About
ALICE Workers
Workers We Rely On Every Day
Much more than an acronym, ALICE is the essential workforce we rely on every day— from the child care educator to the grocery store clerk to the delivery person to the home health aide. These workers are critical to keep our businesses, our economy, and our households running, yet they do not earn enough to afford their family’s basic needs.
Imagine for a moment what your day would be like if the ALICEs you rely on were not able to show up for work because they lack child care or transportation. As business leaders we can – and must – do better to show these workers that their contributions are valued. The success of our businesses and communities depends on it.
New Jersey Jobs by Hourly Wage
In 2018, two parents working full time each needed to earn $22.05 an hour in order to afford the Household Survival Budget for a family of four. Meanwhile, nearly half of all jobs in New Jersey pay $20 or less, as seen in the chart below.
Top Occupations in New Jersey
ALICE jobs are represented within some of the largest industries in the state. In the chart below are the top 20 jobs by estimated employment numbers in 2018. The majority pay less than $20 per hour or $40,000 annually, if full-time, which doesn't allow for affording the basics for survival.