Although in California, Latinas make .42 cents for every dollar that a White man makes, Latinas living in Silicon Valley are experiencing even more inequity as they earn 33.5 cents for every dollar that a White man earns (HOPE ESL Report 2022). LCSV is working to bring awareness to this wage gap and the impact it has on our families.

Compounding this inequity, COVID-19 and the resultant economic downturn impacted a much larger number of women, and particularly Latinas, who had to leave their jobs/careers due to the lack of home support for other household members (children and elders, e.g.). On average Latinas in California lose out on $1.18 million over a 40 year career when compared to a white man. If progress continues at the same rate as it has since 1985, Latinas will not reach equal pay with White non-Hispanic men for another 185 years, or until 2206.

If the wage gap were eliminated, on average, a Latina working full time, year-round would have enough money to afford approximately:

• 38 months of food

• Nearly 33 more months of child care

• 6 semesters (3 years) of tuition and fees for a four-year public university, or the full cost of tuition and fees for a two-year college

• More than 22 months of rent

• 18 additional months of premiums for employer-based health insurance