Findings Of Study
The overall finding of this study was that females made approximately
73 cents on average to every dollar made by males in Iowa. This
calculation took into account the average number of hours respondents
worked weekly.
Hours worked do explain some of the wage difference. While
over 50 percent of both males and females worked 40 to 50 hours
a week, a much higher percentage of males worked more than 50
hours a week. In addition, a much higher percentage of females
worked less than 50 hours a week.
Industry and occupation also affect wage levels and gender
comparisons. The highest percentage of females was in the Services
industries, while the highest percentage of males was in the Manufacturing
industries. The average weekly wage in 1998 for Services at $426
represents 64 percent of the average weekly wage for Manufacturing
at $663.
Occupationally, males and females seem to be equally represented
in the Executive, Professional, Sales and Service worker categories.
However, their representation in Administrative Support Occupations
and the Production related occupations are opposite. Over 28 percent
of the female respondents were employed in Administrative Support
Occupations, while over 36 percent of males were employed as Precision
and Production Craft Workers, Repairers, Operators and Assemblers.
The mean hourly wages for these groups in 1998 were $10.47 for
Administrative Support Occupations and $11.95 for Production,
Construction, Operating, Maintenance, and Material Handling Occupations.
At a difference of almost $1.50 per hour, the annual gap would
be $3,120.
Occupation can be an individual choice. However, in the past
many women were discouraged from entering certain occupations.
The fact that females and males are equally represented in the
executive and professional categories indicates progress. The
changes in occupational employment by gender can be seen in the
last three Census figures. The percentage of females employed
in the higher paying occupational groups has increased since 1970.
The percentage of females in Professional, Executive and Sales
occupations has risen, while the percentage of females in Administrative
Support and Service occupations has declined between the 1970
Census and the 1990 Census. By the 1990 Census the percentage
of both males and females in Executive, Professional and Sales
occupations were close and the percentage of females in Professional
occupations was greater than the percentage of males
Other determinants of wages are years of experience and education,
both of which seem to support higher wages for males in this study.
Almost 37 percent of the males had 20 or more years of experience,
while only 20 percent of the females did. Thirty percent of the
females had one to five years’ experience. This may be due
to females leaving and re-entering the labor force to have children.
The overall finding of this study shows an increase in the
ratio of female to male wages since an earlier study in 1993.
In the 1993 study, only 25 percent of the females made more than
$24,000 annually compared to 36 percent making $25,000 or more
in 1999. In 1999, fewer females were employed in Retail Trade
and Services industries than in 1993, while more were employed
in Government. Also in 1999, more females were employed in Executive
and Managerial occupations and less in Service occupations. These
types of movement can have positive effects on wages.
Additionally, the ratio of wages by gender in Iowa has reached
the same level as the ratio for the nation. According to the U.
S. Census Bureau, the ratio of median annual earnings for females
compared to earnings for males was also 73 percent in 1998. While
positive change has occurred, continued opportunities for females
in all areas will continue to raise this ratio.
See Charts Below
Gender
Wage Study
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