Is MIT an Exception? Gender Pay Differences in Academic Science

Abstract

This study uses data from the Survey of Doctorate Recipients to evaluate gender differences in salaries for academic scientists. Over time gender salary differences can partly be explained by differences in observable characteristics for faculty at the assistant and associate ranks. Substantial gender salary differences for full professors are not explained by observable characteristics. Between 1973 and 1997, very little has changed in terms of gender salary and promotion differences for academics in science. After evaluating potential explanations, the author concludes that gender discrimination similar to that observed at MIT accounts for unexplained gender disparities.