Wage standards are calculated by averaging the wages of all completers who are placed in a job or paying program placement. Wage standards are set against the state minimum wage, for the purposes of ensuring that wages achieved are at least 15 percent
above the state minimum wage or the federal minimum wage, whichever is higher. This is a reasonable standard for placement at exit. However, because working full-time at an above-minimum wage job can still produce a poverty-level income, graduate
follow-up, career placements, and college education are strongly recommended.
| Level |
Percent above the state minimum wage |
| Excellent |
At least 51 percent |
| Very good |
25-50 percent above |
| Satisfactory |
15-24 percent above |
| Needing Attention |
Minimum wage to 14 percent above |
| Unacceptable |
Not applicable: below minimum wage is impossible |
See pages 64 and 65 for charts of state minimum wages and the new proposed wage performance standards for each
state.
