Employment Trends Among

Young Latinxs

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Research Questions
1. What are the broad recent trends in employment and labor
force participation among young Latinxs?
2. What is the relationship between school participation and work
for young Latinxs, and how has it changed in recent years?
3. How has the relationship between educational attainment and
employment outcomes changed for Latinxs in recent years?
4. What are geographic trends and differences in employment
among Latinx young adults?
5. What are other employment trends that relate to current
discussions of public policy, including the minimum wage, and
full- vs. part-time work?

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1. What are the broad recent
trends in Latinx young adult
employment and labor force
participation? How has
employment for Latinx young
people changed since the
Recession?

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Main takeaways
We see clear improvement in unemployment rates for Latinx young
adults since the Recession, overall and across gender and nationality
subgroups
• Rising share of Latinx young adults have been able to find work since
the Recession – unemployment rate among Latinx young adults is now
back to the pre-Recession rate of 12 percent, not far behind that of
white and Asian young adults
• Young Puerto Ricans and Dominicans have seen dramatic
improvements in unemployment rates since the end of the Recession
(although rates remain higher than those for Mexicans and other
Latinos)
• Gap in labor force participation rates has narrowed between young
Latino men and young Latina women. Young Latinas have historically
been less likely than Latino men to be in the labor force.

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Latinx young adult unemployment rate is now
back to pre-Recession levels.
Unemployment rates among population aged 18-24 by race/ethnicity
35%
32%
30%

25% 24%

20%
20% 19%
16%
15%
15%
12% 12%
11% 11% 11%
9%
10%

5%

0%
White Black Latinx Asian
2006 2011 2016

Source: 2016 American Community Survey data.

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Unemployment rates have declined across all Latinx
subgroups since the Recession but remain highest
among Puerto Ricans and Dominicans.
Unemployment rates among Latinx population aged 18-24 by subgroup
30%
26%
25%
25%

20%
20% 18%
18% 18%
16% 16%
15%
12% 12%
11% 10%
10%

5%

0%
Puerto Rican Dominican Mexican Other Latino
2006 2011 2016

Source: American Community Survey data.

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Unemployment rates for both Latina women
and Latino men have declined sharply since
the Recession.
Unemployment rates among Latinx population aged 18-24, by gender
25%

20% 19%
20%

15% 14%
12% 12%
11%
10%

5%

0%
2006 2011 2016
Men Women

Source: American Community Survey data.

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An increasing share of young Latinas are in
the workforce.

Labor force participation among Latinx population aged 18-24, by gender

90%

80% 78%
72% 72%
70% 66%
62% 62%
60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
2006 2011 2016
Men Women

Source: American Community Survey data.

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2. What is the relationship
between school and work for
young Latinxs, and how has
it changed recently?

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Main takeaways
Higher school enrollment, fewer Latinx young adults
opting to work but not attend school
• Instead of choosing to work but not attend school, a higher
share of Latinx young adults are enrolling in school.
• Those in school are also more likely to be working at the
same time, suggesting that the rising cost of college
attendance may force Latinx young adults to take on a
job to meet necessary expenses.
• While school attendance has increased among young Latina
women and Latino men, Latinas are more likely attend
school and work at the same time.

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Main takeaways (Continued)
Overall, young Latina women much are less likely to be
disconnected from school and work compared to a decade
ago
• Out of school, out of work (OSOW) rate among young
Latina women fell from 26 percent in 2006 to 18 percent in
2016
Increased participation in early childhood education and
fewer Latina parents may be factoring into lower OSOW rates
among young Latina women:
• Share of Latinx 3-4-year-olds enrolled in nursery school or
kindergarten increased from 37 percent to 41 percent in
2016
• Much smaller share of young Latina women with children
(from 28 percent in 2006 to 18 percent by 2016)
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Compared to 35 percent a decade ago, nearly half of
Latinx young adults are in school. Since the end of the
Recession, there has also been a slight increase in the
share not in school and working, but this remains
below
School the pre-Recession
enrollment share.
and employment among Latinx population aged 18-24
100%
90%
80% 35%
43% 46%
70%
60%
21%
50%
22% 17%
40%
30%
20% 44%
35% 38%
10%
0%
2006 2011 2016
Not in School, employed Not in school, not working In School

Source: American Community Survey data.

