Women who earned a 4.0 grade-point average in high school are likely to reap an income that barely exceeds that of men who received a 2.0 GPA, researchers found.
Although high school GPA is significantly higher among women, men go on to earn notably larger annual incomes, according to the University of Miami study recently published in the Eastern Economic Journal. Women who held a 4.0 GPA later made about $36,000 per year, while men who had a 2.0 GPA brought home just under $35,000.
A one-point increase in GPA raises yearly income in adulthood by about 14% for women and 12% for men, according to the report. A one-point increase also doubles the probability of finishing college — from 21% to 42% — for both genders.
Researchers used findings from high school records and background information from more than 10,000 men and women. They obtained educational attainment and income information when the respondents were between the ages of 24 and 34. ThinkProgress also reported the information.
President Barack Obama recently has put a spotlight on the gender pay gap, which he has called “math” and “not a myth.” Last month, Obama signed two executive orders intended to narrow the gap between wages for women and men working as federal contractors. One order requires contractors to submit data about how they compensate employees of different genders and races; the other prevents contractors from punishing workers who discuss their salaries with each other.
Meanwhile, Congress remains in a stalemate over a proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10. According to the Economic Policy Institute, raising the minimum wage would give a disproportionate boost to women, who make up 55% of workers whose incomes would be affected by the hike.
