October 16, 2003

 

Census Shows Women’s Pay Lags But Making Gains

Data from the 2000 Census reflect that income disparities continue to exist between men and women in the workforce. According to the recent Population Bulletin released from the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University, the ratio of female-to-male income for year-round full-time workers in North Dakota was 69 cents for every dollar in 1999. Nationally, the ratio is 73 cents for every dollar.

Despite these differences, the real median income of women working year-round full-time in North Dakota grew at a faster pace over the past decade than that of men with similar work experience (8.9 percent compared to 3.6 percent, respectively). "Although the aggregate statistics suggest only modest gains are being made in reducing the gender income-inequity in the state, the significant rise in women’s real median income relative to men paints a very different picture," says Richard Rathge, director of the Center.

"The contradiction is due to the income extremes for both men and women. Overall, a significant portion of women working full-time and year-round are employed in lower wage jobs relative to men. Thus, the female-to-male ratio is unbalanced. However, the significant rise in median income among women indicates that more women are becoming employed in higher income positions," Rathge says. Between 1989 and 1999, 17 counties in the state saw increases in real median income of women working year-round full-time of more than 20 percent. In contrast, only three counties had increases in real median income of more than 20 percent for men with similar work experience.

The inequality not only affects women working year-round full-time, but also those women working part-time or not at all. For these women, the ratio of female-to-male income in North Dakota dropped to 65 cents for every dollar in 1999.

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Source: Richard Rathge, (701) 231-8621, richard.rathge@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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