Frequency Distribution of Wage Earners by Wage Level

ACTUARIAL NOTE

Number 135 SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

July 1996 Office of the Chief Actuary

Frequency Distribution of Wage Earners by Wage Level

by Jeffrey L. Kunkel

Introduction

The purpose of this note is to present data on numbers of wage earners distributed by wage level for years after 1979. In addition, quartiles of wage distributions will be presented by age group and sex, and median wage levels will be compared to average wage amounts.

For purposes of this note, wages are defined as the amounts subject to Federal income taxes, as currently reported in box 1 of the Internal Revenue Service's Form W-2. Beginning with tax year 1978, employers have been required to file W-2s for all their employees with the Social Security Administration. SSA processes the W-2 data for the IRS and records the wage amounts in its Master Earnings File (MEF).

Data extracted from the MEF on the number of wage earners and the amount of their wages have been tabulated for each year 1978-94. In addition, a frequency distribution of the number of workers by wage level from this source has been tabulated for each year 1985-94. More detailed data are available from a one-percent sample file called the Continuous Work History Sample. Data on the number of workers by wage level, age group, and sex have been extracted from this sample for each year 1980-93.

Caution should be used in interpreting the data presented in this note. The data for a given year include wages for people who entered or left the work force during the year and include wages for part-time workers. Thus the average and median wage amounts from our data are substantially lower than corresponding amounts for full-time workers at a comparable point in time. Another important consideration to bear in mind is that the wage data include distributions from a particular type of deferred compensation plan available only to State and local government employees.¹ While such distributions are taxable for income purposes and so meet our definition, they are not normally considered to be wages.

100-Percent Wage Data

Wage data have been tabulated on a 100-percent basis beginning with data for 1978. The reason for tabulating wage data on such a complete basis is the need to accurately determine the national average wage index (AWI). The AWI series, which begins with the index for 1951, is the basis for indexing earnings used in the computation of Social Security benefits. The AWI is also used to index certain Social Security program amounts such as the contribution and benefit base. Average wages presented in this note are lower than corresponding AWI amounts, primarily because the AWI is an index, not a direct measurement of average wages. See Actuarial Notes 103 and 133 for more information on the AWI series.

Only overall totals of the number of wage earners and their corresponding aggregate wages were tabulated for years 1978-84. Thereafter, frequency distributions of the number of workers by certain wage levels were also tabulated. The data were extracted at the end of the processing cycle for that year -- generally in mid-February, 2 years after the year in which the wages were earned. For example, the data used in this note for 1994 was extracted in February 1996.

Sample Wage Data

For years 1978-93, wage data were extracted from the one-percent Continuous Work History Sample (CWHS) maintained by SSA's Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics. Pertinent to the purpose of this note, the CWHS includes demographic information such as date-of-birth and sex. The CWHS wage data also come from SSA's MEF. Except in recent years, data for the CWHS were extracted from the MEF at an earlier point in time than for the 100-percent data tabulated each year. As a result, the number of wage records from the CWHS, after inflating by a factor of 100, falls further below the 100-percent count than could be expected from sampling error. Table 1 shows the number of wage earners from the CWHS and from the 100-percent MEF data and the ratio of the former to the latter.

Table 1.-Comparison of CWHS and 100-percent data on wage earners and
their average wages, 1978-93

Year
Number of workers (in thousands)

Average wage amount

CWHS
100-
Percent
Ratio
CWHS
100-
Percent
Ratio

1978 94,878 101,146 93.80% $13,974.06 $9,833.20 142.11%

1979 94,193 105,347 89.41    13,640.62 10,748.79 126.90

1980 95,074 107,804 88.19    11,878.39 11,886.47 99.93

1981 98,116 107,569 91.21    12,575.09 12,980.69 96.88

1982 97,879 105,376 92.89    13,597.07 13,727.92 99.05

1983 104,286 109,672 95.09    14,466.43 14,409.98 100.39

1984 106,822 112,666 94.81    15,251.38 15,250.75 100.00

1985 112,233 117,588 95.45    15,989.98 15,954.96 100.22

1986 113,216 117,919 96.01    16,770.03 16,543.51 101.37

1987 119,617 121,995 98.05    17,763.57 17,456.36 101.76

1988 122,912 124,580 98.66    18,417.33 18,300.25 100.64

1989 126,563 128,633 98.39    19,087.78 19,021.53 100.35

1990 129,437 129,705 99.79    19,952.79 19,932.46 100.10

1991 128,476 128,727 99.81    20,609.76 20,552.35 100.28

1992 129,153 129,448 99.77    21,632.24 21,660.89 99.87

1993 129,652 130,076 99.67    22,004.28 22,005.54 99.99

Note: Average wage amounts do not reflect any editing of the CWHS data, but doreflect minor edits in the 100-percent data for years after 1986.

Table 1.-Comparison of CWHS and 100-percent data on wage earners and
their average wages, 1978-93
Year	Number of workers (in thousands)		Average wage amount
CWHS	100- Percent	Ratio	CWHS	100- Percent	Ratio
1978	94,878	101,146	93.80%		$13,974.06	$9,833.20	142.11%
1979	94,193	105,347	89.41		13,640.62	10,748.79	126.90
1980	95,074	107,804	88.19		11,878.39	11,886.47	99.93
1981	98,116	107,569	91.21		12,575.09	12,980.69	96.88
1982	97,879	105,376	92.89		13,597.07	13,727.92	99.05
1983	104,286	109,672	95.09		14,466.43	14,409.98	100.39
1984	106,822	112,666	94.81		15,251.38	15,250.75	100.00
1985	112,233	117,588	95.45		15,989.98	15,954.96	100.22
1986	113,216	117,919	96.01		16,770.03	16,543.51	101.37
1987	119,617	121,995	98.05		17,763.57	17,456.36	101.76
1988	122,912	124,580	98.66		18,417.33	18,300.25	100.64
1989	126,563	128,633	98.39		19,087.78	19,021.53	100.35
1990	129,437	129,705	99.79		19,952.79	19,932.46	100.10
1991	128,476	128,727	99.81		20,609.76	20,552.35	100.28
1992	129,153	129,448	99.77		21,632.24	21,660.89	99.87
1993	129,652	130,076	99.67		22,004.28	22,005.54	99.99

Note: Average wage amounts do not reflect any editing of the CWHS data, but doreflect minor edits in the 100-percent data for years after 1986.

Table 1 also shows the ratio of the average wage amount from the CWHS as a percentage of the corresponding average from 100-percent data. The large variation in these ratios for 1978 and 1979 from the ideal level of 100 percent could not be explained in terms of the timing of the data tabulation for the 100-percent data versus that for the extraction of the data from the MEF for the CWHS. Examination of MEF records for a small subsample of CWHS cases revealed many cases where wage amounts were 100 times the amount of those wages subject to Social Security taxes. This problem was at least partially corrected when the wage data were extracted for the 100-percent data tabulations. The MEF itself, however, was left uncorrected. Wage data from the CWHS are too unreliable to be used for 1978 and 1979 because they were extracted directly from the MEF.

Given the problem of inaccurate wage data for 1978-79 and the ever-present possibility of employer reporting errors, all wage data from the CWHS for subsequent years were subjected to an edit. The edit was applied whenever the wage amount reported for a worker was much larger than the corresponding amount reported as wages subject to Social Security taxes and the latter amount was less than the taxable maximum. Under such circumstances, the edited amount was set equal to the taxable amount for Social Security. Wage data from the CWHS in all subsequent tables reflect this edit.

Wages for 1980 were edited in 534 cases out of a total 950,739 cases, or 0.0562 percent of the total. The corresponding percentage for 1981 dropped to only 0.0026 percent. The 1980 percentage is thus almost 22 times the 1981 percentage. This suggests that some of the problems that affected the 1978 and 1979 data persisted into the 1980 data. The percentage of cases edited for 1980-93 averaged 0.0103 percent.²

Data from the CWHS on the number of wage earners, by age group and sex for each year 1980-93, are presented in table 2. The number of workers shown for a given year represents the number who received wages at any point in time during the year. Table 3 shows the annual percentage increases in the number of workers by age group and sex using the data from table 2.

Table 2.-Number of wage earners by age group and sex, 1980-93
[In thousands]

Year
Total
Under
age 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 and
over

Total

1980 95,074 4,764 23,380 26,313 16,259 12,510 9,137 2,711
1981 98,115 4,388 23,175 27,681 17,603 12,992 9,550 2,726
1982 97,879 3,644 21,619 27,671 18,933 13,296 9,931 2,785
1983 104,286 3,599 22,256 29,801 21,015 14,260 10,516 2,840
1984 106,822 4,035 22,482 30,636 22,022 14,339 10,426 2,883
1985 112,233 4,556 22,749 32,392 23,691 14,996 10,811 3,037
1986 113,216 4,765 22,182 32,740 24,578 15,138 10,646 3,168
1987 119,617 5,116 22,356 34,352 26,766 16,549 11,087 3,392
1988 122,912 5,310 22,426 34,949 27,919 17,429 11,263 3,616
1989 126,562 5,215 22,790 35,889 29,449 18,148 11,302 3,770
1990 129,437 4,913 22,532 36,232 31,082 18,986 11,613 4,078
1991 128,476 4,268 21,565 35,538 31,650 19,806 11,545 4,103
1992 129,153 4,229 21,194 34,900 31,913 21,056 11,581 4,280
1993 129,652 4,259 20,859 34,252 32,226 21,918 11,667 4,472

Male

1980 54,207 2,605 12,678 15,227 9,480 7,247 5,374 1,597
1981 55,270 2,373 12,474 15,782 10,092 7,414 5,547 1,588
1982 55,039 1,964 11,845 15,764 10,699 7,472 5,699 1,595
1983 57,833 1,899 11,932 16,617 11,788 7,992 6,013 1,592
1984 58,656 2,121 11,974 16,936 12,169 7,942 5,909 1,605
1985 61,191 2,392 12,001 17,769 12,964 8,261 6,110 1,696
1986 61,037 2,464 11,615 17,790 13,274 8,210 5,933 1,750
1987 64,180 2,681 11,661 18,583 14,337 8,918 6,129 1,871
1988 65,126 2,784 11,571 18,680 14,694 9,260 6,165 1,971
1989 67,437 2,737 11,921 19,341 15,560 9,654 6,171 2,052
1990 68,723 2,538 11,747 19,518 16,360 10,047 6,323 2,190
1991 68,055 2,207 11,229 19,134 16,619 10,412 6,256 2,198
1992 68,100 2,174 11,016 18,725 16,717 11,000 6,216 2,251
1993 68,239 2,200 10,769 18,312 16,818 11,434 6,290 2,416

Female

1980 40,867 2,159 10,701 11,086 6,779 5,263 3,763 1,114
1981 42,846 2,016 10,701 11,898 7,512 5,578 4,003 1,138
1982 42,840 1,680 9,774 11,906 8,234 5,823 4,232 1,190
1983 46,453 1,700 10,324 13,184 9,227 6,268 4,503 1,248
1984 48,167 1,914 10,508 13,700 9,852 6,397 4,517 1,278
1985 51,042 2,165 10,748 14,624 10,727 6,735 4,701 1,341
1986 52,179 2,300 10,567 14,950 11,304 6,928 4,713 1,418
1987 55,437 2,434 10,695 15,769 12,428 7,632 4,958 1,521
1988 57,786 2,526 10,855 16,269 13,224 8,169 5,098 1,645
1989 59,125 2,478 10,869 16,547 13,889 8,494 5,131 1,718
1990 60,714 2,374 10,785 16,715 14,722 8,939 5,290 1,888
1991 60,421 2,060 10,337 16,404 15,031 9,394 5,290 1,906
1992 61,053 2,054 10,178 16,175 15,196 10,055 5,365 2,030
1993 61,414 2,058 10,090 15,940 15,408 10,485 5,377 2,056

