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If you have not been blasted with reports about the gender pay gap in Hollywood, you may be living under a rock. Recent news articles and headlines have scoured the issue, and just about everyone is weighing in on the disparity between men and women’s incomes. Liam Neeson, for example, thinks the pay gap is “f---ing disgraceful.” While opinions and frustration levels vary, it is pretty much safe to say - nearly everyone is troubled by the pay gap.
Despite all the recent reports, it is important to note that the gender pay gap is not limited to those that grace the silver screen. Rather, the pay gap affects people across all professions and industries in the US. People, however, may be surprised to learn that the gender pay gap is alive and well among one of our country’s oldest and most revered professions: medicine. That’s right – although the year is 2018, reports indicate that female physicians – across all specialties - earn an average of 74 cents for every dollar that male physicians make. This figure translates to an approximate $90,000 per year. Even when the data is broken down based on medical specialty, there is no area where women earn as much as men. Of course, it is not news to anyone that the medical field is one that has historically been dominated by men. While male doctors still greatly outnumber females – approximately 66% of physicians in the US are men – women are entering the medical field at unprecedented rates. The number of women enrolled in medical school recently reached a 10-year high, and in 2015, female medical school graduates outnumbered males in several states.
One of the largest factors affecting compensation among men versus women is geography. The statistics prove that where you live does matter. In several cities, the pay gap is 30% or more (including Charlotte and Durham, North Carolina; Orlando, Florida; and Pittsburgh). Five other cities have pay gaps of at least 29%. It appears that the pay gap was the least significant (relatively speaking) in Sacramento, where female physicians earn 19% less than their male counterparts.
Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this issue is an examination of when, if ever, the gap will close. Although the gender pay gap has certainly been inching closer and closer together (no one can deny the progress made in women’s education and workforce participation since the 19070s), the rate of change simply is not happening fast enough. Experts estimate that if the rate of change experienced between 1960 and 2016 continues, then women are expected to achieve pay equality in 2059. However, experts also advise that progress has slowed in recent years (since 2001, specifically), such that if the more recent and slower rate of change continues, women will not achieve pay equality until 2119. So, even if we take the more optimistic stance, women will continue to earn less money than their male counterparts for another staggering 41 years.
Having presumably achieved the same level of education and training upon entering the work force, why do female and male physicians get paid so differently? Unfortunately, there truly is not a good answer, but it appears that at least part of the problem is self-doubt and reluctance on behalf of women. Reports indicate that, in general, women feel less comfortable than men when it comes to negotiating their compensation, and therefore simply accept what is offered to them. Therefore, although the problems working professionals in our country face require a systemic response, it is clear that we also need women to stand up for their value and for female voices to be heard.
The physician-agents of Lauth O’Neill work solely on behalf of health care providers, and are experienced in the analysis and negotiation of physician employment contracts. If you have questions about your contract or compensation plan, contact the physician-agents of Lauth O’Neill.
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