Wage Gap 

The gender and racial wage gap in the United States is a pressing issue that requires attention. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women in full-time, year-round positions earn, on average, only 80.5 cents for every dollar earned by men in the same positions.

This discrepancy extends to racial wage gaps as well. For example, in 2020, Black women earned 61.5 cents for every dollar earned by white men, while Hispanic and Latinx women earned only 53.8 cents for every dollar. This wage gap is detrimental to individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet and threatens the economic security of those who are already vulnerable. There is no single factor to blame for the wage gap. The wage gap is the result of a multitude of factors, such as occupational segregation, workplace bias, and lack of access to higher education. Occupational segregation plays a significant role in the wage gap. Women and racial minorities are more likely to be underrepresented in higher-paying occupations, such as engineering and finance, and more likely to be overrepresented in lower-paying service sectors, like retail and hospitality. This segregation has resulted in women and minorities having less bargaining power and limited access to higher-paying jobs.

BWWC

The Boston Women's Workforce Council is dedicated to closing the gender and racial wage gap by partnering with the City of Boston and Greater Boston employers.  The BWWC created  a wage gap calculator for organizations to examine their salary data and determine if a wage exists. Use the link below to see how your company is doing and benchmark any gaps.