Salary expectations in the U.S. are up, but only for men - for women, they’re way down

By Joe Kelley

September 21, 2022 at 2:23 pm EDT

U.S. Economy Adds 916,000 Jobs In March; Largest Gain Since August SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: A pedestrian walks by a now hiring sign at Ross Dress For Less store on April 02, 2021 in San Rafael, California. According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. economy added 916,000 jobs in March and the unemployment rate dropped to 6 percent. Leisure and hospitality jobs led the way with 280,000 new jobs followed by restaurants with 176,000 jobs and construction with 110,000 new positions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/Getty Images)

By Joe Kelley

September 21, 2022 at 2:23 pm EDT

What is the lowest income you’re willing to accept for a new job? It is a question that workers are asked by researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York three times a year as part of their Survey of Consumer Expectations.

The information they are analyzing, which relates to the so-called “reservation wage,” has changed considerably over time.

The reserve pay increased to $72,873 in July 2022 from $68,954 in July 2021.

But comparing the responses from men and women shows a significant gap. The reserve wage for men climbed to $86,259, while it was considerably reduced for women to $59,543.