Despite pandemic pay boost, low-wage workers still can't afford basic needs

Employers grappling with a nationwide labor shortage gave low-wage workers the largest pay increases in most states between 2019 and last year. But even so, many of those workers — more than 40% of all U.S. households, by one estimate — are struggling to cover the inflated costs of basic expenses. In the past several years, businesses such as bars and restaurants have engaged in bidding wars for scarce workers. In 28 states, people working in food preparation and service jobs had the biggest pay bumps: Waiters and waitresses made at least 50% more in New Jersey, Wisconsin and Utah, according t...