**Table 2.-Number of wage earners by age group and sex, 1980-93**
[In thousands]
Year	Total	Under age 18	18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65 and over
Total
1980	95,074	4,764	23,380	26,313	16,259	12,510	9,137	2,711
1981	98,115	4,388	23,175	27,681	17,603	12,992	9,550	2,726
1982	97,879	3,644	21,619	27,671	18,933	13,296	9,931	2,785
1983	104,286	3,599	22,256	29,801	21,015	14,260	10,516	2,840
1984	106,822	4,035	22,482	30,636	22,022	14,339	10,426	2,883
1985	112,233	4,556	22,749	32,392	23,691	14,996	10,811	3,037
1986	113,216	4,765	22,182	32,740	24,578	15,138	10,646	3,168
1987	119,617	5,116	22,356	34,352	26,766	16,549	11,087	3,392
1988	122,912	5,310	22,426	34,949	27,919	17,429	11,263	3,616
1989	126,562	5,215	22,790	35,889	29,449	18,148	11,302	3,770
1990	129,437	4,913	22,532	36,232	31,082	18,986	11,613	4,078
1991	128,476	4,268	21,565	35,538	31,650	19,806	11,545	4,103
1992	129,153	4,229	21,194	34,900	31,913	21,056	11,581	4,280
1993	129,652	4,259	20,859	34,252	32,226	21,918	11,667	4,472

Male
1980	54,207	2,605	12,678	15,227	9,480	7,247	5,374	1,597
1981	55,270	2,373	12,474	15,782	10,092	7,414	5,547	1,588
1982	55,039	1,964	11,845	15,764	10,699	7,472	5,699	1,595
1983	57,833	1,899	11,932	16,617	11,788	7,992	6,013	1,592
1984	58,656	2,121	11,974	16,936	12,169	7,942	5,909	1,605
1985	61,191	2,392	12,001	17,769	12,964	8,261	6,110	1,696
1986	61,037	2,464	11,615	17,790	13,274	8,210	5,933	1,750
1987	64,180	2,681	11,661	18,583	14,337	8,918	6,129	1,871
1988	65,126	2,784	11,571	18,680	14,694	9,260	6,165	1,971
1989	67,437	2,737	11,921	19,341	15,560	9,654	6,171	2,052
1990	68,723	2,538	11,747	19,518	16,360	10,047	6,323	2,190
1991	68,055	2,207	11,229	19,134	16,619	10,412	6,256	2,198
1992	68,100	2,174	11,016	18,725	16,717	11,000	6,216	2,251
1993	68,239	2,200	10,769	18,312	16,818	11,434	6,290	2,416

Female
1980	40,867	2,159	10,701	11,086	6,779	5,263	3,763	1,114
1981	42,846	2,016	10,701	11,898	7,512	5,578	4,003	1,138
1982	42,840	1,680	9,774	11,906	8,234	5,823	4,232	1,190
1983	46,453	1,700	10,324	13,184	9,227	6,268	4,503	1,248
1984	48,167	1,914	10,508	13,700	9,852	6,397	4,517	1,278
1985	51,042	2,165	10,748	14,624	10,727	6,735	4,701	1,341
1986	52,179	2,300	10,567	14,950	11,304	6,928	4,713	1,418
1987	55,437	2,434	10,695	15,769	12,428	7,632	4,958	1,521
1988	57,786	2,526	10,855	16,269	13,224	8,169	5,098	1,645
1989	59,125	2,478	10,869	16,547	13,889	8,494	5,131	1,718
1990	60,714	2,374	10,785	16,715	14,722	8,939	5,290	1,888
1991	60,421	2,060	10,337	16,404	15,031	9,394	5,290	1,906
1992	61,053	2,054	10,178	16,175	15,196	10,055	5,365	2,030
1993	61,414	2,058	10,090	15,940	15,408	10,485	5,377	2,056

Table 3.-Annual percentage increase in number of wage earners over prior year's level
by age group and sex, 1981-93

Year
Total
Under
age 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 and
over

Total

1981 3.20 -7.89 -0.88 5.20 8.27 3.85 4.52 0.55
1982 -0.24 -16.96 -6.71 -0.04 7.56 2.34 3.99 2.16
1983 6.55 -1.24 2.95 7.70 11.00 7.25 5.89 1.98
1984 2.43 12.11 1.02 2.80 4.79 0.55 -0.86 1.51
1985 5.07 12.91 1.19 5.73 7.58 4.58 3.69 5.34
1986 0.88 4.59 -2.49 1.07 3.74 0.95 -1.53 4.31
1987 5.65 7.37 0.78 4.92 8.90 9.32 4.14 7.07
1988 2.76 3.79 0.31 1.74 4.31 5.32 1.59 6.60
1989 2.97 -1.79 1.62 2.69 5.48 4.13 0.35 4.26
1990 2.27 -5.79 -1.13 0.96 5.55 4.62 2.75 8.17
1991 -0.74 -13.13 -4.29 -1.92 1.83 4.32 -0.59 0.61
1992 0.53 -0.91 -1.72 -1.80 0.83 6.31 0.31 4.31
1993 0.39 0.71 -1.58 -1.86 0.98 4.09 0.74 4.49

Male

1981 1.96 -8.91 -1.61 3.65 6.46 2.30 3.22 -0.56
1982 -0.42 -17.24 -5.04 -0.11 6.02 0.78 2.74 0.44
1983 5.08 -3.31 0.73 5.41 10.18 6.96 5.51 -0.19
1984 1.42 11.69 0.35 1.92 3.23 -0.63 -1.73 0.82
1985 4.32 12.78 0.23 4.92 6.53 4.02 3.40 5.67
1986 -0.25 3.01 -3.22 0.12 2.39 -0.62 -2.90 3.18
1987 5.15 8.81 0.40 4.46 8.01 8.62 3.30 6.91
1988 1.47 3.84 -0.77 0.52 2.49 3.84 0.59 5.35
1989 3.55 -1.69 3.03 3.54 5.89 4.26 0.10 4.11
1990 1.91 -7.27 -1.46 0.92 5.14 4.07 2.46 6.73
1991 -0.97 -13.04 -4.41 -1.97 1.58 3.63 -1.06 0.37
1992 0.07 -1.50 -1.90 -2.14 0.59 5.65 -0.64 2.41
1993 0.20 1.20 -2.24 -2.21 0.60 3.95 1.19 7.33

Female

1981 4.84 -6.62 0.00 7.33 10.81 5.99 6.38 2.15
1982 -0.01 -16.67 -8.66 0.07 9.61 4.39 5.72 4.57
1983 8.43 1.19 5.63 10.73 12.06 7.64 6.40 4.87
1984 3.69 12.59 1.78 3.91 6.77 2.06 0.31 2.40
1985 5.97 13.11 2.28 6.75 8.88 5.28 4.07 4.93
1986 2.23 6.24 -1.68 2.23 5.38 2.87 0.26 5.74
1987 6.24 5.83 1.21 5.48 9.94 10.16 5.20 7.26
1988 4.24 3.78 1.50 3.17 6.41 7.04 2.82 8.15
1989 2.32 -1.90 0.13 1.71 5.03 3.98 0.65 4.44
1990 2.69 -4.20 -0.77 1.02 6.00 5.24 3.10 9.90
1991 -0.48 -13.23 -4.15 -1.86 2.10 5.09 0.00 0.95
1992 1.05 -0.29 -1.54 -1.40 1.10 7.04 1.42 6.51
1993 0.59 0.20 -0.87 -1.45 1.40 4.28 0.22 1.28

Table 3.-Annual percentage increase in number of wage earners over prior year's level
by age group and sex, 1981-93
Year	Total	Under age 18	18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65 and over
Total
1981	3.20	-7.89	-0.88	5.20	8.27	3.85	4.52	0.55
1982	-0.24	-16.96	-6.71	-0.04	7.56	2.34	3.99	2.16
1983	6.55	-1.24	2.95	7.70	11.00	7.25	5.89	1.98
1984	2.43	12.11	1.02	2.80	4.79	0.55	-0.86	1.51
1985	5.07	12.91	1.19	5.73	7.58	4.58	3.69	5.34
1986	0.88	4.59	-2.49	1.07	3.74	0.95	-1.53	4.31
1987	5.65	7.37	0.78	4.92	8.90	9.32	4.14	7.07
1988	2.76	3.79	0.31	1.74	4.31	5.32	1.59	6.60
1989	2.97	-1.79	1.62	2.69	5.48	4.13	0.35	4.26
1990	2.27	-5.79	-1.13	0.96	5.55	4.62	2.75	8.17
1991	-0.74	-13.13	-4.29	-1.92	1.83	4.32	-0.59	0.61
1992	0.53	-0.91	-1.72	-1.80	0.83	6.31	0.31	4.31
1993	0.39	0.71	-1.58	-1.86	0.98	4.09	0.74	4.49

Male
1981	1.96	-8.91	-1.61	3.65	6.46	2.30	3.22	-0.56
1982	-0.42	-17.24	-5.04	-0.11	6.02	0.78	2.74	0.44
1983	5.08	-3.31	0.73	5.41	10.18	6.96	5.51	-0.19
1984	1.42	11.69	0.35	1.92	3.23	-0.63	-1.73	0.82
1985	4.32	12.78	0.23	4.92	6.53	4.02	3.40	5.67
1986	-0.25	3.01	-3.22	0.12	2.39	-0.62	-2.90	3.18
1987	5.15	8.81	0.40	4.46	8.01	8.62	3.30	6.91
1988	1.47	3.84	-0.77	0.52	2.49	3.84	0.59	5.35
1989	3.55	-1.69	3.03	3.54	5.89	4.26	0.10	4.11
1990	1.91	-7.27	-1.46	0.92	5.14	4.07	2.46	6.73
1991	-0.97	-13.04	-4.41	-1.97	1.58	3.63	-1.06	0.37
1992	0.07	-1.50	-1.90	-2.14	0.59	5.65	-0.64	2.41
1993	0.20	1.20	-2.24	-2.21	0.60	3.95	1.19	7.33

Female
1981	4.84	-6.62	0.00	7.33	10.81	5.99	6.38	2.15
1982	-0.01	-16.67	-8.66	0.07	9.61	4.39	5.72	4.57
1983	8.43	1.19	5.63	10.73	12.06	7.64	6.40	4.87
1984	3.69	12.59	1.78	3.91	6.77	2.06	0.31	2.40
1985	5.97	13.11	2.28	6.75	8.88	5.28	4.07	4.93
1986	2.23	6.24	-1.68	2.23	5.38	2.87	0.26	5.74
1987	6.24	5.83	1.21	5.48	9.94	10.16	5.20	7.26
1988	4.24	3.78	1.50	3.17	6.41	7.04	2.82	8.15
1989	2.32	-1.90	0.13	1.71	5.03	3.98	0.65	4.44
1990	2.69	-4.20	-0.77	1.02	6.00	5.24	3.10	9.90
1991	-0.48	-13.23	-4.15	-1.86	2.10	5.09	0.00	0.95
1992	1.05	-0.29	-1.54	-1.40	1.10	7.04	1.42	6.51
1993	0.59	0.20	-0.87	-1.45	1.40	4.28	0.22	1.28

Average Wages and Quartiles of Wage Distributions

Figure 1 shows the average wage of all workers compared to that for the median wage over the period 1980-94. The data used for 1980-93 is based on the CWHS. For 1994, 100-percent (non-sample) data were used. The median wage for 1994 was estimated by interpolating on the cumulative frequency distribution of workers by wage level.

Figure 1.-Average and median wages, 1980-94
see table 4 for data

Note that as time increases the curve for the average wage appears to diverge from that for the median wage. In fact, over the 1984-94 period, the average wage increase is almost 5 percentage points more than the comparable increase in the median wage. For the 1980-94 period, however, the increase in each was very nearly the same. These facts are illustrated in figure 2, which shows the cumulative increase from 1980 in both the average wage and the median wage.

As indicated in figure 2, median wage growth exceeds average wage growth in the early 1980s, and then its growth slows relative to average wage growth. If measurement of cumulative increases begins in a later year such as 1983 or 1984, then the median wage curve would fall below, and stay below, the average wage curve for all years thereafter through 1994. See table 4 for a numerical comparison of the nominal wage amounts and their annual increases. (Table 4 also shows comparable data in 1994 dollars. The conversion to 1994 dollars is based on the average annual "Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.")

