Earnings

The federal government measures both the mean (average) of the nation's workers and the median earnings (one-half earn more than this figure, and one-half earn less than this figure) of the nation's workers. Income is the total amount brought in by an individual or family, including earnings and money received from interest, pensions, and other sources.

In 1998 the population aged 15 years and older had mean (average) earnings of $33,688. Whites earned slightly more ($34,610) than the mean, while blacks ($26,423) and those of Hispanic origin ($23,118) earned less. (See Table 6.1.) Males earned an average salary of $41,927, compared to $24,472 for females. The median earnings were $31,039 for males and $20,309 for females. (See Table 6.2.)

Full-Time, Year-Round Workers

Of the 79.2 million men aged 15 years and older who reported working in 2000 (with or without earnings), 74 percent worked full-time, year-round. Of the 70.8 million women aged 15 years and older who reported working in 2000, 59 percent...