A Persistent Inequity
Despite pay discrimination becoming illegal over half a century ago, the pay gap between men and women persists—an inequity that continues to hurt our nation’s workers and our national economy.
Women who work full-time in the U.S. still earn 81 cents to every dollar earned by men, leading to $542,800 in losses over a 40-year career. Women who work part-time suffer greater losses, earning only 76 cents per every dollar earned by men. This significant loss of income creates huge disparities in gender equity and continues to follow women into retirement. Because women earn significantly less throughout their lives, they receive lower Social Security and pension benefits, leaving them with just 81% of the average monthly Social Security benefits received by their male counterparts.
Pay equity will remain an AAUW priority until the gap is fully eliminated. We hope the Simple Truth encourages and empowers you to fight for the future of women alongside us.
Pay Gap by Congressional Districts
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Take Action
There are lots of ways to get involved with AAUW’s work to advance gender equity. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of women and girls.
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