EPI has launched a new State of Working America Data Library that provides easily accessible, up-to-date, and comprehensive historical data on the U.S. economy. With EPI analysis of government data sources, the data library enables the public to research wages, inequality, and other economic trends over time and among demographic groups.  

Among many other indicators, the data library includes:  

• Annual wages for select groups, including the top 1% and bottom 90% of wage earners 

• Racial and gender wage gaps 

• Unemployment rates, including by state 

• Poverty rates 

• Inflation rates 
• Union membership rates and the union wage premium 

The data library shows that rising inequality has been a defining feature throughout much of the last few decades. The gap between productivity and a typical worker’s compensation has increased dramatically since 1979, while the share of workers represented by a union is well under half what it was. 

“EPI’s data library will be a pivotal tool for policymakers, researchers, and the public who seek an easy-to-use platform to distill economic data for various demographic groups across the country,” said Zane Mokhiber, EPI’s director of data management and analysis.