The term “gender pay gap” refers to the difference between what men and women are paid. To calculate the gender pay gap, researchers compare the median annual pay of women and men who work full-time. The gender pay gap changes every year, and a new study reveals that it also varies from state-to-state.
The Gender Pay Gap in Oklahoma
The American Association of University Women recently compiled data from all 50 states to calculate the pay gap in each state. According to this research, Oklahoma is ranked 43rd in the U.S., which means it has one of the largest pay gaps in the country. In 2017, the median annual earnings for a male working full-time in Oklahoma was $46,114. The median annual earnings for women working full-time in Oklahoma was only $35,488. To put it simply, this means that the average women in Oklahoma earn $0.77 for every dollar earned by the average man. This pay gap widens even further when comparing African-American, Hispanic, or Native American women to men.
This study shows that Oklahoma is far behind other states such as California and New York when it comes to the gender pay gap. In fact, the pay gap in Oklahoma is even wider than the national pay gap.
The Gender Pay Gap By Occupation
The gender pay gap does not just vary by state, it also varies by occupation. The American Association of University Women’s report revealed that the pay gap is widest in industries that are typically dominated by men such as healthcare, finance, and law. For example, the median income for a female financial manager in the U.S. is around $65,000 per year, whereas it is over $100,000 for a male financial manager. This means that a female financial manager earns roughly $0.65 for every dollar that a male in the same position takes home.
The gender pay gap does not just affect women—the entire family suffers as a result of this difference in pay. This is especially true for single mothers who must provide for their whole family.
Based on this data, it’s clear that Oklahoma still has a long way to go to close the pay gap once and for all.
If your employer is violating your right to equal pay, contact Armstrong & Vaught, P.L.C. at once. Let our experienced attorneys hold your employer accountable and help you secure the equal pay you deserve. Call us at (918) 582-2500 or toll-free at (800) 722-8880 or complete the simple form below for a free consultation with a skilled attorney.