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The Gender Pay Gap: An Ongoing Challenge
Women continue to face a significant earnings disparity compared to their male counterparts. As of
2024, women earned an average of 85% of what men earn. While there has been progress since 2003,
when women earned only 81% of men’s incomes, the situation remains dire. In a startling forecast from
the World Economic Forum in June 2024, it was predicted that closing the gender pay gap could take an
additional 134 years.
Currently, no state in the U.S. achieves gender pay parity, although several states show less
significant gaps. Research conducted by the National Women’s Law Center identifies states where women
earn up to 87 cents for every dollar earned by men. Below are the 11 states with the smallest gender
pay gaps projected for 2025, as analyzed by GOBankingRates using data from BestPlaces regarding the
cost of living in these areas.
Gender Pay Metrics by State
Oregon
For every dollar a man earns, full-time working women make 85 cents while part-time working women earn
78 cents. The cost of living is 14% higher than the national average.
Nevada
Here, full-time working women earn 85 cents and part-time working women net 80 cents for each dollar
a man makes. The cost of living is 9.7% higher than the national average.
Minnesota
Women working full-time earn 85 cents compared to men, while part-time women’s earnings stand at 75
cents. The cost of living is 3% lower than the national average.
Florida
In Florida, full-time working women earn 85 cents and part-time earn 78 cents relative to men’s wages.
The cost of living is 3% higher than the national average.
Maine
The state’s women earn 85 cents as full-time workers and 78 cents as part-time workers compared to men,
while the cost of living is 3% lower than the national average.
Alaska
In Alaska, female full-time employees earn 86 cents, while part-time women earn 81 cents for every
dollar a man makes. The cost of living is 17% higher than the national average.
New York
Women earning full-time in New York make 87 cents to men’s dollar; part-time, they earn 78 cents. The
cost of living is 22% higher than the national average.
North Carolina
Women working full-time in North Carolina earn 87 cents for every dollar earned by men, with part-time
females making 78 cents. The cost of living here is 9% lower than the national average.
California
In California, full-time working women earn 87 cents compared to their male counterparts, while
part-time women earn 79 cents. The cost of living is notably 50% higher than the national average.
Rhode Island
Female workers in Rhode Island earn 87 cents full-time and 80 cents part-time for each dollar earned by
men, while the cost of living is 13% higher than the national average.
Vermont
In Vermont, full-time working women earn 88 cents for every dollar a man receives, while part-time
working women earn 83 cents. The cost of living is slightly 1% higher than the national average.
