Mothers working full time and year-round make only 71 cents for every dollar paid to full time, year-round working fathers. This wage gap robs these mothers of $1,667 every month, or $20,000 a year. That extra $20,000 could pay for seven months of rent, seven months of family groceries, and five months of childcare. The wage gap persists across all education levels and in nearly every occupation, robbing mothers of the money they need to provide for their families.

The wage gap is worse for many mothers of color.

Racial inequities can compound the maternal wage gap. For example, Latina mothers and Native mothers working full time, year-round are paid just 51 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic fathers. Black mothers working full time, year-round are paid only 52 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic fathers. These losses to the wage gap add up to tens of thousands of dollars lost each year, with Latina and Native mothers typically losing $39,000, and Black mothers typically losing $38,000 annually compared to white, non-Hispanic fathers.

Read the full factsheet.

Source Note: “What Mothers Make for Every Dollar Fathers Make” is the ratio of mothers’ and fathers’ median earnings. Full time, year round workers are defines as people working at least 35 hours per week, and at least 50 weeks per year. Mothers and fathers have at least one related child under age 18 at home. NWLC national calculations based on 2022 American Community Survey data extract from IPUMS. NWLC statewide calculations based on 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-year average using IPUMS.