Since 1979 wages have eroded to the point that even someone working full time and year-round may not earn enough to lift a family of four out of poverty. From 1979 to 1997, the share of all workers earning such low wages has risen to 28.6%.
Certain groups are more likely to receive low
wages than others. Women are more likely to receive poverty-level wages than are
men, and blacks and Hispanic workers are more likely to receive them than are
whites.
Source: EPI, "Prosperity Gap."