Figure 2.-Cumulative increase in average and median wages, 1980-94
see table 4 for data

Caution should be exercised in interpreting the data from table 4 and the above graphs. Recall that table 1 compared the number of workers from the CWHS to those from 100-percent data, and the number of workers was less for the CWHS data. As noted earlier, the median and average wage amounts for each year 1980-93 are based on the CWHS data. It may be that the relatively low number of workers in the early 1980s affects the relationship between the median and average wage amounts.

Table 5 shows average wage amounts by age group and sex for each year 1980-93 from the CWHS. Note that the overall averages in table 5 are somewhat lower than those shown in table 1 due to the edits described earlier. Table 6 shows annual percentage increases in the average wage amounts in 1994 dollars.

Tables 7, 8, and 9 present first, second, and third quartiles, respectively, of the frequency distribution of workers by wage level. The quartiles are given by age group and sex for each year 1980-93. Again, the data are from the CWHS. Table 10 shows the annual percentage increases in the median wage (the middle quartile), in 1994 dollars, by age group and sex.

Table 4.-Median and average wage amount, 1980-94

Year
Current dollars

Percent increase over prior year's level

Median
Average
Median
Average
Difference

1980 $8,160 $11,402 -- -- --
1981 9,253 12,573 13.395 10.270 3.124
1982 10,178 13,591 9.997 8.097 1.900
1983 10,829 14,440 6.396 6.247 0.149
1984 11,273 15,220 4.100 5.402 -1.302
1985 11,872 15,972 5.314 4.941 0.373
1986 12,322 16,749 3.790 4.865 -1.074
1987 12,938 17,593 4.999 5.039 -0.040
1988 13,284 18,391 2.674 4.536 -1.862
1989 13,887 19,064 4.539 3.659 0.880
1990 14,522 19,935 4.573 4.569 0.004
1991 15,000 20,581 3.292 3.241 0.051
1992 15,545 21,620 3.633 5.048 -1.415
1993 15,736 21,975 1.229 1.642 -0.413
1994 16,046 22,401 1.970 1.939 0.031

Year
1994 dollars

Percent increase over prior year's level

Median
Average
Median
Average
Difference

1980 $14,676 $20,507 -- -- --
1981 15,086 20,498 2.794 -0.044 2.838
1982 15,631 20,872 3.613 1.825 1.788
1983 16,113 21,485 3.084 2.937 0.147
1984 16,079 21,710 -0.211 1.047 -1.258
1985 16,352 21,999 1.698 1.331 0.367
1986 16,662 22,647 1.896 2.946 -1.050
1987 16,879 22,952 1.302 1.347 -0.044
1988 16,641 23,039 -1.410 0.379 -1.789
1989 16,597 22,785 -0.264 -1.102 0.838
1990 16,466 22,604 -0.789 -0.794 0.005
1991 16,322 22,395 -0.875 -0.925 0.050
1992 16,420 22,838 0.600 1.978 -1.378
1993 16,139 22,537 -1.711 -1.318 -0.393
1994 16,046 22,401 -0.576 -0.603 0.027

**Table 4.-Median and average wage amount, 1980-94**
Year	Current dollars		Percent increase over prior year's level
Median	Average	Median	Average	Difference
1980	$8,160	$11,402		--	--	--
1981	9,253	12,573		13.395	10.270	3.124
1982	10,178	13,591		9.997	8.097	1.900
1983	10,829	14,440		6.396	6.247	0.149
1984	11,273	15,220		4.100	5.402	-1.302
1985	11,872	15,972		5.314	4.941	0.373
1986	12,322	16,749		3.790	4.865	-1.074
1987	12,938	17,593		4.999	5.039	-0.040
1988	13,284	18,391		2.674	4.536	-1.862
1989	13,887	19,064		4.539	3.659	0.880
1990	14,522	19,935		4.573	4.569	0.004
1991	15,000	20,581		3.292	3.241	0.051
1992	15,545	21,620		3.633	5.048	-1.415
1993	15,736	21,975		1.229	1.642	-0.413
1994	16,046	22,401		1.970	1.939	0.031

Year	1994 dollars		Percent increase over prior year's level
Median	Average	Median	Average	Difference
1980	$14,676	$20,507		--	--	--
1981	15,086	20,498		2.794	-0.044	2.838
1982	15,631	20,872		3.613	1.825	1.788
1983	16,113	21,485		3.084	2.937	0.147
1984	16,079	21,710		-0.211	1.047	-1.258
1985	16,352	21,999		1.698	1.331	0.367
1986	16,662	22,647		1.896	2.946	-1.050
1987	16,879	22,952		1.302	1.347	-0.044
1988	16,641	23,039		-1.410	0.379	-1.789
1989	16,597	22,785		-0.264	-1.102	0.838
1990	16,466	22,604		-0.789	-0.794	0.005
1991	16,322	22,395		-0.875	-0.925	0.050
1992	16,420	22,838		0.600	1.978	-1.378
1993	16,139	22,537		-1.711	-1.318	-0.393
1994	16,046	22,401		-0.576	-0.603	0.027

Table 5.-Average wage amounts by age group and sex, 1980-93

Year
Total
Under
age 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 and
over

Total

1980 $11,402 $1,422 $5,879 $11,709 $15,802 $16,800 $15,606 $8,139
1981 12,573 1,507 6,336 12,802 17,185 18,173 17,021 9,009
1982 13,591 1,475 6,434 13,602 18,359 19,331 17,912 9,647
1983 14,440 1,419 6,533 14,264 19,402 20,589 18,941 10,477
1984 15,220 1,440 6,826 14,993 20,572 21,854 20,053 11,034
1985 15,972 1,486 7,135 15,739 21,446 22,945 20,909 11,667
1986 16,749 1,510 7,353 16,418 22,448 24,124 21,827 12,343
1987 17,593 1,575 7,440 16,934 23,489 25,699 22,656 12,722
1988 18,391 1,603 7,577 17,553 24,205 27,121 24,053 13,605
1989 19,064 1,620 7,820 18,158 25,035 28,145 24,302 13,741
1990 19,935 1,660 8,011 18,829 25,922 29,172 25,081 14,373
1991 20,581 1,670 7,879 19,162 26,456 29,886 25,762 14,493
1992 21,620 1,645 7,974 19,802 27,625 31,726 26,980 14,773
1993 21,975 1,671 8,012 20,051 27,917 32,209 27,259 14,407

Male

1980 14,759 1,562 6,838 14,412 20,933 22,577 20,661 10,503
1981 16,184 1,656 7,313 15,623 22,723 24,375 22,417 11,566
1982 17,290 1,621 7,225 16,266 24,162 25,933 23,576 12,395
1983 18,311 1,542 7,264 16,954 25,303 27,416 24,745 13,497
1984 19,412 1,550 7,661 17,883 26,979 29,340 26,433 14,464
1985 20,346 1,597 7,997 18,760 27,983 30,843 27,583 15,207
1986 21,304 1,599 8,153 19,459 29,229 32,576 28,936 16,209
1987 22,374 1,660 8,210 20,060 30,464 34,757 30,192 16,696
1988 23,482 1,691 8,315 20,807 31,402 36,952 32,467 18,236
1989 24,043 1,689 8,549 21,309 32,061 37,986 32,399 18,119
1990 25,039 1,745 8,757 21,930 32,980 39,109 33,306 19,336
1991 25,530 1,731 8,477 21,992 33,174 39,539 33,983 19,110
1992 26,884 1,698 8,610 22,670 34,605 42,030 35,773 19,809
1993 27,207 1,727 8,659 22,921 34,818 42,365 35,749 18,616

Female

1980 6,949 1,253 4,742 7,997 8,627 8,846 8,385 4,751
1981 7,914 1,333 5,198 9,059 9,746 9,929 9,544 5,443
1982 8,838 1,304 5,477 10,076 10,818 10,860 10,286 5,960
1983 9,620 1,281 5,689 10,874 11,863 11,885 11,189 6,623
1984 10,116 1,319 5,874 11,421 12,657 12,562 11,706 6,727
1985 10,728 1,363 6,174 12,069 13,547 13,258 12,234 7,191
1986 11,420 1,415 6,473 12,800 14,484 14,107 12,878 7,569
1987 12,058 1,481 6,601 13,250 15,443 15,115 13,340 7,833
1988 12,653 1,506 6,792 13,816 16,208 15,978 13,878 8,058
1989 13,385 1,543 7,021 14,474 17,165 16,959 14,562 8,509
1990 14,158 1,570 7,198 15,208 18,078 18,003 15,251 8,617
1991 15,008 1,605 7,231 15,862 19,028 19,186 16,040 9,169
1992 15,749 1,588 7,286 16,481 19,946 20,453 16,793 9,187
1993 16,161 1,611 7,320 16,754 20,384 21,134 17,327 9,461

**Table 5.-Average wage amounts by age group and sex, 1980-93**
Year	Total	Under age 18	18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65 and over
Total
1980	$11,402	$1,422	$5,879	$11,709	$15,802	$16,800	$15,606	$8,139
1981	12,573	1,507	6,336	12,802	17,185	18,173	17,021	9,009
1982	13,591	1,475	6,434	13,602	18,359	19,331	17,912	9,647
1983	14,440	1,419	6,533	14,264	19,402	20,589	18,941	10,477
1984	15,220	1,440	6,826	14,993	20,572	21,854	20,053	11,034
1985	15,972	1,486	7,135	15,739	21,446	22,945	20,909	11,667
1986	16,749	1,510	7,353	16,418	22,448	24,124	21,827	12,343
1987	17,593	1,575	7,440	16,934	23,489	25,699	22,656	12,722
1988	18,391	1,603	7,577	17,553	24,205	27,121	24,053	13,605
1989	19,064	1,620	7,820	18,158	25,035	28,145	24,302	13,741
1990	19,935	1,660	8,011	18,829	25,922	29,172	25,081	14,373
1991	20,581	1,670	7,879	19,162	26,456	29,886	25,762	14,493
1992	21,620	1,645	7,974	19,802	27,625	31,726	26,980	14,773
1993	21,975	1,671	8,012	20,051	27,917	32,209	27,259	14,407

Male
1980	14,759	1,562	6,838	14,412	20,933	22,577	20,661	10,503
1981	16,184	1,656	7,313	15,623	22,723	24,375	22,417	11,566
1982	17,290	1,621	7,225	16,266	24,162	25,933	23,576	12,395
1983	18,311	1,542	7,264	16,954	25,303	27,416	24,745	13,497
1984	19,412	1,550	7,661	17,883	26,979	29,340	26,433	14,464
1985	20,346	1,597	7,997	18,760	27,983	30,843	27,583	15,207
1986	21,304	1,599	8,153	19,459	29,229	32,576	28,936	16,209
1987	22,374	1,660	8,210	20,060	30,464	34,757	30,192	16,696
1988	23,482	1,691	8,315	20,807	31,402	36,952	32,467	18,236
1989	24,043	1,689	8,549	21,309	32,061	37,986	32,399	18,119
1990	25,039	1,745	8,757	21,930	32,980	39,109	33,306	19,336
1991	25,530	1,731	8,477	21,992	33,174	39,539	33,983	19,110
1992	26,884	1,698	8,610	22,670	34,605	42,030	35,773	19,809
1993	27,207	1,727	8,659	22,921	34,818	42,365	35,749	18,616

