Women in the United States who work full time, year-round are typically paid only 84 cents for every dollar paid to their male counterparts. This gap in earnings translates into $9,990 less per year in median earnings, leaving women and their families shortchanged when they need every dollar to make ends meet. Although the gender wage gap has narrowed since the passage of the Equal Pay Act and other civil rights laws, the wage gap persists—and has barely budged in the last decade. Efforts to address these significant pay disparities are critical for the economic security of women and their families.
It has been 15 years since the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act became law, making it possible for workers to challenge long-standing pay disparities. Since then, the gender wage gap for all women working full-time year-round has narrowed by 7 cents. For more info, read our factsheet about the wage gap in the last 15 years.