Data collected by the March Current Population Survey were used to identify which groups of year-round, full-time civilian workers aged 16 and older were most likely to be at the top and bottom of the earnings ladder. Women, young workers, less-educated individuals, and Hispanics were most likely to earn less than $13,091 (1992 constant dollars), whereas men, college degree holders, and whites were most likely to earn at least $52,364. Although more females than males have low earnings, the likelihood of having low earnings has risen faster among men than women. Consequently, the percentage point gap between males' and females' respective earning rates closed from 13 points in 1979 to 9 points in 1992. The number of low-paid workers between the ages of 18 and 24 increased 19 percentage points between 1979 and 1992. Thirty-one percent of men without a high school diploma were low earners as opposed to only 5% of those with a bachelor's degree. Thirty-five percent of men and 10% of women with at least a bachelor's degree were high earners. White women enjoyed the biggest income gains between 1979 and 1992. (MN)