Economy
Female to Male Earnings Ratio

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau

What does this measure?

The ratio of female to male median earnings, in 2021 dollars.

Why is this important?

Differences in the earning power of females and males contribute to higher poverty rates for female-headed households and to inequity for individuals and families in our community. Income is tied to a variety of life outcomes, including health and happiness.

How is our region performing?

In 2017-21, women in the region earned a median income of about $28,900 compared to $41,600 for men. In other words, for every dollar earned by a man, a woman in our region earned 70 cents. This ratio was up about 20% from 56 cents on the dollar in 2000. The region's ratio was similar to both the state (0.71) and national average (0.66).

In the City of Rochester, the difference in earnings was narrower in 2017-21, with women earning 88 cents for every dollar earned by men (a female to male earnings ratio of 0.88). This was a 16% increase in the ratio from 2000. Among the counties in the region, the female to male earnings ratio was highest in Monroe and Seneca (both at 0.71) and lowest in Wyoming (0.60).

Why do these disparities exist?

The pay gap between females and males has many contributing factors, ranging from pay discrimination to the types of occupations and roles that females and males participate in to gaps in working when women give birth and care for children. In studies that control for occupation, experience, title and location, the pay gap narrows to as little as 5% or less. However, scholars and activists argue that cultural bias, societal assumptions and workplace design continue to contribute the pay gap, including by narrowing the viable workplace choices for females. Increased flexibility in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic may increase options and equity in some sectors, especially office-based work, though other female-dominated occupations, such as servers and health aides, may experience little change.

Notes about the data

Multiyear figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS). The bureau combined five years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Data for this indicator are expected to be released in December.

Female to Male Earnings Ratio
20002007-112012-162017-21
NYS0.600.660.690.71
NYS (excluding NYC)0.560.610.650.67
Region0.560.620.670.70
Monroe0.570.630.680.71
Surrounding Counties0.550.610.640.67
Rochester MSA0.630.670.70
Genesee0.550.610.620.62
Livingston0.550.570.580.64
Ontario0.550.630.630.70
Orleans0.530.580.670.70
Seneca0.610.680.710.71
Wayne0.560.630.690.70
Wyoming0.540.560.610.60
Yates0.550.570.610.66
Monroe County Suburbs0.520.580.630.65
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester0.740.780.810.88
Brighton0.580.660.660.67
Chili0.560.670.690.71
Clarkson0.440.610.760.63
East Rochester0.730.580.740.82*
Gates0.540.660.790.80
Greece0.530.590.690.68
Hamlin0.540.530.650.64
Henrietta0.700.690.780.78
Irondequoit0.550.670.740.71
Mendon0.530.480.560.76
Ogden0.500.580.570.71
Parma0.490.600.590.62
Penfield0.470.530.490.55
Perinton0.490.500.560.61
Pittsford0.360.420.440.44
Riga0.490.600.640.61
Rush0.640.39*0.760.75
Sweden0.520.610.550.64*
Webster0.490.540.580.65
Wheatland0.670.660.770.64
Brockport (V)0.690.61*0.51*0.85*
Churchville (V)0.560.560.570.61
Fairport (V)0.580.580.680.58*
Hilton (V)0.460.600.700.78
Honeoye Falls (V)0.670.640.631.24
Pittsford (V)0.510.61*0.56*0.55*
Scottsville (V)0.530.750.710.68*
Spencerport (V)0.590.48*0.670.77
Webster (V)0.500.64*0.780.64*
Regional Cities
Batavia0.630.650.700.70
Canandaigua0.610.580.730.80
Geneva0.580.670.690.86*

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%.




Median Earnings for Females
20002007-112012-162017-21
NYS$28,131$27,832$28,189$31,312
NYS (excluding NYC)$47,752$34,775$32,653$32,204
Region$43,950$30,519$29,042$28,944
Monroe$28,569$25,826$26,532$29,873
Surrounding Counties$39,832$29,552$27,529$27,370
Rochester MSA$25,588$25,819$29,274
Genesee$24,417$24,135$23,591$25,842
Livingston$21,964$21,891$22,034$26,149
Ontario$26,573$26,884$26,216$30,397
Orleans$22,507$22,423$23,499$25,225
Seneca$24,683$25,278$24,346$27,018
Wayne$26,848$26,139$25,530$28,501
Wyoming$22,317$22,691$24,398$25,620
Yates$20,407$21,629$21,523$22,672
Monroe County Suburbs$50,976$34,582$33,643$32,921
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester$24,449$19,867$20,004$24,032
Brighton$37,251$35,920$34,630$33,641
Chili$32,466$29,757$30,353$34,172
Clarkson$25,363$23,693$26,735$28,843
East Rochester$30,796$23,251$28,658$30,696*
Gates$27,481$25,945$29,218$33,930
Greece$29,543$26,736$28,416$29,455
Hamlin$27,643$25,799$24,374$27,230
Henrietta$26,942$22,587$27,154$29,231
Irondequoit$29,316$28,991$30,455$32,921
Mendon$43,583$34,495$38,639$47,209
Ogden$31,892$27,767$29,729$32,883
Parma$28,989$28,574$28,879$31,360
Penfield$32,634$30,971$28,681$37,414
Perinton$36,895$31,906$33,523$39,710
Pittsford$33,717$31,406$31,192$34,014
Riga$29,729$26,556$28,705$30,586
Rush$40,662$29,470*$35,961$43,693
Sweden$18,726$18,266$17,022$18,673*
Webster$33,027$31,439$30,314$33,943
Wheatland$35,833$29,188$31,233$29,928
Brockport (V)$14,840$10,836*$9,656*$11,268*
Churchville (V)$32,801$26,312$29,385$30,430
Fairport (V)$35,192$31,600$32,631$40,096*
Hilton (V)$27,364$27,415$29,448$27,337
Honeoye Falls (V)$37,183$31,084$35,628$43,102
Pittsford (V)$34,753$42,463*$44,690*$52,375*
Scottsville (V)$32,146$32,177$29,686$30,278*
Spencerport (V)$33,681$29,397*$35,398$32,924
Webster (V)$25,871$23,254*$26,140$24,270*
Regional Cities
Batavia$23,675$19,904$22,125$25,194
Canandaigua$25,928$24,530$25,960$28,716
Geneva$18,756$17,762$15,353$22,969*

