Gender-Based Wage Gap: The Case of the State Government Budget Analyst

Abstract

This article examines the wage gap among similarlyemployedmen and women in the central budget offices often state governments in the Southern region of the United States. Results indicate a significant difference in average annual income of men and women employed as budget analysts in these offices. Years of service as an analyst and educational level do contribute to this wage differential as well. Alternatively, results suggest that women employed in top-level budgeting positions in state government can expect to make salaries equal to theirmale counterparts. While representation of women in these positions remains problematic, of those so employed, their salaries are competitive with, or even exceed, those of men similarly employed.