How big is the wage gap between men and women in Charleston County?

“In South Carolina, median annual pay for a woman who holds a full-time, year-round job is $34,182 while median annual pay for a man who holds a full-time, year-round job is $42,238. This means that women in South Carolina are paid 81 cents for every dollar paid to men, amounting to an annual wage gap of $8,056.

The wage gap can be even larger for women of color. Among South Carolina women who hold full-time, year-round jobs, Black women are paid 57 cents, Latinas are paid 53 cents and Asian women are paid 68 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men.

South Carolina’s gender wage gap spans the state. In seven of South Carolina’s congressional districts, the median yearly pay for women who work full time, year-round is less than the median yearly pay for men who do.

What Does the Gap Mean for South Carolina’s Women?

On average, South Carolina women who are employed full time lose a combined total of more than $10 billion every year due to the wage gap.4 These lost wages mean women and their families have less money to support themselves, save and invest for the future, and spend on goods and services. Families, businesses and the economy suffer as a result.

If the annual wage gap were eliminated, on average, a working woman in South Carolina would have enough money for:

•   Nearly 21 more months of child care;
•   Nearly one additional year of tuition and fees for a four-year public university, or 1.6additional years of tuition and fees at a two-year community college.
•   Approximately 63 more weeks of food for her family (more than one year’s worth).
•   Nearly seven more months of mortgage and utilities payment.
•   Nearly 10 more months of rent.”