Gender wage gap in the White House

Women working in the White House earn an average salary of 80 cents for every dollar paid to their male colleagues, A CNN analysis found.

That’s wider than the national gender wage gap average of 82 cents on the dollar, according to the US Labor Department.

The average salary for male White House employees was nearly $104,000, according to an analysis of the White House’s annual report to Congress. For women, it was $83,000.

The disparity is primarily due to more women filling lower-ranking positions. Half the men working at the White House make $95,000 per annum, while half the women make $70,100 or less.

The top salary for permanent employees at the White House is $179,700. Among 22 employees who earn that, only six are women. 47% of the regular employees at the White House are female and 53% are male.

“Research has shown that men begin their careers at higher levels in the corporate hierarchy and are also more likely to be promoted,” writes Antti Kauhanen. “Gender differences in careers reflect both the differing choices of men and women in the labor market. Policy has traditionally focused on reducing discrimination in the labor market, but equally important are policies that address gender differences in career breaks, hours worked, and psychological attributes.”

Read more evidence-based articles on the gender divide.

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