New York’s recent push to up wages for fast food workers seen as unfair to workers in other industries
A strong majority of Americans (72%) - crossing regional, political, generational, gender and income lines – believe the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour is lower than it should be. However, while Americans clearly feel minimum wage should be higher, exactly how high remains a more contentious subject.
When informed that some U.S. cities have introduced programs to grow their minimum wage rates to $15.00 per hour in the next few years, a six in ten majority of U.S. adults (59%) feel this rate is at least somewhat higher than it should be.
- But not everyone feels this way. While majorities of Republicans (81%) and Independents (62%) feel $15.00 per hour is more than the minimum wage should be, only four in ten Democrats (41%) share this perspective, slightly behind the percentage who feel it’s about right (43%).
While resistance to this level of compensation likely has many causes, one that may be weighing on adults’ minds is concern over their own bottom lines: eight in ten Americans (81%) believe that a higher minimum wage would increase costs for consumers.
These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,045 U.S. adults surveyed online between July 28 and 30, 2015.
When presented with key provisions from the New York State wage board’s recent recommendation to increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour for fast food workers at chains with more than 30 locations, sentiments were mixed toward many elements of it.
- Just over half of Americans (53%) support the end-of-2018 deadline for reaching this wage rate in 2018, while just over half (52%) oppose the mid-2021 statewide deadline, but ultimately Americans most take issue with the divergent standards these dates represent. Six in ten U.S. adults (60%) oppose New York City and the rest of the state reaching a $15.00 per hour minimum wage at different times.
- A 55% majority opposes the recommendation’s focus on workers in the fast food industry, while a narrow 52% majority opposes its focus on chains with 30 or more locations.
Big picture
Stepping back from which cities are planning what wage hikes and looking at these issues more broadly, a resounding 87% of U.S. adults agree – 52% strongly so – that raising the minimum wage only for fast food workers is unfair to workers in other industries.
- Majorities also agree that all workers should be entitled to the same minimum wage, regardless of what industry they’re in (76%) and that all employers should be required to pay the same minimum wage regardless of company size (69%).
- Fewer than three in ten (28%) feel there should not be a minimum wage requirement at all.
Circling back to the contentious $15.00 figure, when asked directly whether they agree or disagree that the minimum wage should be increased to $15.00 per hour nationwide, Americans are divided down the middle at 50% each. Even drilling down to “strongly” agree and disagree responses reveals an all but even divide, with 29% strongly agreeing and 28% strongly disagreeing.
- Nearly three-fourths of Democrats (73%) agree that the minimum wage should be increased to $15.00 per hour nationwide, while nearly eight in ten Republicans (79%) and over half of Independents (55%) disagree.
- Divides also exist by generation and income:
- 58% of Millennials agree, while Gen Xers are divided (49% agree, 51% disagree) and majorities of Baby Boomers (55%) and Matures (56%) disagree.
- Roughly six in ten (59%) of those who would be impacted most by such a move –those in households earning under $50,000 per year – agree with the concept, while majorities of those in households earning $75,000 per year or more disagree (61% of those earning $75k-<$100k, 59 of those earning $100k or more) disagree.
TABLE 1a
CURRENT MINIMUM WAGE ($7.25/HR) TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW
By Gender, Political Party & Region
"The current minimum wage in the United States (i.e., the minimum amount employers are required to pay for most workers nationwide) is $7.25 per hour. Do you believe $7.25 is lower or higher than it should be?"
Base: All adults
|
Total |
Gender |
Political Party |
Region |
||||||
Male |
Female |
Rep. |
Dem. |
Ind. |
Northeast |
South |
Midwest |
West |
||
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
Lower than it should be (NET) |
72 |
69 |
75 |
57 |
84 |
70 |
75 |
71 |
69 |
73 |
A great deal lower than it should be |
42 |
40 |
43 |
17 |
60 |
39 |
50 |
40 |
36 |
41 |
Somewhat lower than it should be |
30 |
29 |
31 |
40 |
25 |
31 |
25 |
31 |
33 |
32 |
Higher than it should be (NET) |
10 |
13 |
7 |
12 |
9 |
11 |
12 |
11 |
8 |
9 |
Somewhat higher than it should be |
6 |
7 |
4 |
8 |
3 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
A great deal higher than it should be |
5 |
6 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
Neither too high nor too low |
13 |
14 |
13 |
26 |
4 |
15 |
9 |
14 |
19 |
12 |
Don’t know |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding
TABLE 1b
CURRENT MINIMUM WAGE ($7.25/HR) TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW
By Generation & Annual Household Income
"The current minimum wage in the United States (i.e., the minimum amount employers are required to pay for most workers nationwide) is $7.25 per hour. Do you believe $7.25 is lower or higher than it should be?"
