Seattle Domestic Workers Alliance surveyed 174 domestic workers in the city and found that 77 percent are having difficulty making ends meet. Wages among domestic workers, however, vary drastically. In Seattle, 24 percent of workers make less than $10,000 per year, according to the report, while 9.3 percent of workers make more than $60,000 per year. People of color — more than half of those who were surveyed — are more likely to earn less than White domestic workers.
Despite the low wages, most domestic workers are not young or new to the workforce. The report found the average age among surveyed domestic workers was 39. Only 15 percent of workers are 18 to 25 years of age, while 32 percent are over 50. Of these workers, 18 percent have been harassed or abused at work, and 17 percent have experienced sexual harassment or assault at work, with a higher proportion of workers of color — 32 percent compared to 4 percent of White workers — experiencing abuse.
Some other statistics on domestic workers include: Fifty-three percent do not receive overtime pay, and 39 percent go without paid sick days. Fifty-four percent live without health insurance. Finally, 35 percent have no paid vacation days, and 94 percent lack access to family medical leave.