Gender Wage Gap

Women persistently make less than men across nearly every category of race, age, experience, education, and occupation—whether they work full time, year-round, part time, or part year. The gender wage gap, defined as the ratio of median annual earnings between women and men, is a problem that is amplified for marginalized groups such as Black women; Latinas; Native American women; Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander women; and LGBTQI+ women.

The causes of the gender wage gap are varied. Occupational segregation—where women are overrepresented in low-paying jobs and underrepresented in high-paying ones—a lack of salary transparency, and discrimination play a large role in causing the gap. In order to achieve equal pay for all women, it is crucial to understand the causes of these gaps and fight for good jobs that provide women workers equal opportunities and pathways for advancement. Without pay equity for women, the U.S. economy will not reach its full potential, and neither will more than half of the country’s population.

A female construction worker is seen at work.
A female construction worker is seen at work in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 20, 2020. (Getty/ David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe)
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Inclusive Growth

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The 2024 LGBTQI+ Wage Gap Article
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The 2024 LGBTQI+ Wage Gap

In recognition of LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day, new analysis from the Center for American Progress’ LGBTQI+ Community Survey shows that in 2024, LGBTQI+ households made just 85 cents for every dollar earned by non-LGBTQI+ households, equaling about $12,600 less per year.

Sara Estep, Haley Norris

Breadwinning Women Are a Lifeline for Their Families and the Economy Report
A woman walks with her children, February 24, 2025.

Breadwinning Women Are a Lifeline for Their Families and the Economy

A new Center for American Progress analysis shows that large shares of working women—both mothers and married women without cohabitating children—continue to be breadwinners for their families. Policy must support working women to uplift families and the economy overall.

Kennedy Andara, Sara Estep, Isabela Salas-Betsch

5 Facts About the Labor Market Experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Women Article
Cashier hands out grocery bags

5 Facts About the Labor Market Experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Women

Analysis from the Center for American Progress and the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum finds that AANHPI women, who are often immigrants, have a broad range of intersecting identities that make their labor market experiences unique. Breaking down these aggregates helps break down racial stereotypes too.

What You Should Know About the 2023 Gender Wage Gap Report
A woman about to open her front door

What You Should Know About the 2023 Gender Wage Gap

For the first time in two decades, the gender wage gap widened significantly in 2023—and between 2022 and 2023, the wage gap increased by 1 cent for women working full time, year round, to an average of 83 cents for every dollar men made.

Amina Khalique

5 Facts From the 2022 Wage Gap Data Article
Photo shows a well-lit open kitchen area with chefs preparing food behind the counter and a server picking up plates

5 Facts From the 2022 Wage Gap Data

New data show that in 2022, women working full time, year-round typically earned 84 cents for every dollar men made, and when comparing among all workers, including those who work part time and for part of the year, women typically made 78 cents.

Isabela Salas-Betsch

Barbie and the Gender Wage Gap Video

Barbie and the Gender Wage Gap

Despite decades of efforts to boost women’s representation throughout the U.S. economy, women still face a pay gap in nearly every single occupation—even high-paying ones.

Sara Estep, Rose Khattar, Charlie Schuyler, 3 More Hai-Lam Phan, Matthew Gossage, Toni Pandolfo

Five Facts on Older Women in the Labor Market Fact Sheet
Image showing a female grocery store employee putting pre-cut fruit onto a shelf.

Five Facts on Older Women in the Labor Market

Older women have made significant recoveries from their disproportionate labor force declines due to the pandemic and will become a larger share of the labor force in the coming decade, but there are many women in this age group who face barriers to enter and stay in the labor force.

Beth Almeida, Sara Estep

Quick Facts About State Salary Range Transparency Laws Article
Wide shot of people at job fair

Quick Facts About State Salary Range Transparency Laws

Over the past few years, an increasing number of states have passed, or are considering passing, salary range transparency laws as one measure to help close the gender pay gap.

Becca Damante, Lauren Hoffman, Rose Khattar

Fact Sheet: The State of Women in the Labor Market in 2023 Fact Sheet
Photo shows a woman in a black uniform sweeping the floor under a booth table in a restaurant.

Fact Sheet: The State of Women in the Labor Market in 2023

Thanks to the strong economic recovery, women’s labor force participation is reaching new highs, with prime-age women’s employment back to pre-pandemic levels—although long-standing pay gaps and occupational segregation remain challenges.

Beth Almeida, Isabela Salas-Betsch

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