In 2005, the typical hourly wage rate earned by U.S. workers was 10 percent higher (adjusted for inflation) than in 1979, according to a recent CBO study. The study charts changes in the distribution of hourly wages, and finds that employers may be paying a premium for skills and attributes beyond education and experience such as motivation or problem-solving skills.

The employees are foreign nationals temporarily working in the U.S. receiving compensation both in the currency from their home country and in dollars. The employees meet the other requirements for exempt executive, administrative, or professional employees, but the dollar amount of their pay falls below the minimum salary requirement of $455 per week. The salary threshold is met when the amount is combined with the foreign currency using the applicable exchange rate at the time of payment, according to the opinion letter.