AAPI Women’s Equal Pay Day 2026 is observed on Sunday, May 3, to highlight the wage gap faced by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander women.
AAPI Women’s Equal Pay Day is held annually on May 3 to mark how many days into the year women in the AAPI community must work to earn what men earned the previous year. The date is symbolic, not a legal deadline, and is used to raise awareness about persistent pay inequities.
According to recent U.S. Census data, Asian American women working full-time, year-round earn about 96 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men, while all AAPI women (including part-time and seasonal) earn roughly 85 cents for every dollar. The gap is even wider for some subgroups, such as Burmese and Bangladeshi women.
The concept of Equal Pay Day was founded in 1996 by the National Committee on Pay Equity to draw attention to the gender pay gap. AAPI Women’s Equal Pay Day emerged to reflect that pay disparities vary by race, ethnicity, and community, and that many women — especially women of color — must work significantly longer into the year to close the gap.
This day underscores the economic challenges faced by AAPI women, including underrepresentation in high-paying roles, occupational segregation, and systemic barriers. Closing the gap is essential for economic security, workforce participation, and reducing poverty in the AAPI community.
On May 3, 2026, AAPI Women’s Equal Pay Day will serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for fair pay and an opportunity to take action toward pay equity.