Just Work a Little Harder to Join the 1%

This data-driven infographic visualizes the staggering economic inequality between minimum-wage workers and the top 1% income earners. By calculating how many hours a day someone earning minimum wage would need to work to match the annual income threshold for the top 1%, the design highlights the absurdity of the economic gap in a way that’s both accessible and provocative.

Using bold, contrasting visuals and a snarky tone, the infographic simplifies an abstract concept into relatable terms, making it impossible to ignore. For example, in the 1960s, a worker earning an inflation-adjusted minimum wage would need to work 60 hours a day to qualify for the top 1%. By 2024, with a stagnant minimum wage of $7.25, that figure skyrockets to an impossible 297 hours a day.

This project aims to spark conversations about income inequality by presenting complex data in a striking and digestible format.