Women See Wage Gap as Major Obstacle, Men Disagree, Poll Finds

Majority of working women say men have more opportunities for competitive wages, but most men believe both genders have equal chances.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:19pm

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A new AP-NORC poll finds that most working women in the U.S. believe they are disadvantaged when it comes to earning competitive wages, with about 6 in 10 saying men have more opportunities. However, men are more divided on the issue, with about 4 in 10 believing men have an advantage and about half thinking both genders have equal chances. The survey also found that a majority of employed women say the amount of money they get paid is a 'major' source of stress, compared to about 4 in 10 employed men.

Why it matters

The findings reflect a growing divide between men and women on the issue of pay equity, at a time when the gender wage gap has widened for two consecutive years. The poll highlights the differing perceptions and experiences of men and women in the workforce, and underscores the ongoing challenges in addressing systemic gender-based pay disparities.

The details

The survey found that about 3 in 10 employed women say they have personally experienced wage discrimination because of their gender, while just about 1 in 10 men say the same. Women are also more likely to see wages as a major source of stress, with about 6 in 10 working women saying the cost of groceries and housing are major stressors, compared to about 4 in 10 men.

  • Equal Pay Day, which symbolizes how many more days into the year women have to work for their earnings to catch up with men, was on Thursday, March 27, 2026.
  • The gender wage gap has widened for two consecutive years, according to the latest annual report from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The players

Jessica Thompson

A 47-year-old former senior sales manager in Rockford, Illinois, who said she earned $65,000 a year while a male colleague with similar credentials earned $87,000.

Michael Bettger

A 51-year-old mechanic who earns $26 an hour in rural Arkansas and believes women struggle more to get ahead in his male-dominated field because of the misogyny he sees.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The poll results highlight the persistent gender divide in perceptions of pay equity, underscoring the need for continued efforts to address systemic barriers and biases that contribute to the gender wage gap. As the issue remains a major source of stress and concern for working women, policymakers and employers must work to implement solutions that promote transparency, fairness, and equal opportunities in the workforce.