Explore the Data
Home Economics presents the results of the first large-scale, national survey of domestic workers in the US. Through local organizations in 14 cities, domestic workers were trained to do outreach and conduct interviews.
Through their committed efforts, they were able to overcome language barriers, logistical challenges typical of the domestic work industry, and the understandable reluctance of many undocumented workers to tell their stories. They collected more than 2,000 surveys, patiently guiding workers through an extensive questionnaire.
As a result of their efforts, a hidden story has been brought to light. We are able, for the very first time, to draw an empirically grounded picture of what it means to be a domestic worker in 21st century America.
Explore some of the data they uncovered by browsing the figures and tables from of the report.
Figures
- Figure 1: Basic Needs Go Unmet
- Figure 2: More Work, Same Pay
- Figure 3: Hardships of Live-in Work
- Figure 4: Hazards of Domestic Work
Tables
- Table 1: Median Hourly Wage for Occupations by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Arrangement
- Table 2: Median Hourly Wage for Occupations by Immigration Status
- Table 3: Impact of Immigration Status
- Table 4: The Impact of Living In
Table 1. Median Hourly Wage for Occupations by Race/Ethnicity and Employment Arrangement
| Nannies | Caregivers | Housecleaners | All Occupations | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race/Ethnicity | White | $12.55 | $12.00 | $12.50 | $12.13 |
| Latina/o | $8.57 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 | |
| Black | $12.71 | $10.00 | $10.89 | $10.99 | |
| Asian/Other | $11.11 | $8.33 | $10.00 | $10.00 | |
| Live-in/out | Live-in | $6.76 | $7.69 | $5.12 | $6.15 |
| Live-out | $11.55 | $10.00 | $10.71 | $10.82 | |
| All Workers | $11.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
Source: Analysis of 2011-12 National Domestic Workers Survey.
Table 2. Median Hourly Wage for Occupations by Immigration Status
| Nannies | Caregivers | Housecleaners | All Occupations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nativity/Citizenship | ||||
| US citizen | $12.51 | $10.19 | $11.91 | $12.00 |
| US-born citizens | $12.56 | $10.30 | $12.00 | $12.00 |
| Foreign-born citizens | $12.25 | *** | $11.58 | $11.67 |
| Documented Immigrants (non-citizens) | $10.00 | $9.59 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Undocumented Immigrants | $9.86 | $8.33 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| All Workers | $11.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
*** Small sample size
Source: Analysis of 2011-12 National Domestic Workers Survey.
Table 3. Impact of Immigration Status
| US Born | Documented Immigrants | Undocumented Immigrants | All Workers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spends More Than Half of Income on Rent or Mortgage | 50% | 61% | 62% | 60% |
| Hard Time Paying Essential Bills | 33% | 35% | 51% | 40% |
| Assigned Work Outside of Job Description | 19% | 23% | 31% | 24% |
| Required to Do Heavy, Strenuous Work | 40% | 33% | 46% | 39% |
| Injured on the Job | 54% | 61% | 74% | 64% |
| Worked While Sick, Injured, or in Pain | 56% | 60% | 77% | 66% |
Source: Analysis of 2011-12 National Domestic Workers Survey.
Table 4. The Impact of Living In
| Live-In Workers | Live-Out Workers | All Workers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worked Long Hours without Breaks | 50% | 33% | 35% |
| Assigned Work Outside Job Description | 40% | 22% | 24% |
| Required to Work Outside Scheduled Hours | 58% | n/a | n/a |
| Allowed Fewer than 5 Hours of Uninterrupted Sleep | 25% | n/a | n/a |
| Threatened, Insulted, or Verbally Abused | 36% | 16% | 19% |
Source: Analysis of 2011-12 National Domestic Workers Survey.