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Report: More than half of Floridians make less than $28,236

 
Among the talking points in a study being released Wednesday is that more than 70 percent of women in Florida earn salaries below the state average. [iStockphoto]
Among the talking points in a study being released Wednesday is that more than 70 percent of women in Florida earn salaries below the state average. [iStockphoto]
Published Aug. 31, 2016

Often the key benchmark used to assess the strength of the labor market is the unemployment rate.

But in a Labor Day-timed snapshot on how Florida workers are faring, researchers at Florida International University zeroed in on two other numbers: $39,099 and $28,236.

The first is the average annual salary in Florida; the second figure is the median annual salary in the state, meaning half of Floridians make more than that amount and half make less.

In a report being released today, the researchers say the huge difference between the average and median salaries shows that there are some high-wage earners skewing the results. It may mask just how many people are in the low-wage category statewide.

Turns out about 65 percent of workers earn less than the average salary of $39,099, with many of them facing "limited opportunities for economic mobility in their existing professions," the report concludes.

Some other numbers in the analysis:

• 53.6 percent of jobs in food prep and service earn less than $10 an hour, as do 36.7 percent of jobs in building and grounds cleaning and maintenance, and 34.9 percent of jobs in personal care and service.

• 56 percent of low-earnings workers are women, compared with 50 percent of middle-earnings workers and 36.7 percent of high-earnings workers.

• 70.4 percent of women earn salaries below the state average, compared with 59.8 percent of men.

• African-Americans represent 20.4 percent of low-earnings workers, 17.7 percent of middle-earnings workers and 9.3 percent of high-earning workers.

• Hispanics represent 27 percent of low-earnings workers, 24.6 percent of middle-earnings workers and 19.6 percent of high-earnings workers.

• Non-Hispanic whites earn annual salaries of $45,267 on average compared with $31,205 for racial and ethnic minorities and $32,160 for Hispanics.

Contact Jeff Harrington at jharrington@tampabay.com. Follow @JeffMHarrington.