Black Women Face Persistent Wage Gap and Underrepresentation in Secure Jobs, Urban Institute Report Finds
Report Reveals Persistent Wage Gap and Occupational Segregation for Black Women in the U.S. Workforce
A recent report by the Urban Institute, a think tank in Washington D.C., shines a light on the challenges faced by Black women in the workforce. The report highlights how Black women are more likely to be in what is called vulnerable work, where they face higher risks of injury or exploitation. These jobs often lack benefits, job security, and legal protections with Black women making up a large portion of part time positions, such as office clerks and dental assistants.
Despite having equal levels of education, Black women are often crowded into roles with less security and lower pay compared to other demographic groups. In California, for instance, Black women earned just 58 cents for every dollar earned by a white man in 2021. The study emphasizes that this reduced wage gap persists even when factors like occupation, education, and experience are taken into account.
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Reduced Wages and Well-being – Overcrowding Vulnerable Jobs for Black Women! (PHOTO: Urban Institute)
Black Women Disproportionately Lacking in Higher-Paying Jobs and Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance, Study Finds
Researchers also found that Black women are underrepresented in reduced wages occupations and are less likely to have employer sponsored health insurance. Instead, they are often found in jobs from temporary agencies, which typically offer fewer benefits. The study’s lead author, stresses the importance of considering not just wages but also other aspects of well-being, such as benefits and job security, in understanding the challenges faced by Black women in the labor market.
