Description of Indicator
Population shares of people earning less than $15 per hour are shown by gender, race, and educational attainment. These data were sourced from the National Equity Atlas, though the figures have not been updated since 2020.
Why is it Important?
Wage data enhances understanding of labor market trends, economic health, and fairness in compensation practices. Wages reflect the health of the region and the financial resources of households. Structural racism and sexism, which policies and practices can perpetuate, may facilitate wage discrimination and limit access to capital. Furthermore, insufficient income has multiple negative consequences on health and well-being. Higher wages improve living standards, provide greater workforce stability, and reduce reliance on social safety-net services.
How is the Region Performing?
This indicator depicts whether all workers can earn a living wage. Among workers aged 25 to 64 in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metro area, people who are White are most likely to earn at least $15 per hour (at 77 percent). People who are Black are the least likely to earn at least $15 per hour (at 51 percent). When race/ethnicity is considered, workers aged 25 to 64 who are female and Latina are least likely to earn more than $15 per hour (at 42 percent).
Educational attainment is also considered. Among full-time workers aged 25 to 64, people who are White and who have bachelor’s degrees or higher are most likely to earn at least $15 per hour (88 percent). People of color with no high school diplomas are least likely to earn $15 per hour (40 percent).