The current administration is making strides in pay equity in its own ranks. Is it enough?
President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris fashioned the most inclusive White House cabinet in history. [Credit: Flickr]


The Biden administration is trying out a new tactic to retain talent. 

According to a report on staff diversity recently released by the White House, President Joe Biden is proving his progressive street cred by hiring majority-female staffers to work in his administration, and by decreasing — though not fully eliminating — the gender pay gap.

The gender pay gap in the White House has been narrowed to 1%, with women earning $93,752 on average, as opposed to men, who still edge out their female counterparts by earning about $94,639. 

“In alignment with the President’s commitment to diversity and pay equity, the White House has taken significant steps to ensure the White House staff reflects the diversity of the country and the highest standards of economic and social justice for all,” according to a fact sheet released by the White House.

Biden has always championed himself as a male ally since he chose to run with Vice President Kamala Harris, but now his words are leading to more actions. 

Under Biden-Harris, 60% of White House appointees are women, including 56% of senior staff. These statistics outnumber the 51% of women that make up the national population. 

Women occupy key positions across the administration, from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to Deb Haaland as Secretary of Interior. Six out of seven of Biden’s nominees to judicial court are women who would make history if confirmed.

White House staff under the dynamic duo is also the most racially diverse in history, with 44% of appointees from racially or ethnically diverse backgrounds, according to the fact sheet.