AAUW Policy Guide to Equal Pay in the States

The gender pay gap exists in almost every congressional district according to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. Passing a federal law, like the Paycheck Fairness Act or the Fair Pay Act, would help protect everyone in all states. But until that happens, each state will continue operating under antiquated regulations and piecemeal state and local laws to combat unequal pay.

How do your state and district’s equal pay protections stack up? Below you’ll find an analysis of the protections in each state. Some states have more laws, some less, and two states — Alabama and Mississippi — have no equal pay laws at all. But regardless of a state’s legal framework, it is a daunting task for women to secure their basic legal right to fair pay. No matter where your state falls along the spectrum of equal pay laws, the bottom line is this: All 50 states can make improvements so that fair pay is an accessible reality for everyone.

Download the facts for your state by clicking on your state’s name in the left-hand column of the chart below (or here for Puerto Rico). In addition to information about your state’s existing laws, these resources provide your state pay gap number, congressional district pay gap numbers, rankings of the state’s congressional districts from narrowest to widest gap, and a road map to pay equity that includes needed state and federal actions. Then bring the facts to your community and elected representatives to push for stronger equal pay protections.

Equal Pay Laws by State

Download in PDF

Coverage excludes: domestic or agricultural workers (D), private employers (Pr), public employers (Pu), employers with < 4 workers (S), employers covered by federal FLSA law (F)

Take Action

• Download your state road map by clicking on your state’s abbreviated name in the chart above. (We have one for Puerto Rico, too!)
• Use your state policy guide as a springboard to write a letter to the editor or an op-ed calling for your elected officials to take action on the pay gap.
• Become an AAUW Two-Minute Activist and tell your elected officials to support the ongoing fight for fair pay.

For more information, contact AAUW State Policy Counsel Kate Nielson or Media Relations.

Related

The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap

Learn about the pay gap in the United States, how it affects all women, and what you can do to close it.

The Gender Pay Gap by State: An Interactive Map

How does your state’s gender pay gap stack up? Get a personalized press release and graphic for your state.

States Notch Equal Pay Victories in 2017

Voters are fed up with the persistent gender pay gap, and many state legislators are listening.

By: Kate Nielson
Type: Public policy documents
Roles: College/university student leader, Programs, Public policy