Pay Equity

TAKING STEPS TO ADDRESS WEST VIRGINIA’S PAY EQUITY 

West Virginia has a big opportunity to tackle the significant pay disparities for women. With top talent in high demand nationally, and women playing an important role in family finances, West Virginia can help out employers and families with smart approaches to pay equity. 

What’s at stake?

For every $1 earned by a man, women earn: 

• 80¢
  Women in the U.S.
• 74¢
  Women in the WV.
• 63¢
  African American Women in WV.
• 60¢
  Latina Women in WV.

• West Virginia has the third-highest gender wage gap in the United States. 
• West Virginia women earn an average of $12,000 (26%) less than men, which equated to $13.7 billion in lost earnings for women in 2017. 
• West Virginia women earn $512,000 less than men over the course of their working lives. Lower lifetime earnings affect women’s retirement income, financial security as well as the amount of savings and debt they hold. 

Empowering West Virginia women to negotiate.

Wage disparity often starts in a first job and worsens over a woman’s career. Employers’ actions can unintentionally continue unfair pay trends. To counter this trend, employers must be aware of best hiring practices, and women of all ages could be armed with salary negotiation tools to best negotiate for fair pay from their first job to their last. 

“Negotiating salary before and during employment is incredibly imperative to financial health and reversing the gender pay gap in west Virginia. These practices will help pave the way for other women for decades to come.” 

– Sabrina Ridenour, a WVU alumni and founder and former president of American Association of University Women at WVU. 

AAUW Salary Negotiation Workshops 

WV Women Moving Forward is working with the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and West Virginia higher ed institutions to help bridge the gender wage gap and empower West Virginia women, one salary negotiation workshop at a time. 

Start Smart 

The AAUW Start Smart program trains college students, particularly young women, who are about to enter the job market on how to negotiate their starting salary. 

During workshops, students learn how to research competitive salaries, communicate their experience, qualifications and skills, and ask for – and get – the pay they deserve. AAUW Start Smart is available at select WVU campuses. Workshops are offered by higher ed employees who are AAUW certified salary negotiation facilitators. If you would like to become a facilitator or join a workshop, please email us at wvforward@mail.wvu.edu. 

Work Smart

The AAUW Work Smart is a salary negotiation program designed for women who are changing jobs or seeking a raise or promotion. This online course is available for FREE and can be taken at your own pace and time. 

Take the online course now

Making a difference.

UNDERSTAND. ANALYZE. ACT. SHARE. 

Encouraging West Virginia employers to consider best practices for moving toward equal pay for equal work to keep and attract top talent. 

Igniting economic growth through employer-led efforts can: 

• Attract and retain talent. 
• Expand best practices and solutions statewide. 
• Contribute to the economic prosperity of West Virginia women, families and communities. 

Get involved. 

Contact jpowell@tgkvf.org to learn more and get involved.