HER83

Methodology

Data Collection & Analysis

Her83 uses official data from the United States Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) to calculate and visualize the gender pay gap across the United States. Our methodology is transparent, reproducible, and based on widely accepted statistical practices.

Primary Data Sources

US Census Bureau ACS API

  • Table S0201: Selected Population Profile in the United States

    Provides demographic characteristics including earnings data broken down by sex.

  • Table S2411: Occupation by Sex and Median Earnings in the Past 12 Months

    Contains detailed occupation-level earnings data segmented by gender.

The ACS is an ongoing survey conducted by the US Census Bureau, collecting information from approximately 3.5 million households annually. It is the most comprehensive source of demographic and economic data about the American population.

How We Calculate the Pay Gap

1. Pay Gap Percentage

Gap % = ((Male Median - Female Median) / Male Median) × 100

This calculation shows what percentage less women earn compared to men. For example, a 17% gap means women earn 83 cents for every dollar men earn.

2. Annual Shortfall

Annual Shortfall = Male Median - Female Median

This represents the average dollar amount women earn less per year compared to men in the same region.

3. Individual Impact Calculation

Annual Underpayment = User Salary × (Gap % / 100)
10-Year Loss = Annual Underpayment × 10

When users enter their salary, we apply the regional gap percentage to estimate their personal earnings shortfall.

Important Notes & Limitations

Median vs. Mean

We use median earnings rather than mean (average) because medians are less affected by extreme outliers and provide a more accurate representation of typical earnings.

Full-Time, Year-Round Workers

Census data focuses on full-time, year-round workers to ensure accurate comparisons. Part-time and seasonal workers are excluded from these calculations.

Not Adjusted for Occupation

State-level figures show the overall gap without controlling for specific occupations or industries. Use the filter options to see occupation-specific data.

Impact Calculations are Estimates

Individual impact calculations assume the gap remains constant and don't account for raises, inflation, or career changes. Actual lifetime earnings gaps may be higher when compounding is considered.

Data Updates

The US Census Bureau releases updated ACS data annually, typically in September. Her83 data is refreshed to reflect the latest available statistics. The current data represents the most recent ACS 1-year estimates.

References & Resources