Exploring the Gender Wage Gap and How to Level the Playing Field

During a time when pay equality among actors and actresses in Hollywood is trending daily, it's hard to ignore that the gender pay gap extends well beyond show business.

According to a Wall Street Journal examination, women earn less than men in 439 of 446 major U.S. occupations. Women in healthcare do not escape this unfortunate trend; female nurse practitioners earn just 89% of what male nurse practitioners do, on average. Female physician assistants earn just 80% of what their male counterparts make, on average.

Doximity recently released their 2018 Physician Compensation Report, which details the gender wage gap among physicians. Even though there was a 4% increase in physician pay nationally between 2016 and 2017, the gender pay gap increased. In 2016, female physicians made 26.5% less than male physicians per year; in 2017, that moved to 27.7% less per year.

How locum tenens positions level the gender wage gap playing field

When the Health Carousel Locum Tenens team posts a job, we are given a predetermined pay rate from the facility that contracts with us. The pay rate is the pay rate, regardless of age, gender, etc. A female locum tenens physician would make the same as a male locum tenens position in the same role at the same facility. Do keep your eyes open, because not all agencies are created equal.

"I was working at a hospital through a different locum tenens agency and talked with a peer about his rates. It became obvious that my agency was offering me 40% less for the same job," said Dr. Jones, one of the many talented physicians we work with. "So I asked to switch to his agency. He referred me to Health Carousel Locum Tenens."

As a locum tenens physician, you are empowered to choose where and when you want to work.

Doximity analyzed the metro areas with the largest gender wage gaps. Cities like Charleston, Kansas City, and Nashville rank among those cities with the highest wage gap.

With a locum tenens position, you can practice in cities with a smaller wage gap, like Las Vegas, Rochester, or Hartford. Take control of your career. Take control of your financial future.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a locum tenens physician or traveling advanced practice professional, reach out to a recruiter at Health Carousel Locum Tenens today.