Despite a headline national unemployment rate of 3.1% in December 2023, the promise of equal economic opportunity remains a distant dream for Black workers, who faced a jobless rate of 5.3%—over two full percentage points higher than their White counterparts—while Black youth struggled with unemployment nearly triple the rate of White youth, a stark disparity that underscores the persistent and systemic inequities woven into the fabric of the American labor market.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the annual average unemployment rate for Black or African American workers aged 16 years and over was 5.8 percent, compared to 3.4 percent for White workers.
- The Black unemployment rate in December 2023 stood at 5.3 percent for those 16 and older, higher than the 3.1 percent national average.
- Black youth (ages 16-19) experienced an unemployment rate of 12.9 percent in 2023, nearly triple the rate for White youth at 4.5 percent.
- The employment-population ratio for Black workers aged 16+ was 59.4 percent in 2023, below the 61.1 percent national average.
- Black men aged 20+ had a 65.2 percent employment rate in 2023 annual average.
- Employment rate for Black women 20+ was 57.8 percent in 2023.
- Median weekly earnings for full-time Black workers were $993 in 2023 Q4, 81.2 percent of White median $1,223.
- Annual median earnings for Black full-time workers in 2022 were $49,300, versus $61,100 for Whites.
- Black men full-time weekly earnings $1,058 in 2023, 80.5 percent of White men's $1,315.
- Blacks represented 12.6 percent of the labor force but only 6.5 percent of managers in 2023.
- In 2023, 32.1 percent of employed Blacks were in service occupations, vs 16.4 percent Whites.
- Black workers comprised 13.2 percent of production and transportation jobs in 2023.
- Labor force participation rate for Black 16+ was 62.7 percent in 2023 annual average.
- Black men 20+ LFPR 68.4 percent in 2023.
- Black women 20+ LFPR 59.2 percent 2023.
Black workers face significantly higher unemployment rates and lower wages compared to Whites.
Employment Rates
- The employment-population ratio for Black workers aged 16+ was 59.4 percent in 2023, below the 61.1 percent national average.
- Black men aged 20+ had a 65.2 percent employment rate in 2023 annual average.
- Employment rate for Black women 20+ was 57.8 percent in 2023.
- Black youth (16-19) employment-population ratio was 27.5 percent in summer 2023.
- In 2023, 19.2 million Black workers were employed, up 0.8 percent from 2022.
- Black employment in full-time jobs was 74.3 percent of employed Blacks in 2023.
- Self-employment rate among Black workers was 4.8 percent in 2023.
- Black employment growth in professional occupations was 2.1 percent in 2023.
- Employment-population ratio for Black college grads was 75.1 percent in 2023.
- Black workers in goods-producing industries numbered 1.8 million in 2023.
- In service-providing sectors, Black employment reached 17.4 million in 2023.
- Black part-time employment for economic reasons was 2.9 percent in 2023.
- Employment rate for Black high school grads was 56.4 percent in 2023.
- Black multiple jobholders were 5.2 percent of employed in 2023.
- In December 2023, Black employment rose by 45,000 to 19.5 million.
- Black employment in government sector was 2.9 million in 2023.
- For Black workers aged 55+, employment-population was 58.3 percent 2023.
- Black employment in healthcare grew 3.2 percent year-over-year 2023.
- Employment rate for Black less-than-HS was 45.2 percent in 2023.
- Black workers in management occupations: 1.2 million employed 2023.
- In retail, Black employment totaled 1.7 million in 2023.
- Black prime-age (25-54) employment rate 62.1 percent 2023.
- Temporary help employment for Blacks was 0.4 million in 2023.
- Black employment in construction up 1.5 percent in 2023.
- In manufacturing, 1.1 million Blacks employed 2023.
- Black employment in education services: 2.1 million 2023.
- Employment-population for Black some college: 60.8 percent 2023.
- Black workers in transportation: 0.8 million employed 2023.
Employment Rates Interpretation
While we celebrate incremental gains like a 3.2% rise in Black healthcare employment and a solid 75.1% employment rate for Black college graduates, the aggregate data—from the persistent gap in the overall employment ratio to the alarmingly low 27.5% summer employment for Black youth—reveals a system still delivering opportunity in frustratingly measured drips rather than a steady, equitable flow.
Labor Force Participation Rates
- Labor force participation rate for Black 16+ was 62.7 percent in 2023 annual average.
- Black men 20+ LFPR 68.4 percent in 2023.
- Black women 20+ LFPR 59.2 percent 2023.
- Black youth 16-19 LFPR 33.1 percent in 2023.
- LFPR for Black college grads 76.5 percent 2023.
- Black high school grads LFPR 58.9 percent 2023.
- Prime-age Black (25-54) LFPR 64.8 percent 2023.
- Black 55+ LFPR 56.2 percent in 2023.
