For Immediate Release: April 9, 2026
Contact: napawf@berlinrosen.com
Continued access to disaggregated data reveals persistent wage disparities and how race and gender shape economic outcomes
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 9, 2026) – Today marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Equal Pay Day, recognizing both the progress AANHPI women have made to date and the persistent wage gaps that continue to limit economic opportunity.
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) and the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), through new analysis from IWPR, found that AANHPI women earn approximately 83 cents for every dollar paid to non-Hispanic white men, a widely cited benchmark that offers an important snapshot of overall pay equity.
However, disaggregated data from this research breaks the issue down even further, providing a complete picture of AANHPI women’s economic experiences. With over 50 ethnic subgroups, comprising over 100 languages and dialects, the AANHPI wage gap is drastically different for each community. When broken down by ethnicity, some groups, including Afghan, Bangladeshi, and Burmese women, face substantially wider wage gaps, underscoring the need for targeted policy solutions that reflect the diversity of AANHPI communities.
Wage inequities also persist within AANHPI communities. While some groups experience relatively smaller wage gaps, disparities remain significant: Chinese women earn approximately 76 cents for every dollar paid to Chinese men, and Indian women earn about 65 cents compared to Indian men, demonstrating that gender-based inequities cut across ethnic groups regardless of perceived economic success.
Together, these findings underscore how intersecting structural barriers drive persistent wage inequities. Immigration status, limited English proficiency, disability, and caregiving responsibilities restrict access to stable, well-paying jobs. AANHPI women are disproportionately concentrated in low-wage and informal sectors with fewer labor protections, while caregiving demands and workplace discrimination continue to limit long-term economic mobility.
“This AANHPI Day, I want to acknowledge the momentum we’ve built in increasing the visibility of AANHPI women’s experiences,” said Christina Baal-Owens, Executive Director of NAPAWF. “But today is also a reminder that the idea that our communities are universally thriving is a myth. Behind the 83-cent average are women navigating low wages, caregiving responsibilities, and systemic barriers that limit their economic security. Closing the wage gap requires comprehensive solutions that address these intersecting challenges, from fair pay and workplace protections to health care access and support for caregivers.”
The new analysis makes clear that addressing wage inequities requires making them visible, and continued access to disaggregated data is critical to understanding the disparities facing AANHPI women. Data collected by federal agencies, including the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) at the Department of Labor, plays a critical role in identifying disparities and informing policy. Tools such as the EEO-1 Component 1 report help track workplace inequities over time, identifying wage gaps across gender, race, and ethnicity.
“The pay gap for AANHPI women is a glaring reminder that the persistent structural barriers that affect the ability of all US women to achieve financial stability are shaped by race and ethnicity,” said Kate Bahn, PhD, IWPR Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research. “As IWPR’s analysis reveals, that average of 83 cents to the dollar compared with white men only tells part of the story. Significant variations among AANHPI communities reflect diverse experiences—such as immigration status, caregiving responsibilities, and access to higher-paying jobs and better benefits—and underscore the importance of targeted solutions that can help all AANHPI women achieve real economic security.”
For more information, read the full AANHPI Equal Pay Day factsheet: https://napawf.org/resources/equal-pay-wage-gap-fact-vs-fiction/
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About NAPAWF
The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) is the only multi-issue organization dedicated to building power for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women, girls, and gender expansive people through community organizing, research, and policy advocacy. Founded in 1996, NAPAWF advances reproductive justice, economic justice, and immigration and racial justice by building collective power through organizing, advocacy, and strategic communications.
About the Institute for Women’s Policy Research
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) is the nation’s leading think tank working to win economic equity for all women and eliminate barriers to their full participation in society. Through evidence-based research, policy solutions, and advocacy, IWPR is advancing the power and economic well-being of women and families across the US.