Just Call Me Deborah

As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section 9/3/11

As working women, we compete with men and that infuriating glass ceiling. We aim for degrees in fields that we’re told are higher earning, like nursing or physics so we can be sure to support ourselves.

But what gives one woman more earning potential than the next? An advanced degree? Friends in high places? Luck?

In honor of Labor Day and all the hard working women out there, past, present and future, I think its time to get down to the nitty gritty and tell the real reasons that make some women more successful than others.
Joyce Wu compiled research statistics together in her article The Women with the Highest Earning Potential and explains why a blonde, Asian, non-smoking pharmacist named Deborah is probably making more than you.

The women with the highest earning potential share similarities that may surprise you.

Deborah. The top female CEO names in ranked order are Deborah, Sally, Debra, Cynthia and Carolyn.
Keep your name. Women who keep their maiden names tend to earn $500,000 more over their lifetimes than those who change their names when they get married.

Asian. Asian families earned a median income of $73, 578. White families rank second at $65,000, Hispanic families at $40,466 and black families at $39, 879.

Birthplace. 36% of U.S. children who are born into families in the highest income tax bracket will stay in that bracket as they become adults. Westlake, Texas tops the list as the most affluent neighborhood in the U.S.

Beautiful. Beautiful women earn about 5% more than average looking women, and women with below average looks make 9% less than their ordinary girl friend.

Left-Handed. Left-handed people earn 5% more per hour than right handed people. This effect is more pronounced in men.

Non-smoker. The net worth of non-smokers is $8,300 higher than heavy smokers.

Eldest Child. The eldest child in the family is the most likely to earn a six figure salary.

Pharmacist. Female pharmacists have the highest median weekly earnings among women, earning $1,647 every week.

MBA. A woman with a professional degree will earn, on average, $4.4 million over a lifetime, compared to $1.2 million for a high school graduate.

Blonde. Blonde women in the UK make more than their brunette counterparts or red heads.

5’10”. Tall people make more money. Every extra inch is worth an extra $1,000 per year in wages.

Assertive. Mean girls earn more, on average about 5% more a year than those of us who just want to get along with everyone.

Drinker. According to a study by the Journal of Labor Research shows women drinkers earn 14% more than teetotalers. Oh, waiter?

Thin is in. Women considered “very thin” (25 pounds less than average) make $22,000 more every year than their co-workers of normal weight.

Does this mean that an agreeable mid-western, right handed, middle child doesn’t stand a chance against a tall, beautiful, bitchy, boozing woman from Texas? Can’t we talk this over? I’m sure there’s been a misunderstanding.

Quote of the Week: “I do not know anyone who has gotten to the top without hard work. It will not always get you to the top, but it will get you pretty near.” -Margaret Thatcher.