U.S. jobs supported by exports are more concentrated in medium- and high-skill occupations than jobs displaced by imports, about half of which are low-skill. Exports are also linked to increasing skill requirements for workers in rural manufacturing businesses. However, long-term job creation trends show that domestic demand generates most…

Small populations and remoteness are the most salient features of low-wage counties. These locational attributes coincide with fewer high-wage jobs, yet low wages within industries define low-wage counties more than industry composition. Although adults in low-wage counties have less education and labor force participation overall, the role played…

In 1999, the percentage of low-wage workers in rural areas was higher than in urban areas or in 1979. The share of women and minorities in low-wage work stabilized, but the share of White men increased. Low-wage work increased in higher-skilled occupations, and the share of college educated low-wage workers increased significantly since 1979. (TD)

The rural poverty rate declined and family income grew in 1998, but poor family incomes declined considerably. Most rural poor families had at least one worker. Poor rural workers tended to work part-time, live in female-headed families, and have a high school education or less. Rural working poor families relied more on assistance programs than…

Wages rise with new technology and work organization practices, but so does the need for higher skill levels, particularly in computer use, interpersonal competence, and problem solving. Low-wage workers, who are concentrated in rural areas, are less likely to receive training. Encouraging training and skills enhancement among more vulnerable…