AAUW New Jersey Demands Federal Action as New Data Shows Gender Pay Gap Widening for Second Consecutive Year
Systemic Bias and Inadequate Federal Protections are Costing New Jersey Women Millions in Lifetime Earnings.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2026 —
Today, on Equal Pay Day, the American Association of University Women of New Jersey (AAUW NJ) is sounding the alarm on a troubling reversal in economic equity. For the fi rst time in decades, federal data shows the gender pay gap has widened for two consecutive years.
Women working full-time now earn just 81 cents for every dollar paid to men—a gap that drops to 76 cents when including part-time and seasonal workers. For women of color, the disparity remains even more severe, with Black and Latina women earning signifi cantly less than their white male counterparts.
New Jersey ranks 33 among the 50 states with women earning 82 cents for every dollar paid to men, just slightly above the national data. However the data shows signifi cant discrepancies within the state itself with wages for women in Congressional Districts 4, 5, 6 ans 7 falling below the national average.
“Equal Pay Day is a symbolic marker of how much longer women must work into the new year to match what men earned in the previous one. But behind this date is a harsh economic reality,” said Anjali Mehrotra, Vice President of Public Policy for AAUW NJ. “In New Jersey, where we have fought hard for pay transparency, we are seeing that policy alone isn’t enough if federal protections aren’t strengthened and enforced.”
AAUW NJ is calling on the New Jersey Congressional delegation to prioritize the following:
● The Paycheck Fairness Act: To end the use of salary history and close loopholes in existing law.
● Pay Data Transparency: Ensuring the EEOC can identify and address systemic wage discrimination.
● Raising the Wage Floor: Eliminating subminimum wages that disproportionately aff ect women.
“This is not just about one paycheck; it is about the ability to pay off student debt, buy a home, and retire with dignity,” added Mehrotra. “We cannot wait another generation for equity. We need leadership that treats the pay gap as the economic emergency it is.”
For more information on the gender pay gap in New Jersey’s congressional districts, visit here.
About American Association of University Women of New Jersey (AAUW NJ)
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy. Our nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has more than 170,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and more than 800 college and university members. AAUW of New Jersey is the state affiliate representing over 1000 members in 17 branches throughout New Jersey. Learn more and join us at aauwnj.org.
Our Public Policy Priorities
The Public Policy Principles and Priorities underscore AAUW’s mission to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. They establish principles for action on which AAUW members across the country focus their advocacy efforts. They guide the work of the AAUW’s federal priorities and that of AAUW state organizations and branches on state and local issue advocacy efforts.
AAUW positions are shaped by our commitment to equity by being nonpartisan, evidence-based, experience-driven, inclusive, and intersectional.