Spatial Analysis of the Gender Wage Gap in Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Construction Occupations in the United States

Abstract

Over the last recent decades, the economic status of women has been changed significantly. Gender segregation levels have decreased, and women have started participating in male-dominated occupations like construction occupations. Nevertheless, the gender wage gap in construction occupations persists, which is one of the issues related to attracting more females to the construction industry. So far, no comprehensive study has been conducted on the gender wage gap in the construction occupation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to portray the gender wage gap in construction occupations. Additionally, the spatial analysis of the gender wage gap is of paramount importance not only for its academic interest but also for its major role in area-based public policies that are targeted at eliminating inequalities. The researchers used recent survey data and commercially available software for spatial analysis. Analyses were performed at global (Moran’s I) and local [local indicators of spatial association (LISA)] levels to test for the presence of spatial patterns. The results of the LISA analysis have shown spatial autocorrelation at local levels, which highlights the status of gender wage gaps in construction-related occupations in various states. This study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the area of labor and personnel issues, specifically workplace diversity and discrimination, and help the construction industry to better understand the wage gap, further investigate the problem, and make an effort to decrease it, which will help the industry attract more females.