Base: All adults
|
Total |
Generation |
Annual HH Income |
||||||
Millennials (18-35) |
Gen Xers (36-50) |
Baby Boomers (51-69) |
Matures (70+) |
<$50k |
$50k-<$75k |
$75k-<$100k |
$100k+ |
||
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
Lower than it should be (NET) |
72 |
70 |
75 |
71 |
75 |
78 |
76 |
70 |
63 |
A great deal lower than it should be |
42 |
42 |
43 |
44 |
29 |
48 |
41 |
35 |
36 |
Somewhat lower than it should be |
30 |
28 |
32 |
27 |
46 |
30 |
35 |
35 |
27 |
Higher than it should be (NET) |
10 |
14 |
9 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
9 |
14 |
Somewhat higher than it should be |
6 |
8 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
A great deal higher than it should be |
5 |
7 |
6 |
3 |
* |
4 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
Neither too high nor too low |
13 |
10 |
13 |
17 |
14 |
10 |
12 |
19 |
19 |
Don’t know |
4 |
6 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding
TABLE 2a
$15.00/HR MINIMUM WAGE TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW
By Gender, Political Party & Region
"Some cities in the United States have instituted programs to gradually increase their local minimum wages to $15.00 per hour over the next few years. Do you believe $15.00 is lower or higher than the minimum wage should be?"
Base: All adults
|
Total |
Gender |
Political Party |
Region |
||||||
Male |
Female |
Rep. |
Dem. |
Ind. |
Northeast |
South |
Midwest |
West |
||
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
Lower than it should be (NET) |
9 |
9 |
9 |
3 |
10 |
12 |
9 |
9 |
6 |
11 |
A great deal lower than it should be |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
Somewhat lower than it should be |
7 |
7 |
7 |
2 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
8 |
Higher than it should be (NET) |
59 |
61 |
56 |
81 |
41 |
62 |
56 |
59 |
63 |
56 |
Somewhat higher than it should be |
28 |
29 |
27 |
29 |
27 |
30 |
30 |
27 |
27 |
28 |
A great deal higher than it should be |
31 |
32 |
29 |
52 |
14 |
32 |
26 |
32 |
36 |
28 |
Neither too high nor too low |
28 |
25 |
30 |
12 |
43 |
21 |
31 |
27 |
26 |
27 |
Don’t know |
5 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
7 |
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding
TABLE 2b
$15.00/HR MINIMUM WAGE TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW
By Generation & Annual Household Income
"Some cities in the United States have instituted programs to gradually increase their local minimum wages to $15.00 per hour over the next few years. Do you believe $15.00 is lower or higher than the minimum wage should be?"
Base: All adults
|
Total |
Generation |
Annual HH Income |
||||||
Millennials (18-35) |
Gen Xers (36-50) |
Baby Boomers (51-69) |
Matures (70+) |
<$50k |
$50k-<$75k |
$75k-<$100k |
$100k+ |
||
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
Lower than it should be (NET) |
9 |
11 |
10 |
8 |
2 |
9 |
10 |
3 |
8 |
A great deal lower than it should be |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
* |
1 |
* |
-- |
3 |
Somewhat lower than it should be |
7 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
2 |
8 |
10 |
3 |
5 |
Higher than it should be (NET) |
59 |
55 |
59 |
60 |
66 |
53 |
61 |
69 |
64 |
Somewhat higher than it should be |
28 |
28 |
28 |
26 |
32 |
26 |
32 |
34 |
26 |
A great deal higher than it should be |
31 |
27 |
31 |
33 |
34 |
27 |
29 |
35 |
38 |
Neither too high nor too low |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
26 |
32 |
27 |
24 |
22 |
Don’t know |
5 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding
TABLE 3a
SUPPORT/OPPOSE KEY PROVISIONS OF NYS WAGE BOARD RECOMMENDATION
"Recently, New York State’s wage board recommended that the state gradually increase its minimum wage to $15.00 per hour for fast food workers at chains with more than 30 locations. As recommended, the minimum wage is set to reach $15.00 per hour by the end of 2018 in New York City and by July 1, 2021 in the rest of New York State.
