GUELPH - A new study by the University of Guelph says that the higher the level of education, the narrower the gender pay gap.
In fact the study, which the U of G says is the first-ever study of recent graduates and gender pay equity, shows that the average wage for recent PhD grauates is the same for men and women.
The study found average pay during the first three years after graduation is around $70,000 for men and women with PhDs.
The biggest gender pay equity gap is in trades and community college graduates, the study also found.
“This is the first time that I’ve seen at any level that there is no discrepancy in earnings between males and females,” said U of G professor David Walters in a news release from the school. “Whatever is happening among those graduates and their employers is actually working.”
Walters worked on the study with colleague Stephanie Howells and lead author Anthony Jehn.
The study analyzed data from Statistics Canada’s 2013 National Graduates Survey, which surveyed trades, college and university graduates three years after graduation.
It focused on data from three years after graduation offered a glimpse into labour market outcomes before the influence of factors such as maternity leave and level of occupational commitment, said Walters.
Gender pay equity for PhD grads likely reflects their working for employers with strong collective agreements and proactive labour policies, said Walters.
The study also found that, upon entering the workforce, women master’s graduates earn about $7,500 less than their PhD counterparts.
“Making that jump from one graduate program to another is paying off for females,” said Walters.
Other university, college and trades graduates experience less pay equity, according to the study.
Within three years of graduation, the gender gap in earnings is highest among trades and community college graduates. Men in trades earn about $40,500, while women’s salaries hover around $32,500. Men with college diplomas earn about $45,500 on average compared to women, who earn just under $38,500.
Among university undergraduates, men earn on average about $55,000 and women about $50,500.
The wage gap is smallest among liberal arts undergrads. The largest wage gaps exist for undergrads in math, computer science and engineering, also among the highest paying fields.
- GuelphToday.com
