Differences in the earning power of females and males contribute to higher poverty rates for female-headed households and to inequity for individuals and families in our community. Income is tied to a variety of life outcomes, including health and happiness.

In 2016-20, women in the MetroWest region earned a median income of $36,854, or 66 cents for every dollar earned by males (a female to male earnings ratio of 0.66). This ratio was up 12% from 58 cents in 2000. The ratio was on par with the nation (0.66) but slightly higher than the state (.65).

The pay gap between females and males has many contributing factors, ranging from pay discrimination to the types of occupations and roles that females and males participate in to gaps in working when women give birth and care for children. In studies that control for occupation, experience, title and location, the pay gap narrows to as little as 5% or less. However, scholars and activists argue that cultural bias, societal assumptions and workplace design continue to contribute the pay gap, including by narrowing the viable workplace choices for females. Increased flexibility in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic may increase options and equity in some sectors, especially office-based work, though other female-dominated occupations, such as servers and health aides, may experience little change.

Multiyear figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS). The bureau combined five years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Data for this indicator are expected to be released in December.