Female
1980	6,949	1,253	4,742	7,997	8,627	8,846	8,385	4,751
1981	7,914	1,333	5,198	9,059	9,746	9,929	9,544	5,443
1982	8,838	1,304	5,477	10,076	10,818	10,860	10,286	5,960
1983	9,620	1,281	5,689	10,874	11,863	11,885	11,189	6,623
1984	10,116	1,319	5,874	11,421	12,657	12,562	11,706	6,727
1985	10,728	1,363	6,174	12,069	13,547	13,258	12,234	7,191
1986	11,420	1,415	6,473	12,800	14,484	14,107	12,878	7,569
1987	12,058	1,481	6,601	13,250	15,443	15,115	13,340	7,833
1988	12,653	1,506	6,792	13,816	16,208	15,978	13,878	8,058
1989	13,385	1,543	7,021	14,474	17,165	16,959	14,562	8,509
1990	14,158	1,570	7,198	15,208	18,078	18,003	15,251	8,617
1991	15,008	1,605	7,231	15,862	19,028	19,186	16,040	9,169
1992	15,749	1,588	7,286	16,481	19,946	20,453	16,793	9,187
1993	16,161	1,611	7,320	16,754	20,384	21,134	17,327	9,461

Table 6.-Percentage increase in the average wage, in 1994 dollars,
over prior year's level, 1981-93

Year
Total
Under
age 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 and
over

Total

1981 -0.04 -3.87 -2.30 -0.89 -1.41 -1.94 -1.13 0.35
1982 1.82 -7.85 -4.34 0.09 0.62 0.20 -0.87 0.86
1983 2.94 -6.80 -1.63 1.60 2.39 3.19 2.45 5.22
1984 1.05 -2.65 0.15 0.76 1.64 1.75 1.49 0.96
1985 1.33 -0.44 0.94 1.37 0.67 1.38 0.68 2.10
1986 2.95 -0.20 1.17 2.41 2.76 3.22 2.49 3.86
1987 1.35 0.64 -2.38 -0.49 0.96 2.78 0.14 -0.56
1988 0.38 -2.29 -2.19 -0.47 -1.05 1.34 1.95 2.69
1989 -1.10 -3.59 -1.54 -1.31 -1.33 -1.00 -3.61 -3.65
1990 -0.79 -2.74 -2.81 -1.62 -1.77 -1.66 -2.08 -0.76
1991 -0.92 -3.45 -5.61 -2.34 -2.06 -1.69 -1.43 -3.23
1992 1.98 -4.46 -1.76 0.32 1.37 3.05 1.67 -1.05
1993 -1.32 -1.32 -2.45 -1.68 -1.88 -1.43 -1.90 -5.31

Male

1981 -0.60 -3.88 -3.06 -1.74 -1.60 -2.13 -1.65 -0.17
1982 0.64 -7.78 -6.94 -1.93 0.16 0.22 -0.93 0.94
1983 2.61 -7.87 -2.58 0.99 1.46 2.43 1.69 5.49
1984 1.62 -3.62 1.09 1.11 2.21 2.59 2.40 2.73
1985 1.21 -0.50 0.80 1.29 0.15 1.51 0.76 1.52
1986 2.80 -1.73 0.10 1.83 2.55 3.69 2.99 4.65
1987 1.33 0.19 -2.85 -0.54 0.56 2.94 0.66 -0.63
1988 0.78 -2.22 -2.75 -0.40 -1.02 2.09 3.27 4.88
1989 -2.31 -4.72 -1.90 -2.29 -2.60 -1.93 -4.79 -5.21
1990 -1.20 -1.93 -2.82 -2.36 -2.41 -2.32 -2.47 1.25
1991 -2.16 -4.80 -7.12 -3.76 -3.47 -2.99 -2.09 -5.16
1992 2.23 -4.78 -1.40 0.07 1.26 3.20 2.19 0.63
1993 -1.74 -1.28 -2.34 -1.83 -2.31 -2.14 -2.97 -8.76

Female

1981 3.23 -3.55 -0.64 2.70 2.41 1.76 3.17 3.84
1982 5.19 -7.87 -0.74 4.76 4.56 3.03 1.52 3.17
1983 5.46 -4.80 0.64 4.57 6.25 6.03 5.39 7.66
1984 0.80 -1.31 -1.02 0.68 2.28 1.32 0.29 -2.64
1985 2.40 -0.21 1.49 2.04 3.35 1.91 0.91 3.23
1986 4.51 1.92 2.93 4.12 4.97 4.47 3.35 3.32
1987 1.87 0.99 -1.62 -0.13 2.86 3.37 -0.06 -0.16
1988 0.76 -2.33 -1.20 0.13 0.78 1.51 -0.10 -1.20
1989 0.93 -2.23 -1.38 -0.05 1.04 1.25 0.11 0.74
1990 0.34 -3.52 -2.73 -0.32 -0.08 0.72 -0.64 -3.93
1991 1.73 -1.85 -3.60 0.09 1.00 2.26 0.93 2.12
1992 1.87 -3.95 -2.17 0.87 1.76 3.49 1.64 -2.74
1993 -0.36 -1.49 -2.46 -1.30 -0.78 0.33 0.17 -0.01

Table 6.-Percentage increase in the average wage, in 1994 dollars,
over prior year's level, 1981-93
Year	Total	Under age 18	18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65 and over
Total
1981	-0.04	-3.87	-2.30	-0.89	-1.41	-1.94	-1.13	0.35
1982	1.82	-7.85	-4.34	0.09	0.62	0.20	-0.87	0.86
1983	2.94	-6.80	-1.63	1.60	2.39	3.19	2.45	5.22
1984	1.05	-2.65	0.15	0.76	1.64	1.75	1.49	0.96
1985	1.33	-0.44	0.94	1.37	0.67	1.38	0.68	2.10
1986	2.95	-0.20	1.17	2.41	2.76	3.22	2.49	3.86
1987	1.35	0.64	-2.38	-0.49	0.96	2.78	0.14	-0.56
1988	0.38	-2.29	-2.19	-0.47	-1.05	1.34	1.95	2.69
1989	-1.10	-3.59	-1.54	-1.31	-1.33	-1.00	-3.61	-3.65
1990	-0.79	-2.74	-2.81	-1.62	-1.77	-1.66	-2.08	-0.76
1991	-0.92	-3.45	-5.61	-2.34	-2.06	-1.69	-1.43	-3.23
1992	1.98	-4.46	-1.76	0.32	1.37	3.05	1.67	-1.05
1993	-1.32	-1.32	-2.45	-1.68	-1.88	-1.43	-1.90	-5.31

Male
1981	-0.60	-3.88	-3.06	-1.74	-1.60	-2.13	-1.65	-0.17
1982	0.64	-7.78	-6.94	-1.93	0.16	0.22	-0.93	0.94
1983	2.61	-7.87	-2.58	0.99	1.46	2.43	1.69	5.49
1984	1.62	-3.62	1.09	1.11	2.21	2.59	2.40	2.73
1985	1.21	-0.50	0.80	1.29	0.15	1.51	0.76	1.52
1986	2.80	-1.73	0.10	1.83	2.55	3.69	2.99	4.65
1987	1.33	0.19	-2.85	-0.54	0.56	2.94	0.66	-0.63
1988	0.78	-2.22	-2.75	-0.40	-1.02	2.09	3.27	4.88
1989	-2.31	-4.72	-1.90	-2.29	-2.60	-1.93	-4.79	-5.21
1990	-1.20	-1.93	-2.82	-2.36	-2.41	-2.32	-2.47	1.25
1991	-2.16	-4.80	-7.12	-3.76	-3.47	-2.99	-2.09	-5.16
1992	2.23	-4.78	-1.40	0.07	1.26	3.20	2.19	0.63
1993	-1.74	-1.28	-2.34	-1.83	-2.31	-2.14	-2.97	-8.76

Female
1981	3.23	-3.55	-0.64	2.70	2.41	1.76	3.17	3.84
1982	5.19	-7.87	-0.74	4.76	4.56	3.03	1.52	3.17
1983	5.46	-4.80	0.64	4.57	6.25	6.03	5.39	7.66
1984	0.80	-1.31	-1.02	0.68	2.28	1.32	0.29	-2.64
1985	2.40	-0.21	1.49	2.04	3.35	1.91	0.91	3.23
1986	4.51	1.92	2.93	4.12	4.97	4.47	3.35	3.32
1987	1.87	0.99	-1.62	-0.13	2.86	3.37	-0.06	-0.16
1988	0.76	-2.33	-1.20	0.13	0.78	1.51	-0.10	-1.20
1989	0.93	-2.23	-1.38	-0.05	1.04	1.25	0.11	0.74
1990	0.34	-3.52	-2.73	-0.32	-0.08	0.72	-0.64	-3.93
1991	1.73	-1.85	-3.60	0.09	1.00	2.26	0.93	2.12
1992	1.87	-3.95	-2.17	0.87	1.76	3.49	1.64	-2.74
1993	-0.36	-1.49	-2.46	-1.30	-0.78	0.33	0.17	-0.01

Table 7.-First quartile wage distribution amounts by age group and sex, 1980-93

Year
Total
Under
age 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 and
over

Total

1980 $2,808 $365 $1,760 $4,306 $5,664 $6,274 $5,523 $1,650
1981 3,275 405 1,900 5,014 6,515 7,079 6,325 1,947
1982 3,682 375 1,906 5,624 7,208 7,649 6,631 1,917
1983 3,942 375 1,941 5,954 7,642 8,197 7,078 2,100
1984 4,085 381 2,103 6,267 7,999 8,506 7,103 1,975
1985 4,318 399 2,209 6,646 8,474 8,874 7,269 2,062
1986 4,400 402 2,225 6,849 8,655 9,167 7,259 2,080
1987 4,592 425 2,273 7,051 9,211 9,850 7,330 2,037
1988 4,660 423 2,230 7,155 9,385 10,227 7,411 2,000
1989 4,985 420 2,386 7,537 9,892 10,764 7,554 2,116
1990 5,316 430 2,430 7,942 10,299 11,196 7,790 2,016
1991 5,567 445 2,375 8,011 10,522 11,566 8,000 2,122
1992 5,694 450 2,392 8,223 10,850 12,093 8,096 1,870
1993 5,702 446 2,382 8,186 10,868 12,346 8,017 1,642

Male

1980 4,157 388 2,216 6,726 10,511 11,159 9,360 1,959
1981 4,773 423 2,339 7,438 11,608 12,248 10,252 2,250
1982 5,201 392 2,229 7,866 12,457 12,965 10,638 2,189
1983 5,468 389 2,235 7,967 13,000 13,650 11,189 2,408
1984 5,790 391 2,482 8,560 13,708 14,435 11,528 2,293
1985 6,134 411 2,587 9,096 14,215 15,125 11,757 2,400
1986 6,154 408 2,570 9,222 14,307 15,571 11,894 2,514
1987 6,338 431 2,613 9,495 14,816 16,393 11,950 2,400
1988 6,213 432 2,449 9,436 14,736 16,875 11,882 2,400
1989 6,666 423 2,702 9,925 15,232 17,290 11,936 2,426
1990 7,066 431 2,772 10,324 15,484 17,539 12,048 2,400
1991 7,126 444 2,643 9,921 15,217 17,667 11,872 2,400
1992 7,286 448 2,648 10,120 15,426 18,200 11,846 2,332
1993 7,200 445 2,630 10,094 15,320 18,338 11,076 1,745

Female

1980 1,869 337 1,376 2,610 3,069 3,694 3,384 1,362
1981 2,260 387 1,534 3,206 3,775 4,358 3,960 1,651
1982 2,628 356 1,608 3,833 4,338 4,846 4,274 1,636
1983 2,864 360 1,667 4,306 4,748 5,316 4,706 1,788
1984 2,924 368 1,763 4,418 4,920 5,428 4,772 1,665
1985 3,097 384 1,872 4,710 5,348 5,718 4,900 1,793
1986 3,226 400 1,930 4,955 5,631 6,000 5,057 1,712
1987 3,411 416 1,985 5,125 6,092 6,477 5,146 1,712
1988 3,586 416 2,031 5,361 6,500 6,958 5,271 1,614
1989 3,796 415 2,095 5,615 6,889 7,376 5,505 1,795
1990 4,081 428 2,137 6,004 7,330 7,826 5,712 1,647
1991 4,404 446 2,125 6,300 7,752 8,338 6,096 1,842
1992 4,519 451 2,152 6,547 8,081 8,862 6,184 1,457
1993 4,600 448 2,156 6,560 8,166 9,193 6,374 1,540

