When low-wage workers are paid more, the poverty rate falls: Hourly wages at the 10th percentile and poverty rate, 1979–2016
| Year | Poverty rate (left axis) | 10th percentile wages (right axis) |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 11.7% | $9.47 |
| 1980 | 13.0% | $8.94 |
| 1981 | 14.0% | $8.76 |
| 1982 | 15.0% | $8.47 |
| 1983 | 15.2% | $8.22 |
| 1984 | 14.4% | $8.07 |
| 1985 | 14.0% | $8.02 |
| 1986 | 13.6% | $8.10 |
| 1987 | 13.4% | $8.09 |
| 1988 | 13.0% | $8.03 |
| 1989 | 12.8% | $8.04 |
| 1990 | 13.5% | $8.11 |
| 1991 | 14.2% | $8.21 |
| 1992 | 14.8% | $8.35 |
| 1993 | 15.1% | $8.26 |
| 1994 | 14.5% | $8.17 |
| 1995 | 13.8% | $8.09 |
| 1996 | 13.7% | $8.05 |
| 1997 | 13.3% | $8.39 |
| 1998 | 12.7% | $8.89 |
| 1999 | 11.9% | $8.92 |
| 2000 | 11.3% | $9.10 |
| 2001 | 11.7% | $9.36 |
| 2002 | 12.1% | $9.46 |
| 2003 | 12.5% | $9.35 |
| 2004 | 12.7% | $9.19 |
| 2005 | 12.6% | $9.03 |
| 2006 | 12.3% | $9.12 |
| 2007 | 12.5% | $9.31 |
| 2008 | 13.2% | $9.13 |
| 2009 | 14.3% | $9.19 |
| 2010 | 15.1% | $9.10 |
| 2011 | 15.0% | $8.88 |
| 2012 | 15.0% | $8.77 |
| 2013 | 14.5% | $8.87 |
| 2014 | 14.8% | $8.93 |
| 2015 | 14.8% | $9.27 |
| 2016 | 13.5% | $9.54 |
| 2017 | 12.7% | $9.90 |
Note: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Current Population Survey (CPS) Annual Social and Economic Supplement Historical Poverty Tables (Table 2) and CPS Outgoing Rotation Group microdata