Jobs, Money and Education
In celebration of Women’s History of Month 2025, Hispanic Lifestyle takes a closer look at Latinas, Jobs, Money and Education. Latina women are a vital and growing segment of the U.S. workforce, contributing significantly across various industries. However, they continue to face substantial wage disparities compared to their male counterparts and other demographic groups.
Wage Disparities
- As of 2023, Latina women working full-time, year-round earned approximately 58 cents for every dollar earned by non-Hispanic white men, indicating a wage gap of 42%. This disparity translates to a median annual income of $33,540 for Latinas, compared to $61,576 for white, non-Hispanic men, resulting in an annual loss of $28,036.
- Over a 40-year career, this gap can accumulate to nearly $1.3 million in lost wages for Latina workers.
- Factors contributing to this wage gap include occupational segregation, lower access to higher-paying industries, and systemic barriers that limit career advancement opportunities for Latinas.
Industry Employment
Latina women are predominantly employed in several key industries:
- Education and Health Services: Approximately 20.9% of employed Latinas work in this sector, which includes roles in educational institutions and healthcare facilities.
- Wholesale and Retail Trade: This industry employs about 14.9% of Latina workers, encompassing positions in sales, customer service, and retail management.
- Professional and Business Services: Around 10.1% of Latinas are employed in this sector, which includes administrative support, management, and technical services.
- Leisure and Hospitality: This sector accounts for 9.4% of Latina employment, covering jobs in food services, accommodations, and recreational services.
Despite their significant presence in these industries, Latinas remain underrepresented in higher-paying sectors such as information technology, finance, and engineering. Additionally, they hold a disproportionately low number of leadership positions, with only about 1% occupying corporate C-suite executive roles.
Latina women have made significant strides in education and workforce participation in recent years, leading to notable economic contributions and a positive outlook for future advancements.
Educational Attainment
Over the past decade, the percentage of Hispanic women holding a bachelor’s degree has risen from 16% in 2013 to 23% in 2023. Additionally, more Hispanic women are completing graduate degrees than ever before.
Economic Contributions
The economic impact of Latinas in the United States has grown substantially. Between 2010 and 2021, the collective economic output of Latina women doubled from $661 billion to $1.3 trillion, surpassing the GDP of entire states like Florida.
Workforce Participation
Hispanic women’s labor force participation has increased by four percentage points over the last decade, reaching 69% in 2023. This uptick reflects their growing presence and influence across various sectors of the economy.
Wage Trends
While challenges persist, there have been improvements in earnings. The median hourly wage for Hispanic women increased by 17% over the past decade, rising from $16.47 in 2013 to $19.23 in 2023.
Leadership and Advocacy
Latina women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles, particularly within labor unions, where they are transforming organizational priorities to focus on family-friendly benefits and protections against workplace harassment. Their leadership is pivotal in advocating for equitable workplace conditions and broader social issues.
Latina women’s advancements in education, workforce participation, and leadership are fostering positive trends that significantly contribute to the U.S. economy. To sustain and accelerate these gains, continued support for educational and professional development is crucial. This support will enable Latinas to fully realize their potential and achieve equitable outcomes in all sectors.
Source(s):
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
APNEWS.com
PEWRESEARCH.ORG
National Women’s Law Center
UnidosUS.org
