Description of Indicator
Wages are an indicator of the health of the region and the financial resources of households. Examining income for different racial and ethnic groups is important as a measure of inequity across the three-county region.
Why is it Important?
Large and persistent disparities are often the result of policies and practices that disadvantaged people of color. Structural racism, which can be perpetuated by policies and practices, systematically disadvantage create intersecting challenges and barriers for communities, including inequitable education, low wages, job and wage discrimination, and lack of access to capital. Lack of sufficient income has multiple negative consequences on health, well-being, and economic success. 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. In 2020, across the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metro area, among workers aged 25 to 64, White people had the highest share of workers earning at least $15/hour at 77 percent while Black people had the lowest share at 51 percent.
In 2020, among workers aged 25 to 64, Latino, female workers were least likely to earn at least $15/hour among all racial/ethnic and gender groups at 42 percent. And, in 2020 among full-time workers, aged 25 to 64, White people with a bachelor’s degree or higher had the highest share earnings at least $15/hour at 88 percent while People of color people with less than a high school diploma had the lowest share at 40 percent.