Remote Job Opportunities Decline by 20% Amidst Stagnant Gender Pay Gap: What It Means for Women

The Gender Pay Gap Persists

March 25th marks Equal Pay Day, a reminder of the wage gap that continues to exist between men and women. A new report from Indeed highlights that while more employers are now posting salaries in job listings—an essential step towards closing the gender pay gap—the number of remote work opportunities is decreasing, potentially hindering women's progress in the workforce.

The report indicates that women earn only 83 cents for every dollar earned by men as of 2024, a figure that has barely changed in the last five years. This disparity is even more pronounced among women of color and working mothers, with various factors perpetuating this gap, such as different career paths, childcare responsibilities, and workplace biases.

Remote Job Listings Are Down Over 20%

Remote and hybrid work arrangements are particularly advantageous for women, allowing them to balance their careers and caregiving roles more effectively. However, following the Covid-19 pandemic, many organizations are reverting to in-office work policies. Indeed's analysis shows that remote job postings peaked at 10.4% in February 2022 but have since declined to 8.3% by January 2025.

Despite this decline, remote jobs are still more common than before the pandemic, offering some flexibility for those seeking it. Family leave benefits can also play a crucial role in closing the wage gap, yet mentions of such benefits in job postings remain rare.

Salary Transparency On The Rise

Salary negotiations are another critical aspect of the gender pay gap. Men are generally more likely to negotiate and ask for higher salaries. To combat this, salary transparency in job listings is becoming more prevalent, with 60% of U.S. job postings now including salary information, a significant increase from just 18% in 2020. This transparency allows both men and women to access the same data when negotiating pay, promoting equity in the hiring process.

The report emphasizes that as the gender pay gap remains stagnant, implementing policies such as salary transparency and mandated family leave is essential for ensuring workplace equity and fostering progress in closing the gap.