Salary discrepancies between male and female foodservice directors in JCAHO-accredited hospitals.

This study profiles foodservice directors employed in US hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and examines the effect of gender and work-related characteristics on salary. A 37-item questionnaire was sent to 1,002 randomly selected directors of foodservice programs at JCAHO-accredited hospitals in the United States and Puerto Rico. Usable data were received from 663 directors, a response rate of 66%. Foodservice directors answered questions on background information, work-related information, academic and professional certification, and salary range. Findings indicate that foodservice directors are predominantly white, female, college graduates, and more than half are registered dietitians. On the average, foodservice directors had 16 years of experience in foodservice, had spent 9 years with their current employer and 6 years in their present position, and worked a mean of 48 hours each week; more than two thirds earned greater than $30,000. Salaries, however, were significantly higher for men than for women. When controlling for experience (employment in foodservice, years with present employer and in present position), size of hospital, academic preparation, and professional certification, salaries remained consistently higher for men. Although the dietetics profession is predominantly female, gender appears to be the major factor accounting for inequalities in salaries. These findings may alert hospital administrators of the need to review hiring practices and establish standards that promote equitable salary opportunities for persons most qualified for positions, regardless of gender.