Subminimum Wage Elimination Over Time

Tracking the transition from segregated work to competitive integrated employment

About This Dashboard

Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows certain employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage. This practice, known as subminimum wage employment, has been used in segregated work settings such as sheltered workshops. In recent years, states have increasingly moved to eliminate subminimum wage certificates, transitioning workers with disabilities to competitive integrated employment where they earn at least minimum wage alongside workers without disabilities.

This interactive map visualizes the elimination of subminimum wage employment across states over time. Use the year selector to explore how different states have phased out Section 14(c) certificates and track the nationwide progress toward ending this practice.

Related Project: This dashboard supports the Virginia EPIC Project, which aims to effectively eliminate subminimum wage employment in Virginia.

Credit: Subminimum wage project by RISEI

How to Use This Dashboard

  • Explore Time Trends: View changes in subminimum wage employment over time to understand progress toward elimination
  • Interactive Elements: Hover over data points for detailed information and click interactive elements to filter the visualization
  • Download Data: Use the export options to download data for further analysis or reporting
  • Share Insights: Share specific views using the dashboard's sharing functionality

Background & Context

Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows employers with special certificates to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage. Over recent years, there has been a nationwide movement to eliminate this practice and transition individuals to competitive integrated employment, where workers with disabilities earn at least minimum wage alongside workers without disabilities.

This dashboard tracks progress in this transition, providing evidence to support:

  • Policy development and advocacy efforts
  • Program planning and resource allocation
  • Research on employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities
  • Accountability and transparency in transition efforts

Questions or Feedback?

For questions about this dashboard or to provide feedback, please contact us.

Learn more about the Virginia EPIC project and related research at the RISEI Lab website .