Study: Gender pay gap in Texas is decreasing

Sierra Juarez

BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 21: Flags reading 'Equal Pay Day' are seen during the 'Equal Pay Day' demonstration on March 21, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. The annual event recognizes the wage gap between the sexes in the country, where women's salaries still lag behind that of men, particularly in the states that were once East Germany. (Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images)

The gender pay gap in Texas has decreased by 3 percent over the last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But the pay gap still exists with women earning a median weekly income of $707 to their male counterpart’s $860. During 2016, this means that Texas women earned $7,950 less than men.

According to the report, the state’s gap typically fluctuates in two-year increments, meaning that for two years the wages get closer together and then switch to getting further apart.

Vermont had the smallest gender wage gap in the country this year. Utah came in last for gender equity payment with women earning roughly 70 percent of men’s salaries.

The report also showed that all Texas workers are making less than the national median income of $747 per week for women and $915 for men.