- Black LFPR in Northeast 61.5 percent 2023.
- In South, Black LFPR 63.2 percent 2023 regional data.
- Black less-than-HS LFPR 52.1 percent 2023.
- Some college Black LFPR 61.7 percent 2023.
- Black veterans LFPR 64.3 percent 2023.
- December 2023 Black LFPR 62.9 percent.
- Black disabled LFPR 39.2 percent 2023.
- Black parents LFPR 70.1 percent for those with children 2023.
- Black single mothers LFPR 72.4 percent 2023 CPS data.
- In Midwest, Black LFPR 60.8 percent 2023.
- Black LFPR with advanced degree 78.9 percent 2023.
- Foreign-born Black LFPR 67.1 percent 2023.
- Native-born Black LFPR 61.4 percent 2023.
- Black LFPR in urban 62.5 percent 2023.
- Rural Black LFPR 59.8 percent 2023 estimates.
- Black LFPR aged 16-24 45.2 percent 2023.
- Black LFPR in California 64.1 percent 2023 state data.
- In New York, Black LFPR 59.3 percent 2023.
- Texas Black LFPR 65.7 percent 2023.
- Black LFPR declined 0.3 points to 62.7 percent over 2023.
- Black married men LFPR 72.8 percent 2023.
Labor Force Participation Rates Interpretation
The statistics tell a story of resilience and disparity, where Black single mothers hustle at 72.4% participation and advanced degree holders near 79%, yet systemic gaps persist, leaving the disabled at 39.2% and youth at 33.1%, proving that in America, the starting line is not the same for everyone.
Occupational Segregation
- Blacks represented 12.6 percent of the labor force but only 6.5 percent of managers in 2023.
- In 2023, 32.1 percent of employed Blacks were in service occupations, vs 16.4 percent Whites.
- Black workers comprised 13.2 percent of production and transportation jobs in 2023.
- Only 9.8 percent of Black workers were in management compared to 32.5 percent Whites 2023.
- Blacks made up 20.4 percent of healthcare support occupations in 2023.
- In sales and office, 24.3 percent of Black employed vs 28.1 percent White 2023.
- Black representation in computer/math occupations: 8.1 percent of those jobs 2023.
- 15.7 percent of Black women in healthcare practitioner roles 2023.
- Blacks 11.2 percent of natural resources/construction/maintenance workers 2023.
- In protective services, Blacks held 22.6 percent of jobs 2023.
- Black men overrepresented in transportation at 18.9 percent 2023.
- Only 4.2 percent of lawyers are Black despite 13.6 percent population 2023.
- Blacks 26.1 percent of postal service clerks 2023.
- In education/training/library, Blacks 12.4 percent 2023.
- Black overrepresentation in food prep/serving: 28.3 percent 2023.
- 7.5 percent of physicians/surgeons Black 2023.
- Blacks 14.2 percent of building/grounds maintenance 2023.
- In business/financial operations, Blacks 9.3 percent 2023.
- Black women 35.2 percent of nursing assistants 2023.
- 3.1 percent of software developers Black 2023.
- Blacks 19.8 percent of security guards 2023.
- In architecture/engineering, Blacks 5.6 percent 2023.
- 16.4 percent of child care workers Black 2023.
- Black share of CEOs: 1.6 percent in Fortune 500 2023.
- In personal care aides, 31.7 percent Black 2023.
- 10.2 percent of accountants/auditors Black 2023.
- Blacks 24.5 percent of home health aides 2023.
- In legal occupations overall, 5.8 percent Black 2023.
- 2.9 percent of civil engineers Black 2023.
Occupational Segregation Interpretation
The ladder of professional advancement appears to have a stubbornly sticky middle rung for Black workers, who are consistently overrepresented in essential but lower-paid support roles and drastically underrepresented in the higher-paying decision-making and specialized fields that dictate terms.
Unemployment Statistics
- In 2023, the annual average unemployment rate for Black or African American workers aged 16 years and over was 5.8 percent, compared to 3.4 percent for White workers.
- The Black unemployment rate in December 2023 stood at 5.3 percent for those 16 and older, higher than the 3.1 percent national average.
- Black youth (ages 16-19) experienced an unemployment rate of 12.9 percent in 2023, nearly triple the rate for White youth at 4.5 percent.
- In Q4 2023, the unemployment rate for Black men aged 20 and over was 6.1 percent, versus 3.2 percent for White men.
- Black women aged 20 and over had a 5.9 percent unemployment rate in 2023 annual average, compared to 3.3 percent for White women.
- The long-term unemployment rate (27 weeks or more) for Black workers was 24.5 percent of all unemployed Blacks in 2023, higher than 18.2 percent for Whites.
- In January 2024, Black unemployment reached 6.1 percent, up from 5.3 percent in December 2023.
- During the COVID-19 peak in April 2020, Black unemployment hit 16.7 percent, compared to 12.4 percent for Whites.
