Characteristics of Low-Wage Workers and Their
Labor Market Experiences:
Evidence from the Mid- to Late 1990s

Appendix E:
Supplementary Tables To Chapter VI

[ Main page of Report | Contents of Report ]

Table

Table E.1.
Job Spell Information
Male Workers Female Workers

Wage Type at Start of Spell Wage Type at Start of Spell

Low-Wage Medium-Wage High-Wage Low-Wage Medium-Wage High-Wage

Job Spells of the Same Wage Type

Total Number of Spells 6,373 9,211 6,182 10,259 8,697 3,234

Number of Spells per Worker (Percentages)

   1 62 69 77 58 73 79

   2 22 20 16 23 19 15

   3 9 7 4 10 6 4

   4 or more 7 4 3 8 3 2

   (Average number) (1.7) (1.5) (1.4) (1.8) (1.4) (1.3)

Percentage of Spells That Are:

   Right-censored 18 26 37 20 30 35

   Left-censored 29 46 58 28 48 57

   Right- and left-censored 4 10 20 3 11 18

Mean Observed Spell Duration (Months)^(a)

   Non-left-censored spells 7 10 11 8 10 10

   All spells 25 55 98 25 59 89

Job Spells of Any Wage Type

Total Number of Spells 6,170 8,871 5,895 10,057 8,369 3,073

Number of Spells per Worker (Percentages)

   1 61 69 77 58 72 79

   2 22 20 16 23 19 15

   3 10 7 4 10 6 4

   4 or more 7 4 3 9 3 2

   (Average number) (1.7) (1.5) (1.4) (1.8) (1.4) (1.3)

Percentage of Spells That Are:

   Right-censored 32 49 60 32 51 58

   Left-censored 28 45 58 27 47 56

   Right- and left-censored 10 24 36 9 24 34

Mean Observed Spell Duration (Months)^(a)

   Non-left-censored spells 10 13 14 10 13 14

   All spells 29 62 106 28 65 96

Source: 1996 SIPP longitudinal files using the entry cohort sample.
Note: All figures are unweighted.
a. Figures pertain to the mean spell length observed during the panel period, including spells that are still in progress at the end of the period (that is, right censored spells). Thus, the figures are shorter than the ultimate mean lengths of the spells.

Table E.1.
Job Spell Information
	Male Workers	Female Workers
Wage Type at Start of Spell	Wage Type at Start of Spell
Low-Wage	Medium-Wage	High-Wage	Low-Wage	Medium-Wage	High-Wage
Job Spells of the Same Wage Type
Total Number of Spells	6,373	9,211	6,182	10,259	8,697	3,234
Number of Spells per Worker (Percentages)
1	62	69	77	58	73	79
2	22	20	16	23	19	15
3	9	7	4	10	6	4
4 or more	7	4	3	8	3	2
(Average number)	(1.7)	(1.5)	(1.4)	(1.8)	(1.4)	(1.3)
Percentage of Spells That Are:
Right-censored	18	26	37	20	30	35
Left-censored	29	46	58	28	48	57
Right- and left-censored	4	10	20	3	11	18
Mean Observed Spell Duration (Months)^(a)
Non-left-censored spells	7	10	11	8	10	10
All spells	25	55	98	25	59	89
Job Spells of Any Wage Type
Total Number of Spells	6,170	8,871	5,895	10,057	8,369	3,073
Number of Spells per Worker (Percentages)
1	61	69	77	58	72	79
2	22	20	16	23	19	15
3	10	7	4	10	6	4
4 or more	7	4	3	9	3	2
(Average number)	(1.7)	(1.5)	(1.4)	(1.8)	(1.4)	(1.3)
Percentage of Spells That Are:
Right-censored	32	49	60	32	51	58
Left-censored	28	45	58	27	47	56
Right- and left-censored	10	24	36	9	24	34
Mean Observed Spell Duration (Months)^(a)
Non-left-censored spells	10	13	14	10	13	14
All spells	29	62	106	28	65	96
Source: 1996 SIPP longitudinal files using the entry cohort sample. Note: All figures are unweighted. a. Figures pertain to the mean spell length observed during the panel period, including spells that are still in progress at the end of the period (that is, right censored spells). Thus, the figures are shorter than the ultimate mean lengths of the spells.

