Old North News

In North Carolina, a recent analysis of data from the American Community Survey has revealed that women are achieving higher education at slightly higher rates than men. Despite this trend, an earnings gap persists between genders across all levels of educational attainment.

The survey data shows that 24% of women in North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to 22% of men. This reflects a national trend where more women are enrolling in and completing college degrees.

However, even with these educational advancements, women's median earnings continue to trail behind men's at every education level. The disparity is particularly pronounced at advanced education levels; for instance, women with some college or associate's degrees earn about 27% less than their male counterparts. This gap widens to nearly 34% among those holding graduate degrees.

These findings suggest that while education generally correlates with increased earnings for both genders, the financial benefits differ significantly by gender. Factors such as occupational segregation and industry representation may contribute to these disparities.

The choice of academic discipline also appears to influence earnings differences. Men tend to pursue fields like engineering that often lead to higher-paying careers, whereas women are more frequently found in fields such as education and arts and humanities. Even within the same occupations, previous research indicates that women still earn less than men.

In summary, although women in North Carolina have surpassed men in earning postsecondary degrees by 2023, this achievement has not equated to equal pay. The persistent wage gap raises questions about how educational choices and other labor market factors affect gender-based earnings outcomes.