Today is National Equal Pay Day, a day to raise awareness about the wage gaps felt by women and minorities. But according to a new study, Colorado’s female college graduates have a long way to go before getting an equal salary to their male counterparts. A report (PDF) by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) shows that the earnings gap between women and male graduates is 71 percent, with medium incomes being $63,888 for men and $45,609 for women.
Nationally, the United States is projected to have an earnings gap of 74 percent with an estimated 36 percent of Colorado women with degrees affected. Washington D.C. and Maryland ranked high for wage fairness while Louisiana and South Dakota ranked the lowest. Colorado was 17th.
An explanation of the data can be found here.
Today state Democratic lawmakers held a press conference at the capitol to celebrate the day announce the creation of a Pay Equity Commission.