On Equal Pay Day, A New Study Highlights Wage Disparity for Women in Florida 

According to a new study, employment and wages have gotten worse under Rick Scott and the Republican-led legislature over the last decade, and now rank as a D+. The gender pay gap in Florida is 12.5 %, which means on average women working full-time earn 87.5 cents for every dollar a man makes. 

FDP Chair Terrie Rizzo released the following statement to mark Equal Pay Day on Tuesday:

“Under Rick Scott and the Republican-led legislature in Florida women are still having to fight to earn the same wage as a man. It’s alarming that wages have gotten worse under Republican leadership – who have refused to pass laws that empower and protect women in the workplace. The Florida Democratic Party believes every woman deserves to earn a livable wage – one where they are able to support a family and afford quality healthcare. We must do better as a state, and as a nation.”

The Status of Women in Florida by County: Employment & Earnings, 4/9/18 

• “Florida scored a D+ grade for women’s employment and earnings, worse than the C- the state earned when “The Status of Women in the States” was published in 2004.”
• “Labor force participation for Florida women is among the lowest in the nation, with rates varying widely by county and race/ethnicity.”
• “Florida ranks 38th in the nation on median annual earnings for women who work full-time, year-round ($35,000), with women’s earnings varying considerably by race and ethnicity.”
• “If women were paid the same as comparable men, women’s average earnings would increase by $6,300, a raise of over 16 percent.”
• “Education does not eliminate the wage gap.”