Table E.2.
Employment Spell Information
Male Workers Female Workers

Wage Type at Start of Spell Wage Type at Start of Spell

Low-Wage Medium-Wage High-Wage Low-Wage Medium-Wage High-Wage

Continuous Employment Spells of the Same Wage Type

Total Number of Spells 4,882 7,285 4,545 7,755 7,130 2,714

Number of Spells per Worker (Percentages)

   1 75 83 89 73 84 89

   2 18 14 9 20 13 9

   3 5 3 1 5 2 1

   4 or more 2 1 1 2 1 0

   (Average number) (1.3) (1.2) (1.1) (1.4) (1.2) (1.1)

Percentage of Spells That Are:

   Right-censored 22 30 42 25 33 37

   Left-censored 38 58 70 36 58 68

   Right-and left-censored 6 15 29 6 16 24

Mean Observed Spell Duration (Months)^(a)

   Non-left-censored spells 8 11 12 10 11 10

   All spells 31 69 118 32 71 105

Continuous Employment Spells of Any Wage Type

Total Number of Spells 3,943 5,635 4,048 6,832 5,679 2,119

Number of Spells per Worker (Percentages)

   1 77 88 93 74 88 92

   2 16 10 5.9 19 10 7

   3 5 2 1 5 1 1

   4 or more 2 0 0 2 0 0

   (Average number) (1.3) (1.1) (1.1) (1.3) (1.1) (1.1)

Percentage of Spells That Are:

   Right-censored 53 71 79 48 68 75

   Left-censored 42 69 81 39 67 80

   Right-and left-censored 27 52 65 21 47 61

Mean Observed Spell Duration (Months)^(a)

   Non-left-censored spells 13 17 17 13 16 17

   All spells 60 95 150 41 94 137

Source: 1996 SIPP longitudinal files using the entry cohort sample.
Note: All figures are unweighted.
a. Figures pertain to the mean spell length observed during the panel period, including spells that are still in progress at the end of the period (that is, right censored spells). Thus, the figures are shorter than the ultimate mean lengths of the spells.

Table E.2.
Employment Spell Information
	Male Workers	Female Workers
Wage Type at Start of Spell	Wage Type at Start of Spell
Low-Wage	Medium-Wage	High-Wage	Low-Wage	Medium-Wage	High-Wage
Continuous Employment Spells of the Same Wage Type
Total Number of Spells	4,882	7,285	4,545	7,755	7,130	2,714
Number of Spells per Worker (Percentages)
1	75	83	89	73	84	89
2	18	14	9	20	13	9
3	5	3	1	5	2	1
4 or more	2	1	1	2	1	0
(Average number)	(1.3)	(1.2)	(1.1)	(1.4)	(1.2)	(1.1)
Percentage of Spells That Are:
Right-censored	22	30	42	25	33	37
Left-censored	38	58	70	36	58	68
Right-and left-censored	6	15	29	6	16	24
Mean Observed Spell Duration (Months)^(a)
Non-left-censored spells	8	11	12	10	11	10
All spells	31	69	118	32	71	105
Continuous Employment Spells of Any Wage Type
Total Number of Spells	3,943	5,635	4,048	6,832	5,679	2,119
Number of Spells per Worker (Percentages)
1	77	88	93	74	88	92
2	16	10	5.9	19	10	7
3	5	2	1	5	1	1
4 or more	2	0	0	2	0	0
(Average number)	(1.3)	(1.1)	(1.1)	(1.3)	(1.1)	(1.1)
Percentage of Spells That Are:
Right-censored	53	71	79	48	68	75
Left-censored	42	69	81	39	67	80
Right-and left-censored	27	52	65	21	47	61
Mean Observed Spell Duration (Months)^(a)
Non-left-censored spells	13	17	17	13	16	17
All spells	60	95	150	41	94	137
Source: 1996 SIPP longitudinal files using the entry cohort sample. Note: All figures are unweighted. a. Figures pertain to the mean spell length observed during the panel period, including spells that are still in progress at the end of the period (that is, right censored spells). Thus, the figures are shorter than the ultimate mean lengths of the spells.