**Table 7.-First quartile wage distribution amounts by age group and sex, 1980-93**
Year	Total	Under age 18	18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65 and over
Total
1980	$2,808	$365	$1,760	$4,306	$5,664	$6,274	$5,523	$1,650
1981	3,275	405	1,900	5,014	6,515	7,079	6,325	1,947
1982	3,682	375	1,906	5,624	7,208	7,649	6,631	1,917
1983	3,942	375	1,941	5,954	7,642	8,197	7,078	2,100
1984	4,085	381	2,103	6,267	7,999	8,506	7,103	1,975
1985	4,318	399	2,209	6,646	8,474	8,874	7,269	2,062
1986	4,400	402	2,225	6,849	8,655	9,167	7,259	2,080
1987	4,592	425	2,273	7,051	9,211	9,850	7,330	2,037
1988	4,660	423	2,230	7,155	9,385	10,227	7,411	2,000
1989	4,985	420	2,386	7,537	9,892	10,764	7,554	2,116
1990	5,316	430	2,430	7,942	10,299	11,196	7,790	2,016
1991	5,567	445	2,375	8,011	10,522	11,566	8,000	2,122
1992	5,694	450	2,392	8,223	10,850	12,093	8,096	1,870
1993	5,702	446	2,382	8,186	10,868	12,346	8,017	1,642

Male
1980	4,157	388	2,216	6,726	10,511	11,159	9,360	1,959
1981	4,773	423	2,339	7,438	11,608	12,248	10,252	2,250
1982	5,201	392	2,229	7,866	12,457	12,965	10,638	2,189
1983	5,468	389	2,235	7,967	13,000	13,650	11,189	2,408
1984	5,790	391	2,482	8,560	13,708	14,435	11,528	2,293
1985	6,134	411	2,587	9,096	14,215	15,125	11,757	2,400
1986	6,154	408	2,570	9,222	14,307	15,571	11,894	2,514
1987	6,338	431	2,613	9,495	14,816	16,393	11,950	2,400
1988	6,213	432	2,449	9,436	14,736	16,875	11,882	2,400
1989	6,666	423	2,702	9,925	15,232	17,290	11,936	2,426
1990	7,066	431	2,772	10,324	15,484	17,539	12,048	2,400
1991	7,126	444	2,643	9,921	15,217	17,667	11,872	2,400
1992	7,286	448	2,648	10,120	15,426	18,200	11,846	2,332
1993	7,200	445	2,630	10,094	15,320	18,338	11,076	1,745

Female
1980	1,869	337	1,376	2,610	3,069	3,694	3,384	1,362
1981	2,260	387	1,534	3,206	3,775	4,358	3,960	1,651
1982	2,628	356	1,608	3,833	4,338	4,846	4,274	1,636
1983	2,864	360	1,667	4,306	4,748	5,316	4,706	1,788
1984	2,924	368	1,763	4,418	4,920	5,428	4,772	1,665
1985	3,097	384	1,872	4,710	5,348	5,718	4,900	1,793
1986	3,226	400	1,930	4,955	5,631	6,000	5,057	1,712
1987	3,411	416	1,985	5,125	6,092	6,477	5,146	1,712
1988	3,586	416	2,031	5,361	6,500	6,958	5,271	1,614
1989	3,796	415	2,095	5,615	6,889	7,376	5,505	1,795
1990	4,081	428	2,137	6,004	7,330	7,826	5,712	1,647
1991	4,404	446	2,125	6,300	7,752	8,338	6,096	1,842
1992	4,519	451	2,152	6,547	8,081	8,862	6,184	1,457
1993	4,600	448	2,156	6,560	8,166	9,193	6,374	1,540

Table 8.-Second quartile (median) wage distribution amounts by age group and sex, 1980-93

Year
Total
Under
age 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 and
over

Total

1980 $8,160 $925 $4,588 $10,063 $12,480 $12,873 $11,797 $3,975
1981 9,253 978 4,930 11,205 13,914 14,200 13,000 4,500
1982 10,178 915 4,884 12,089 15,000 15,117 13,684 4,649
1983 10,829 877 4,958 12,595 16,019 16,275 14,686 5,104
1984 11,273 912 5,237 13,200 16,860 17,085 15,289 5,137
1985 11,872 954 5,505 13,853 17,692 17,915 15,880 5,460
1986 12,322 965 5,594 14,331 18,260 18,600 16,276 5,725
1987 12,938 1,027 5,590 14,803 19,124 19,718 16,753 5,760
1988 13,284 1,032 5,465 15,200 19,490 20,344 17,066 5,900
1989 13,887 1,027 5,811 15,685 20,273 21,250 17,604 6,064
1990 14,522 1,064 5,965 16,266 20,940 22,050 18,082 6,084
1991 15,000 1,081 5,809 16,480 21,413 22,894 18,565 6,329
1992 15,545 1,062 5,876 17,015 22,050 23,900 19,056 6,300
1993 15,736 1,072 5,849 17,142 22,204 24,374 19,132 6,197

Male

1980 11,692 987 5,588 13,240 18,514 19,266 17,302 4,518
1981 12,988 1,046 5,911 14,400 20,240 20,968 18,642 5,066
1982 13,783 963 5,672 14,861 21,148 22,038 19,238 5,282
1983 14,594 919 5,675 15,385 22,428 23,670 20,458 5,793
1984 15,255 954 6,119 16,131 23,520 24,918 21,516 6,000
1985 15,986 983 6,424 16,854 24,405 25,971 22,298 6,382
1986 16,443 988 6,418 17,275 24,988 26,893 22,896 6,785
1987 17,108 1,060 6,399 17,779 25,704 28,085 23,611 6,650
1988 17,572 1,067 6,061 18,309 26,154 28,890 24,087 6,902
1989 18,012 1,047 6,531 18,592 26,754 29,945 24,604 7,001
1990 18,686 1,088 6,693 19,109 27,282 30,728 25,160 7,074
1991 18,954 1,088 6,394 19,072 27,482 31,475 25,225 7,200
1992 19,546 1,069 6,526 19,542 28,124 32,617 25,913 7,340
1993 19,684 1,078 6,481 19,645 28,120 32,920 25,748 6,912

Female

1980 5,581 855 3,637 7,060 7,355 7,761 7,466 3,312
1981 6,549 913 3,969 8,207 8,525 8,852 8,496 3,830
1982 7,358 866 4,093 9,243 9,492 9,648 9,153 3,990
1983 7,995 839 4,256 9,950 10,411 10,537 10,057 4,363
1984 8,248 876 4,407 10,372 11,055 11,034 10,337 4,270
1985 8,721 925 4,660 10,915 11,788 11,610 10,664 4,572
1986 9,171 946 4,818 11,479 12,479 12,263 11,061 4,733
1987 9,725 999 4,865 11,950 13,347 13,225 11,494 4,898
1988 10,132 996 4,933 12,318 13,987 13,866 11,827 4,978
1989 10,674 1,003 5,078 12,811 14,715 14,729 12,366 5,236
1990 11,267 1,041 5,250 13,420 15,395 15,506 12,816 5,200
1991 11,920 1,068 5,225 13,945 16,130 16,385 13,408 5,550
1992 12,409 1,056 5,266 14,472 16,848 17,344 13,985 5,356
1993 12,656 1,064 5,266 14,644 17,090 17,888 14,281 5,510

**Table 8.-Second quartile (median) wage distribution amounts by age group and sex, 1980-93**
Year	Total	Under age 18	18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65 and over
Total
1980	$8,160	$925	$4,588	$10,063	$12,480	$12,873	$11,797	$3,975
1981	9,253	978	4,930	11,205	13,914	14,200	13,000	4,500
1982	10,178	915	4,884	12,089	15,000	15,117	13,684	4,649
1983	10,829	877	4,958	12,595	16,019	16,275	14,686	5,104
1984	11,273	912	5,237	13,200	16,860	17,085	15,289	5,137
1985	11,872	954	5,505	13,853	17,692	17,915	15,880	5,460
1986	12,322	965	5,594	14,331	18,260	18,600	16,276	5,725
1987	12,938	1,027	5,590	14,803	19,124	19,718	16,753	5,760
1988	13,284	1,032	5,465	15,200	19,490	20,344	17,066	5,900
1989	13,887	1,027	5,811	15,685	20,273	21,250	17,604	6,064
1990	14,522	1,064	5,965	16,266	20,940	22,050	18,082	6,084
1991	15,000	1,081	5,809	16,480	21,413	22,894	18,565	6,329
1992	15,545	1,062	5,876	17,015	22,050	23,900	19,056	6,300
1993	15,736	1,072	5,849	17,142	22,204	24,374	19,132	6,197

Male
1980	11,692	987	5,588	13,240	18,514	19,266	17,302	4,518
1981	12,988	1,046	5,911	14,400	20,240	20,968	18,642	5,066
1982	13,783	963	5,672	14,861	21,148	22,038	19,238	5,282
1983	14,594	919	5,675	15,385	22,428	23,670	20,458	5,793
1984	15,255	954	6,119	16,131	23,520	24,918	21,516	6,000
1985	15,986	983	6,424	16,854	24,405	25,971	22,298	6,382
1986	16,443	988	6,418	17,275	24,988	26,893	22,896	6,785
1987	17,108	1,060	6,399	17,779	25,704	28,085	23,611	6,650
1988	17,572	1,067	6,061	18,309	26,154	28,890	24,087	6,902
1989	18,012	1,047	6,531	18,592	26,754	29,945	24,604	7,001
1990	18,686	1,088	6,693	19,109	27,282	30,728	25,160	7,074
1991	18,954	1,088	6,394	19,072	27,482	31,475	25,225	7,200
1992	19,546	1,069	6,526	19,542	28,124	32,617	25,913	7,340
1993	19,684	1,078	6,481	19,645	28,120	32,920	25,748	6,912

Female
1980	5,581	855	3,637	7,060	7,355	7,761	7,466	3,312
1981	6,549	913	3,969	8,207	8,525	8,852	8,496	3,830
1982	7,358	866	4,093	9,243	9,492	9,648	9,153	3,990
1983	7,995	839	4,256	9,950	10,411	10,537	10,057	4,363
1984	8,248	876	4,407	10,372	11,055	11,034	10,337	4,270
1985	8,721	925	4,660	10,915	11,788	11,610	10,664	4,572
1986	9,171	946	4,818	11,479	12,479	12,263	11,061	4,733
1987	9,725	999	4,865	11,950	13,347	13,225	11,494	4,898
1988	10,132	996	4,933	12,318	13,987	13,866	11,827	4,978
1989	10,674	1,003	5,078	12,811	14,715	14,729	12,366	5,236
1990	11,267	1,041	5,250	13,420	15,395	15,506	12,816	5,200
1991	11,920	1,068	5,225	13,945	16,130	16,385	13,408	5,550
1992	12,409	1,056	5,266	14,472	16,848	17,344	13,985	5,356
1993	12,656	1,064	5,266	14,644	17,090	17,888	14,281	5,510

Table 9.-Third quartile wage distribution amounts by age group and sex, 1980-93

Year
Total
Under
age 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 and
over

Total

1980 $15,827 $1,960 $8,527 $16,683 $21,575 $22,147 $20,519 $8,132
1981 17,526 2,050 9,196 18,173 23,543 24,037 22,320 9,166
1982 18,768 1,953 9,424 19,056 24,678 25,237 23,183 9,847
1983 20,027 1,859 9,560 19,960 26,213 27,004 24,674 11,210
1984 21,000 1,906 9,915 20,963 27,528 28,516 25,922 11,759
1985 22,027 1,965 10,384 21,905 28,658 29,733 27,026 12,561
1986 22,930 2,012 10,712 22,718 29,675 30,840 27,880 13,193
1987 23,913 2,110 10,892 23,351 30,538 32,144 28,608 13,239
1988 24,698 2,176 11,039 24,091 31,281 33,161 29,427 13,394
1989 25,693 2,184 11,359 24,874 32,509 34,718 30,486 13,809
1990 26,762 2,262 11,611 25,731 33,590 36,000 31,487 13,600
1991 27,723 2,283 11,370 26,222 34,504 37,362 32,356 14,045
1992 28,790 2,240 11,608 26,991 35,682 38,975 33,438 14,074
1993 29,223 2,287 11,687 27,241 35,999 39,816 33,818 13,924