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A higher share of Latinx young adults are
working and in school at the same time.
School enrollment and employment among Latinx population aged 18-24
100%
90% 18% 19% 23%
80%
17%
70% 24%
23%
60%
21%
50%
22% 17%
40%
30%
20% 44%
35% 38%
10%
0%
2006 2011 2016
Not in School, employed Not in school, not working In School, not working In school, working

Source: American Community Survey data.

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Young Latino men are much less likely to be working and not
in school compared to a decade ago. School attendance has
increased among both young Latina women and Latino men
over the past decade.
School enrollment and labor force participation among Latinx 18-24, by gender
100%
90%
30%
80% 39% 42% 41%
48% 50%
70%
60% 15%

50% 20% 15%

27%
40% 24% 18%

30%
54%
20% 41% 43%
32% 28% 32%
10%
0%
2006 2011 2016 2006 2011 2016
Men Women
Not in school, employed Not in school, not working In School

Source: American Community Survey data.

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The share of young Latinas not working or not in school has
declined sharply from 27 percent a decade ago to 18 percent
in 2016. A rising share of young Latina women are attending
school and working.
School enrollment and employment among Latinx population aged 18-24 by
gender
100%
90% 15% 16% 20% 21% 22% 27%
80%
15%
70% 23%
22% 19%
26%
60% 15% 23%

50% 20% 15%

27%
40% 24% 18%
30%
54%
20% 41% 43%
32% 28% 32%
10%
0%
2006 2011 2016 2006 2011 2016
Men Women
Not in School, working Not in School, not working In School, not working In School, working

Source: American Community Survey data.

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Young Latinas are much less likely to be out of school,
out of work compared to a decade ago.

Share of Latinx population aged 18-24 who are out of school, out of work, by gender
30%
26%

25%
24%

20%
20% 18%
16% 16%
21%
15% 17%
10%

13%
10% 10% 10%

5% 10%
6% 7%
6% 6% 5%
0%
2006 2011 2016 2006 2011 2016
Men Women
Not in School, unemployed Not in School, Not in Labor Force

Source: American Community Survey data.

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Fewer young Latina parents and increased enrollment in
pre-k/early childhood education may be contributing to
drop in sharp decline in OSOW rates among young Latina
women.
Share of Latina women aged 18-24 Share of Latinx 3-4-year-olds enrolled
with children in nursery school or kindergarten
30% 45%
28% 41%
40%
40% 37%
25% 24%
35%

20% 30%
18%
25%
15%
20%

10% 15%

10%
5%
5%

0% 0%
2006 2011 2016 2006 2010 2016

Source: American Community Survey data.

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3. How has the relationship
between educational
attainment and employment
outcomes changed for
Latinxs in recent years?

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 Main Takeaways
Strong connection to better employment prospects and higher educational
attainment
• Latinx young adults with less than a high school education are still struggling with
high unemployment after the Recession while those with at least some college
have experienced declines in unemployment and are faring much better in the
labor market.
• Less-educated young whites (those with less than a high school diploma) are
worse off than young Latinx with same education levels
College degrees still matter but earnings have stagnated among young Latinx
and black 4-year college graduates relative to white and Asian 4-year college
graduates
• Median earnings among Latinx adults under the age of 35 with a 4-year degree
are still double the earnings of those with only a high school diploma. But
stagnation among college-educated Latinx adults is a concern.
• Median earnings among young Latinx college graduates (under the age of 35)
have not budged since the end of Recession. Meanwhile, median earnings
among white and Asian college graduates have risen.

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 Main Takeaways (Continued)
Shift in the types of jobs Latinx young adults are getting compared to
a decade ago – fewer blue-collar jobs, more low-paying service and
retail jobs
• Among Latinx young adults with a high school diploma or less
education, there has been a shift from blue-collar jobs to low-paying
service and retail jobs. This reflects broader changes in the US
economy.
• Shift away from blue-collar work has been driven by young Latino men –
this type of work once made up nearly half (46 percent) of all jobs held
by young Latino men aged 18-24 – now they make up less than a third
(32 percent).
• Latinx with a four-year Bachelor’s degree are more likely to be working
in education, health and social services.

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Latinx young adults with less than a high school
education are still struggling with employment after the
Recession while those with at least some college have
experienced stronger
Unemployment rates among recovery
Latinx aged in educational
18-24 by highest jobs. attainment
(among those not in school)
25%
22%
20%
20%
18%
17%

15% 13% 13%

12% 13%

9% 10%
10% 8% 8%
6% 6%
5%
5%

0%
Less than HS HS graduate/HSE Some college, no Associate's degree BA or higher
diploma degree
2006 2011 2016

Source: American Community Survey data.

