Despite being one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in the U.S., Latinas continue to face a stark pay gap. On average, they earn just 51 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men when accounting for all workers, according to Equal Rights Advocates, which leads the Equal Pay Today Campaign.
This disparity is even more striking for full-time, year-round workers, where Latinas earn 58 cents to every dollar earned by their white, male counterparts. Additionally, Latinas are often overrepresented in underpaid industries lacking workplace protections, such as farmwork, domestic labor, and seasonal employment. These jobs also frequently come without essential benefits like paid leave, forcing many Latinas to choose between staying in the workforce or caring for their families.
For immigrant Latinas, these challenges are even more pronounced as their immigration status can make them more vulnerable to wage theft, workplace harassment, and unsafe conditions.
“Immigrant workers may be afraid to report serious employer violations to the government because of retaliation by employers that put their status in jeopardy or because of frequent immigration raids at workplaces,” stated Deborah Vagins, the Director of the Equal Pay Today campaign. “They may also be unfamiliar with the fundamental labor laws regarding their wages, benefits, or working conditions.”
According to Vagins, all of these factors along with occupational segregation, play a significant role in the wage gap as there continues to be explicit and implicit bias against women and workers of color, in particular, that will affect pay decisions, hiring, and promotions.
Legislation like the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Be Heard in the Workplace Act are crucial to addressing the wage disparities that affect Latinas, Vagins said.
The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen the 1963 Equal Pay Act by closing loopholes that allow pay inequities to persist. It would prohibit retaliation against workers discussing pay, ensure that pay differences are based on legitimate job-related reasons, and ban employers from asking about prior salary history, which could perpetuate past discrimination.
The Be Heard in the Workplace Act focuses on combating workplace harassment, which can force individuals out of their careers and contribute to economic instability. It also seeks to eliminate the tipped minimum wage of $2.13 an hour, which is a critical issue for Latinas, who are overrepresented in the service and restaurant industries.
“As I already mentioned, Latinas are overrepresented in the service and restaurant industry. That means in order to make a living, they have to cater to sometimes the abusive behavior of customers or clients to bring home a decent wage,” stated Vagins.
Vagins pointed out that while Latinas represent roughly 8.2% of the overall workforce, they account for 18.2% of low-wage jobs, yet only 1% of high-paying positions.
To address this, Vagins and other equal pay advocates are calling for wage reforms, including eliminating outdated minimum wage policies and increasing the federal minimum wage, which has been stagnant at around $7 for decades. Support for the Raise the Wage Act is crucial to bring wages up to a livable standard.
“We need to make sure Latinas are getting those higher-paid jobs. We need to be promoting women’s access to higher paying fields in general and leadership positions,” Vagins said.
Increased wages, enhanced benefits, and clear career pathways are vital steps to closing the wage gap. Legal protections must also be strengthened to combat pay discrimination and offer Latinas the means to challenge unfair practices.
Public support can also go a long way toward advancing wage equity for Latina workers. To make wage justice a priority in future economic reforms, people need to communicate directly with their elected officials at the federal and state levels. This means contacting members of Congress, state legislators, and governors to advocate for key legislation, such as the Patriot Fairness Act and the Be Heard Act at the federal level, and strengthening state-level pay equity laws.
“Elected officials really need to hear from constituents to understand that people will not accept 51 cents on the dollar. These are their constituents that are making these poverty-level wages and that isn’t good for anyone,” commented Vagins.
Organizations like Equal Pay Today offer a policy agenda that can guide constituents in pushing for change. Ensuring these issues are at the forefront of political discussions can help close the wage gap.
Additionally, registering to vote and supporting candidates committed to pay equity and economic justice is another way individuals can make a difference. Employers can also take immediate steps by conducting internal pay audits, posting salary ranges for transparency, and ensuring wages are fair—without waiting for new legislation.
