The June report on women’s earnings, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics this month, doesn’t indicate any earth-shattering progress in the gender wage gap debate. Women are still earning less than men, although the exact pay gap depends on age.
At worst, the 35-44 year-old woman makes 73.6 percent of what her male counterpart earns, while a 20-24 year-old woman makes 92.9 percent. This could, in part, be due to the fact that there are more women (69 percent) in lower-paying industries like health and education, versus lucrative engineering and computing roles (9 percent).
However, there are a few jobs where women make more than men.
SCIENCE TECHNICIANS
Science technicians are like the blue-collared workers of the science industry: they set up lab instruments, operate and maintain them, and sometimes monitor and log results.
Average weekly earnings:
Women: $740
Men: $723
DIETITIANS & NUTRITIONISTS
Typically based in schools and medical facilities, dietitians and nutritionists are experts in food health. 83% are women.
Average weekly earnings:
Women: $770
Men: $759
PERSONAL APPEARANCE WORKERS
This group includes makeup artists, manicurists/pedicurists, shampooers and skin care specialists.
Average weekly earnings:
Women: $434
Both sexes: $422
PRE-SCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS
No data was available for male teacher salaries, but the female average was a smidgen higher than the average of both sexes combined — but only at the kindergarten/pre-school level.
Average weekly earnings:
Both sexes: $612
Women: $614