New data analysis finds significant wage disparities for Latinas across California counties

In some of California's wealthiest counties, Latinas tend to experience an extreme wage gap when compared to non-Hispanic white men, a new analysis from UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center and the Latina Futures 2050 Lab shows.

The researchers discovered disparities in pay for Latinas across California. Overall, Latinas in California receive 49 cents for every dollar earned by non-Hispanic white men. In San Mateo, Santa Clara and Marin counties, where median household incomes are above $100,000, Latinas earn just 38, 37 and 34 cents per dollar, respectively.

This latest data is part of the Latina Wage Gap Disparities Across California counties report, co-authored by Veronica Terriquez, director of the center and co-founder of its Latina Futures 2050 Lab initiative.

"On this Latina Equal Pay Day, it is important to drive this message: we cannot ignore existing pay gaps endured by Latinas-the largest ethnic racial group among California's female workers," Terriquez said. "Disparate earnings not only affect Latinas and their families, their comparatively low earnings negatively impact their communities and local economies. When it comes to quality of life, this means they have less income to pay for groceries, housing, childcare and healthcare needs."

Terriquez, a professor of urban planning and Chicana/o and Central American Studies, analyzed 2019-2023 American Community Survey data that looked at counties with more than 125,000 residents. Of the counties included in this study, Latinas comprise the largest share of the female workforce in 14 of the 35 counties.

Focusing on the Latina experience is essential because historically, Latinas have been left out of research studies, creating knowledge gaps for legislators and other officials responsible for making and amending laws for all California residents, Terriquez said.

The wage gap for Latinas varies across the state. For example, in some counties where the median household income was below $100,000, the disparity is not as wide, with Latinas earning 80 cents in Humboldt, 78 cents in Shasta, and 74 cents in Imperial County for every dollar. Still, in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties, which also fall within the same median household income category and where female workers are predominantly Latina, their per-dollar earnings drop to 48 and 46 cents, respectively.

Terriquez emphasized that closing the wage gap across the board requires statewide enforcement of pay equity laws, greater wage transparency, stronger support for collective bargaining, expanded educational and training pathways to higher-paying careers, and proactive hiring and promotion practices, as well as reflecting local realities.

"In an era of heightened immigration enforcement that fuels labor market instability, local government and employer strategies that safeguard human and constitutional rights are critical," said Terriquez. "By combining statewide reforms with locally tailored approaches, California can better ensure that Latinas leverage opportunities for mobility and build a more robust economy for all."