within-job discrimination

economics and society

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July 22, 2026

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Within-job discrimination occurs when men and women in the same role, with comparable skills and experience, are paid differently. While historically a significant factor in the gender wage gap, most scholars agree it plays a lesser role today. However, some evidence suggests it may still contribute to wage disparities in specific occupations or companies. This type of discrimination is distinct from horizontal segregation (men and women in different, often unequal, occupations) and vertical segregation (men holding more positions of authority). The gender wage gap itself refers to systemic differences in the average earnings of men and women, a trend that has seen some reduction but persists in industrialized nations.1

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gender wage gap
Within-job segregation
Within-job discrimination occurs when men are paid more than women who hold the same job and have comparable levels of skill and experience. Most scholars agree that, although within-job discrimination was a major contributor to the gender wage gap at one point, it no longer…
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Within-job discrimination occurs when men are paid more than women who hold the same job and have comparable levels of skill and experience. Most scholars agree that, although within-job discrimination was a major contributor to the gender wage gap at one point, it no longer…
Read More