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Figures in 2020 dollars. Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%.











Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS


INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic REGIONAL VALUE YEAR NYS COMPARISON TREND | REGION
Prenatal Care 78% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Prenatal Care, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights 8.4% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Infant Mortality Rate 6.9 2017-19 2 0
Maintaining
Infant Mortality Rate, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels 0.8% 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Children in Poverty 18% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Children in Poverty, Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Single-Parent Families 39% 2017-21 2 1
Increasing
Single-Parent Families, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Rate of Child Abuse and Neglect 20 2020 2 1
Increasing
Rate of Foster Care Admissions 1.8 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Pregnancy 1.3% 2019 3 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Births 12 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Tourism Spending $1,399 2021 1 0
Maintaining
Recreation Spending $83 2021 1 -1
Decreasing
Voter Registration Rate 84% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Voter Participation Rate 64% 2020 3 1
Increasing
Registered Library Borrowers 55% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Library Visits 2.5 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Charitable Contributions as a Percentage of Income 0.8% 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Households Without Vehicles 10% 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Total Population 1.4% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Age 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Workers’ Commute Time, by Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Pedestrians 2.6 2022 3 0
Maintaining
Population by Age and Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Cyclists 1.4 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Disengaged Youth, Ages 16 to 19 6% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Crashes Resulting in Injuries and Fatalities 60 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income $64,995 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) 24 2022 2 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Miles of Dedicated Bike Infrastructure 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty 13% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
RTS Ridership 8 2022 0 -1
Decreasing
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
RTS On-time Performance 0 10 Not Applicable*
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 23.7 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Public Assistance Recipients 1.2% 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Energy Burden of Households 0 10 Not Applicable*
Approval Rate for Public Assistance Applications 22% 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Females Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Solar Energy Capacity 122.8 2022 3 1
Increasing
Seniors Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Households Receiving SNAP 13% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Households Receiving SNAP by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Female Seniors Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gas Usage for Household Heating 74% 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Workforce 4.7% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Tax Filers Receiving Earned Income Tax Credit 14% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Communities 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
EITC Dollars $153 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Electric Vehicles (EV) Charging Ports 165 2023 0 -1
Decreasing
Change in Total Jobs 2.3% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Asthma Hospitalizations 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Number of Business Establishments by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts 35% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Jobs by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts in Low-Income Areas 20% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Sector Shares of Regional Total Employment 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Unemployment Rate 4.9% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Average Salary by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 12% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Employment-to-Population Ratio 59% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Prekindergarten Participation 41% 2021 2 1
Increasing
School Spending Per Student $23,561 2020 1 1
Increasing
Instructional Spending Per Student $16,983 2020 1 1
Increasing
Students Receiving Special Education Services 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Grade 3 English 37% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 English by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 English by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math 40% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 Math by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English 39% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Grade 8 English by Student Subgroup 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English by Race/Ethnicity 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 Math 49% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Regents Algebra 1 73% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Regents English 83% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate 88% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Cohort Graduation Rate, Beyond Four Years 90% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Without Health Insurance 5% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Supply of Doctors 35.3 2019 1 1
Increasing
Mortality Rate 693 2019 1 -1
Decreasing
Chlamydia Rate 53 2020 2 1
Increasing
Chlamydia Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rate 37 2020 1 1
Increasing
Maternal Health, by Race/Ethnicity 2018-20 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Early Syphilis Rates 2.8 2020 3 1
Increasing
Early Syphilis Rates within Monroe County, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with HIV 105 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with HIV by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with AIDS 124 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with AIDS by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Percent of Days with Good Air Quality 0 10 Not Applicable*
Alcohol-related Crashes 2.7 2021 2 -1
Decreasing
Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment by Primary Substance 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Median Home Value $151,405 2017-21 1 1
Increasing
Median Rental Prices $936 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Homeowners 2.3 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Housing Affordability for Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Overall Housing Cost Burden 28% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters 32% 2017-21 3 10 Not Applicable*
Rent Burdened Households 48% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Homeownership Rate 68% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Homeownership Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Vacant Housing Units 9% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Homeless Persons 0 10 Not Applicable*
Serious Crimes 165 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Violent Crimes 25 2021 3 1
Increasing
Victims of Domestic Violence 59 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates 10.0 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Arrest Rates 125.2 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Arrest Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Per-Capita Spending for Local Government $3,731 2019 0 1
Increasing
Female to Male Earnings Ratio 0.70 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
*No or multiple regional values for this indicator


Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS





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