Women in the US earn almost 18% less than men, but experts agree that it's more of an Opportunity Gap than an Income Gap. Women and men enter the job market in the same jobs at the same pay rate. But in mid-career men are much more likely to advance to executive positions. Compensation Expert Joshua Ross with AON says that trend is turning around.
“More and more women are getting into petroleum engineering and IT and get their MBAs during their early years on the job and are rising up in leadership roles.”
Although there is a substantial gap between women's and men's salaries, the gap almost disappears when you compare men and women in the same job at the same company. Ross says many traditionally male-dominated companies are now addressing gender and race diversity on their career sites and during their public speaking.
Compensation expert Joshua Ross of Aon says he sees that gap closing.
“Organizations are beginning to see Equal Pay as a stepping stone to better innovative practices and higher financial success.”
To close the gap further this week a U-S appeals court says women cannot be paid less than men based on what they made at their previous job.