Please describe how strongly you support or oppose each of the following key provisions of the New York State wage board’s recommendation."
Base: All adults
|
Support (NET) |
Strongly support |
Somewhat support |
Oppose (NET) |
Somewhat oppose |
Strongly oppose |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
The deadline of the end of the year 2018 for New York City |
53 |
16 |
37 |
47 |
24 |
23 |
The recommendation’s focus on chains with 30 or more locations |
48 |
14 |
34 |
52 |
28 |
23 |
The statewide deadline of mid-2021 |
48 |
13 |
34 |
52 |
29 |
23 |
The recommendation’s focus on workers in the fast food industry |
45 |
14 |
31 |
55 |
28 |
27 |
New York City and the rest of the state reaching a $15.00 minimum wage at different times |
40 |
10 |
30 |
60 |
35 |
26 |
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding
TABLE 3b
SUPPORT KEY PROVISIONS OF NYS WAGE BOARD RECOMMENDATION
By Gender, Political Party & Region
"Please describe how strongly you support or oppose each of the following key provisions of the New York State wage board’s recommendation?"
Base: All adults
|
Total |
Gender |
Political Party |
Region |
||||||
Male |
Female |
Rep. |
Dem. |
Ind. |
Northeast |
South |
Midwest |
West |
||
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
The deadline of the end of the year 2018 for New York City |
53 |
53 |
53 |
30 |
69 |
52 |
51 |
53 |
50 |
57 |
The recommendation’s focus on chains with 30 or more locations |
48 |
49 |
48 |
29 |
62 |
49 |
50 |
50 |
45 |
48 |
The statewide deadline of mid-2021 |
48 |
50 |
46 |
29 |
61 |
47 |
46 |
47 |
46 |
52 |
The recommendation’s focus on workers in the fast food industry |
45 |
43 |
47 |
23 |
61 |
45 |
44 |
48 |
39 |
47 |
New York City and the rest of the state reaching a $15.00 minimum wage at different times |
40 |
41 |
39 |
25 |
52 |
39 |
41 |
40 |
35 |
43 |
TABLE 3c
SUPPORT KEY PROVISIONS OF NYS WAGE BOARD RECOMMENDATION
By Generation & Annual Household Income
"Please describe how strongly you support or oppose each of the following key provisions of the New York State wage board’s recommendation?"
Base: All adults
|
Total |
Generation |
Annual HH Income |
||||||
Millennials (18-35) |
Gen Xers (36-50) |
Baby Boomers (51-69) |
Matures (70+) |
<$50k |
$50k-<$75k |
$75k-<$100k |
$100k+ |
||
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
The deadline of the end of the year 2018 for New York City |
53 |
60 |
48 |
49 |
52 |
55 |
51 |
46 |
51 |
The recommendation’s focus on chains with 30 or more locations |
48 |
55 |
44 |
46 |
46 |
52 |
48 |
41 |
45 |
The statewide deadline of mid-2021 |
48 |
55 |
45 |
44 |
44 |
52 |
45 |
40 |
47 |
The recommendation’s focus on workers in the fast food industry |
45 |
47 |
42 |
45 |
44 |
49 |
46 |
40 |
40 |
New York City and the rest of the state reaching a $15.00 minimum wage at different times |
40 |
44 |
33 |
40 |
41 |
40 |
41 |
38 |
39 |
TABLE 3d
OPPOSE KEY PROVISIONS OF NYS WAGE BOARD RECOMMENDATION
By Gender, Political Party & Region
"Please describe how strongly you support or oppose each of the following key provisions of the New York State wage board’s recommendation?"
Base: All adults
|
Total |
Gender |
Political Party |
Region |
||||||
Male |
Female |
Rep. |
Dem. |
Ind. |
Northeast |
South |
Midwest |
West |
||
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
New York City and the rest of the state reaching a $15.00 minimum wage at different times |
60 |
59 |
61 |
75 |
48 |
61 |
59 |
60 |
65 |
57 |
The recommendation’s focus on workers in the fast food industry |
55 |
57 |
53 |
77 |
39 |
55 |
56 |
52 |
61 |
53 |
The statewide deadline of mid-2021 |
52 |
50 |
54 |
71 |
39 |
53 |
54 |
53 |
54 |
48 |
The recommendation’s focus on chains with 30 or more locations |
52 |
51 |
52 |
71 |
38 |
51 |
50 |
50 |
55 |
52 |
The deadline of the end of the year 2018 for New York City |
47 |
47 |
47 |
70 |
31 |
48 |
49 |
47 |
50 |
43 |
TABLE 3e
OPPOSE KEY PROVISIONS OF NYS WAGE BOARD RECOMMENDATION
By Generation & Annual Household Income
"Please describe how strongly you support or oppose each of the following key provisions of the New York State wage board’s recommendation?"
