Pay inequity between rural, urban women grows

Rural women working full-time make less money than their urban counterparts, and the disparity is greater than it was almost 40 years ago, according to a study released yesterday by the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire.

The study, "Working Hard for the Money: Trends in Women's Employment 1970-2006," found that 42 percent of rural women and 44 percent of urban women worked full-time. In 1970, the corresponding numbers were 26% and 24%. However, the pay inequity has increased. In 1969, rural women earned 83 cents for every dollar earned by an urban woman; in 2006, they made only 77 cents.

Analysis "suggests that rural and urban areas may have different labor markets for highly educated women, with fewer high-paying opportunities for women in rural areas," writes Kristin Smith, who conducted the study. Smith also notes that, as fewer jobs are available for men in "traditional rural industries," many rural women are finding full-time employment necessary for their families' economic survival. (Read the full report)