Gender Pay Gap

The uncontrolled US gender pay gap runs around 16 to 18 percent for full-time median earnings; controlled for job and hours, studies find 1 to 5 percent.

Overview

The two numbers answer different questions. The raw gap reflects who does which work, hours and seniority, and it compounds with the motherhood penalty, estimated at 15 to 25 percent of lifetime earnings in several countries. The controlled gap, same title, same measured characteristics, shrinks but rarely reaches zero, consistent with a residual discrimination component. Pay transparency laws measurably narrow gaps in studied cases, mostly by lifting women's asks. Figures are approximate research summaries, and definitions vary by source.