About

ALICE Workers

Workers We Rely On Every Day

Imagine what your day would look like if the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) workers you rely on, such as health care workers, auto repair technicians and truck drivers who deliver food, cannot come to work because the cost of child care exceeds their means or they don’t have access to transportation. Our routines would falter, our communities would suffer. As business leaders, we can demonstrate to ALICE workers our appreciation for their valued contributions and offer practical solutions that make a tangible difference.

ALICE, much more than an acronym, powers the economic engine that sustains our communities. You may see ALICE every day, as your child’s educator, tireless grocery store clerk who greets you each morning, the delivery person who assures that your packages arrive on time, or compassionate home health aide caring for your family member. These remarkable individuals may have earned a college or post-graduate degree, working in a variety of skilled professional roles. All workers play a critical role in keeping our businesses, economy and households running. Their contributions fuel our businesses, economy, and households.

Wages Not Keeping Up with Cost of Basics

In 2022, 42% of U.S. households struggled to make ends meet. This includes households with income below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) as well as ALICE households. With income above the FPL, ALICE households earn too much to qualify as “poor” but still cannot cover their basic household expenses.

While cost of living varies considerably from one state, region, and county to another, a household’s ability to afford basic expenses also depends on how much they have an opportunity to earn. Our United For ALICE Wage Tool provides insight on how different wage levels impact an ALICE household’s ability to afford a bare-bones budget.

Percent of Jobs by Hourly Wage