Patterns of Earnings and Employment by Worker Sex, Race, and Ethnicity Using State Administrative Data: Results from a Sample of Workers Connected to Public Assistance Programs

Colleen Heflin, Taryn Morrissey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

During the strong economic conditions that predated the COVID-19 pandemic, many US workers, especially females and individuals of color, suffered from economic vulnerability. Despite growing research attention, we lack an understanding of how the prevalence and patterns of earnings and job instability vary with worker characteristics, particularly at the intersections between sex and race/ethnicity. This study uses longitudinal administrative data from a large, diverse state from 2015 through 2018 to document changes in earnings and jobs. We then examine variation in the size, frequency, and direction of these changes by worker sex and race/ethnicity among a subsample of workers who are connected to the public welfare system. Results indicate that, as expected, workers who are connected to the public welfare system experienced higher levels of economic vulnerability, but with substantial racial/ethnic and sex differences. As a consequence, a large number of workers—disproportionately those of color—were experiencing high levels of economic instability during a period of strong economic growth. Our findings have implications for policy and practice strategies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)166-186
Number of pages21
JournalRace and Social Problems
Volume15
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2023

Keywords

  • Economic instability
  • Income volatility
  • Low-wage workforce
  • Racial, sex, ethnic differences

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anthropology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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