The Persisting Gender Pay Gap

Joni Hersch (Vanderbilt) has released a study (Sex Discrimination in the Labor Market) finding that even when taking into consideration characteristics that might affect wages, such as choices over household and child-related responsibilities, market characteristics, working conditions, occupational segregation (fields dominated by one sex), experience, or job turnover rates, sex discrimination still remains a strong explanation for the gender pay gap.  “If the unexplained pay disparity sometimes favored women and sometimes favored men, there would be no reason for concern,” said Hersch. “But systematically and without exception, finding that women earn less than men raises some questions.”

Separately, Vanderbilt economics professor Malcolm Getz has found that education does not level the playing field.  Although women yield a higher economic value after earning an advanced degree, they still earned less than men.  “The payoff of professional degrees for women is much greater than for men because the earnings they can expect in other careers are so much lower,” said Getz.

For more, see Research Examines Why Women Earn Less Than Men.

rb