Low-Wage Workers and Their Families
Personal and Employment Characteristics
This report provides information on the demographic and social characteristics (e.g., age, education) of hourly workers who are paid less than $7.25 an hour, as well as the characteristics of the jobs they hold (e.g., occupation and part-time/full-time hours). Some argue that raising the minimum wage is an effective way to alleviate poverty among families supported by low-wage workers. A higher minimum wage may raise their incomes and it may encourage greater labor force participation among members of low-income families. Others assert that raising the minimum wage is not an effective way to aid low-income families — because many low-wage…
