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Wage Inequality in Ohio: Who’s Earning Less and Why It Matters

Let’s talk about something that’s hitting close to home for many of us: wages. Did you know that nearly one-fourth of Ohio workers earn less than $17 per hour?

That’s right, over 1.3 million people might be struggling to keep up with the rising costs of living and food. Here’s a deeper dive into the wage situation in our state and why it matters.

The Wage Breakdown

First things first, what does it mean to earn less than $17 per hour? According to Oxfam America, this amount is considered the minimum livable wage, meaning anything less could make it tough to cover basic expenses. Ohio’s figure is slightly above the national average, indicating that our state has a larger share of low-wage workers than many others.

Who’s Earning Less?

It turns out, not everyone is affected equally. Women and people of color are disproportionately represented among those earning less than $17 per hour.

Specifically, Oxfam’s report shows:

  • 29.1% of working women in Ohio earn below this threshold compared to 18.9% of men.
  • 38.0% of women of color and 27.3% of men of color are earning less than $17 per hour.
  • Younger workers are also feeling the pinch more than their older counterparts:

  • A whopping 62% of workers aged 16-24 are making under $17 per hour.
  • This drops to 22% for workers aged 25-39, 14% for those aged 40-54, and 18% for workers over 55.
  • Minimum Wage Woes

    Ohio’s current minimum wage is $10.45 for non-tipped employees and $5.05 for tipped employees. While this amount adjusts with inflation, it’s still not enough for many workers to live comfortably. Efforts to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2026 have faced setbacks, but activists are determined to try again next year.

    The Bigger Picture

    So, what would raising the minimum wage to $17 per hour mean for Ohio? According to Oxfam, it would benefit 1,378,962 workers in the state. That’s a significant portion of our workforce who could see an improvement in their quality of life.

    Gender and Racial Disparities

    The data shows clear disparities among different demographics in Ohio:

  • 39.7% of Black women and 31.8% of Black men earn less than $17 per hour.
  • Among Hispanic/Latinx workers, 42.3% of women and 27.3% of men fall below this wage level.
  • Even among Asian American and American Indian workers, who often have higher average earnings, 26.0% of women and 14.7% of men earn less than $17 per hour.
  • Impact on Families

    Low wages don’t just affect individual workers; they impact families too. Nearly 45.2% of single parents in Ohio earn less than $17 per hour, compared to 10.4% of married parents. This wage gap places significant stress on households, particularly those led by single parents.

    Age is Just a Number

    Contrary to the common belief that low-wage jobs are held by teenagers, the reality is quite different:

  • 61.6% of workers aged 16-24 earn less than $17 per hour.
  • For adults aged 25-39, it’s 21.7%, for those aged 40-54 it’s 13.5%, and for those over 55, it’s 17.6%.
  • Wages are a critical issue affecting many Ohioans, from young workers just starting out to single parents trying to make ends meet.

    Addressing wage disparities and advocating for higher minimum wages could significantly improve the lives of over a million workers in our state. Let’s stay informed and push for changes that benefit everyone in our community.

    For more detailed information, check out the full report from Oxfam America here.

    Featured image by Nik.