Base: All adults
|
Total |
Generation |
Annual HH Income |
||||||
Millennials (18-35) |
Gen Xers (36-50) |
Baby Boomers (51-69) |
Matures (70+) |
<$50k |
$50k-<$75k |
$75k-<$100k |
$100k+ |
||
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
New York City and the rest of the state reaching a $15.00 minimum wage at different times |
60 |
56 |
67 |
60 |
59 |
60 |
59 |
62 |
61 |
The recommendation’s focus on workers in the fast food industry |
55 |
53 |
58 |
55 |
56 |
51 |
54 |
60 |
60 |
The statewide deadline of mid-2021 |
52 |
45 |
55 |
56 |
56 |
48 |
55 |
60 |
53 |
The recommendation’s focus on chains with 30 or more locations |
52 |
45 |
56 |
54 |
54 |
48 |
52 |
59 |
55 |
The deadline of the end of the year 2018 for New York City |
47 |
40 |
52 |
51 |
48 |
45 |
49 |
54 |
49 |
TABLE 4a
AGREE/DISAGREE WITH MINIMUM WAGE STATEMENTS
"How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?"
Base: All adults
|
Agree (NET) |
Strongly agree |
Somewhat agree |
Disagree (NET) |
Somewhat disagree |
Strongly disagree |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
Raising the minimum wage only for fast food workers is unfair to workers in other industries. |
87 |
52 |
35 |
13 |
8 |
5 |
A higher minimum wage would increase costs for consumers. |
81 |
42 |
38 |
19 |
14 |
5 |
All workers should be entitled to the same minimum wage, regardless of what industry they’re in. |
76 |
45 |
32 |
24 |
14 |
10 |
All employers should be required to provide the same minimum wage, regardless of company size. |
69 |
35 |
34 |
31 |
19 |
12 |
The minimum wage should be raised to $15.00 per hour nationwide. |
50 |
29 |
21 |
50 |
22 |
28 |
There should not be a minimum wage requirement. |
28 |
12 |
16 |
72 |
29 |
43 |
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding
TABLE 4b
AGREE WITH MINIMUM WAGE STATEMENTS
By Gender, Political Party & Region
"How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?"
Base: All adults
|
Total |
Gender |
Political Party |
Region |
||||||
Male |
Female |
Rep. |
Dem. |
Ind. |
Northeast |
South |
Midwest |
West |
||
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
Raising the minimum wage only for fast food workers is unfair to workers in other industries. |
87 |
84 |
90 |
90 |
86 |
86 |
89 |
85 |
89 |
87 |
A higher minimum wage would increase costs for consumers. |
81 |
82 |
80 |
92 |
69 |
86 |
79 |
84 |
80 |
78 |
All workers should be entitled to the same minimum wage, regardless of what industry they’re in. |
76 |
77 |
75 |
66 |
83 |
76 |
80 |
75 |
74 |
76 |
All employers should be required to provide the same minimum wage, regardless of company size. |
69 |
69 |
69 |
54 |
80 |
67 |
71 |
71 |
67 |
65 |
The minimum wage should be raised to $15.00 per hour nationwide. |
50 |
48 |
52 |
21 |
73 |
45 |
57 |
49 |
43 |
52 |
There should not be a minimum wage requirement. |
28 |
29 |
27 |
37 |
21 |
29 |
25 |
30 |
25 |
31 |
TABLE 4c
AGREE WITH MINIMUM WAGE STATEMENTS
By Generation & Annual Household Income
"How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?"
