Why Men Make More Money Than Women

30 Jul 2007 / PE

Another study quizzed graduating master’s degree students who had received job offers about whether they had simply accepted the offered starting salary or had tried to negotiate for more. Four times as many men — 51 percent of the men vs. 12.5 percent of the women — said they had pushed for a better deal. Not surprisingly, those who negotiated tended to be rewarded — they got 7.4 percent more, on average — compared with those who did not negotiate.

A Carnegie Mellon professor has figured out why men make more than women for the same job.

I actually figured that out myself the first time I heard about it. Salaries are negotiable. You can’t pay someone less than they’re willing to work for. Hence, women must be willing to work for less money. It’s the only possible explanation.

UPDATE: I should have emphasized that 7.4 percent is just the difference in starting salaries. If we make the reasonable assumption that men continue to be more aggressive in seeking raises and promotions throughout their careers, the monetary difference potentially becomes very large indeed.

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11 Comments on Why Men Make More Money Than Women »

  1. Women, Want to Make More Money? Duh....It Might Easier Than You Think. » What Would Dad Say

    31 Jul 2007 @ 9:03 am


    [...] Why Men Make More Money Than Women [...]

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  2. nobody here

    8 Sep 2008 @ 9:05 am


    You’re stupid dude…go read “Why Men Earn More” by Dr. Warren Farrell

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2

  3. PE

    PE

    8 Sep 2008 @ 10:08 am


    Warren Farrell?! I went to a talk of his back when I was still in college. At that time, he was doing a Mr. Sensitive, “men don’t understand how hard it is to be a woman” schtick. He’s since done a switcheroo and now promotes a “women don’t understand how hard it is to be a man” agenda, which is what that book is all about.

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  4. Joe Johnson

    27 Feb 2009 @ 8:01 pm


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  5. DJ

    1 Mar 2009 @ 2:50 pm


    Look women are just as good at the jobs we do as the stupid men who are all being stupid about, “this woman can’t make as much as me for the same job. that is not right” then they feel threatened by that woman and tries to get her fired. that is stupid. don’t denie that you would do that too. But alas I am a woman so I guess I really Don’t know what guys think in their brains about that. but what would you say? being a guy and all?

    Thats what I thought. Guys are plain jerks.

    Plus women don’t get the final choice on their salary. The boss does. if some dumb valuable employee complains, they will go and change the salary. don’t forget that most women have families to take care of. they can be sooo desprit for a job that they’ll try anything. again i am a woman so I would know.

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  6. DJ

    1 Mar 2009 @ 2:59 pm


    Sorry about the jerk thing. but i still think that is true. i won’t budge on this idea.

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  7. mike

    12 Mar 2009 @ 12:05 am


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  8. Jack

    30 Apr 2009 @ 4:37 am


    Well, look at how many CEOs are woman… Ya if you have a regular job, you work more you make more but as you move up more time than not men will get hired…

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  9. D D M

    7 May 2009 @ 6:17 pm


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  10. EBARN

    11 Feb 2010 @ 10:57 am


    i think that men need more money because mainly men take care of their families

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  11. EBARN

    11 Feb 2010 @ 11:08 am


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