Male

1980 20,670 2,147 9,890 20,054 26,540 27,713 25,556 11,356
1981 22,672 2,240 10,510 21,667 28,922 30,130 27,874 12,600
1982 23,924 2,135 10,408 22,394 30,380 31,711 29,200 13,134
1983 25,500 1,987 10,415 23,503 31,946 33,690 30,741 15,275
1984 26,785 2,020 10,904 24,666 33,708 35,737 32,655 15,999
1985 27,958 2,072 11,408 25,779 35,076 37,411 34,080 17,146
1986 28,947 2,090 11,632 26,535 36,332 38,991 35,443 18,000
1987 29,952 2,200 11,786 27,177 37,115 40,309 36,261 17,882
1988 30,886 2,256 11,979 28,000 38,062 41,769 37,227 18,500
1989 31,826 2,258 12,206 28,642 39,139 43,456 38,568 18,752
1990 32,958 2,355 12,443 29,446 40,171 44,800 39,784 18,400
1991 33,875 2,350 12,035 29,788 41,009 46,168 40,666 18,476
1992 35,143 2,282 12,383 30,523 42,201 47,984 42,056 18,521
1993 35,542 2,332 12,574 30,676 42,601 48,946 42,783 17,500

Female

1980 10,159 1,758 7,305 11,574 11,925 12,128 11,667 5,642
1981 11,629 1,858 7,980 13,160 13,781 13,751 13,208 6,522
1982 12,992 1,782 8,393 14,554 15,328 15,136 14,385 7,044
1983 14,087 1,721 8,652 15,522 16,800 16,496 15,615 8,118
1984 14,850 1,788 8,827 16,340 17,988 17,467 16,358 8,298
1985 15,711 1,861 9,264 17,254 19,166 18,465 17,188 8,865
1986 16,660 1,928 9,692 18,200 20,389 19,653 18,074 9,368
1987 17,620 2,021 9,884 18,876 21,696 21,045 18,769 9,716
1988 18,397 2,090 10,115 19,577 22,646 22,039 19,450 9,706
1989 19,366 2,101 10,383 20,433 23,870 23,365 20,473 10,178
1990 20,382 2,172 10,652 21,334 25,049 24,746 21,391 10,231
1991 21,515 2,226 10,609 22,184 26,309 26,240 22,465 10,839
1992 22,493 2,198 10,647 23,021 27,380 27,765 23,400 11,013
1993 23,009 2,240 10,636 23,395 27,833 28,740 24,000 11,364

**Table 9.-Third quartile wage distribution amounts by age group and sex, 1980-93**
Year	Total	Under age 18	18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65 and over
Total
1980	$15,827	$1,960	$8,527	$16,683	$21,575	$22,147	$20,519	$8,132
1981	17,526	2,050	9,196	18,173	23,543	24,037	22,320	9,166
1982	18,768	1,953	9,424	19,056	24,678	25,237	23,183	9,847
1983	20,027	1,859	9,560	19,960	26,213	27,004	24,674	11,210
1984	21,000	1,906	9,915	20,963	27,528	28,516	25,922	11,759
1985	22,027	1,965	10,384	21,905	28,658	29,733	27,026	12,561
1986	22,930	2,012	10,712	22,718	29,675	30,840	27,880	13,193
1987	23,913	2,110	10,892	23,351	30,538	32,144	28,608	13,239
1988	24,698	2,176	11,039	24,091	31,281	33,161	29,427	13,394
1989	25,693	2,184	11,359	24,874	32,509	34,718	30,486	13,809
1990	26,762	2,262	11,611	25,731	33,590	36,000	31,487	13,600
1991	27,723	2,283	11,370	26,222	34,504	37,362	32,356	14,045
1992	28,790	2,240	11,608	26,991	35,682	38,975	33,438	14,074
1993	29,223	2,287	11,687	27,241	35,999	39,816	33,818	13,924

Male
1980	20,670	2,147	9,890	20,054	26,540	27,713	25,556	11,356
1981	22,672	2,240	10,510	21,667	28,922	30,130	27,874	12,600
1982	23,924	2,135	10,408	22,394	30,380	31,711	29,200	13,134
1983	25,500	1,987	10,415	23,503	31,946	33,690	30,741	15,275
1984	26,785	2,020	10,904	24,666	33,708	35,737	32,655	15,999
1985	27,958	2,072	11,408	25,779	35,076	37,411	34,080	17,146
1986	28,947	2,090	11,632	26,535	36,332	38,991	35,443	18,000
1987	29,952	2,200	11,786	27,177	37,115	40,309	36,261	17,882
1988	30,886	2,256	11,979	28,000	38,062	41,769	37,227	18,500
1989	31,826	2,258	12,206	28,642	39,139	43,456	38,568	18,752
1990	32,958	2,355	12,443	29,446	40,171	44,800	39,784	18,400
1991	33,875	2,350	12,035	29,788	41,009	46,168	40,666	18,476
1992	35,143	2,282	12,383	30,523	42,201	47,984	42,056	18,521
1993	35,542	2,332	12,574	30,676	42,601	48,946	42,783	17,500

Female
1980	10,159	1,758	7,305	11,574	11,925	12,128	11,667	5,642
1981	11,629	1,858	7,980	13,160	13,781	13,751	13,208	6,522
1982	12,992	1,782	8,393	14,554	15,328	15,136	14,385	7,044
1983	14,087	1,721	8,652	15,522	16,800	16,496	15,615	8,118
1984	14,850	1,788	8,827	16,340	17,988	17,467	16,358	8,298
1985	15,711	1,861	9,264	17,254	19,166	18,465	17,188	8,865
1986	16,660	1,928	9,692	18,200	20,389	19,653	18,074	9,368
1987	17,620	2,021	9,884	18,876	21,696	21,045	18,769	9,716
1988	18,397	2,090	10,115	19,577	22,646	22,039	19,450	9,706
1989	19,366	2,101	10,383	20,433	23,870	23,365	20,473	10,178
1990	20,382	2,172	10,652	21,334	25,049	24,746	21,391	10,231
1991	21,515	2,226	10,609	22,184	26,309	26,240	22,465	10,839
1992	22,493	2,198	10,647	23,021	27,380	27,765	23,400	11,013
1993	23,009	2,240	10,636	23,395	27,833	28,740	24,000	11,364

Table 10.-Percentage increase in the median wage, in 1994 dollars, over prior year's level, 1981-93

Year
Total
Under
age 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 and
over

Total

1981 2.79 -4.21 -2.59 0.93 1.06 -0.01 -0.10 2.63
1982 3.61 -11.86 -6.68 1.63 1.55 0.28 -0.85 -2.69
1983 3.08 -7.12 -1.65 0.94 3.47 4.31 3.99 6.37
1984 -0.21 -0.31 1.26 0.46 0.89 0.64 -0.20 -3.53
1985 1.70 1.00 1.50 1.34 1.33 1.25 0.29 2.63
1986 1.90 -0.68 -0.24 1.56 1.33 1.93 0.62 2.94
1987 1.30 2.68 -3.58 -0.34 1.04 2.28 -0.69 -2.93
1988 -1.41 -3.51 -6.13 -1.40 -2.14 -0.92 -2.18 -1.64
1989 -0.26 -5.10 1.45 -1.55 -0.76 -0.35 -1.59 -1.95
1990 -0.79 -1.71 -2.61 -1.61 -2.01 -1.56 -2.55 -4.80
1991 -0.87 -2.49 -6.55 -2.78 -1.87 -0.36 -1.47 -0.17
1992 0.60 -4.59 -1.80 0.23 -0.03 1.34 -0.36 -3.37
1993 -1.71 -2.05 -3.35 -2.18 -2.23 -0.98 -2.52 -4.49

Male

1981 0.69 -3.94 -4.11 -1.41 -0.90 -1.34 -2.33 1.62
1982 -0.04 -13.26 -9.61 -2.79 -1.58 -0.99 -2.79 -1.78
1983 2.59 -7.57 -3.07 0.30 2.75 4.06 3.03 6.26
1984 0.20 -0.44 3.36 0.51 0.53 0.92 0.82 -0.72
1985 1.19 -0.51 1.37 0.89 0.20 0.64 0.07 2.70
1986 0.98 -1.33 -1.91 0.63 0.52 1.66 0.81 4.39
1987 0.38 3.52 -3.81 -0.71 -0.76 0.76 -0.51 -5.45
1988 -1.37 -3.33 -9.04 -1.11 -2.29 -1.22 -2.04 -0.33
1989 -2.21 -6.43 2.81 -3.13 -2.41 -1.11 -2.55 -3.23
1990 -1.57 -1.36 -2.78 -2.48 -3.26 -2.65 -2.98 -4.14
1991 -2.66 -4.05 -8.33 -4.23 -3.34 -1.70 -3.79 -2.33
1992 0.11 -4.65 -0.92 -0.53 -0.65 0.60 -0.27 -1.03
1993 -2.22 -2.04 -3.57 -2.39 -2.92 -2.01 -3.53 -8.56

Female

1981 6.37 -3.19 -1.07 5.37 5.07 3.39 3.16 4.84
1982 5.83 -10.68 -2.86 6.09 4.88 2.67 1.48 -1.86
1983 5.27 -6.17 0.75 4.30 6.27 5.82 6.45 5.94
1984 -1.10 0.16 -0.74 -0.07 1.79 0.38 -1.47 -6.18
1985 2.10 1.92 2.10 1.62 2.97 1.60 -0.38 3.38
1986 3.24 0.39 1.51 3.25 3.92 3.70 1.83 1.64
1987 2.31 1.88 -2.58 0.44 3.19 4.05 0.25 -0.16
1988 0.05 -4.22 -2.63 -1.02 0.63 0.68 -1.19 -2.41
1989 0.50 -3.93 -1.80 -0.78 0.37 1.34 -0.25 0.34
1990 0.15 -1.58 -1.91 -0.62 -0.74 -0.12 -1.67 -5.77
1991 1.52 -1.53 -4.50 -0.28 0.55 1.40 0.39 2.43
1992 1.06 -4.04 -2.15 0.74 1.40 2.75 1.25 -6.33
1993 -0.98 -2.15 -2.91 -1.75 -1.51 0.14 -0.85 -0.09

**Table 10.-Percentage increase in the median wage, in 1994 dollars, over prior year's level, 1981-93**
Year	Total	Under age 18	18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65 and over
Total
1981	2.79	-4.21	-2.59	0.93	1.06	-0.01	-0.10	2.63
1982	3.61	-11.86	-6.68	1.63	1.55	0.28	-0.85	-2.69
1983	3.08	-7.12	-1.65	0.94	3.47	4.31	3.99	6.37
1984	-0.21	-0.31	1.26	0.46	0.89	0.64	-0.20	-3.53
1985	1.70	1.00	1.50	1.34	1.33	1.25	0.29	2.63
1986	1.90	-0.68	-0.24	1.56	1.33	1.93	0.62	2.94
1987	1.30	2.68	-3.58	-0.34	1.04	2.28	-0.69	-2.93
1988	-1.41	-3.51	-6.13	-1.40	-2.14	-0.92	-2.18	-1.64
1989	-0.26	-5.10	1.45	-1.55	-0.76	-0.35	-1.59	-1.95
1990	-0.79	-1.71	-2.61	-1.61	-2.01	-1.56	-2.55	-4.80
1991	-0.87	-2.49	-6.55	-2.78	-1.87	-0.36	-1.47	-0.17
1992	0.60	-4.59	-1.80	0.23	-0.03	1.34	-0.36	-3.37
1993	-1.71	-2.05	-3.35	-2.18	-2.23	-0.98	-2.52	-4.49

