The analysis used U.S. Census Bureau data to show that gender-based wage gaps affect women in every corner of the U.S. and is greatest for women of color.
“On average, women employed full time in the United States lose a combined total of almost $900 billion every year due to the wage gap,” the report says.
In Ohio each year, women are typically paid $11,477 less than men, according to the report. Black women are paid more than $18,000 less and Latina women more than $19,000.
If the gender wage gap were eliminated, the report estimates, women in Ohio could pay for an additional 17 months of child care, 15 months of rent or 1 year of college tuition.
The study found the largest gender-based wage gaps exist in Louisiana, Utah, West Virginia and Montana. The states with the smallest gaps are New York, California and Florida.
Nationally, the median annual pay for a woman who holds a full-time, year-round job is $41,554, according to the report, while the median annual pay for a man who holds a full-time, year-round job is $51,640.
That means women earn 80 cents for every dollar paid to men. Black women are typically paid 63 cents and Latinas just 54 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men.
The report goes on to refute some common against the existence of the wage gap — the women tend to choose lower-paying industries and occupations.
“The wage gap is present within occupations,” the report says. Among the occupations with the most people working full time, year-round — sales, production, management, and office and administrative support — women were paid less than men in each one.
“The wage gap cannot be explained by women’s choices,” said Debra L. Ness, president of the National Partnership in a statement. “Lawmakers have not done nearly enough to end wage discrimination based on gender and race; to end sexual harassment, which impedes women’s job advancement; to stop discrimination against pregnant women; to advance paid family and medical leave and paid sick days; and to increase access to high-quality, affordable reproductive health care.”
The study also found a gender-based wage gap in 422 of the country’s 435 congressional districts.
In Republican Jim Jordan’s district, women make 73 cents for every dollar men make, the second worst in the state.
In Republican Warren Davidson’s district, women make 76 cents for every dollar men make; and in Republican Mike Turner’s district, which includes the city of Dayton, that figure is 77 cents.
We’re reaching out to these local lawmakers for comment.
In the three Ohio congressional districts with female representatives, the pay gap is smaller than the national average.
In Democrat Joyce Beatty’s Columbus district, women make 89 cents for every dollar men make. In Democrat Marcy Kaptur’s Toledo district, it’s 83 cents and in Democrat Marcia Fudge’s Cleveland district that number is 84 cents for every dollar men make.
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