Higher-wage workers were likely insulated from the economic fallout due to their jobs' flexible nature, the researchers said. About 37% of upper-middle-wage workers were able to work remotely through the pandemic. That share climbed to 57% for those earning more than $85,000.
By comparison, only 7% of low-wage workers and 13% of lower-middle-wage Americans were able to telecommute.
Racial disparities also worsened during the pandemic's initial shock. Employment broadly fell 15% from February to April. But where white Americans faced a 15% decline, employment of Black Americans tumbled 16%. Hispanic employment fell 20% over the same period.
Women shouldered a bigger hit than their male counterparts. Female employment dropped 18% from February to April, compared to the 13% decline men saw.