Are the Wages of Sin $30 an Hour? Economic Aspects of Street-Level Drug Dealing

One hundred and eighty-six probationers in Washington, D.C., who acknowledged a recent history of drug dealing were interviewed regarding their legitimate and illegitimate activities. They reported median net earnings of $721 per month from drug sales - $2,000 per month among the 37% who reported selling drugs selling drugs on a daily basis. These figures compare with median monthly earnings of $800 from legitimate employment for the 75% who reported such earnings. Street-level drug dealing appears to be a complement to, rather than a substitute for, legitimate employment, and it appears to be less profitable than media reports would suggest.