Montana economist Barbara Wagner: Sexism not only factor in wage gap

Nationally, women earn 70.6 percent of what men earn on the job, but in Montana that figure is even lower.

Overall, women in Montana earn just 67.5 percent of what men earn, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For full-time workers, women in the state earn 75 percent of what men earn, compared with 78 percent nationwide. That’s a larger pay gap than all but five states in the country.

Barbara Wagner, chief economist with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, said research suggests that cultural and institutional stereotypes are greater detriments than overt sexism on the part of individuals. Much of the wage gap, she said, can be explained by human capital factors and productivity.

DAVID ERICKSON [email protected]

Full Story: http://ravallirepublic.com/missoula/news/local/article_9c548169-657b-5282-852e-65255854da5f.html