A lot of the categories you “discount” are there in big numbers precisely because the employment & wage situation IS so bad. “Might as well go back to school / stay in college / retire / “stay home” / see if I can get by on disability / etc. when the opportunities are so cr***y”, and the support system so benevolent.
Also, look at that 157 million “employed” a little harder. MANY are underemployed, though technically employed, and beyond that, wages for most are performing very badly.
Again I reference Kabar’s posts of the data (maybe he’ll repeat some here.)
Underemployed aren’t counted in these numbers. Lots of college grads now working waiting tables...
How much?