Table E.3.
Cumulative Exit Rates From Job Spells, By Wage Level And Gender
(Percentages)
Male Workers Female Workers

Wage Type at Start of Spell Wage Type at Start of Spell

Low-Wage Medium-Wage High-Wage Low-Wage Medium-Wage High-Wage

Job Spells of the Same Wage Type

Number of Months After Job Start

4 51 39 37 46 36 37

8 73 57 52 65 52 53

12 81 68 61 76 63 63

16 87 74 66 83 69 68

20 90 79 69 87 75 73

24 92 82 73 90 78 78

28 94 85 76 92 82 79

32 95 88 79 93 84 81

36 96 90 81 94 86 83

40 97 91 82 95 89 85

44 97 92 83 96 90 85

Job Spells of Any Wage Type

Number of Months After Job Start

4 39 25 21 39 22 21

8 59 40 33 56 36 34

12 68 51 41 66 46 43

16 74 58 47 72 52 48

20 78 63 50 77 58 55

24 81 67 55 80 62 59

28 83 69 59 82 66 62

32 85 73 62 84 70 66

36 86 75 64 86 72 69

40 88 77 64 87 75 71

44 89 77 68 89 80 73

Including Left-Censored Spells

4 38 24 20 37 21 21

8 57 39 32 54 35 33

12 65 49 40 64 45 42

16 72 56 45 71 51 47

20 77 60 49 75 56 54

24 80 64 54 79 60 59

28 82 67 57 82 65 63

32 84 70 60 83 67 66

36 86 73 62 85 71 69

40 88 75 64 87 73 71

44 89 77 67 88 75 73

48 90 78 68 89 76 74

52 to 104 97 90 83 97 89 88

105 to 156 98 94 90 98 94 93

157 to 208 99 96 93 99 96 95

208 to 260 100 97 95 100 98 96

Source: 1996 SIPP longitudinal files using the entry cohort sample. All figures are weighted using the longitudinal panel weight.

Table E.3.
Cumulative Exit Rates From Job Spells, By Wage Level And Gender
(Percentages)
	Male Workers	Female Workers
Wage Type at Start of Spell	Wage Type at Start of Spell
Low-Wage	Medium-Wage	High-Wage	Low-Wage	Medium-Wage	High-Wage
Job Spells of the Same Wage Type
Number of Months After Job Start
4	51	39	37	46	36	37
8	73	57	52	65	52	53
12	81	68	61	76	63	63
16	87	74	66	83	69	68
20	90	79	69	87	75	73
24	92	82	73	90	78	78
28	94	85	76	92	82	79
32	95	88	79	93	84	81
36	96	90	81	94	86	83
40	97	91	82	95	89	85
44	97	92	83	96	90	85
Job Spells of Any Wage Type
Number of Months After Job Start
4	39	25	21	39	22	21
8	59	40	33	56	36	34
12	68	51	41	66	46	43
16	74	58	47	72	52	48
20	78	63	50	77	58	55
24	81	67	55	80	62	59
28	83	69	59	82	66	62
32	85	73	62	84	70	66
36	86	75	64	86	72	69
40	88	77	64	87	75	71
44	89	77	68	89	80	73
Including Left-Censored Spells
4	38	24	20	37	21	21
8	57	39	32	54	35	33
12	65	49	40	64	45	42
16	72	56	45	71	51	47
20	77	60	49	75	56	54
24	80	64	54	79	60	59
28	82	67	57	82	65	63
32	84	70	60	83	67	66
36	86	73	62	85	71	69
40	88	75	64	87	73	71
44	89	77	67	88	75	73
48	90	78	68	89	76	74
52 to 104	97	90	83	97	89	88
105 to 156	98	94	90	98	94	93
157 to 208	99	96	93	99	96	95
208 to 260	100	97	95	100	98	96
Source: 1996 SIPP longitudinal files using the entry cohort sample. All figures are weighted using the longitudinal panel weight.

