The Wage Gap for Latino Millennials is Growing

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Latinos are the youngest major racial or ethnic group in the United States.

About 1 in 3 of the nation’s Latinos are younger than 18, and nearly 6 in 10 Latinos are either millennial (ages 18-33) or younger, Pew research shows.

But, as Latinos and all millennials become a larger portion of the U.S. workforce, the reality of the “millennial wage gap” is growing, Fortune reports.

millennial income gap mapThe average wage for millennials is the highest, $40,046 a year, in Washington, D.C. (10.16% Latino population).

The lowest by far, $16,999, is in Mississippi (2.9% Latino).

The national average is $40,356 for workers ages 35-65.

“Millennials may act as if they’re entitled to ultrahigh salaries, but in most parts of the U.S. they still don’t earn them,” Fortune reports.

How Much Do Latino Millennials Earn?

For Latinos, the low income is especially grim.

In New Mexico, the state with the largest percentage of Latino population in the nation, millennials on average earn $19,551 a year.

Income is on the lower side in the five other states with large Latino populations:

  • California ($20,000-$25,000)
  • Texas ($20,000-$25,000)
  • Arizona ($20,000-$25,000)
  • Nevada ($20,000-$25,000)
  • Florida ($20,000-$25,000)

Why is This Wage Gap Happening?

According to the authors at Fortune, some of the disparities can be explained by the youth and inexperience of Millennials.

However, this only explains part of the problem.

Many Millennials graduated during the Great Recession of the mid-2000s; research has shown that this is likely to be a drain on their average earnings.

“Despite being the largest generation in the U.S. workforce, they make on average 20% less than boomers did at the same age,” Fortune reports.

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Housing

By The Numbers By The Numbers

56.9

percent

of Latinos are "housing cost burdened"

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