New report confirms old understanding. White men make more money in California

California women and people of color make less money, while the state’s executive suites continue to be dominated by white men, according to data released by the California Civil Rights Department.

A 2020 law requires California firms with 100 or more employees to report salary, demographic and other workforce data to the state, which compiles and publishes it in an annual report. The second such report, covering 2021, was released Thursday.

It shows that while men (52%) slightly outnumber women (48%) among the 7.3 million workers whose data was submitted, women (54%) outnumber men 46% when it comes to those making less than $32,239 a year. Meanwhile, among those making more than $144,560 a year, 65% were men and just 35% were women.

Though men and women had roughly equal representation in a number of fields, women (71%) heavily outnumber men (29%) in administrative support jobs, and also make up the majority (56%) of service workers. Men, on the other hand, hold 64% of executive or senior-level management positions, compared to 36% of women.

Men also made up the overwhelming majority of craft workers at 92%.

The report also shows that despite white people comprising just 33% of the reported workforce, they make up 61% of executive or senior-level managers and 50% of low- and mid-level managers.

Hispanic and Latino people make up the largest percentage of the reported workforce, at 38%.

Hispanic and Latino people comprise a plurality of technicians (35%), sales (41%), administrative support (40%), and a majority in craft work (54%), operatives (58%), laborers (69%) and service (54%).

Despite being the largest working demographic in the state, of those making more than $114,560, only 9% were Hispanic and Latino, while 50% of those making less than $32,239 were in that demographic group.

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom said in a statement that the findings only served to reinforce what is already known: “women and communities of color continue to bear the burden of low-wage jobs — particularly those oriented around care work.”

She urged California corporations to sign the California Equal Pay Pledge, which requires companies to commit to conducting annual company-wide pay analyses, review hiring and promotion practices and to promote best practices to close the gender pay gap.

Kevin Kish, director of the Civil Rights Department that released the report, said in a statement, “Each year, billions of dollars are lost due to pay inequities impacting women and communities of color. I urge employers to take a hard look at the data and do their part to ensure equal opportunity in the workplace.”

This story was originally published August 31, 2023 at 11:24 AM.