Latinas Lose More Than $1.1 Million Over a 40-year Career Due to Wage Gap, New NWLC Analysis Shows

Lifetime wage gap in Washington, D.C. is over $1.9 million

(Washington, D.C.) November 20 is Latina Women’s Equal Pay Day—marking the almost 23 months that Latinas who work full time must work to make as much as their white, non-Hispanic male counterparts were paid in 2018.

This wage gap costs Latinas $28,036 a year, according to new analysis released today by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC).

Overall, women who work full time are paid 82 cents for every dollar paid to men. But the wage gap disparities are significantly wider for Latinas, who are paid only 54 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men.

Based on today’s wage gap, a Latina stands to lose a staggering $1,121,440 over a 40-year career to the wage gap. In some states, the situation is even worse. In the 10 worst states (which includes the District of Columbia), Latinas will lose between $1,196,360 and $1,953,000 over a 40-year career.

The following is a statement from Emily Martin, NWLC Vice President for Education and Workplace Justice:

“It’s shocking and outrageous that the wage gap for Latinas has only narrowed 4 pennies in the last 40 years. This gap burns a gaping hole in Latinas’ pocketbooks throughout their lives. Based on today’s wage gap, a Latina would need to work until age 93 to make what a white, non-Hispanic man was paid by age 60. If we fail to act now to ensure equal pay, Latinas and their families will continue to pay the price of this devastating gap. They literally can’t afford to wait any longer.”



Additional topline data include:



Latina mothers made just 46 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic fathers who worked full time year round .



Latina mothers typically lose more to the wage gap annually than they make in a year.



In twelve states – Alabama, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, and Washington – Latinas lose more to the wage gap than they are paid in a year.



The states with the largest lifetime losses due to the wage gap include California ($1,708,160), Connecticut ($1,499,800), Illinois ($1,261,040), Maryland ($1,554,400), Massachusetts ($1,369,000), New Jersey ($1,760,840), Rhode Island ($1,196,360), Texas ($1,389,800), Washington ($1,300, 960), and Washington, D.C. ($1,953,000).



In the ten worst states for Latinas’ lifetime losses due to the wage gap, Latinas’ losses over a 40-year career exceed the national figure ($1,121,440). To catch up, Latinas in New Jersey and California would have to work until ages 115 and 114 respectively.



When Latinas obtain a Bachelor’s degree, they are still typically paid less than white, non-Hispanic men wit h only a high school diploma ($49,402 and $ 50,272, respectively).



Six of the ten occupations in which Latinas are concentrated pay a low wage and Latinas are paid less than white, non-Hispanic men in every one of these occupations.

Here’s a full ranking of all 50 states for Latinas’ lifetime losses from the wage gap.

NWLC experts are available to discuss the implications of the wide pay disparity on Latinas and their families.

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For immediate release: November 14, 2019

Contact: LySaundra Campbell (lcampbell@nwlc.org)