Women in the United States who work full time, year-round are typically paid only 83 cents for every dollar paid to men. This gap in earnings translates into $11,550 less per year in median earnings, leaving women and their families shortchanged when they need every dollar to make ends meet. The most recent data available shows the wage gap widened from 84 cents in 2022 to 83 cents in 2023. Although the gender wage gap has narrowed since the passage of the Equal Pay Act and other civil rights laws, it has barely budged in the last decade, and this recent widening marks the first time in two decades that the wage gap has significantly widened. Efforts to address pay disparities are critical for the economic security of women and their families.

It has been 16 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.

Read the full factsheet.