Study: Women earning less in Greene County, state

A study released by the National Partnership of Women and Families sheds light on the disparities between men's and women's wages in Greene County and across Missouri.

The study, which is based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, found the median yearly income for women working in Missouri is $9,281 less than the median yearly income for Missouri men. The disparity represents 78 cents on the dollar earned in the state. The Missouri findings mirror nationwide results, which showed women make about 77 cents on the dollar compared to men, according to the study, posted last week.

In Missouri's 7th congressional district, which includes Greene County, the wage disparity between median incomes for men and women is $9,464, or 75 cents on the dollar. The district also includes Barry, Christian, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Polk and Stone counties, as well as the western portion of Taney County, home to the city of Branson.

The disparity is largest in Missouri's 2nd congressional district, where women earn $19,726 less than men, or 68 cents on the dollar. The district includes Lincoln, St. Charles and St. Louis counties, according to the study.

"It is stunning and deeply troubling to learn that the wage gap affects women in nearly every congressional district in the country," said Debra Ness, president of the National Partnership of Women and Families, in a news release. "Women and their families are losing critical income for food, gas, rent, health insurance and more due to a punishing gender-based wage gap that has plagued this country for decades."

Legislation that would amend the Equal Pay Act to create fairness in income between men and women has been pushed forward on a national level in the last two congressional sessions. The Paycheck Fairness Act was blocked by a procedural vote in June of this year, according to the release.[[In-content Ad]]