The Black Professoriate: Explaining the salary gap for African-American female professors

Most research on race and gender salary differentials neglects the intersection of these two factors, ignoring the unique situation of black female professors. This study determines the salary differentials between black female faculty and their white male/female and black male counterparts. Descriptive statistics are used to measure the differentials, while multiple regression analysis is implemented to explore how certain factors influence them. The results suggest there are significant race/gender differentials in earnings such that black women earn less than white and black males, but earn slightly more than white females. Additionally, the factors controlled for explain a larger portion of these salary differentials than do race or gender. These findings indicate that although race/gender differences in faculty earnings do exist, they are largely explained by variations in rank, tenure, publications, and other salary-related factors.