Earnings in 1981 of married-couple families by selected characteristics of husbands and wives.

This report using data from the March 1982 Current Population Survey presents 1981 annual earnings for husbands wives and married couples. 1) Annual work experience in terms of weeks worked and full-time and part-time employment 2) occupation and 3) educational level comprise the 3 earnings determinants. The report discusses earning levels for husbands and wives by age and presence of children and wives who earn more than their husbands. The past 20 years have seen increased labor force participation by women. 67% of all married couples with earnings have a working wife; 46% of the 27.7 million working wives in 1981 worked full-time year round and averaged $13070. Married couples earned $25550 on an average but when both husband and wife worked they earned $34560 ($39170 when both were in managerial or professional jobs). Overall working wives contributed 30% to the couples earnings and 38% when the wife worked full-time year round. Husbands earnings averaged $23800. 34% of working wives hold clerical jobs and earn $8900; 17% have 4 or more years of college and earn $10680; wives with 5 or more years of college earn $14910. The 24% of husbands with 4 or more college years earn $27340; husbands earn $32860 with 5 or more college years. 55% of working wives have at least one minor child. Wives with no minor children earn more than wives with minor children. Wives earn more than husbands for 16% of couples when both husbands and wives work. Compared with other wives these wives are more likely to have no minor children at home to hold professional jobs and to have 4 or more college years. The US economic recession (July 1981-November 1982) may have affected the relationships between husbands and wives earnings. This reports data should not be used to examine sex discrimination and education related earninggs differences between husbands and wives since many factors can influence these discrepancies.