A gender pay gap exists in caregiver positions, but it is not as great as the gap between men’s and women’s wages in some other professions, according to recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
The data pertain to more than 300 occupations. The survey found less of a gender pay gap in professions that were dominated by women, although overall, women are more likely to be employed in lower-paying jobs.
For nursing aides, home health aides and psychiatric aides in the latest survey, median pay for women ($29,503) was 87.1% of median pay for men ($25,706).
For registered nurses, median pay for women ($64,413) was 90.8% of median pay for men ($70,952).
For licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses, median pay for women ($40,939) was 94.1% of median pay for men ($38,523).
All of those occupations are in fields in which 80% or more of the jobs are held by women, according to the Census Bureau. All data are from the 2016 survey and are based on full-time, year-round workers over a 12-month period.
Other positions in healthcare, such as physician, surgeon, nurse anesthetist and dentist, were among the highest-paying occupations for women, the Census Bureau said. Pharmacists had one of the smallest pay gaps between men and women, with women earning 97% of what men earn.
Professions such as finance and sales, however, had the largest gender wage gaps, according to survey results.
Overall, median earnings for women were $40,675 compared with $50,741 for men.