Male
1981	0.69	-3.94	-4.11	-1.41	-0.90	-1.34	-2.33	1.62
1982	-0.04	-13.26	-9.61	-2.79	-1.58	-0.99	-2.79	-1.78
1983	2.59	-7.57	-3.07	0.30	2.75	4.06	3.03	6.26
1984	0.20	-0.44	3.36	0.51	0.53	0.92	0.82	-0.72
1985	1.19	-0.51	1.37	0.89	0.20	0.64	0.07	2.70
1986	0.98	-1.33	-1.91	0.63	0.52	1.66	0.81	4.39
1987	0.38	3.52	-3.81	-0.71	-0.76	0.76	-0.51	-5.45
1988	-1.37	-3.33	-9.04	-1.11	-2.29	-1.22	-2.04	-0.33
1989	-2.21	-6.43	2.81	-3.13	-2.41	-1.11	-2.55	-3.23
1990	-1.57	-1.36	-2.78	-2.48	-3.26	-2.65	-2.98	-4.14
1991	-2.66	-4.05	-8.33	-4.23	-3.34	-1.70	-3.79	-2.33
1992	0.11	-4.65	-0.92	-0.53	-0.65	0.60	-0.27	-1.03
1993	-2.22	-2.04	-3.57	-2.39	-2.92	-2.01	-3.53	-8.56

Female
1981	6.37	-3.19	-1.07	5.37	5.07	3.39	3.16	4.84
1982	5.83	-10.68	-2.86	6.09	4.88	2.67	1.48	-1.86
1983	5.27	-6.17	0.75	4.30	6.27	5.82	6.45	5.94
1984	-1.10	0.16	-0.74	-0.07	1.79	0.38	-1.47	-6.18
1985	2.10	1.92	2.10	1.62	2.97	1.60	-0.38	3.38
1986	3.24	0.39	1.51	3.25	3.92	3.70	1.83	1.64
1987	2.31	1.88	-2.58	0.44	3.19	4.05	0.25	-0.16
1988	0.05	-4.22	-2.63	-1.02	0.63	0.68	-1.19	-2.41
1989	0.50	-3.93	-1.80	-0.78	0.37	1.34	-0.25	0.34
1990	0.15	-1.58	-1.91	-0.62	-0.74	-0.12	-1.67	-5.77
1991	1.52	-1.53	-4.50	-0.28	0.55	1.40	0.39	2.43
1992	1.06	-4.04	-2.15	0.74	1.40	2.75	1.25	-6.33
1993	-0.98	-2.15	-2.91	-1.75	-1.51	0.14	-0.85	-0.09

Frequency Distributions by Wage Level

Table 11 presents frequency distributions of the number of wage earners by wage level for each year 1985-94 based on complete wage data from the Master Earnings File.

Based on data from table 11, the cumulative frequency distribution of the number of wage earners, as a percent of the total number with wages in each year, is presented for each year 1985-94 in table 12.

From table 12, quartiles of the wage distribution can be estimated and, except for 1994 values, can be compared to the corresponding values presented in tables 7, 8, and 9. From table 12, for example, the percentage of wage earners with less than $5,000 in wages in 1993 is 23.123 percent, and 25.983 percent with wages under $6,000. Thus the first quartile wage must be between $4,999 and $5,999, inclusive. By linear interpolation, the estimated first quartile is about $5,655. The corresponding estimate from the CWHS data, as shown in table 7, is $5,702. The difference between the two estimates, $47, is less than 1 percent. Second and third quartile estimates from table 12 will be less reliable, compared to first quartile estimates, because the second and third quartiles fall between $5,000 increments, instead of $1,000 increments, in the wage intervals.

Table 11.-Frequency distribution of wage earners by wage level, 1985-94
[In thousands]

Wage level
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994

$1 - $999 11,114 11,074 10,973 11,126 10,740 10,278 9,873 10,004 10,248 10,381
1,000 - 1,999 6,885 6,829 6,895 6,982 6,760 6,507 6,213 6,165 6,160 6,194
2,000 - 2,999 5,757 5,699 5,726 5,776 5,670 5,485 5,266 5,160 5,168 5,190
3,000 - 3,999 4,865 4,807 4,863 4,905 4,885 4,768 4,594 4,491 4,480 4,512
4,000 - 4,999 4,345 4,259 4,295 4,335 4,332 4,258 4,150 4,044 4,022 4,029
5,000 - 5,999 4,096 4,036 4,056 4,054 4,049 3,966 3,873 3,754 3,720 3,719
6,000 - 6,999 3,885 3,802 3,824 3,860 3,917 3,849 3,761 3,601 3,563 3,542
7,000 - 7,999 3,810 3,732 3,723 3,716 3,741 3,680 3,641 3,497 3,465 3,442
8,000 - 8,999 3,712 3,531 3,577 3,578 3,671 3,559 3,557 3,368 3,330 3,314
9,000 - 9,999 3,698 3,543 3,511 3,415 3,514 3,510 3,499 3,353 3,291 3,261
10,000 - 14,999 17,203 16,732 16,741 16,392 16,877 16,638 16,076 15,780 15,531 15,551
15,000 - 19,999 14,003 13,993 14,478 14,577 15,037 15,030 14,549 14,279 14,128 14,177
20,000 - 24,999 10,394 10,580 11,191 11,518 12,004 12,210 12,077 12,140 12,137 12,281
25,000 - 29,999 7,892 8,086 8,606 8,841 9,227 9,469 9,457 9,578 9,661 9,933
30,000 - 34,999 5,500 5,711 6,248 6,596 7,114 7,461 7,528 7,568 7,641 7,899
35,000 - 39,999 3,482 3,727 4,201 4,570 5,089 5,514 5,751 6,025 6,016 6,224
40,000 - 44,999 2,130 2,344 2,710 3,004 3,420 3,808 4,088 4,462 4,516 4,693
45,000 - 49,999 1,316 1,469 1,699 1,927 2,262 2,565 2,806 3,121 3,221 3,435
50,000 - 54,999 848 959 1,120 1,271 1,514 1,729 1,926 2,173 2,276 2,495
55,000 - 59,999 553 624 735 841 1,014 1,151 1,302 1,487 1,577 1,742
60,000 - 64,999 394 449 523 602 720 822 929 1,057 1,139 1,282
65,000 - 69,999 285 324 379 433 513 584 663 761 825 926
70,000 - 74,999 214 242 285 329 391 442 497 566 623 697
75,000 - 79,999 166 189 220 254 302 343 389 436 478 533
80,000 - 84,999 133 150 173 199 231 263 298 341 377 412
85,000 - 89,999 104 119 137 158 182 206 232 263 295 325
90,000 - 94,999 87 99 116 133 151 170 192 214 240 261
95,000 - 99,999 72 81 95 111 124 139 158 176 197 212
$100,000 and over 644 730 895 1,078 1,182 1,302 1,383 1,584 1,752 1,845
Total 117,588 117,919 121,995 124,580 128,633 129,705 128,727 129,448 130,079 132,509

**Table 11.-Frequency distribution of wage earners by wage level, 1985-94**
[In thousands]
Wage level	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
$1	-	$999	11,114	11,074	10,973	11,126	10,740	10,278	9,873	10,004	10,248	10,381
1,000	-	1,999	6,885	6,829	6,895	6,982	6,760	6,507	6,213	6,165	6,160	6,194
2,000	-	2,999	5,757	5,699	5,726	5,776	5,670	5,485	5,266	5,160	5,168	5,190
3,000	-	3,999	4,865	4,807	4,863	4,905	4,885	4,768	4,594	4,491	4,480	4,512
4,000	-	4,999	4,345	4,259	4,295	4,335	4,332	4,258	4,150	4,044	4,022	4,029
5,000	-	5,999	4,096	4,036	4,056	4,054	4,049	3,966	3,873	3,754	3,720	3,719
6,000	-	6,999	3,885	3,802	3,824	3,860	3,917	3,849	3,761	3,601	3,563	3,542
7,000	-	7,999	3,810	3,732	3,723	3,716	3,741	3,680	3,641	3,497	3,465	3,442
8,000	-	8,999	3,712	3,531	3,577	3,578	3,671	3,559	3,557	3,368	3,330	3,314
9,000	-	9,999	3,698	3,543	3,511	3,415	3,514	3,510	3,499	3,353	3,291	3,261
10,000	-	14,999	17,203	16,732	16,741	16,392	16,877	16,638	16,076	15,780	15,531	15,551
15,000	-	19,999	14,003	13,993	14,478	14,577	15,037	15,030	14,549	14,279	14,128	14,177
20,000	-	24,999	10,394	10,580	11,191	11,518	12,004	12,210	12,077	12,140	12,137	12,281
25,000	-	29,999	7,892	8,086	8,606	8,841	9,227	9,469	9,457	9,578	9,661	9,933
30,000	-	34,999	5,500	5,711	6,248	6,596	7,114	7,461	7,528	7,568	7,641	7,899
35,000	-	39,999	3,482	3,727	4,201	4,570	5,089	5,514	5,751	6,025	6,016	6,224
40,000	-	44,999	2,130	2,344	2,710	3,004	3,420	3,808	4,088	4,462	4,516	4,693
45,000	-	49,999	1,316	1,469	1,699	1,927	2,262	2,565	2,806	3,121	3,221	3,435
50,000	-	54,999	848	959	1,120	1,271	1,514	1,729	1,926	2,173	2,276	2,495
55,000	-	59,999	553	624	735	841	1,014	1,151	1,302	1,487	1,577	1,742
60,000	-	64,999	394	449	523	602	720	822	929	1,057	1,139	1,282
65,000	-	69,999	285	324	379	433	513	584	663	761	825	926
70,000	-	74,999	214	242	285	329	391	442	497	566	623	697
75,000	-	79,999	166	189	220	254	302	343	389	436	478	533
80,000	-	84,999	133	150	173	199	231	263	298	341	377	412
85,000	-	89,999	104	119	137	158	182	206	232	263	295	325
90,000	-	94,999	87	99	116	133	151	170	192	214	240	261
95,000	-	99,999	72	81	95	111	124	139	158	176	197	212
$100,000 and over	644	730	895	1,078	1,182	1,302	1,383	1,584	1,752	1,845
Total	117,588	117,919	121,995	124,580	128,633	129,705	128,727	129,448	130,079	132,509

Table 12.-Cumulative frequency distribution of wage earners as a percent of their total number by wage level, 1985-94
[In thousands]

Wage less
than or
equal to...
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994

$999 9.452 9.391 8.995 8.931 8.349 7.924 7.670 7.728 7.878 7.834
1,999 15.308 15.182 14.647 14.535 13.604 12.941 12.496 12.491 12.614 12.509
2,999 20.203 20.015 19.340 19.172 18.012 17.169 16.587 16.477 16.587 16.426
3,999 24.341 24.092 23.326 23.109 21.809 20.845 20.155 19.946 20.031 19.831
4,999 28.035 27.704 26.846 26.588 25.177 24.128 23.379 23.071 23.123 22.872
5,999 31.518 31.127 30.171 29.843 28.325 27.186 26.388 25.971 25.983 25.678
6,999 34.822 34.351 33.306 32.941 31.370 30.153 29.309 28.753 28.722 28.351
7,999 38.062 37.516 36.357 35.924 34.278 32.990 32.137 31.454 31.386 30.949
8,999 41.219 40.510 39.289 38.796 37.132 35.734 34.900 34.056 33.946 33.450
9,999 44.365 43.515 42.168 41.537 39.864 38.441 37.618 36.646 36.476 35.911
14,999 58.994 57.704 55.890 54.695 52.984 51.268 50.106 48.836 48.416 47.647
19,999 70.903 69.571 67.758 66.396 64.674 62.856 61.409 59.867 59.277 58.346
24,999 79.742 78.543 76.931 75.641 74.006 72.270 70.791 69.246 68.608 67.615
29,999 86.454 85.400 83.986 82.738 81.179 79.570 78.137 76.645 76.035 75.111
34,999 91.131 90.243 89.107 88.033 86.709 85.322 83.986 82.491 81.909 81.072
39,999 94.092 93.403 92.551 91.701 90.666 89.573 88.453 87.145 86.534 85.769
44,999 95.904 95.391 94.772 94.112 93.324 92.509 91.630 90.592 90.005 89.310
49,999 97.023 96.637 96.165 95.659 95.083 94.487 93.809 93.003 92.482 91.903
54,999 97.745 97.450 97.084 96.679 96.260 95.820 95.306 94.682 94.231 93.785
59,999 98.215 97.979 97.686 97.354 97.048 96.707 96.317 95.830 95.444 95.100
64,999 98.550 98.360 98.115 97.838 97.608 97.341 97.039 96.647 96.319 96.067
69,999 98.792 98.634 98.425 98.185 98.007 97.791 97.554 97.235 96.953 96.766
74,999 98.974 98.840 98.659 98.449 98.311 98.132 97.940 97.672 97.432 97.292
79,999 99.115 99.000 98.839 98.653 98.546 98.396 98.242 98.009 97.800 97.694
84,999 99.228 99.127 98.981 98.813 98.725 98.599 98.474 98.272 98.090 98.005
89,999 99.317 99.227 99.093 98.939 98.867 98.758 98.654 98.475 98.317 98.250
94,999 99.391 99.312 99.188 99.046 98.984 98.889 98.803 98.641 98.501 98.447
99,999 99.452 99.381 99.266 99.135 99.081 98.996 98.926 98.777 98.653 98.607
Total 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000

