Cracks in the Glass Ceiling? An Empirical Study of Gender Differences in Income in the Hospitality Industry

Abstract

Previous empirical research has substantiated the presence of significant gender-based differences in income within the hospitality industry. However, relatively little research has identified the extent to which the income gap is attributable to differences between men and women in educational preparation, part-time versus full-time employment, or occupation. Furthermore, previous research has relied on relatively small samples drawn from segments of the industry rather than on a true population sample of the industry as a whole from which to draw inferences. The authors examined whether there are gender differences in income when controlling for the effects of human capital (education), workforce participation, and occupational crowding among hospitality industry employees. Findings were drawn from a random sample comprising 1% of all of the employees of the hospitality industry in the United States. The authors found that gender-based income disparity persists, suggesting that more pernicious forms of sex discrimination continue in the industry.