New York State Department of Labor Recognizes Equal Pay Day, Affirms Commitment to Closing the Gender Wage Gap

Today, on Equal Pay Day, the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) recognizes the persistent struggle against the gender wage gap and reiterates its commitment to achieving pay equity in New York State. Equal Pay Day symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year, highlighting the ongoing issue of pay disparity.

NYSDOL recently analyzed newly available data from 2022 and found that while New York's Gender Wage Gap is narrower than the national average, with women earning 87.5 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2022, significant disparities persist, especially for women of color. Black or African American women and Hispanic and Latina women face a more considerable disparity, earning 65.4 cents and 59.4 cents for every dollar earned by a non-Hispanic White man. Of concern, these earnings for women of color decreased between 2021 and 2022 compared to non-Hispanic white men.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "As we observe Equal Pay Day, we are reminded of the challenges that persist in achieving true pay equity. While we celebrate the progress made, we recognize that there is still much work to be done. We remain steadfast in our commitment to close the gender wage gap and to ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of gender, have equal opportunities to thrive in the workplace."

In response to the findings in the 2023 Gender Wage Gap Report examining the impact of COVID on the Gender Wage Gap and the labor market participation of women in the workforce, NYSDOL has actively implemented measures aimed at fostering a more equitable labor market. Among these initiatives is enforcing New York State’s Pay Transparency requirement. Effective in September 2023, all private employers of four or more employees are required to include compensation ranges for job postings in New York State. This measure is designed to enhance transparency and empower employees to make informed decisions about their careers, as well as close the Gender Wage Gap.

Supporting New York workers and their families was a major need found in NYSDOL’s 2023 Gender Wage Gap Report. Governor Kathy Hochul's administration responded by extending 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave benefits to over 80 percent of the state workforce, marking a historic advancement in family support policies. Governor Hochul also secured an historic agreement to increase New York’s minimum wage through 2026 and index it to inflation beginning in 2027, ensuring that wages keep pace with the cost of living and supporting the economic stability of all New Yorkers. NYSDOL’s 2023 Gender Wage Gap report found that the majority of minimum wage workers are women of color. This wage increase will directly impact the earnings of women across the state.

Additionally, laws ensuring break time and private space for nursing mothers at work underscore New York's dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. Flexible and inclusive workplaces were found to be extremely important to closing the Gender Wage Gap.

NYSDOL's efforts also extend to empowering women through its Career Centers, offering counseling, skills development, and direct referrals to high-earning jobs. These initiatives have contributed to an increase in the labor force participation rate among women and a decrease in the state’s share of unemployed women, indicating progress towards gender equality in the workforce.

NYSDOL is committed to monitoring and updating data on the state's Gender Wage Gap annually and employing data-driven strategies to address inequities and support a labor market that values and compensates all workers fairly.

For more information about the New York State Department of Labor’s initiatives to combat the gender wage gap and to support workforce equality, visit our Gender Wage Gap Hub.