Author: Holly Crosby
On this Equal Pay Day, it's crucial to reflect on the strides we've made toward gender pay equality. A recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report on women's earnings in North Carolina provides insight on how our state compares to others across the U.S. North Carolina women who worked full-time in wage and salary positions in 2022 earned a median weekly income of $902, which is 85.7% of the $1,053 median weekly earnings of their male counterparts. Let’s take a closer look at how North Carolina compares in gender pay equality in the southeast and in the nation.
North Carolina Leads the Southeast
In the broader context of the Southeastern United States, North Carolina's achievement is particularly notable. The state boasted the highest level of women's earnings compared to men's earnings in the region, with an 85.7% earnings ratio. Furthermore, when comparing women's earnings across Southeastern states, North Carolina secured the second-highest spot, trailing only behind Virginia.
National Comparison
Nationally, women earned $958 per week, representing 83.0% of men's earnings ($1,154), which is lower than North Carolina's 85.7% gender pay gap. The state's ratio of women's-to-men's earnings has increased, ranging from a low of 75.6% in 1999 to a high of 88.4% in 2009, and consistently remaining above 80% since 2003. In addition, women’s weekly earnings in North Carolina experienced a 12% increase from 2021 to 2022, $803 and $902 respectively.
Conclusion
Equal Pay Day serves as a reminder of the progress made and the journey that still lies ahead. While these numbers are encouraging, they also highlight the ongoing challenge of achieving full pay equality. As LEAD has previously discussed, the gender pay gap is a complex issue, influenced by occupational composition and childcare responsibilities. Addressing these disparities requires a multifaceted approach. As data has shown, North Carolina has narrowed the gender pay gap, yet there is more work to be done. Let's celebrate our achievements, reflect on the challenges, and renew our commitment to achieving gender pay equality.