So how far have we come? Pestilent and persistent gender gap in pay

This article explores the issue of women's salaries in the human services within a comparative framework of many service occupations. An analysis of year-end 1998 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics clearly demonstrates that salary disparities continue to exist between men and women. The author argues that these differences are based on continued patterns of discrimination, despite a plethora of policy initiatives dating back to the 1960s civil rights era to address gender discrimination in the workplace. Relevant policies are reviewed and assessed in terms of how far we have come in achieving pay equity between men and women. Several strategic directions to combat inequities are discussed, including public and professional education; individual, group, and professional advocacy; and targeted policy practice. Parallels are drawn between the gender discrimination experienced by social workers and client groups served.