This study examined how the socioeconomic characteristics of male workers from poverty areas in Saint Louis, Missouri, San Antonio, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois, affect their incomes, hours of employment, unemployment, and labor force participation. The research was based on statistical analysis, using an interaction model, of data from the 1970 Census Employment Survey. Findings indicated that: (1) whites in poverty areas had higher incomes than Blacks and Hispanics; (2) veterans had higher income and employment levels than non-veterans; (3) workers from the local city or from other large cities worked fewer hours than migrants from rural or smaller areas; (4) educational attainment was positively associated with income; (5) the lowest income and employment levels were in the extreme (youngest and oldest) age groups; (6) health problems, excessive family responsibilities, and minimal family association were associated with lower income and employment levels; (7) full-time employment increased incomes; and (8) differences in occupation and industry produced income and employment level differentials. Based on the findings, recommendations for government action to help low income workers to break out of poverty were formulated. (Author/MJL)