Base: All adults
|
Total |
Generation |
Annual HH Income |
||||||
Millennials (18-35) |
Gen Xers (36-50) |
Baby Boomers (51-69) |
Matures (70+) |
<$50k |
$50k-<$75k |
$75k-<$100k |
$100k+ |
||
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
Raising the minimum wage only for fast food workers is unfair to workers in other industries. |
87 |
83 |
89 |
88 |
94 |
89 |
90 |
88 |
84 |
A higher minimum wage would increase costs for consumers. |
81 |
78 |
78 |
82 |
91 |
79 |
81 |
85 |
85 |
All workers should be entitled to the same minimum wage, regardless of what industry they’re in. |
76 |
78 |
80 |
75 |
68 |
81 |
76 |
72 |
72 |
All employers should be required to provide the same minimum wage, regardless of company size. |
69 |
71 |
73 |
67 |
58 |
75 |
64 |
68 |
65 |
The minimum wage should be raised to $15.00 per hour nationwide. |
50 |
58 |
49 |
45 |
44 |
59 |
50 |
39 |
41 |
There should not be a minimum wage requirement. |
28 |
32 |
24 |
26 |
35 |
30 |
25 |
21 |
31 |
TABLE 4d
DISAGREE WITH MINIMUM WAGE STATEMENTS
By Gender, Political Party & Region
"How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?"
Base: All adults
|
Total |
Gender |
Political Party |
Region |
||||||
Male |
Female |
Rep. |
Dem. |
Ind. |
Northeast |
South |
Midwest |
West |
||
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
There should not be a minimum wage requirement. |
72 |
71 |
73 |
63 |
79 |
71 |
75 |
70 |
75 |
69 |
The minimum wage should be raised to $15.00 per hour nationwide. |
50 |
52 |
48 |
79 |
27 |
55 |
43 |
51 |
57 |
48 |
All employers should be required to provide the same minimum wage, regardless of company size. |
31 |
31 |
31 |
46 |
20 |
33 |
29 |
29 |
33 |
35 |
All workers should be entitled to the same minimum wage, regardless of what industry they’re in. |
24 |
23 |
25 |
34 |
17 |
24 |
20 |
25 |
26 |
24 |
A higher minimum wage would increase costs for consumers. |
19 |
18 |
20 |
8 |
31 |
14 |
21 |
16 |
20 |
22 |
Raising the minimum wage only for fast food workers is unfair to workers in other industries. |
13 |
16 |
10 |
10 |
14 |
14 |
11 |
15 |
11 |
13 |
TABLE 4e
DISAGREE WITH MINIMUM WAGE STATEMENTS
By Generation & Annual Household Income
"How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?"
Base: All adults
|
Total |
Generation |
Annual HH Income |
||||||
Millennials (18-35) |
Gen Xers (36-50) |
Baby Boomers (51-69) |
Matures (70+) |
<$50k |
$50k-<$75k |
$75k-<$100k |
$100k+ |
||
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
There should not be a minimum wage requirement. |
72 |
68 |
76 |
74 |
65 |
70 |
75 |
79 |
69 |
The minimum wage should be raised to $15.00 per hour nationwide. |
50 |
42 |
51 |
55 |
56 |
41 |
50 |
61 |
59 |
All employers should be required to provide the same minimum wage, regardless of company size. |
31 |
29 |
27 |
33 |
42 |
25 |
36 |
32 |
35 |
All workers should be entitled to the same minimum wage, regardless of what industry they’re in. |
24 |
22 |
20 |
25 |
32 |
19 |
24 |
28 |
28 |
A higher minimum wage would increase costs for consumers. |
19 |
22 |
22 |
18 |
9 |
21 |
19 |
15 |
15 |
Raising the minimum wage only for fast food workers is unfair to workers in other industries. |
13 |
17 |
11 |
12 |
6 |
11 |
10 |
12 |
16 |
Methodology
This Harris Poll was conducted online, in English, within the United States between July 28 and 30, 2015 among 2,045 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.
All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, The Harris Poll avoids the words “margin of error” as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Poll surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in our panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of The Harris Poll.
The Harris Poll® #49, August 13, 2015
By Larry Shannon-Missal, Managing Editor, The Harris Poll
About The Harris Poll®
Begun in 1963, The Harris Poll is one of the longest running surveys measuring public opinion in the U.S. and is highly regarded throughout the world. The nationally representative polls, conducted primarily online, measure the knowledge, opinions, behaviors and motivations of the general public. New and trended polls on a wide variety of subjects including politics, the economy, healthcare, foreign affairs, science and technology, sports and entertainment, and lifestyles are published weekly. For more information, or to see other recent polls, visit us at TheHarrisPoll.com.
Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.