NPWF analysis finds a leading factor is men’s earnings growing at a faster rate than women’s
WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 10, 2025 – The pay gap between full-time working women and their male counterparts has widened for the second year in a row.
A National Partnership analysis of new Census Bureau data reveals that women who work full-time, year round are paid 81 cents for every dollar men are paid. The growing gap is driven by men’s earnings rising more than women’s, causing the gap for full-time, year-round workers to grow from 17 cents to 19 cents in this year’s analysis, which looks at 2024 data.
Workers overall, including both full-time and part-time workers, face an even wider wage gap, with women making an average of 76 cents for every dollar men are paid.
“These data are a reminder that policymakers must be intentional about improving women’s wages or the wage gap between women and men will continue to widen. Women are losing ground when they can least afford to do so. Women’s financial contributions – often as the vital breadwinners for their households – are essential for keeping their families afloat,” said Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families. “The wage gap persists because of systemic, discriminatory barriers, including the overrepresentation of women in low wage work, and the lack of workplace policies to support workers’ caregiving needs. It is long past time for our nation to finally ensure that every woman is paid what she is due.”
NPWF’s analysis determined the following wage gaps by demographic group, demonstrating especially wide gaps for Black women and Latinas:
All women compared to all men
Full time: 81 cents
All earners: 76 cents
Black women compared to white, non-Hispanic men
Full time: 65 cents
All earners: 63 cents
Latinas compared to white, non-Hispanic men
Full time: 58 cents
All earners: 54 cents
Asian American women compared to white, non-Hispanic men
Full time: 96 cents
All earners: 85 cents
“The wage gap is nearly $15,000 – more than a year of child care. Families can’t afford to fall farther behind, especially as the cost of living has increased,” said Kate Gallagher Robbins, senior Fellow at the National Partnership for Women & Families. Unfortunately, the current administration’s economic policies are contributing to the country’s pay gap, driving up costs while torpedoing job growth. And it makes things look pretty bleak for the future. We will continue to highlight these gaps and continue the fight to close them.”
The National Partnership will continue to provide updated resources on the wage gap leading up to Equal Pay Day 2026, and subsequent data sets become available.
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