NYC’s Gender Pay Gap: Unequal Ground Report Launch
Yesterday marked a significant moment for Women Creating Change (WCC) as we, in partnership with the Center for New York Affairs at the New School, released our latest report, Unequal Ground: The Impact of Industrial and Occupational Segregation on Women’s Economic Outcomes in New York City.
This second report in our series reveals the structural barriers contributing to persistent gender pay disparities across the city.
Highlights & Key Findings:
- Women constitute 49% of NYC’s workforce but face a significant pay penalty - 8% or more, with even higher disparities for women of color.
- Geographic distribution of female workers: Brooklyn (32%), Queens (25%), Manhattan (24%), the Bronx (14%), Staten Island (6%).
- Earnings inequality intensifies within high-wage sectors as women progress in their careers.
- Despite women’s majority in some occupations, a pay gap with men persists in all sectors.
Policy Recommendations:
- Expand and enforce pay transparency requirements and protect against salary history inquiries.
- Modernize New York State’s temporary disability insurance (TDI) program, and advance the Working Families Tax Credit.
- Expand work flexibility, including remote work options, and comprehensive parental leave.
- Improve compensation and conditions for women in care sectors, ensuring accessible, top-quality childcare.
"Occupational segregation is one of the biggest obstacles to achieving pay equity and occurs when one demographic group is overrepresented in a certain job category. 95% of our gender and racial pay gaps are due to occupational segregation." - NYC Council Member Carmen De La Rosa
We were thrilled to launch Unequal Ground at an event in collaboration with FPWA. The event was graciously emceed by WCC Board Chair Sabrina Stratton, who also provided the welcoming remarks. Na’ilah Amaru, our VP of Policy/Advocacy and Government Relations, introduced keynote speaker NYC Council Member Carmen De La Rosa. Lina Moe, distinguished researcher and author of the report, presented a detailed overview of the report’s findings. New York State Senator Jessica Ramos provided her valuable insights during a fireside chat and Jacqueline M. Ebanks, Founder & CEO SAE Consulting Group, LLC, moderated an interesting and provocative panel discussion. Panelists, including Dr. Michelle Holder, Seher Khawaja, Raysa S. Rodriguez, our own President & CEO, Sharon Sewell-Fairman, and Jeanne M. Victor, discussed the data’s realities and potential solutions.
We encourage you to read the full report to understand the depth of these issues and join us in advocating for equitable solutions.
Let's stand strong as we tackle the barriers to economic equity and civic engagement for all women in New York City.
About
Women Creating Change (WCC), formerly known as the Women’s City Club of New York, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan activist organization dedicated to advancing women’s rights and shaping the future of New York City. Founded in 1915, WCC works to advance gender and racial equality by equipping women of color, women experiencing financial hardship, and gender-expansive individuals, with the knowledge, tools, and resources to advocate for the issues that matter most to them. WCC collaborates with partners, policymakers, and advocacy groups to drive real change in economic opportunity, education, healthcare, safety, reproductive rights, and environmental justice. WCC connects women with key stakeholders to learn, act, and engage. We empower women to lead change, shape policy, and strengthen communities, redesigning systems for a more equitable New York City. At WCC, we believe every woman has the power to make a difference. Visit wccny.org.
Media Contact
For interview requests or media inquiries, please contact Lynsey Billet at [email protected] or 347-361-8449.