The fight for equal Pay between the genders is a national problem in the United States. But it runs deeper than that as well.
On this Equal Pay Day, it's worth highlighting the states that have the biggest gap between wages for men and women. These states have various reasons for their pay gaps, but all of them are problematic, to say the least. It's worth noting that, according to the last batch of verified statistics, New York has made the most progress in this sector - yet men still make notably more than women within the state.
All statistics are courtesy of the AAUW's numbers, which date back to 2016.
5. Oklahoma
The median annual pay for full-time workers in Oklahoma is just over $12,000 higher for men than women. Right now, all teachers in the state are struggling just to earn a livable wage at all, regardless of gender. Still, female teachers likely have it tougher. Last year, state representative Elise Hall refused to even hear a bill that could move the state towards equal pay, despite previously voting for the measure.
4. Montana
The median annual pay for full-time workers in Montana is about $12,500 higher for men than women. Governor Steve Bullock rang in Equal Pay Day this year by discussing gains made by the state in decreasing the wage gap. Nevertheless, they have work to do: the Institute for Women’s Policy Research predicted in 2015 that the state wouldn't attain equal pay until 2080.
3. West Virginia
The median annual pay for full-time workers in West Virginia is nearly $13,000 higher for men than women. A quick Google search reveals that the state isn't discussing the issue enough, with "Equal Pay Day Bake Sales" among the top results. A woman in West Virginia makes 72 cents for every dollar a man makes.
2. Utah
The median annual pay for full-time workers in Utah is $15,000 higher for men than women. According to some recent results, the state now has the biggest pay disparity gap in the nation. Salt Lake City enacted a policy aimed at giving city employees equal pay for equal work. Still, the rest of the state has a long way to go.
1. Louisiana
The median annual pay for full-time workers in Louisiana is around $15,200 higher for men than women. The issue of intersectionality comes into clear focus in Louisiana, where black women reportedly suffer even worse pay inequality than white women. Meanwhile, the state legislature just a bill that would've required companies with state contracts to enforce equal pay laws.