Table E.4.
Cumulative Exit Rates From Employment Spells, By Wage Level And Gender
(Percentages)
Male Workers Female Workers

Wage Type at Start of Spell Wage Type at Start of Spell

Low-Wage Medium-Wage High-Wage Low-Wage Medium-Wage High-Wage

Continuous Employment Spells of the Same Type

Number of Months After Start of Spell

4 44 35 37 39 33 40

8 65 52 52 57 49 54

12 74 62 60 68 58 64

16 82 68 64 75 63 68

20 86 73 68 80 69 73

24 88 77 70 84 72 76

28 90 79 72 87 76 78

32 92 82 74 89 78 79

36 94 83 76 90 80 82

40 95 85 78 91 83 83

44 96 86 80 93 85 83

Continuous Employment Spells of Any Wage Type

Number of Months After Start of Spell

4 26 16 15 28 13 13

8 42 27 25 42 23 22

12 51 34 30 52 31 28

16 57 39 34 58 35 33

20 61 42 36 62 40 36

24 64 46 38 66 43 39

28 66 48 40 68 46 40

32 69 51 41 71 50 43

36 71 52 44 72 51 45

40 72 53 45 75 54 48

44 74 54 46 78 57 48

Including Left-Censored Spells

4 24 15 14 25 11 12

8 39 24 23 39 20 20

12 46 30 27 48 29 27

16 52 34 30 54 33 30

20 56 37 33 58 37 33

24 59 40 35 62 40 36

28 61 42 37 65 43 40

32 63 44 37 67 45 42

36 65 46 39 69 48 45

40 67 48 40 72 50 47

44 68 49 41 73 51 48

48 70 50 43 74 53 50

52 to 104 81 65 54 85 69 64

105 to 156 85 72 63 91 77 71

157 to 208 89 77 69 94 82 76

208 to 260 94 82 75 97 87 81

Source: 1996 SIPP longitudinal files using the entry cohort sample. All figures are weighted using the longitudinal panel weight.

Table E.4.
Cumulative Exit Rates From Employment Spells, By Wage Level And Gender
(Percentages)
	Male Workers	Female Workers
Wage Type at Start of Spell	Wage Type at Start of Spell
Low-Wage	Medium-Wage	High-Wage	Low-Wage	Medium-Wage	High-Wage
Continuous Employment Spells of the Same Type
Number of Months After Start of Spell
4	44	35	37	39	33	40
8	65	52	52	57	49	54
12	74	62	60	68	58	64
16	82	68	64	75	63	68
20	86	73	68	80	69	73
24	88	77	70	84	72	76
28	90	79	72	87	76	78
32	92	82	74	89	78	79
36	94	83	76	90	80	82
40	95	85	78	91	83	83
44	96	86	80	93	85	83
Continuous Employment Spells of Any Wage Type
Number of Months After Start of Spell
4	26	16	15	28	13	13
8	42	27	25	42	23	22
12	51	34	30	52	31	28
16	57	39	34	58	35	33
20	61	42	36	62	40	36
24	64	46	38	66	43	39
28	66	48	40	68	46	40
32	69	51	41	71	50	43
36	71	52	44	72	51	45
40	72	53	45	75	54	48
44	74	54	46	78	57	48
Including Left-Censored Spells
4	24	15	14	25	11	12
8	39	24	23	39	20	20
12	46	30	27	48	29	27
16	52	34	30	54	33	30
20	56	37	33	58	37	33
24	59	40	35	62	40	36
28	61	42	37	65	43	40
32	63	44	37	67	45	42
36	65	46	39	69	48	45
40	67	48	40	72	50	47
44	68	49	41	73	51	48
48	70	50	43	74	53	50
52 to 104	81	65	54	85	69	64
105 to 156	85	72	63	91	77	71
157 to 208	89	77	69	94	82	76
208 to 260	94	82	75	97	87	81
Source: 1996 SIPP longitudinal files using the entry cohort sample. All figures are weighted using the longitudinal panel weight.

Table E.5.
Cumulative Exit Rates From Employment Spells Among Male Low-Wage Workers, By Subgroup
Subgroup Cumulative Exit Rates for Males

4 Months or Less (Percentages) 12 Months or Less (Percentages) 24 Months or Less (Percentages) Log-Rank Statistic to Test Differences Across Subgroups