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Compared to Latinx young adults with same education levels,
whites without a high school degree were more likely to struggle
with landing a job since the end of the Recession. Meanwhile, for
both white and Latinx young adults, those with at least some
college have had more success in the labor market.
Unemployment rates among population aged 18-24 by race/ethnicity and highest
educational attainment (not in school)
40%
35%
35%

30%

25% 23% 24% 22%

20% 20%
20% 17% 18%

15% 13% 13% 13% 13% 13%

12% 12%
9% 10%
10% 8% 7% 8% 7%
6% 7% 6%
8%
4% 5% 5% 4% 5%
5%

0%
White Latinx White Latinx White Latinx White Latinx White Latinx
Less than HS HS graduate/HSE Some college, no Associate's degree BA or higher
diploma degree
2006 2011 2016
Source: American Community Survey data.

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Median earnings among Latinx adults under the age of 35
with a 4-year degree are still double the earnings of those
with only a high school diploma. But stagnation among
college-educated Latinx adults is a concern.
Median earnings among Latinx aged 18-34 not in school, by educational
attainment
45,000 41,67040,546
40,000
40,000
35,000
30,95529,876
30,000 27,383 28,000
24,54124,000
25,000 22,263
19,04916,64519,200 19,20620,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Less than High High School Some college, no Associate's BA degree or higher
School diploma/HSE diploma degree
2006 2011 2016

Source: American Community Survey data.

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Median earnings among young Latinx and Black college
graduates have stagnated since the Recession while
those among white and Asian college graduates have
risen.
Median earnings among BA degree recipients aged 18-34 (not in school)
70,000
60,000
60,000 57,147
54,416

50,000 46,432
43,74745,000
41,670 41,67040,54640,000
39,47938,000
40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0
White Black Asian Latinx
2006 2011 2016

Source: American Community Survey data.

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Among working Latinx young adults with a high school diploma or
less education, fewer are in blue-collar jobs and are more likely to
be employed in retail or other low-wage jobs. Meanwhile, Latinx with
a 4-year degree are much more likely to be in high-paying jobs or
work in education, health or social services.
Job industry type of employed Latinx population aged 18-24 not in school
100%
16% 13%
90% 21% 22% 21% 21% 23%
26% 27% 26%
80%
3% 7%
70% 4% 14% 22% 30%
12% 9% 14% 23%
14% 15% 25%
60% 9% 13%
22% 16%
50% 12% 18% 18% 32%
15% 30%
40% 22%
19% 22% 14%
30% 18%
54%
44% 11%
20% 38% 13%
29% 25% 24%
10% 22% 20% 18% 14%
0%
2006 2016 2006 2016 2006 2016 2006 2016 2006 2016
Less than High School HS graduate/HSE Some college, no Associate's degree Bachelor's or higher
diploma degree
Blue Collar Retail trade High-paying Education/health/social services Low-paying services
Source: American Community Survey data.

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Although blue-collar jobs once made up nearly half of jobs held by
young Latino men, there has been a shift toward low-wage service and
retail jobs. Compared to a decade ago, Latino men and Latina women
are more likely to be working in low-wage service and retail jobs.
Industry type of employed Latinx population aged 18-24 by gender
100%
90% 20%
27% 27% 30%
80%
5%
70% 14% 8%
60% 20%
14% 23%
15%
50%
20% 19%
40% 13%
30%
46% 22% 24%
20%
32%
10%
12% 9%
0%
2006 2016 2006 2016
Men Women
Blue Collar Retail trade High-paying Education, health and social services Low-paying services

Source: American Community Survey data.

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4. What are geographic
trends and differences in
employment among young
Latinxs?

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 Main Takeaways
• Latinx young adult unemployment rates have declined the most on
Eastern and Western coastal states where job growth has been
particularly strong
• Shift from blue-collar to low-paying service jobs among Latinx young
adults has been especially pronounced on the West Coast, Pacific
Northwest and South (blue-collar share of jobs held by Latinx aged 18-
24 in Washington state fell from 42% in 2006 to 27% by 2016; in
Georgia, from 56% in 2006 to 29% in 2016)
• These shifts have also been accompanied by higher share of young
Latinx working in education, health and social services, especially on the
East Coast

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Since the Recession, states on both the East
and West Coasts saw sharp drops in
unemployment among Latinx young adults.
States with Largest Declines in Unemployment rates from 2011-16 among Latinx
population aged 18-24

Percentage
2011 2016 point change

1. Washington 23.6% 12.8% -10.8

2. California 23.6% 13.1% -10.5

3. Arizona 24.2% 14.0% -10.1

4. Florida 20.3% 10.2% -10.1

5. Massachusetts 24.1% 14.6% -9.6

Source: American Community Survey data.

