Powered by Washington State Women’s Commission
Activate 3.8 is a statewide campaign of the Washington State Women’s Commission to activate the full economic potential of 3.8 million Washington women and close the gender wage gap in our state.
Find solutions to close the gender wage gap in WA (and beyond)!
Bring $70 billion a year in wage gap losses back to our communities.
Help women and girls gain access to all career pathways.
This will result in a stronger economy for our state, fueled by equal opportunity, representation, and compensation.
What is the wage gap in Washington?
Women in Washington made $18,400 less in average wages than men in 2022. This amount is among the largest gender-based wage discrepancies in the nation, second only to Utah at $20,649.
That’s the equivalent to 11 months of rent, more than a year of childcare, or paying off average student loan debt in under two years. The gender wage gap is even larger for women of color, who face intersecting gender, racial, and/or ethnic biases.
Why does it matter?
Closing the pay gap benefits everyone. The gender wage gap is costing Washington $70 billion every year.
Imagine if we returned $70 billion to our state’s economy. That could unlock more support for families, healthier communities, and open up more consumer spending in our state.
Why is there a wage gap in Washington?
Washington has been a leader when it comes to women’s rights and representation, so why do we have this wage gap? There are several reasons:
Expensive or unavailable child/elder care
Lack of inclusivity in the workplace
The continuation of direct pay discrimination
Why is there a wage gap in Washington?
But one of the primary drivers of the wage gap in Washington is occupational segregation.
This is where women are over-represented in low-paid work, such as in childcare and as tipped workers, and under-represented in high-paid roles in tech, aerospace, engineering, and the trades – the very industries that thrive in our state.
What are we doing about it?
Activate 3.8 brings together six key state agencies with labor, business, and academia to co-create solutions that enhance equity and opportunity at every stage of a woman’s career.
Learn more about the campaign HERE and how you can take action now with just a few clicks HERE