Overall 26 51 64

Individual and Household Characteristics

Age (in Years) 21***

   Younger than 20 34 64 79

   20 to 29 26 51 66

   30 to 39 22 48 57

   40 to 49 25 44 55

   50 to 59 18 40 56

   60 or older 23 43 63

Race/Ethnicity 6**

   White and other non-Hispanic 25 48 61

   Black, non-Hispanic 31 59 72

   Hispanic 22 51 66

Educational Attainment 14**

   Less than high school/GED 29 58 74

   High school/GED 28 50 64

   Some college 21 44 57

   College graduate or more 18 43 53

Has a Health Limitation 13***

   Yes 40 65 77

   No 24 49 62

Household Type 8**

   Single parent with children 35 59 70

   Married couple with children 24 49 64

   Married couple without children 22 44 59

   Other adults without children 28 55 66

Household Income as a Percentage of the Poverty Level 3

   100 percent or less 28 54 68

   101 to 200 percent 26 54 66

   More than 200 percent 25 47 61

Job Characteristics

Hourly Wages 2

   Less than $5.00 24 53 69

   $5.00 to $5.99 27 50 67

   $6.00 to $6.99 25 52 62

   $7.00 to $7.50 27 50 59

Hours Worked per Week 6

   1 to 19 30 60 73

   20 to 34 29 55 69

   35 to 40 25 49 61

   More than 40 24 45 63

Weekly Earnings 5*

   Less than $150 28 57 72

   $150 to $299 26 49 62

   $300 to $600 24 48 62

Owns Business 3*

   Yes 12 31 45

   No 26 51 65

Covered by Health Insurance^(a) 4*

   Yes 24 45 60

   No 27 54 66

Occupation 11*

   Professional/technical 18 40 48

   Sales/retail 14 39 55

   Administrative support/clerical 24 48 61

   Service professions/ handlers/cleaners 29 54 67

   Machine/construction/ production/transportation 26 50 66

   Farm/agricultural/other workers 28 59 69

Industry 3

   Agriculture/forestry/ fishing/hunting 27 59 69

   Mining/manufacturing/ construction/ transportation/utilities 28 50 62

   Wholesale/retail trade 23 48 65

   Personal/health/other services 27 53 65

   Other 14 33 48

Source: 1996 SIPP longitudinal files using the entry cohort sample of 2,239 employment spells for male low-wage workers.
Note: All figures are weighted using the longitudinal panel weight.
a. These figures pertain to health insurance coverage from all sources, including coverage through the employer as well as from other sources. We used this variable instead of the employer-based health insurance coverage variable, because data on overall health insurance coverage is available monthly, whereas the employer-based coverage variable pertains only to jobs in progress at the time of the interview. Thus, the employer-based health insurance variable could not always be linked to the job under investigation, which led to a significant number of missing values. However, the subsets of health insurance variables overlap considerably: the source of health insurance coverage was the employer for 80 percent of those with any coverage.
* Significantly different from zero at the .10 level, two-tailed test
** Significantly different from zero at the .05 level, two-tailed test.
*** Significantly different from zero at the .01 level, two-tailed test.

Table E.5.
Cumulative Exit Rates From Employment Spells Among Male Low-Wage Workers, By Subgroup
Subgroup	Cumulative Exit Rates for Males
4 Months or Less (Percentages)	12 Months or Less (Percentages)	24 Months or Less (Percentages)	Log-Rank Statistic to Test Differences Across Subgroups
Overall	26	51	64
Individual and Household Characteristics
Age (in Years)	21***
Younger than 20	34	64	79
20 to 29	26	51	66
30 to 39	22	48	57
40 to 49	25	44	55
50 to 59	18	40	56
60 or older	23	43	63
Race/Ethnicity	6**
White and other non-Hispanic	25	48	61
Black, non-Hispanic	31	59	72
Hispanic	22	51	66
Educational Attainment	14**
Less than high school/GED	29	58	74
High school/GED	28	50	64
Some college	21	44	57
College graduate or more	18	43	53
Has a Health Limitation	13***
Yes	40	65	77
No	24	49	62
Household Type	8**
Single parent with children	35	59	70
Married couple with children	24	49	64
Married couple without children	22	44	59
Other adults without children	28	55	66
Household Income as a Percentage of the Poverty Level	3
100 percent or less	28	54	68
101 to 200 percent	26	54	66
More than 200 percent	25	47	61
Job Characteristics
Hourly Wages	2
Less than $5.00	24	53	69
$5.00 to $5.99	27	50	67
$6.00 to $6.99	25	52	62
$7.00 to $7.50	27	50	59
Hours Worked per Week	6
1 to 19	30	60	73
20 to 34	29	55	69
35 to 40	25	49	61
More than 40	24	45	63
Weekly Earnings	5*
Less than $150	28	57	72
$150 to $299	26	49	62
$300 to $600	24	48	62
Owns Business	3*
Yes	12	31	45
No	26	51	65
Covered by Health Insurance^(a)	4*
Yes	24	45	60
No	27	54	66
Occupation	11*
Professional/technical	18	40	48
Sales/retail	14	39	55
Administrative support/clerical	24	48	61
Service professions/ handlers/cleaners	29	54	67
Machine/construction/ production/transportation	26	50	66
Farm/agricultural/other workers	28	59	69
Industry	3
Agriculture/forestry/ fishing/hunting	27	59	69
Mining/manufacturing/ construction/ transportation/utilities	28	50	62
Wholesale/retail trade	23	48	65
Personal/health/other services	27	53	65
Other	14	33	48
Source: 1996 SIPP longitudinal files using the entry cohort sample of 2,239 employment spells for male low-wage workers. Note: All figures are weighted using the longitudinal panel weight. a. These figures pertain to health insurance coverage from all sources, including coverage through the employer as well as from other sources. We used this variable instead of the employer-based health insurance coverage variable, because data on overall health insurance coverage is available monthly, whereas the employer-based coverage variable pertains only to jobs in progress at the time of the interview. Thus, the employer-based health insurance variable could not always be linked to the job under investigation, which led to a significant number of missing values. However, the subsets of health insurance variables overlap considerably: the source of health insurance coverage was the employer for 80 percent of those with any coverage. * Significantly different from zero at the .10 level, two-tailed test Significantly different from zero at the .05 level, two-tailed test. ***** Significantly different from zero at the .01 level, two-tailed test.

