Today’s Gender Pay Gap Data Shows Decline in Progress Towards Equity

AAUW analysis of U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics reveals $11,550 average annual loss for full-time working women due to pay disparity.  

In its latest analysis of gender pay gap data from the Current Population Survey (CPS), the American Association of University Women (AAUW) found that women working full-time, year-round earned 83% of what men earned in 2023 — a decline from the previous year’s 84%.  

Despite gains in real earnings for both men (3%) and women (1.5%), the gender pay gap has widened, and the uneven economic recovery post-pandemic continues to hit women, particularly those not working full-time, the hardest. In summation, though our country experiences job growth, women, especially women of color, continue to be pushed into lower wage jobs. 

“This is more than a lingering frustration,” notes Gloria L. Blackwell, CEO of AAUW. “The persistence of the pay gap as the economic recovery unfolds shows how deeply entrenched these inequities are.” 

AAUW’s broader analysis of women’s earnings, including part-time and seasonal workers, revealed an even wider gap: Women overall were paid just 75% of men’s wages in 2023, down from 78% the previous year. This stark disparity disproportionately affects women of color, as AAUW’s breakdown highlights: 

• Latina women earned only 51 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. 

• Black women earned 64 cents for every dollar. 

• White women earned 73 cents for every dollar. 

• Asian American women earned 83 cents for every dollar. 

This data underscores a grim reality: Women still face a pay gap that has, at best, stagnated over the past several years, and now is showing signs of slight increase.  

The gender pay gap means that a full-time working woman loses out on an average of $11,550 annually — money that could be used for education, savings, childcare or retirement. For some women, particularly those in part-time or seasonal work, the financial strain is even greater as they continue to recover from the economic disruptions caused by the pandemic. 

“These inequities are not perpetuated due to individual women’s choices,” said Blackwell. “They stem from policies that fail to support working women, including the lack of paid leave, affordable childcare, and comprehensive pay equity laws and practices. It’s time we have a serious conversation about how to fix this.” 

“We cannot allow these disparities to continue unchecked,” Ms. Blackwell said. “AAUW recognizes this is a systemic problem, and we won’t stop fighting until all women are paid fairly and have the support they need to build secure, equitable futures for themselves and their families.” 

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AAUW (American Association of University Women) is the nation’s leading organization for equity in higher education and women’s economic empowerment. 

Founded in 1881 by women who defied society’s conventions by earning college degrees, AAUW has since worked to increase women’s access, opportunity, and equity in higher education through research, advocacy, and philanthropy of over $146 million, supporting thousands of women scholars. Learn more at aauw.org.