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Among working Latinx young adults, there has been marked
shift from blue-collar jobs to low-paying service work.
However, on the East Coast, there has also been growth in
education, health and social service positions.
Job industry type of employed Latinx population aged 18-24 not in school
100%
90% 21% 21% 17%
23% 28% 25% 26% 25% 26% 26% 26%
29% 31% 28%
80% 4%
11% 9% 12% 13% 8%
70% 11%
15% 15% 16% 14%
14% 14% 11% 22% 20%
60% 16% 19% 18% 8% 16%
13%
50% 12% 17% 15% 13% 18% 19%
17% 15%
40% 21% 16% 18% 23%
20%
30% 23% 18% 21%
23% 26% 56%
22% 23%
20% 42%
31% 33% 32% 29%
27% 23%
10% 21% 17% 20%
15% 14% 14%
0%
2006 2016 2006 2016 2006 2016 2006 2016 2006 2016 2006 2016 2006 2016
California Arizona Florida Washington Georgia Massachusetts New York
Blue-Collar Retail trade High-paying Education, health and social services Low-paying services

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5. What are other employment trends
that relate to current discussions of
public policy, including the impact of
the growing Latinx population on the
economic prospects of white
residents; the minimum wage, and
full- vs. part-time work?

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 Main Takeaways
Impact of the growing Latinx population
• Census data suggests that the growing Latinx population in areas like
the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest and the South, do not have a
negative impact on the employment and earnings outcomes of white
residents.
Surge in part-time employment
• Part-time employment among Latinx young adults has surged by more
than a third over the past decade, likely driven by growing number who
have opted to attend college and work at the same time.
Recovery in full-time jobs for those working and not in school
• When excluding those not in school, the number of Latinx young adults
working full time increased by 23 percent since the end of the
Recession and share working full time is now back to the pre-
Recession share of 59 percent.

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 Main Takeaways (Continued)
Full-time jobs held by Latinx young adults are much less likely to be
in blue-collar industries
• The number of young Latinxs working full time in blue-collar jobs fell by
19 percent over the past decade. Meanwhile, the number of the number
of young Latinxs in education, health or social services has nearly
doubled over the past decade.
Part-time jobs remain concentrated in low-wage sectors
• Latinx young adults working part time who are not in school are still
increasingly likely to be employed in low-paying service and retail jobs.
The number of young Latinxs in full-time low-paying service jobs
increased by 42 percent between 2006 and 2016, while the number in
full-time retail positions rose by 56 percent over the same time period.

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Growing Latinx population does not appear to
have an adverse impact on employment outcomes
among white residents.
Unemployment rates (Population aged 25 and older)
14%
12%
12% 11% 11%

10%
9% 9%
8% 8%
8% 7% 7% 7%
7% 7%
6% 6% 6%
6% 5% 5% 5%
4% 5% 5%
4% 4% 4% 4% 4%
4% 4% 4% 4%
4% 3% 3% 3% 3%
3% 2%
2%

0%
White Latinx White Latinx White Latinx White Latinx White Latinx White Latinx
Arkansas Massachusetts Oklahoma Pennsylvania Virginia Washington
2006 2011 2016

Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

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There appears to be little adverse impact of growing Latinx
population on white household incomes. Despite some gains,
typical household incomes of Latinx continue to lag well
behind those of whites, whose incomes have continued to rise
since the
Median Recession.
household income (Thousands of 2016 $)
120
106
100 9593
89 83
8685
75 7775
80 71
59 62 67
62 65 60
65
6059
65 55
575459 57 58 58 58 58
60 54 51
4645 47 39 47 4646
41 44 383938 39
41
38 38 3941
38 38 36
40 33

20

0
Hispanic

Hispanic

Hispanic

Hispanic

Hispanic

Hispanic
White

Black

White

Black

White

Black

White

Black

White

Black

White

Black
Arkansas Massachusetts Oklahoma Pennsylvania Virginia Washington
2006 2011 2016

Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

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The number of Latinx young adults working part time has
increased by more than a third over the past decade,
likely driven by the growing number who are in school
and working at the same time.
Employed Latinx population aged 18-24 (including those enrolled in school)
2,500,000
2,280,226

1,992,125
2,000,000 1,831,502
1,687,370
1,585,116
1,500,000 1,450,642

1,000,000

500,000

0
2006 2011 2016
Part time Full time

Source: American Community Survey data.