Table E.6.
Cumulative Exit Rates From Employment Spells Among Female
Low-Wage Workers, By Subgroup
Subgroup Cumulative Exit Rates for Females

4 Months or Less (Percentages) 12 Months or Less (Percentages) 24 Months or Less (Percentages) Log-Rank Statistic to Test Differences Across Subgroups

Overall 28 52 66

Individual and Household Characteristics

Age (in Years) 39***

   Younger than 20 37 65 80

   20 to 29 30 56 71

   30 to 39 26 49 62

   40 to 49 22 42 58

   50 to 59 25 42 53

   60 or older 25 45 61

Race/Ethnicity 5*

   White and other non-Hispanic 26 50 64

   Black, non-Hispanic 32 56 70

   Hispanic 27 53 70

Educational Attainment 18***

   Less than high school/GED 34 61 74

   High school/GED 26 49 66

   Some college 30 50 63

   College graduate or more 21 47 59

Has a Health Limitation 22***

   Yes 49 68 77

   No 25 50 65

   Household Type 2

   Single parent with children 27 55 69

   Married couple with children 28 51 66

   Married couple without children 26 48 64

   Other adults without children 28 50 63

Household Income as a Percentage of the Poverty Level 10***

   100 percent or less 33 58 69

   101 to 200 percent 29 53 69

   More than 200 percent 24 48 62

Job Characteristics

Hourly Wages 19***

   Less than $5.00 33 59 72

   $5.00 to $5.99 29 54 70

   $6.00 to $6.99 24 48 63

   $7.00 to $7.50 24 44 57

Hours Worked per Week 9*

   1 to 19 35 56 68

   20 to 34 28 54 69

   35 to 40 25 48 63

   More than 40 24 52 65

Weekly Earnings 10***

   Less than $150 32 57 69

   $150 to $299 25 49 65

   $300 to $600 24 44 55

Owns Business 2

   Yes 19 43 48

   No 28 52 66

Covered by Health Insurance^(a) 16***

   Yes 24 46 60

   No 30 56 71

Occupation 27***

   Professional/technical 21 45 61

   Sales/retail 31 57 70

   Administrative support/clerical 24 43 56

   Service professions/ handlers/cleaners 26 51 66

   Machine/construction/ production/transportation 30 56 68

   Farm/agricultural/other workers 53 70 84

Industry 9*

   Agriculture/forestry/ fishing/hunting 35 56 68

   Mining/manufacturing/ construction/ transportation/utilities 30 56 69

   Wholesale/retail trade 29 54 68

   Personal/health/other services 25 47 63

   Other 20 29 29

Source: 1996 SIPP longitudinal files using the entry cohort sample of 2,239 employment spells for male low-wage workers.
Note: All figures are weighted using the longitudinal panel weight.
a. These figures pertain to health insurance coverage from all sources, including coverage through the employer as well as from other sources. We used this variable instead of the employer-based health insurance coverage variable, because data on overall health insurance coverage is available monthly, whereas the employer-based coverage variable pertains only to jobs in progress at the time of the interview. Thus, the employer-based health insurance variable could not always be linked to the job under investigation, which led to a significant number of missing values. However, the subsets of health insurance variables overlap considerably: the source of health insurance coverage was the employer for 80 percent of those with any coverage.
* Significantly different from zero at the .10 level, two-tailed test
** Significantly different from zero at the .05 level, two-tailed test.
*** Significantly different from zero at the .01 level, two-tailed test.

