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OCCUPATIONAL SEGREGATION
The primary cause of the Wage Gap is occupational segregation, the clustering of women in low wage jobs. The labor force is sharply divided by sex, and this occupational segregation contributes to women's poverty. In 1997 only 14% of working women were employed in nontraditional jobs.
Traditional Jobs for Women
| Occupation |
% Female |
Wages |
| Secretary |
98.6 |
$14.19 |
| Receptionist |
95.5 |
$10.52 |
| Hairdressers/Cosmetologists |
90.8 |
$10.17 |
| Nursing aids |
89.9 |
$8.60 |
| Waitress |
77.4 |
$6.55 |
| Cashiers |
77 |
$8.16 |
Nontraditional Jobs for Women
| Occupation |
% Female |
Wages |
| Machinist |
5.6 |
$16.90 |
| Truck drivers |
4.9 |
$17.50 |
| Aircraft engine mechanics |
4.2 |
$24.78 |
| Construction trades |
2.5 |
$12.03 -
$30.99 |
| Automobile mechanics |
1.4 |
$17.31 |
| Heavy equipment mechanics |
1.2 |
$19.65 |
American women will continue to find that their wages are low and that they are unable to support themselves or their families unless substantial numbers of working women are able to gain access to a wider range of occupations. The segregation of women in a few low-paying occupations contributes to the gap between the earnings of men, and presents a barrier to economic self-sufficiency for the majority of working women.
Sources:
1. Illinois Department of Employment Security, 2000 Occupational Employment Statistics: Wage Data, Experienced Hourly Wage
2. U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau, "Nontraditional Occupations for Women in 1999" and "20 Leading Occupations of Employed Women".
