New Data Shows Women Still Earn Just 81 Cents on the Dollar, With Steeper Gaps for Black Women and Latinas

By Stacy M. Brown

Senior Global Correspondent

Families across the United States depend on women’s earnings at levels not seen in prior generations, yet new data shows that women working full time, year-round, continue to be paid less than men in every state, with even wider disparities affecting Black women and Latinas.

According to a newly released fact sheet from the National Women's Law Center, women working full time, year-round were typically paid 81 cents for every dollar paid to men in 2024, a decline from prior years that left female employees earning a median of $13,570 less annually. The gap grows larger when all workers are considered.

In 2024, women earned only 76 cents for every dollar men earned, even when considering part-time and part-year workers. The data shows that pay inequality is not only persistent but widening, with serious consequences for families that depend on women’s wages to cover housing, child care, groceries, and other basic needs.

“No matter how you slice it, women in the U.S. who work full time are paid less than men,” the authors stated. The wage gap affects women across all racial and ethnic groups, but the scale of the disparity varies significantly. Black women working full-time, year-round typically make only 65 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. When part-time and part-year workers are included, that number drops to 63 cents. Latinas face an even larger gap. They are typically paid 58 cents on the dollar compared to white, non-Hispanic men in full-time, year-round work.

The long-term consequences are significant. Based on current wage patterns, Latinas entering the workforce today stand to lose $1,344,800 over a 40-year career compared to white, non-Hispanic men. White, non-Hispanic women also experience a gap, earning about 77 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men in full-time, year-round work, and about 73 cents when all workers are included.

The disparities are experienced across the District of Columbia region, where the wage gap varies by state and demographic group. Women working full time, year-round in D.C. typically earn 88 cents for every dollar men make. However, Black women earn just 51 cents for every dollar paid to white men. In Maryland, women make roughly 89 cents for every dollar earned by men. Black women earn about 68 cents, while Latina women earn about 50 cents compared to white men. In Virginia, women earn about 83 cents for every dollar paid to men. Black women earn about 61 cents, and Latina women earn about 58 cents compared to white men.

The economic consequences extend beyond wages. In the District, 43.3 percent of families headed by single mothers live in poverty. In Maryland, nearly 22.7 percent of families headed by single mothers live in poverty, while in Virginia that figure stands at 26.1 percent. A woman working full time, year-round stands to lose an estimated $542,000 over a 40-year career due to the wage gap.

For women of color, the losses are even greater. Black women stand to lose more than $1.1 million over a lifetime, while Latinas face losses exceeding $1.3 million. Mothers working full time, year-round are typically paid 74 cents for every dollar paid to fathers, translating to about $20,000 less per year. Women earn less than men in 94 percent of occupations, and disparities persist across industries and education levels.

“Extremists are attacking diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, also known as DEI, and are using anti-DEI hysteria to undermine core civil rights protections,” the authors stated. “For our democracy to work for all of us, not just the rich and powerful few, we must work to counter the rise of authoritarianism and protect the right to vote. With women paid only 81 cents for every dollar paid to men, it’s clear that we have a long way to go to make the workplace fair for women in the United States.”