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When excluding those in school, the number of Latinx
young adults working full time has increased by 23
percent since the end of the Recession while growth in
part-time worker population has leveled off.
Employed Latinx population aged 18-24 (not in school)
1,600,000
1,484,834
1,400,000 1,360,273
1,203,950
1,200,000
1,026,679 1,052,876
1,000,000 957,874

800,000

600,000

400,000

200,000

0
2006 2011 2016
Part time Full time

Source: American Community Survey data.

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Although Latinx young adults not in school were more
likely to work part time in the aftermath of the
Recession, the share employed full time is now back to
the pre-Recession rate.
Share of employed Latinx population aged 18-24 (not in school)
70%
59% 59%
60%
54%
50% 46%
41% 41%
40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
2006 2011 2016
Part time Full time

Source: American Community Survey data.

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Fewer full-time jobs held by Latinx young adults are in
blue-collar industries – the number of Latinx in
education, health or social services has nearly doubled
over the past decade.
Industry type of full-time jobs held by employed Latinx population aged
18-24 (not in school)
700,000

600,000 582,514

500,000 469,809

400,000
305,077
300,000 256,019
232,609 234,494
216,023
200,000 170,279 165,281

100,000 84,393

0
Blue Collar Retail trade High-paying Education, health or Low-paying services
social services

Source: American Community Survey data. 2006 2016

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Latinx young adults working part time who
are not in school are still increasingly likely
to be employed in low-paying service and
retail jobs.
Industry type of part-time jobs held by employed Latinx population aged
18-24 (not in school)
400,000

350,000 333,905
314,675
300,000
244,650
250,000 222,059
218,913
200,000
156,927
150,000 137,914
130,014 122,954
100,000 84,955

50,000

0
Blue Collar Retail trade High-paying Education, health or Low-paying services
social services
2006 2016
Source: American Community Survey data.

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Extra charts

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Young Black and Latinx young adults saw the
largest declines in the OSOW rates.
Share of population aged 18-24 that is out of school, out of work
30%
27%
25%
25%
22%
21% 21%
20%
17%

15% 14%
12% 12%
10% 10%
10%
8%

5%

0%
White Black Latinx Asian
2006 2011 2016

Source: American Community Survey.

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Latinx young adults with at least some college are more
likely than white young adults to be employed in
education, health and social services.
Job industry type of employed Latinx population aged 18-24 not in school
100%
13% 14%
90% 23% 22%
26% 26% 27% 28% 26% 28%
80%
70% 4% 6% 30% 29%
9% 10% 14% 10% 23%
14% 10% 25%
60% 13% 11% 11%
50% 12% 17% 16%
16%
15% 30%
40% 22% 22% 22% 32%
30% 22% 18%
18%
20% 44% 41% 13% 10%
29% 30% 30%
10% 22% 20% 22%
14% 15%
0%
Latinx White Latinx White Latinx White Latinx White Latinx White
Less than High School HS graduate/HSE Some college, no Associate's degree Bachelor's or higher
diploma degree
Blue Collar Retail trade High-paying Education/health/social services Low-paying services

Source: 2016 American Community Survey data.

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Just 19 percent of working Latinx young
adults earn $15 or more an hour.
Share of employed population aged 18-24 by race/ethnicity
100%
88%
90%
81%
78% 76%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30% 24%
22%
19%
20%
12%
10%
0%
White Black Latinx Asian
Receives less than $15/hr Receives $15 or more an hour

Note: For hourly workers only.

Source: American Community Survey data.
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Just 30 percent of working Latinx young
adults earn at least $13 an hour.
Share of employed population aged 18-24 by race/ethnicity
90%
79%
80%
70%
70% 67% 66%

60%

50%

40% 34%
33%
30%
30%
21%
20%

10%

0%
White Black Latinx Asian
Receives less than $13/hr Receives $13 or more an hour

Note: For hourly workers only.

Source: American Community Survey data.
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