Women make up nearly half of Ohio’s workforce and are key breadwinners in their families, playing a critical role in the economic security of Ohio families. The persistent gender wage gap holds back women from reaching their full economic potential - hurting families and our state as a whole.

In Ohio, the gap is slightly larger than the national average with women typically earning just 75 cents for every dollar men make, totaling an annual wage gap of $12,686. And, the pay disparities are even larger for women of color working in Ohio: Black women are paid 64 cents and Latinas are paid 61 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men.

While salary discrimination is illegal, workplace policies like pay secrecy or requiring salary history during the hiring process disproportionately harm women and minorities, and perpetuate unfair salary practices. Legislation to ban salary history as a part of the hiring process and protect employees who choose to discuss their salaries has passed or is pending in nearly half of U.S. states.

Similar legislation is currently pending in our state legislature. Ohio HB385 (West) would prohibit state agencies from using salary history in hiring practices, prohibit them from retaliating against employees who discuss their pay, and establish a committee to study wage disparity.