Honeybook’s 2017 Gender Pay Gap Creative Economy Report

According to Honeybook’s 2017 Gender Pay Gap Creative Economy Report, women make 32 percent less than men in creative industries, like writing, graphic design, and videography.

Take a moment to let that sink in.

Now, let me make you feel worse. On average, across all industries, women make 24 percent less than men. In the financial service industry, the pay gap rises to approximately 30 percent. Other fields, such as public administration, science and tech, trail right behind. All of these fields are dominated most often by traditionally employed professionals. When someone works a nine to five, her salary is largely dictated by her managers and the HR department. Her salary is slightly out of her hands.

However, so many creatives are part of the gig economy, which makes up 36 percent of the US workforce. We work alone. We’re our own bosses. We decide the trajectory of our careers—which means we get to set our own rates.

So where’s the disparity?

Why are the female photographers, writers, and other creatives getting paid 32 percent less than their male counterparts, despite, according to Honeybook, “80 percent having college and graduate degrees and performing similar work”?

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The reality is...
Of these diverse businesses, HoneyBook was able to drill down on certain industries, and found that the pay gap varies greatly amongst different professions. In some cases, the gap becomes more staggering. In others, it’s less pronounced — but still far from balanced.

Over 37% of female creative entrepreneurs are making less than $9 per hour. Despite the fact that 73% of creative entrepreneurs, both male and female, hold bachelor's degrees, over a third of the female creative entrepreneurs still make less than the minimum wage in 15 states.

Women are disproportionately earning lower hourly wages.

37% of female creatives are earning $9 per hour or less in revenue compared to only 20% of male creatives.
24% of female creatives are earning $5 per hour or less in revenue compared to only 11% of male creatives.

While men are disproportionately earning higher hourly wages.

Only 7% of female creatives are earning over $50 per hour in revenue compared to 19% of male creatives.
Only 25% of female creatives are earning over $25 per hour in revenue compared to 45% of male creatives.

61% pointed to negotiating power, meaning that women are less likely to negotiate higher costs and are treated differently during negotiations.
47% pointed to wage secrecy, meaning that women are underpaid without knowing it.
40% pointed to The “Motherhood Penalty,” which is the opportunity cost of being a mother and perceived lower commitment.