This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I was pleased to see The Tribune draw attention to Utah's fourth from the bottom (again) ranking in pay disparity for women ("Utah's 'wage gap' is fourth-biggest in the nation," Sept 19). I am discouraged, however, that the tone was "women just need more education, and then they will get paid better." Women who are well educated in Utah and across our country also experience a wage gap. Female physicians — perhaps at the top of the education pyramid — experience a nearly $20,000 yearly difference in pay from men. It is often stated that the wage gap is because women have children — and in Utah more children. But even that does not explain away the wage gap. Women are paid less then men regardless of having or not having children, and in spite of obtaining higher education.
It is time for equal pay for equal work, no excuses.
Jennifer Coombs
Salt Lake City