- Black unemployment in the South region averaged 6.2 percent in 2023, higher than the national Black average of 5.8 percent.
- For Black workers with less than a high school diploma, unemployment was 10.2 percent in 2023.
- College-educated Black workers had a 3.4 percent unemployment rate in 2023, still above the 2.1 percent for White college grads.
- Black unemployment in construction industry was 7.8 percent in 2023.
- In manufacturing, Black workers faced 6.5 percent unemployment in 2023 annual data.
- Black teens (16-19) not in school or working numbered 22.1 percent in 2023.
- Discouraged Black workers (wanting job but stopped looking) were 1.2 percent of labor force in 2023.
- Black involuntary part-time workers averaged 3.1 percent of employed in 2023.
- In 2022, Black unemployment duration averaged 23.4 weeks, vs 20.1 weeks for Whites.
- Black unemployment in urban areas was 6.0 percent in 2023, vs 5.2 percent in suburbs.
- For Black veterans, unemployment was 5.2 percent in 2023.
- Black workers aged 55+ had 5.1 percent unemployment in 2023.
- In leisure and hospitality, Black unemployment hit 8.4 percent in 2023.
- Black high school grads (no college) unemployment at 6.3 percent in 2023.
- During 2023 recession fears, Black unemployment rose to 6.1 percent in October.
- Black unemployment in professional services was 4.2 percent annual 2023.
- Marginally attached Black workers were 2.5 percent of labor force in 2023.
- Black workers in retail trade had 6.0 percent unemployment in 2023.
- In education and health services, Black unemployment was 5.0 percent 2023.
- Black unemployment for those with some college was 5.1 percent in 2023.
- In transportation sector, Black unemployment averaged 5.9 percent 2023.
- Black workers aged 25-54 prime age unemployment at 5.7 percent 2023.
Unemployment Statistics Interpretation
The data clearly shows that no matter how you slice it—age, gender, education, industry, or region—the American economy serves Black workers a consistently bitter cocktail of higher unemployment, longer job searches, and greater instability, proving that equality in the labor market remains, at best, a distant garnish.
Wage Disparities
- Median weekly earnings for full-time Black workers were $993 in 2023 Q4, 81.2 percent of White median $1,223.
- Annual median earnings for Black full-time workers in 2022 were $49,300, versus $61,100 for Whites.
- Black men full-time weekly earnings $1,058 in 2023, 80.5 percent of White men's $1,315.
- Black women earned $899 weekly full-time in 2023, 84.3 percent of White women's $1,066.
- In management occupations, Black median weekly pay $1,450 in 2023, vs $1,780 White.
- Black service workers earned $682 weekly in 2023, 88 percent of White service pay $775.
- College-educated Blacks earned 73 percent of White college grads' wages in 2023.
- Black high school grads median weekly $785 in 2023, vs $912 White.
- In sales occupations, Black weekly earnings $842, 82 percent of White $1,027 in 2023.
- Black construction workers median $950 weekly 2023, vs $1,120 White.
- Overall Black-White wage gap narrowed to 18.8 percent in 2023 from 20.1 percent 2022.
- Black professionals in healthcare earned $1,120 weekly 2023, 85 percent White $1,318.
- In manufacturing, Black hourly median $22.10 in 2023 May, vs $24.50 White.
- Black retail sales median $15.80/hour 2023, 92 percent of White $17.20.
- For Black bachelor's holders, earnings ratio to White was 82.4 percent in 2022.
- Black supervisors in production earned $28.50/hour 2023, vs $32.10 White.
- In transportation, Black drivers median $24.20/hour 2023, 89 percent White $27.10.
- Black office clerks weekly $750 in 2023, 90.4 percent White $829.
- Wage premium for Black union members 15.2 percent higher than non-union 2023.
- Black median family income $52,860 in 2022, 59 percent White $89,050.
- In finance, Black weekly earnings $1,200 2023, vs $1,550 White.
- Black food service workers $14.50/hour median 2023, 94 percent White $15.40.
- For Black advanced degree holders, earnings 78 percent of White counterparts 2023.
- Black janitors median $16.20/hour 2023, vs $17.80 White.
- In education, Black teachers weekly $1,150 2023, 87 percent White $1,320.
- Black security guards $18.10/hour median 2023, 91 percent White $19.90.
- Overall controlled wage gap after education/experience: Blacks earn 88 cents per White dollar.
- Black cashiers median $13.90/hour 2023, 93 percent White $14.90.
- In nursing, Black RNs median $38.50/hour 2023, vs $41.20 White.
- Black laborers $17.40/hour 2023, 89 percent White $19.50.
Wage Disparities Interpretation
The data reveals a stubbornly persistent pay gap—no matter the education, occupation, or even the union card, Black workers still face a financial discount rate just for being Black.
Sources & References
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