The Intersection of Race and Gender among Chemists: Assessing the Impact of Double Minority Status on Income

Abstract

Abstract This study assesses the income attainment of African American women relative to that of three race / gender groups (white women, African American men, white men) among industrial chemists, using the American Chemical Society (ACS) member survey. Regression models including education, professional work experience, work authority and marital status predict the annual income of the four race / gender groups. The findings indicate that in this sample of chemists, African American women earn on average less than white women, black men and white men. The main disadvantage experienced by black women relates to income returns to authority: compared with white men, African American women (and women in general) continue to receive significantly less income for authority positions. In addition, within the ACS membership, gender seems to be a larger “liability” for income attainment than race, and being married is more advantageous to men than to women.