The Colossal Latina Pay Gap

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U.S. Latinas are paid 47% less than white men on average, according to the National Partnership for Women and Families.

Furthermore, Latinas are paid 31% less than White women.

Regardless of their job, where they live, or their education, Latinas are paid less.

This is not good.

In the United States, one in five women is Latina.

Latina Wage Gap

Latinos already suffer a wide wealth divide than their white peers.

Latina women specifically are paid 57 cents for every $1 paid to white non-Latino men, according to the new data.

“Latinas face biases for being women and for being people of color. These compounding biases contribute to the Latina pay gap and help explain the inequality Latinas experience in the workplace” said Rachel Thomas, president of Leanin.org.

As a whole, women who are employed full time, year-round are normally paid 80 cents for every $1 paid to men employed full time, year-round.

This continuous gender-based pay gap greatly harms Latina and all women, their families and the economy.

To put into perspective, the largest gap for a Latina is when they are educated. Latinas who have bachelor’s degrees earn 35% less compared to white men with the same degree.

This is no surprise as the wage gap starts early.

At the age of 16, Latinas are paid less than their white counterparts of the same age, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This gap will continue to grow as they get older and enter different types of industries.

How The Wage Gap Hurts Latinas

With lost wages comes lost opportunities and less ways to support oneself as well as their families.

Latinas lose opportunities to save and invest in their futures, and less to spend on goods and services. Sadly, 61% of Latino and all Americans say they would not be able to come up with $1,000 for an emergency like a car wreck, a broken arm, or a busted air conditioner.

With less money, families, businesses, and the economy greatly suffer.

If the wage gap was eliminated, the average Latina would have enough money for:

• More than three additional years of childcare
• Three more years of tuition and fees for a four-year public university or the full cost of tuition and fees for a two-year community college
• Nearly four years worth of food for her family
• More than two additional years of rent or an additional 18 months of mortgage and utilities

Lastly, if the average Latina was paid fairly, she would earn over $1 million more over the course of her career.

Editor’s Note: Photos are via Lean In.