Trump’s ‘Blue-Collar Boom’ Is Hard to Detect in Some Wage Data

In the 11th year of a record expansion, the rising tide of the U.S. economy hasn’t been lifting all boats equally –- at least when it comes to pay.

Unemployment is the lowest for half a century, and wages have been picking up steam across the board –- but the biggest rewards from a strong economy are still skewed toward white people, men and high earners, according to an annual study by the Economic Policy Institute.

The findings contradict some of President Donald Trump’s key talking points. The president frequently calls the economy the best ever, and argues that previously left-behind groups are benefiting from a “blue-collar boom.”

While there have been gradual improvements for many, some disparities have actually worsened over time -- such as the wage gap between blacks and whites, which is wider now than in 2000. Along with tight labor markets, minimum wage legislation at the local level has helped deliver some of the gains for low earners, the EPI data show.