Gender Analysis of Research Analysis Position at NIAR By Elizabeth Clarkson, Ph.D.

I was unhappy with my salary Over the past 3 decades of working in a male dominated industry, I have found that when I compare my salary to survey data about my profession I am inevitably on the low side until I get to the breakdown by gender. I recently discovered just how underpaid I was – the 3 rd percentile! I requested and received data regarding NIAR employees in my job classification. I wanted to find out how my salary compared with other men and women at NIAR.

The Graph Gives me HOPE! I know, to the casual observer that graph might appear to be supportive of gender discrimination in pay. It’s not. The t-test is the best measure of that and it indicates the small difference between genders on average within a job classification is not statistically significant. Few older women are in the Research Analyst position. Look at the distribution for women in the under 40 age group!

I see evidence of change! I see two young women in the upper range of their age group Look at them! No doubt they hold advanced degrees already. I earned my Bachelors at 23, my Master’s at 31 and my Ph.D. at 51. Combining family and career starting back in the 80’s has meant a slower approach to both for me. My pay reflects the choices I’ve made and the ambient culture of my generation.

Let me explain The females over 40 earn less than their male counterparts. This is a likely result of the pervasive discrimination older women faced in our early careers and sacrifices made for the sake of our families. The lack of discrimination in pay for younger women indicates that they are not experiencing gender discrimination in pay. THINGS ARE BETTER NOW!