The Impact of Gender, Race/Ethnicity, and Children on Wage Disparities Among Active Clinical Physical Therapists
Authors: Continelli T. 
Published: August 2020

Research Objective

Pay inequality continues to be more persistent in particular occupations, such as the medical/health care setting. According to a study in Social Science and Medicine, even within traditionally female‐dominated occupations such as Nursing and Physical Therapy (PT), men continue to earn more than their female colleagues. One study by Williams found that wages within female‐dominated professions/occupations were lower overall in comparison with the male‐dominated professions/occupations. Currently, there are approximately 230 000 PTs in the United States, with females comprising approximately two‐thirds of all active clinical physical therapists. The average PT salary is $67 106.00, with men averaging $80 761 and women averaging $61 360. Previous research has found both racial/ethnic wage disparities, as well as gender disparities. Recent research suggests that gender gaps in salary may be due to time taken off work for child care. The purpose of this study is to go beyond previous research by explicitly taking into account the confluence of gender, race/ethnicity, and the household presence of minor children in the analysis of wages within Physical Therapy.

Study Design

Secondary data analysis using the 2012‐2016 American Community Survey Public Microdata Sample (ACS PUMS) from the U.S. Bureau of the Census was employed. Statistical techniques included bivariate and multivariate regression analyses.

Population Studied

The 2012‐2016 American Community Survey Public Microdata Sample (ACS PUMS) contains over 15 million respondents and is representative at the state and national levels; 12 311 nonmanagerial physical therapists in active clinical practice were selected for this analysis. Salary was computed by first calculating hourly wage, based on county of employment, then multiplying by 2080 (40 hours/week for 52 weeks/year) to standardize to a full‐time annual salary. Salary was further standardized by adjusting for the county‐level cost of living index (COLI), computed by the Council for Community and Economic Research. Only PTs working 32 hours per week or more aged 50 and under were analyzed. Combinations of gender, race/ethnicity, and presence of children under 18 in the household were calculated and run as a series of dummy variables. Blacks and Hispanics were combined to increase sample size. Age, educational attainment, and marital status were included as control variables.

Principal Findings

Compared to White non‐Hispanic males, Black and Hispanic women earn the least, followed by White non‐Hispanic females, followed by Black and Hispanic males, and followed by Asian non‐Hispanic females. Only Asian non‐Hispanic males earned more than White non‐Hispanic males. The presence of minor children at home did not explain wage gaps between males and females.

Conclusions

Serious wage disparities exist by race and gender that cannot be explained by the presence of children, education, or years working.

Implications for Policy or Practice

Further research into organizational practices and policies is warranted to determine the role of potential bias and discrimination.