Words and Wages: Unraveling the Pay Gap in Media Professions

By Madison Siewert and Kurt Szymanski

In the corridors of media professions, a persistent challenge shadows the careers of women–the gender pay gap.

An enduring problem since the inclusion of women in the workforce, it persists, casting a prolonged shadow over the fields of journalism, public relations (PR) and communications.

As we explore the stories and statistics surrounding this enduring problem, we uncover the truths of women who grapple with pay disparity, shedding light on an issue that demands urgent attention and collective action.

Oakland University (OU) journalism-interested students gather on campus on Oct. 11, 2023, to write articles for OU’s women-run fashion magazine, BeGolden. Students meetup to talk about article ideas and share each other’s thoughts on their writing.

What is the gender pay gap?

The gender wage gap is the idea that women get paid less than men for the same or similar jobs. There has been a constant fight for equal pay to this day.

In the United States (U.S.), the gender pay gap has stayed relatively the same in the last 20 years. Women in 2022, earned, on average, only 82% of what men earned that year. 

Looking back on the earning percentage from 2002, there has only been a 2% increase in the pay gap. 

Currently, in the U.S., for every dollar earned by a man, a woman only earns 82 cents. 

That's not to say there has been no change at all. A woman's earnings in 1963 were 59 cents for every dollar earned by a man.  However, in 60 years, that means there has only been a 23-cent increase in women's pay. 

For women of color, this issue is even more prominent. Degree-holding Black women make 70% of what a white degree-holding man makes. This issue doesn’t just fall under Black women, but all women of color. 

Even with a degree and advanced education, it is not enough for women to get paid as much as men for the same job. 

There isn’t necessarily one specific reason as to why this is happening, but some speculations are things like discriminatory practices, maternity leave, occupational clustering, or time and demand for certain jobs. 

How is it impacting women in journalism, PR, and communications? 

Exploring the pay parity in the journalism field and one of the leading causes for it.

Exploring the pay parity in the journalism field and one of the leading causes for it. 

The pay gap is an issue in just about every industry. However, one of the smallest ranking gender pay gaps is in PR, media, and entertainment. That's not to say there isn’t a gender pay gap, though. 

In the PR, media, and entertainment industries, women earn 85.8% of the average annual salary compared to a man's salary in the industry. 

Another factor in the gender pay gap in this field is location. 

• Cities with the most equal pay are: Miami, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, New York and Raleigh.

• Cities with the least equal pay are: Detroit, New Orleans, Cleveland, Phoenix and Dallas.

Revealing that the pay gap is not consistent and actually correlates with the hiring company. 

In a pay gap study done by NewsGuild, out of 200 reporters, they found gender pay gaps of more than $8,000 for journalists. 

Women in journalism have significantly less access to higher-paying positions, and it has nothing to do with their level of qualification and everything to do with men getting picked over them. 

Interestingly enough, PR happens to be a woman-dominated field—73% of the field is women. Despite men’s scarcity in the field, they still make up 80% of manager positions, resulting in higher pay for men in the field. 

Even though women PR students are aware of the issue, it hasn’t stopped the increasing rate of women studying PR. 

Francesca McLeod, a student at OU studying PR as her minor, prepares to work on a final project on Dec. 5, 2023,  for a PR class. The more McLeod studies PR, the more she hopes to work at a PR agency after graduation. 

Lindsey Sobkowski, a senior journalism student at Oakland University, edits an article on campus during her spare time on Nov. 20, 2023. Sobkowski is an editor for BeGolden magazine and is ready to jump-start her career in journalism. 

While the pay gap seems to be apparent in all media-related fields, those in PR and communications seem to have fewer issues than women in journalism. 

The majority of women in these fields did agree that many of them have been passed over for higher positions due to the sexist practices that are still relevant at many companies. 

Interviewing public relations major Angela Olejiniczak and discussing the gender pay gap in the public relations field.

Women’s firsthand experience

Laura Snearly

Laura Snearly’s LinkedIn profile, she is a Vice President in San Francisco for Methods+Mastery, a global PR agency. Laura sheds light on her experience with being a woman in the industry. 

Laura Snearly is a vice president for Methods+Mastery PR agency in San Francisco. Snearly has had a significant amount of experience in the industry and has been able to learn about the different treatments women get in the field. 

“It has been instilled in me from a young age that I am capable of anything and can have a seat at any table,” Snearly said. “While the reality of gender bias and pay gap is palpable in the PR industry, amongst others, I have found strength and support from female and male advocates who have broken down barriers before me, and I strive to do the same for others throughout my career.”

Snearly’s father, Chuck Snearly, worked in communications for 30 years at Ford Motor Company and was even the lead of Lincoln’s PR department. Notably, Snearly was the head speech writer for Ford executives, including Bill Ford. 

Having her father as her example, Snearly was attuned to her father’s admiration for a diverse workplace and watched him fight battles for the inclusion of women in the workplace. 

Seeing this installed from a young age, Snearly knew to never settle for less when she entered the field herself. 

“Early in my career, my dad introduced me to one of his former colleagues, Anne Doyle,"Snearly said.

Doyle broke down barriers as a female sports journalist.

"She became well-known for making her way into a male locker room in order to do her job successfully,” says Snearly. 

Due to Doyle’s driven traits and making herself so known in journalism, Snearly said it inspired her to go into her communications career. 

“When it comes to pay equality, you have to know your worth and demand it,” Snearly said. “One of my first mentors, a female, shared with me that if I was not in the business of myself, then who would be?”

It is about demanding what you deserve and advocating for it. 

“When moving to San Francisco, one of my former colleagues shared what he believed my pay should be, knowing his salary,” Snearly said. “His transparency gave me the courage and confidence to demand more for myself.”

Ann Herman

Interviewing communications specialist Ann Herman and discussing the gender pay gap in the communications field and Herman’s advice on how to make a change. 

What's the future for women in these fields and the trajectory of the pay gap?

Senior Lindsey Sobkowski takes photos at Kruse and Muer in Rochester, MI, for her journalism extracurriculars on Oct 14, 2023. Sobkowski takes photos for many student organizations at Oakland University and is entering the journalism workplace this spring.

While there is no clear outcome for what will happen in the future regarding the pay gap in the media industry, it is important to bring awareness to the issue. 

The prediction for the overall pay gap amongst all industries is that it’ll continue to move very slowly, but hopefully, by 2059, it will close. 

What many women have agreed on is that it is important to demand the pay you deserve. Always respect yourself and never settle for less.  

If women can all bring awareness to the workplace, it can help improve how unequally women have been treated over the years. Your voice matters–let’s make pay equality a reality.