years.
Source: EPI analysis of Congressional Budget Office data, using data from the Survey of Consumer Finances, supplemented with data from Forbes magazine's list of the nation's 400 wealthiest people.
Thank you!
Economic Policy Institute: epi.org
The Perkins Project on Worker Rights and Wages: epi.org/research/perkins-project/
Link to presentation: go.epi.org/perkinspreview
Extra Slides
Boosting productivity is necessary but not sufficient for wage growth: Disconnect between productivity and a typical worker's compensation, 1948–2015
| Year | Hourly compensation | Net productivity |
|---|---|---|
| 1948 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| 1949 | 6.25% | 1.55% |
| 1950 | 10.48% | 9.33% |
| 1951 | 11.75% | 12.35% |
| 1952 | 15.04% | 15.63% |
| 1953 | 20.84% | 19.55% |
| 1954 | 23.52% | 21.56% |
| 1955 | 28.74% | 26.46% |
| 1956 | 33.94% | 26.66% |
| 1957 | 37.14% | 30.09% |
| 1958 | 38.16% | 32.78% |
| 1959 | 42.55% | 37.64% |
| 1960 | 45.49% | 40.05% |
| 1961 | 47.99% | 44.36% |
| 1962 | 52.47% | 49.79% |
| 1963 | 55.02% | 55.01% |
| 1964 | 58.50% | 59.99% |
| 1965 | 62.46% | 64.94% |
| 1966 | 64.89% | 70.00% |
| 1967 | 66.89% | 72.05% |
| 1968 | 70.73% | 77.16% |
| 1969 | 74.66% | 77.88% |
| 1970 | 76.59% | 80.37% |
| 1971 | 82.01% | 87.10% |
| 1972 | 91.24% | 92.05% |
| 1973 | 91.29% | 96.75% |
| 1974 | 86.96% | 93.66% |
| 1975 | 86.84% | 97.92% |
| 1976 | 89.66% | 103.44% |
| 1977 | 93.13% | 105.79% |
| 1978 | 95.96% | 107.79% |
| 1979 | 93.43% | 108.14% |
| 1980 | 88.56% | 106.57% |
| 1981 | 87.59% | 111.02% |
| 1982 | 87.76% | 107.88% |
| 1983 | 88.35% | 114.13% |
| 1984 | 86.94% | 119.73% |
| 1985 | 86.31% | 123.43% |
| 1986 | 87.32% | 127.99% |
| 1987 | 84.59% | 129.12% |
| 1988 | 83.85% | 131.78% |
| 1989 | 83.70% | 133.65% |
| 1990 | 82.22% | 136.98% |
| 1991 | 81.87% | 138.89% |
| 1992 | 83.04% | 147.56% |
| 1993 | 83.38% | 148.37% |
| 1994 | 83.82% | 150.75% |
| 1995 | 82.70% | 150.86% |
| 1996 | 82.79% | 156.92% |
| 1997 | 84.80% | 160.50% |
| 1998 | 89.17% | 165.71% |
| 1999 | 91.92% | 172.08% |
| 2000 | 92.90% | 178.50% |
| 2001 | 95.56% | 182.84% |
| 2002 | 99.38% | 190.72% |
| 2003 | 101.63% | 200.17% |
| 2004 | 100.84% | 208.21% |
| 2005 | 100.05% | 213.58% |
| 2006 | 100.21% | 215.48% |
| 2007 | 101.70% | 217.70% |
| 2008 | 101.71% | 218.24% |
| 2009 | 109.69% | 224.75% |
| 2010 | 111.53% | 234.28% |
| 2011 | 109.06% | 234.67% |
| 2012 | 107.27% | 236.51% |
| 2013 | 108.32% | 237.57% |
| 2014 | 109.13% | 239.30% |
| 2015 | 112.53% | 241.08% |
Note: Data are for average hourly compensation of production/nonsupervisory workers in the private sector and net productivity of the total economy. “Net productivity” is the growth of output of goods and services minus depreciation per hour worked.
Source: Adapted from Figure K in Josh Bivens and Hunter Blair, Financing recovery and fairness by going where the money is, Economic Policy Institute Report, November 15, 2016
Source: Economic Policy Institute analysis of data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ National Income and Produce Accounts and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Indexes and Labor Productivity and Costs programs (see technical appendix of Understanding the Historic Divergence Between Productivity and a Typical Worker's Pay for more detailed information)
Median family income over the householder's working life, by birth cohort
| 1890s | 1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 33780 | 45150.5 | 55433.5 | 54682 | 54886.5 | 58790.5 | 55157 | |||
| 35-44 | 36961 | 50993.5 | 65154 | 68182 | 71569 | 77146.5 | 74524 | |||
| 45-54 | 38216 | 53016.5 | 71096 | 75985 | 85557 | 88762 | 85184.5 | |||
| 55-64 | 32534 | 45035 | 59317 | 64002 | 69096.5 | 78973.5 | 81374.5 |
Notes: Data range from 1949 to 2015.
Source: Authors' analysis of Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement Historical Income Tables (Table F-11).