General Accounting Office Examines Educational Disparities in the Gender Pay Gap

A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office finds that the gender pay gap varies significantly by racial and ethnic groups and by level of education.

The report found that women make up about 44 percent of the overall workforce but only 41 percent of managers. Overall, women make 82 percent on the dollar compared to their male peers. The gender pay gap was greater for full-time female managers, who earned an estimated 77 cents for every dollar earned by full-time male managers. The gender pay gap was smaller for workers in government and nonprofit organizations than was the case in private businesses.

Hispanic or Latina women earned about $0.58 and Black women earned about $0.63 for every dollar White men earned.  White women earned $0.79 for every dollar earned by White men. Asian women earned $0.97 for every dollar earned by White men.

The gender pay gap varied slightly by level of education. It was greatest for women with less than a high school diploma or equivalent, and was smallest for women with a bachelor’s degree. Women with a graduate degree earned only $$0.69 for every dollar earned by men with a graduate degree.