North Raleigh Today

Recent data from the American Community Survey highlights a concerning trend in North Carolina. Women are pursuing and completing higher education at slightly higher rates than men, yet they continue to earn less than their male counterparts across all levels of education.

In North Carolina, 24% of women hold a bachelor's degree or higher compared to 22% of men. This pattern is consistent with national trends showing increased college enrollment and degree completion among women. However, despite these educational achievements, women's median earnings still lag behind men's at every education level.

The survey reveals that the earnings gap widens as education levels increase. Women with some college or associate's degrees earn about 27% less than their male counterparts, while those with graduate degrees face a nearly 34% gap. This suggests that factors beyond educational attainment may influence earnings outcomes, such as occupational segregation and industry representation.

Differences in fields of study also contribute to these disparities. Men tend to pursue disciplines like engineering that often lead to higher-paying careers, whereas women are more represented in fields such as education and the arts. Even within the same occupation, women generally earn less than men.

In 2023, although women in North Carolina earned postsecondary degrees at higher rates than men, this did not translate into equal earnings. The persistent and widening gap at advanced education levels indicates that other factors besides educational attainment affect earnings outcomes. Choices in fields of study could be one potential factor influencing career paths and salary potential.