IT’S STILL EQUAL PAY DAY: These figures are a little old (2009) and they are not adjusted for number of hours worked (although the comparison includes only “full-time” workers). But they show something interesting. Childcare is one of the many drivers of the figures. Women (very often by choice) come in and out of the job market during their child bearing and rearing years. Over long periods of time, that takes its toll on women’s salaries. But note that the gap starts to close a little in the post-child rearing years.

• Women 20-24 make 92.9% of men’s earnings.
• Women 25-34 make 88.7%
• Women 35-44 make 77.4%
• Women 45-54 make 73.6%
• Women 55-64 make 75.3%
• Women 65+    make 76.1%

There are many angles to this story.