The union difference in wages – 18% higher pay if you belong to a union
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It pays to be in a union. Literally.
Workers who are members of labor unions in the United States make 18% more than their nonunion counterparts, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ annual report on union membership, published today.
The report shows the median weekly earnings of full-time and salary workers who were union members in 2022 were $1,216, compared with $1,029 for nonunion workers. That’s nearly $10,000 more per year.
The union difference was even greater for women workers (23% more than their nonunion counterparts), African American workers (20% more) and Hispanic workers (35% more).
AFSCME President Lee Saunders said, “Year after year, the BLS report affirms that workers have power in a union. Now, with public approval of unions and the number of union petitions for representation surging to levels unseen in decades, it’s clear that workers also see the value of organizing a union.”
Life is better in a union. If you’re wondering just how much better, try our wage comparison calculator.