Gender Wage Gap Expected to Persist Until 2068 Says Report

2025-03-26 economy

United States, Wednesday, 26 March 2025.
A report from Future Forward Women projects the gender wage gap may endure until 2068, with Black and Latina women facing even longer inequality. The gap has narrowed only by 1%.

Current State of the Wage Gap

As of March 2025, women in the United States earn approximately 83 cents for every dollar earned by men, with the gap resulting in an annual loss of over $14,000 for the average woman [6]. The economic impact is staggering, with American women collectively losing nearly $1.7 trillion each year due to wage disparities [6]. This persistent gap has shown minimal improvement, narrowing by just one percent since 2024 [1].

Racial Disparities Deepen the Divide

The wage gap presents an even grimmer picture for women of color. Native American women experience the most severe disparity, earning just 52 cents for every dollar earned by men [1]. Black women earn 66 cents, while Latina women receive only 58 cents per dollar [1][4]. These disparities translate into substantial lifetime earnings losses, with women of color losing between $15,000 and $20,000 annually [1]. Over a 40-year career, the cumulative loss amounts to approximately $400,000 [1].

Geographic and Policy Variations

State-by-state analysis reveals significant regional differences in wage equality. Rhode Island leads the nation with the smallest gender pay gap, where women earn 99.6 cents for every dollar earned by men [1]. However, progress varies widely across states, with some showing stronger wage protection policies than others. Currently, fourteen states have implemented pay transparency laws aimed at reducing wage disparities [6]. Despite these efforts, enforcement remains a persistent challenge according to Gloria Blackwell, CEO of the American Association of University Women [6].

Future Outlook and Solutions

While younger workers show more promising trends, with women under 30 earning as much as or more than their male counterparts in many metropolitan areas [1], systemic changes are crucial for broader equality. C. Nicole Mason, President and CEO of Future Forward Women, emphasizes that closing the gap requires coordinated effort: ‘If businesses, employers, states, and communities work together, we can close the gender wage gap in one generation’ [1]. The implementation of policies such as mandatory paid parental leave and enhanced pay transparency measures could accelerate progress toward wage equality [6].

Sources

gender inequality wage disparity