[Excerpt] Labor market characteristics vary dramatically according to race and ethnicity. While workers in all groups experience labor market difficulties, Blacks and Hispanics disproportionately suffer from serious labor market problems. This occurs despite gains in average educational attainment and increased representation in higher-paying occupations among these groups. Blacks and Hispanics are more likely than Whites or Asians to be unemployed. When employed, Blacks and Hispanics are much more likely than Whites or Asians to be working in lower-paying occupations.