Gender pay gap in U.S. narrows slightly over 2 decades – Pew Research
WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES — The gender pay gap in the United States has slightly improved over the past two decades.
According to a Pew Research Center analysis, in 2024, women earned an average of 85% of what men earned, up from 81% in 2003. This narrowing trend is more pronounced when looking at younger workers: women aged 25 to 34 earned 95 cents for every dollar earned by men in the same age group, a 5-cent gap.
Factors behind the persistent pay gap
Much of the gender pay gap can be attributed to measurable factors such as educational attainment, occupational segregation, and work experience.
However, women remain overrepresented in lower-paying jobs, which may contribute to ongoing pay discrepancies. Additionally, factors like gender discrimination, which are harder to measure, may also play a role.
Public opinion divided along gender and political lines
Half of U.S. adults believe that women being treated differently by employers is a major reason for the gap. Women are more likely than men to hold this view, with 61% of women attributing the gap to unequal treatment compared to 37% of men.
Political affiliations also shape these attitudes, with Democrats more likely to mention unequal treatment and Republicans emphasizing women’s decisions about work and family balance.
Work-life pressures and career aspirations
Working women, particularly mothers, face unique pressures. They are more likely to feel pressure to focus on home responsibilities compared to men. While both working mothers and fathers feel pressure to support their families financially, unmarried working mothers report the highest levels of financial pressure.
Despite these challenges, women are less likely than men to aspire to leadership roles, with more women expressing no desire to be a boss or top manager.
In conclusion, while progress has been made in narrowing the gender pay gap, challenges remain, including occupational disparities and societal pressures that affect women’s career aspirations and financial stability.
