Although Latinas have doubled their college graduation rate in the United States over the past two decades, they remain the lowest-paid group in the workforce, reveals a recent report from the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute (LPPI).
What the report says
In 2023, the median hourly wage for a Latina was $17, well below what non-Latino white men earn (~$28/h), and also below that of white women or Latino men with similar educational attainment.
Although the percentage of Latinas with a college degree or more increased from approximately 11 % in 2000 to nearly 23 % in 2023, this has not been enough to close the wage gap.
The gaps are more pronounced depending on age, national origin, and the state where they live:
Young Latinas (16-24 years old) earn ~92 cents for every dollar earned by a white man of the same age, but for those between 55 and 64 years old that number drops to ~53 cents.
In California, a state with a large Latino population, wage inequality is one of the widest.
Latinas of Guatemalan, Honduran, and other origins show worse comparative results, while those of Chilean or Argentine descent have figures somewhat closer to the average.
What are the challenges now?
The report emphasizes that higher education, although essential, does not guarantee the elimination of structural income inequalities. Factors such as gender and racial discrimination, lack of salary transparency, unpaid caregiving roles, and occupational segregation play a significant role.
Over time, the cumulative income losses for many Latinas exceed $1 million over a typical working life, affecting their ability to save, access housing, health, retirement, and more.
Possible solutions include salary transparency laws, policies against salary and career discrimination, greater representation in high-income sectors, and institutional support for those who face additional barriers (due to origin, English proficiency, family care, etc.).
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