Table E.6.
Cumulative Exit Rates From Employment Spells Among Female
Low-Wage Workers, By Subgroup
Subgroup	Cumulative Exit Rates for Females
4 Months or Less (Percentages)	12 Months or Less (Percentages)	24 Months or Less (Percentages)	Log-Rank Statistic to Test Differences Across Subgroups
Overall	28	52	66
Individual and Household Characteristics
Age (in Years)	39***
Younger than 20	37	65	80
20 to 29	30	56	71
30 to 39	26	49	62
40 to 49	22	42	58
50 to 59	25	42	53
60 or older	25	45	61
Race/Ethnicity	5*
White and other non-Hispanic	26	50	64
Black, non-Hispanic	32	56	70
Hispanic	27	53	70
Educational Attainment	18***
Less than high school/GED	34	61	74
High school/GED	26	49	66
Some college	30	50	63
College graduate or more	21	47	59
Has a Health Limitation	22***
Yes	49	68	77
No	25	50	65
Household Type				2
Single parent with children	27	55	69
Married couple with children	28	51	66
Married couple without children	26	48	64
Other adults without children	28	50	63
Household Income as a Percentage of the Poverty Level	10***
100 percent or less	33	58	69
101 to 200 percent	29	53	69
More than 200 percent	24	48	62
Job Characteristics
Hourly Wages	19***
Less than $5.00	33	59	72
$5.00 to $5.99	29	54	70
$6.00 to $6.99	24	48	63
$7.00 to $7.50	24	44	57
Hours Worked per Week	9*
1 to 19	35	56	68
20 to 34	28	54	69
35 to 40	25	48	63
More than 40	24	52	65
Weekly Earnings	10***
Less than $150	32	57	69
$150 to $299	25	49	65
$300 to $600	24	44	55
Owns Business	2
Yes	19	43	48
No	28	52	66
Covered by Health Insurance^(a)	16***
Yes	24	46	60
No	30	56	71
Occupation	27***
Professional/technical	21	45	61
Sales/retail	31	57	70
Administrative support/clerical	24	43	56
Service professions/ handlers/cleaners	26	51	66
Machine/construction/ production/transportation	30	56	68
Farm/agricultural/other workers	53	70	84
Industry	9*
Agriculture/forestry/ fishing/hunting	35	56	68
Mining/manufacturing/ construction/ transportation/utilities	30	56	69
Wholesale/retail trade	29	54	68
Personal/health/other services	25	47	63
Other	20	29	29
Source: 1996 SIPP longitudinal files using the entry cohort sample of 2,239 employment spells for male low-wage workers. Note: All figures are weighted using the longitudinal panel weight. a. These figures pertain to health insurance coverage from all sources, including coverage through the employer as well as from other sources. We used this variable instead of the employer-based health insurance coverage variable, because data on overall health insurance coverage is available monthly, whereas the employer-based coverage variable pertains only to jobs in progress at the time of the interview. Thus, the employer-based health insurance variable could not always be linked to the job under investigation, which led to a significant number of missing values. However, the subsets of health insurance variables overlap considerably: the source of health insurance coverage was the employer for 80 percent of those with any coverage. * Significantly different from zero at the .10 level, two-tailed test Significantly different from zero at the .05 level, two-tailed test. ***** Significantly different from zero at the .01 level, two-tailed test.

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Characteristics of Low-Wage Workers and Their Labor Market Experiences: Evidence from the Mid- to Late 1990s

Appendix E: Supplementary Tables To Chapter VI

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Characteristics of Low-Wage Workers and Their
Labor Market Experiences:
Evidence from the Mid- to Late 1990s

Appendix E:
Supplementary Tables To Chapter VI