13 Aug 2005

Pacific Islanders in US more likely to be working, but earning less

8:18 am on 13 August 2005

A US Census Bureau report says Pacific Islanders living in the United States are more likely to working than the general population, but they're also making less money.

The report shows 71 per cent of Americans of Pacific Island origin, are likely to be working, in comparison with the average of 58 per cent among the general population.

However, the percentage of Pacific Islanders in management was lower than the general population, and Pacific Islanders were more likely to be in the service industry.

The median family income for Pacific Islander families was about US$46,000, compared with US$50,000 for the general population.

Families from Guam, Fiji and Tonga had the highest median incomes within the Pacific Islander group.