Minnesota women earn 80 cents for every dollar men make, study finds

Male Matters USA

Gender-based pay gaps are alive and well, the study suggests.

Think sexism is mainly a thing of the past? A new analysis of census data suggests it's still alive and well in 2012.

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A study by the National Partnership for Women and Families finds that Minnesota women who work full time pull in a median salary of $40,416, compared to $50,580 for men. That $10,164 difference (or 80 cents for every dollar men make) is actually more equitable than the 77-cents-for-women-per-dollar-for-men national norm.

Minority women have it particularly bad, the study finds. Nationally, African American women make 64 cents and Latinas are paid just 55 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men.

It should be noted that the study doesn't sort by profession, meaning the pay disparity doesn't necessarily mean women are making less than men for the same jobs.

Nevertheless, Debra Ness, president of the National Partnership, characterized the findings as "stunning and deeply troubling." In a press release, she urged legislators to close loopholes in the Equal Pay Act.

"Women and their families are losing critical income for food, gas, rent, health insurance and more due to a punishing gender-based wage gap that has plagued this country for decades," Ness said.