**Table 12.-Cumulative frequency distribution of wage earners as a percent of their total number by wage level, 1985-94**
[In thousands]
Wage less than or equal to...	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
$999	9.452	9.391	8.995	8.931	8.349	7.924	7.670	7.728	7.878	7.834
1,999	15.308	15.182	14.647	14.535	13.604	12.941	12.496	12.491	12.614	12.509
2,999	20.203	20.015	19.340	19.172	18.012	17.169	16.587	16.477	16.587	16.426
3,999	24.341	24.092	23.326	23.109	21.809	20.845	20.155	19.946	20.031	19.831
4,999	28.035	27.704	26.846	26.588	25.177	24.128	23.379	23.071	23.123	22.872
5,999	31.518	31.127	30.171	29.843	28.325	27.186	26.388	25.971	25.983	25.678
6,999	34.822	34.351	33.306	32.941	31.370	30.153	29.309	28.753	28.722	28.351
7,999	38.062	37.516	36.357	35.924	34.278	32.990	32.137	31.454	31.386	30.949
8,999	41.219	40.510	39.289	38.796	37.132	35.734	34.900	34.056	33.946	33.450
9,999	44.365	43.515	42.168	41.537	39.864	38.441	37.618	36.646	36.476	35.911
14,999	58.994	57.704	55.890	54.695	52.984	51.268	50.106	48.836	48.416	47.647
19,999	70.903	69.571	67.758	66.396	64.674	62.856	61.409	59.867	59.277	58.346
24,999	79.742	78.543	76.931	75.641	74.006	72.270	70.791	69.246	68.608	67.615
29,999	86.454	85.400	83.986	82.738	81.179	79.570	78.137	76.645	76.035	75.111
34,999	91.131	90.243	89.107	88.033	86.709	85.322	83.986	82.491	81.909	81.072
39,999	94.092	93.403	92.551	91.701	90.666	89.573	88.453	87.145	86.534	85.769
44,999	95.904	95.391	94.772	94.112	93.324	92.509	91.630	90.592	90.005	89.310
49,999	97.023	96.637	96.165	95.659	95.083	94.487	93.809	93.003	92.482	91.903
54,999	97.745	97.450	97.084	96.679	96.260	95.820	95.306	94.682	94.231	93.785
59,999	98.215	97.979	97.686	97.354	97.048	96.707	96.317	95.830	95.444	95.100
64,999	98.550	98.360	98.115	97.838	97.608	97.341	97.039	96.647	96.319	96.067
69,999	98.792	98.634	98.425	98.185	98.007	97.791	97.554	97.235	96.953	96.766
74,999	98.974	98.840	98.659	98.449	98.311	98.132	97.940	97.672	97.432	97.292
79,999	99.115	99.000	98.839	98.653	98.546	98.396	98.242	98.009	97.800	97.694
84,999	99.228	99.127	98.981	98.813	98.725	98.599	98.474	98.272	98.090	98.005
89,999	99.317	99.227	99.093	98.939	98.867	98.758	98.654	98.475	98.317	98.250
94,999	99.391	99.312	99.188	99.046	98.984	98.889	98.803	98.641	98.501	98.447
99,999	99.452	99.381	99.266	99.135	99.081	98.996	98.926	98.777	98.653	98.607
Total	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000

To make comparisons across years, it is useful to tabulate the number of workers by real wage levels. The 1994 wage levels were chosen as the standard, and corresponding inflation-adjusted wage intervals were computed for earlier years. Because no 100-percent data are available by the resulting 1994-dollar wage levels for 1985-93, data from the CWHS were used to redistribute the number of workers from the 100-percent data. The results are shown in table 13.

Compared to table 12, table 13 exhibits much less variability across years for a given wage level. For example, the percentage of workers earning less than $60,000 in 1994 dollars ranges from 95.1 percent to 95.5 percent over the 10-year period. In nominal dollars, the corresponding percentage ranges from 95.1 percent to 98.2 percent.

Table 13.-Cumulative frequency distribution of wage earners as a percent of their total number by 1994-dollar wage level, 1985-94
[In thousands]

1994-dollar
wage less
than or
equal to...
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994

$999 7.434 7.488 7.365 7.555 7.311 7.241 7.226 7.433 7.745 7.834
1,999 12.211 12.284 12.158 12.413 12.011 11.865 11.783 12.033 12.402 12.509
2,999 16.166 16.292 16.114 16.468 15.955 15.777 15.669 15.892 16.318 16.426
3,999 19.684 19.755 19.568 19.933 19.366 19.176 19.043 19.241 19.706 19.831
4,999 22.765 22.826 22.613 22.994 22.432 22.229 22.121 22.257 22.755 22.872
5,999 25.532 25.618 25.378 25.786 25.256 25.055 24.955 25.072 25.579 25.678
6,999 28.130 28.183 28.009 28.462 27.877 27.696 27.660 27.754 28.257 28.351
7,999 30.681 30.679 30.579 31.048 30.457 30.316 30.316 30.316 30.852 30.949
8,999 33.086 33.070 32.967 33.440 32.906 32.809 32.895 32.803 33.373 33.450
9,999 35.443 35.409 35.256 35.784 35.308 35.248 35.403 35.271 35.844 35.911
14,999 46.938 46.577 46.199 46.760 46.669 46.833 47.202 46.954 47.573 47.647
19,999 57.602 57.020 56.667 57.042 57.261 57.586 57.948 57.660 58.262 58.346
24,999 66.912 66.272 65.874 66.235 66.570 67.004 67.210 66.908 67.552 67.615
29,999 74.492 73.881 73.483 73.819 74.148 74.623 74.831 74.500 75.061 75.111
34,999 80.567 79.993 79.684 79.965 80.214 80.674 80.812 80.469 80.992 81.072
39,999 85.498 84.952 84.751 85.003 85.171 85.580 85.729 85.317 85.715 85.769
44,999 89.283 88.780 88.647 88.790 88.981 89.345 89.451 89.065 89.328 89.310
49,999 92.064 91.610 91.511 91.626 91.766 92.039 92.100 91.827 91.928 91.903
54,999 94.048 93.627 93.609 93.675 93.746 93.954 93.991 93.774 93.806 93.785
59,999 95.454 95.074 95.081 95.068 95.146 95.331 95.342 95.148 95.116 95.100
64,999 96.429 96.090 96.123 96.077 96.139 96.281 96.271 96.123 96.066 96.067
69,999 97.139 96.850 96.867 96.803 96.848 96.973 96.954 96.818 96.765 96.766
74,999 97.651 97.402 97.396 97.326 97.374 97.448 97.453 97.333 97.269 97.292
79,999 98.035 97.808 97.799 97.728 97.764 97.832 97.839 97.724 97.667 97.694
84,999 98.324 98.131 98.114 98.024 98.074 98.134 98.141 98.041 97.978 98.005
89,999 98.550 98.384 98.359 98.262 98.324 98.361 98.371 98.285 98.221 98.250
94,999 98.730 98.586 98.563 98.472 98.517 98.544 98.562 98.472 98.420 98.447
99,999 98.879 98.750 98.729 98.637 98.679 98.701 98.712 98.629 98.585 98.607
Total 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000

**Table 13.-Cumulative frequency distribution of wage earners as a percent of their total number by 1994-dollar wage level, 1985-94**
[In thousands]
1994-dollar wage less than or equal to...	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
$999	7.434	7.488	7.365	7.555	7.311	7.241	7.226	7.433	7.745	7.834
1,999	12.211	12.284	12.158	12.413	12.011	11.865	11.783	12.033	12.402	12.509
2,999	16.166	16.292	16.114	16.468	15.955	15.777	15.669	15.892	16.318	16.426
3,999	19.684	19.755	19.568	19.933	19.366	19.176	19.043	19.241	19.706	19.831
4,999	22.765	22.826	22.613	22.994	22.432	22.229	22.121	22.257	22.755	22.872
5,999	25.532	25.618	25.378	25.786	25.256	25.055	24.955	25.072	25.579	25.678
6,999	28.130	28.183	28.009	28.462	27.877	27.696	27.660	27.754	28.257	28.351
7,999	30.681	30.679	30.579	31.048	30.457	30.316	30.316	30.316	30.852	30.949
8,999	33.086	33.070	32.967	33.440	32.906	32.809	32.895	32.803	33.373	33.450
9,999	35.443	35.409	35.256	35.784	35.308	35.248	35.403	35.271	35.844	35.911
14,999	46.938	46.577	46.199	46.760	46.669	46.833	47.202	46.954	47.573	47.647
19,999	57.602	57.020	56.667	57.042	57.261	57.586	57.948	57.660	58.262	58.346
24,999	66.912	66.272	65.874	66.235	66.570	67.004	67.210	66.908	67.552	67.615
29,999	74.492	73.881	73.483	73.819	74.148	74.623	74.831	74.500	75.061	75.111
34,999	80.567	79.993	79.684	79.965	80.214	80.674	80.812	80.469	80.992	81.072
39,999	85.498	84.952	84.751	85.003	85.171	85.580	85.729	85.317	85.715	85.769
44,999	89.283	88.780	88.647	88.790	88.981	89.345	89.451	89.065	89.328	89.310
49,999	92.064	91.610	91.511	91.626	91.766	92.039	92.100	91.827	91.928	91.903
54,999	94.048	93.627	93.609	93.675	93.746	93.954	93.991	93.774	93.806	93.785
59,999	95.454	95.074	95.081	95.068	95.146	95.331	95.342	95.148	95.116	95.100
64,999	96.429	96.090	96.123	96.077	96.139	96.281	96.271	96.123	96.066	96.067
69,999	97.139	96.850	96.867	96.803	96.848	96.973	96.954	96.818	96.765	96.766
74,999	97.651	97.402	97.396	97.326	97.374	97.448	97.453	97.333	97.269	97.292
79,999	98.035	97.808	97.799	97.728	97.764	97.832	97.839	97.724	97.667	97.694
84,999	98.324	98.131	98.114	98.024	98.074	98.134	98.141	98.041	97.978	98.005
89,999	98.550	98.384	98.359	98.262	98.324	98.361	98.371	98.285	98.221	98.250
94,999	98.730	98.586	98.563	98.472	98.517	98.544	98.562	98.472	98.420	98.447
99,999	98.879	98.750	98.729	98.637	98.679	98.701	98.712	98.629	98.585	98.607
Total	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000	100.000

¹ Distribution from other types of deferred compensation plans are reported on Form 1099. Data on distributions reported on W-2s were not available until 1990.
² After the high percentage for 1980, the second highest percentage was 0.0206 percent for 1987. Excluding both 1980 and 1987, the average percentage is only 0.0056 percent.

Notes published in the 1990s

ACTUARIAL NOTE

Number 135	SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
July 1996	Office of the Chief Actuary