Research December 7, 2012

Minimum Wages and Poverty

In this study, economists Joseph Sabia at San Diego State University and Robert Nielsen at the University of Georgia found no evidence that a higher minimum wage has helped reduce financial, housing, health, or food insecurity. This is true across all employees in general, and for smaller sub-sets of the less-educated and less-experienced.
Research March 5, 2012

Tip Credits and Employment

This study by economists William Even at Miami University and David Macpherson at Trinity University uses two different government datasets to examine the impact of states reducing or eliminating their tip credit—a part of labor law that allows tipped employees to be paid a lower cash wage as long as they earn at least the minimum when tips are included.
Research March 5, 2012

Unequal Harm

This study by economists William Even at Miami University and David Macpherson at Trinity University examines whether wage mandates have a disparate impact on minority groups. Using a dataset that spans almost 20 years and contains 600,000 observations, the authors find substantial disparities in the employment consequences of a higher minimum wage.
Research March 5, 2012

Just Getting By?

This study by Bradley Schiller at the University of Nevada-Reno examines the earnings and characteristics of adults who earn the minimum wage. Contrary to popular belief, the author finds that only a small number of these adults are the primary breadwinner in their family.
Research March 5, 2012

Failed Stimulus

This study by economist Joseph Sabia at the United States Military Academy at West Point examines whether raising the minimum wage boosts the economy, as many proponents of a higher minimum wage have claimed. The author finds no evidence of a relationship between past minimum wage increases and gross domestic product (GDP)
Research March 5, 2012

The Erosion of the Entry-Level Job Market

This study by Drs. Walter Wessels (North Carolina State University) and Nicole Coomer (Workers Compensation Research Institute) examines the impact of a rising minimum wage on those who work jobs that pay the minimum. The authors point out that not all entry-level jobs are covered by federal minimum wage laws—thus, less-skilled employees who are priced out of a job after the minimum wage rises might find employment
Research March 5, 2012

The Teen Employment Crisis

This study by economists William Even at Miami University and David Macpherson at Trinity University examines the employment impact of the 40 percent increase in the federal minimum wage that occurred between 2007 and 2009. Specifically, the authors study the effects of the higher wage on young adults aged 16 to 19.