Recent studies bring the spotlight to the varied trends in terms of earnings across the different US cities, reflecting both bleak and bright facets.
According to a new GoBankingRates report using Census Bureau data, women marginally exceed men in terms of earnings in 42 U.S. cities out of the 1,800 cities. The report considers the median annual earnings for men and women in cities with a population of at least 20,000 people.
According to the report, in each of these 10 following cities, women surpass men by a share of .14% to 18.95% in terms of earnings.
- Bowie, Md.: Women earn a median $81,011 a year
- Clinton, Md.: Women earn a median $71,123 a year
- Fort Washington, Md.: Women earn a median $69,983 a year
- Oakland, Calif.: Women earn a median $68,260 a year
- Goleta, Calif.: Women earn a median $65,030 a year
- Laurel, Md.: Women earn a median $65,008 a year
- Monrovia, Calif.: Women earn a median $62,016 a year
- Hackensack, N.J.: Women earn a median $60,237 a year
- Newark, Del.: Women earn a median $58,769 a year
- Chamblee, Ga.: Women earn a median $58,590 a year
Nevertheless, this trend is observed primarily in cities with relatively low median salaries. The shrinking disparity doesn’t amount to a significant increase in the earning potential of women. Instead, the median earnings for women in several cities on the list are relatively low, typically ranging from $30,000 to $40,000.
The disparity becomes more pronounced in cities where men earn substantially higher incomes, such as Los Altos, California. Here, women earn an average salary of $150,000, whereas men earn around 70% more. This pattern underscores the lesser gender pay gap among lower-wage workers compared to those in higher-paying positions.
The disparity in terms of earnings is systemically rooted as the job roles that are regarded as traditionally constructed for females, such as teaching, nursing, caregiving, etc., remain less promising financially, while the ones that are considered to be specifically set up for the male population are rewarded better. Hence, we understand how the job roles are gendered accordingly and the earning potential of each is set differently. This is indeed a major contributor to the widening gender disparity in remuneration.
The society evolves progressively when we fight the deeply entrenched confinements, prejudices, and biases against women as they step into the workplace in the pursuit of fulfillment, particularly financial. However, it’s a reality that merely entering the business landscape is not sufficient. It’s a battle in itself to thrive in a corporate environment that’s largely driven by men.
Despite ongoing efforts to create a more liberating and fulfilling work environment for people, regardless of their identities, the debate around the disparity in terms of pay continues.