10. Retail Trade
> Women’s Earnings as % of Men’s: 79.5%
> Women’s Median Weekly Earnings: $504
> Men’s Median Weekly Earnings: $634

The retail trade industry involves everything from automobile dealers, to electronics stores such as RadioShack  and major department stores such as Walmart, which is curre
ntly fighting the largest sex discrimination lawsuit in US history.  Relative to other industries on this list, women are well-represented in the retail industry’s workforce – there are about 4 women for every 5 men. Despite this, the  majority of women have a difficult time advancing in the retail sector. And at the very top, the disparity is starker still; there are no female directors at  companies such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dollar General, or The Gap (NYSE: GPS). Bed Bath and Beyond (NASDAQ: BBBY) and Costco (NASDAQ: COST) have no top-tier women executives, according to research firm Catalyst.

9. Wholesale Trade
> Women’s Earnings as % of Men’s: 79.3%
> Women’s Median Weekly Earnings: $648
> Men’s Median Weekly Earnings: $817

This industry includes wholesalers of lumber and other construction materials, machinery, electronics, and groceries. Women are extremely under-represented in wholesale trade, more so than the retail trade industry.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that wholesale trade industry consists of roughly 880,000 women and 2.25 million men.

8. Public Administration
> Women’s Earnings as % of Men’s: 78.5%
> Women’s Median Weekly Earnings: $783
> Men’s Median Weekly Earnings: $998

Even within the government sector, women make significantly less than men. This sector involves positions across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. Police, regulatory bodies  and technology are all included. The disparity is surprising, as government is expected to fairly represent the population, and enforces equal opportunity laws. Still, there are about 700,000 more men in public administration positions than women.

Your email address

subscribe

terms and conditions

7. Information
> Women’s Earnings as % of Men’s: 75.8%
> Women’s Median Weekly Earnings: $756
> Men’s Median Weekly Earnings: $997

The information industry includes media, communications, and publishing companies. It also has almost twice as many men as women. The disparity in pay also appears to come from the top. Large media firms Liberty Global, CC Media Holdings, and News Corp (NYSE: NWS), have no female directors. Others, which include Telephone & Data Systems, have no female officers.

6. Utilities
> Women’s Earnings as % of Men’s: 75.8%
> Women’s Median Weekly Earnings: $780
> Men’s Median Weekly Earnings: $1,029

Companies in this industry provide services such as electric power, natural gas, steam and water, and the removal of sewage. There are significantly less women than men in the industry: 211,000 to 984,000. Some occupations within the industry are even more dominated by men.  According to the Department of Labor, only 1% of electricians and 1.4% of plumbers are women. Only 2% of heating, air conditioning, refrigeration mechanics and installers are women. Many companies do not have women in executive positions either.  Ameren, Calpine, CenterPoint Energy, Energy Future Holdings, and FPL Group, all do not have any female officers in their ranks.