New Survey Identifies Pay, Diversity Gaps in HR

While HR teams are known for working hard to create an inclusive environment at organizations, new research by Namely reveals gaps in diversity, demographics and pay within the HR industry.

Namely found that gender pay inequality persists in HR, regardless of company size or job title. Other key findings include:

  • Among HR professionals, 71 percent are female and this divide may be growing, as women represented 67 percent of HR just last year.
  • While female HR practitioners earned $91,981 a year on average, their male counterparts earned almost 13 percent more, or $103,644. In other words, for every dollar male HR professionals earn, females earn just $0.89.
  • Additionally, 65 percent of HR professionals identify as white, with the next highest representations at 12 percent identified as Asian and 10 percent as Hispanic.

While most of the findings further validated already-identified (and depressing) trends, one data point in particular managed to surprise the researchers: a rise in non-binary gender classification among HR employees.

“With diversity and inclusion top of mind for many organizations, the HR industry itself goes beyond merely supporting non-binary employees and is giving them a seat at the table,” the researchers note. “As diversity becomes a staple in the workplace, it’s encouraging to see that HR embodies a more inclusive experience for employees across the identity spectrum.”

Michael O'Brien
Michael J. O'Brienhttp://54.82.85.82
Michael J. O’Brien is former web editor with Human Resource Executive®.