In 1920, women were granted the right to vote in the first milestone marking equality of the sexes. Forty-three years later, in 1963, the Equal Pay Act was passed. This states that “no employer shall discriminate between employees on the basis of sex by paying wages at a rate less than the rate at which he pays wages to employees of the opposite sex in such for equal work.” Another 43 years later, in 2006, the National Committee on Pay Equity continues to organize a yearly “Equal Pay Day” to raise awareness about unfair pay for women in America.

Data from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that men’s and women’s salaries are anything but equal. There are only five occupations where women are paid equally or more than men.

Equal Opportunities for Men and Women
Bizarrely, female computer support specialists are paid more than men. Maybe this is because many women have to be dragged screaming and kicking to technology, whereas men just love it. Women compliance officers are also paid more. I’m not entirely sure what a compliance officer does, but my guess is that it’s something tedious and nerdy (like computer support). Still tipping the balance on pay, lady bill and account collectors’ salaries are just a little higher than their male counterparts. Finally, female medical scientists and teacher assistants are paid equal salaries to men.

Unequal Opportunities for Men and Women
That’s where equality stops and discrimination begins. From accountant through bartender, book-keeper, cook, lawyer, social worker, and waitress, women are paid less than men. The most unequal occupation is “securities, commodities, and financial service sales agent.” A woman in this position earns 59% of the salary a male colleague earns in the same occupation. Translated, this means a woman can expect an annual salary of approximately $35,000 compared to $60,000 for a man. Physicians, surgeons, and financial managers are similarly unequal, with men earning nearly 40% more than women in the same occupation. All bar 5 of the 100 occupations listing salaries for both men and women follow suit to a greater or lesser extent.

And we call this progress?

Sources:
• Full version of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended (U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management)
• Equal Pay Day (national Committee on Pay Equity)
• Median weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex, 2005 Household Data Annual Averages (U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics)

About the author
Katrina Boydon is a systemizing female with empathizing traits. She is as likely to be found crying over a sad film as balancing her bank account to the last cent.