The Pay Gap in Tech Is a Power Game and Latinas Need to Take Control
Latinas in tech are leaving serious money on the table. Not because we are not talented, qualified, or ambitious but because the pay gap in tech is built into the system.
I see it every day as a salary negotiation coach. Brilliant, hardworking Latinas who think they have to be grateful for an offer or that asking for more is somehow too much. Meanwhile, Brad and Chad are negotiating like it’s second nature. Meanwhile, get this? Companies expect negotiation.
Power is not about waiting for someone to recognize your worth. It is about knowing it, demanding it, and securing it.
Latinas and Power: A Love/Hate Relationship
Many of us grew up hearing things like:
Calladita te ves más bonita (You look prettier when you’re quiet).
Trabaja duro y la recompensa vendrá sola (Work hard and the reward will come on its own).
Spoiler alert: It doesn’t.
Our culture often teaches us that humility and hard work will be enough. But in corporate America, power is about visibility, advocacy, and negotiation. The pay gap for Latinas is not only about systemic bias (although, let’s be clear, it’s real and rampant); it’s also about how we see ourselves in relation to power.
Let’s bust a few myths that are holding us back:
Power is Selfish
Power is about having choices. The more you earn, the more freedom you have to invest in your future, support your family, and uplift your community.
Hard Work Speaks for Itself
You have to speak up for yourself. The people getting promotions and raises are advocating for themselves. They are making sure their contributions are seen.
Asking for More Makes You Difficult
Companies expect you to negotiate. Hiring managers build in wiggle room in offers. You are not being difficult. You are being smart.
How to Step Into Your Power and Close the Pay Gap in Tech
Reframe Negotiation as a Win-Win
Negotiation is not a battle. It is a collaboration.
You bring value. Your employer benefits when you feel fairly compensated and motivated.
You are not asking for a favor. You are demanding what you deserve.
The pay gap in tech will not close unless we push for transparency and negotiation.
Use Data Not Feelings
Come prepared with salary benchmarks.
Use Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and Payscale to back up your ask.
Connect with other Latinas in tech to compare offers and negotiate from a position of power.
When you back up your ask with numbers, it is hard to argue.
Be Ready to Walk Away
Your power comes from knowing your worth.
If an employer refuses to pay you fairly, they do not deserve your talent.
FAQs: Pay Gap in Tech and Salary Negotiation
-
Bias, salary secrecy, and lack of negotiation all play a role.
Tech has long been an industry where white men set the rules. The way we change it is by negotiating, demanding transparency, and sharing salary data.
-
Thinking they have to accept the first offer.
Companies expect candidates to negotiate. The people making more money are the ones asking for more.
Closing the Pay Gap in Tech One Latina at a Time
This is not just about you. Though let’s be clear. You deserve this.
It is about all Latinas in tech.
Every time one of us negotiates, we set a new standard.
We make it easier for the next generation to walk through doors that were once closed to us.
So here is my challenge to you.
The next time you get an offer, negotiate. Even if it scares you. Even if you have never done it before.
Because every time you do, you are changing the game.
And when you negotiate that raise or bump up that offer, tell me about it. Let’s celebrate every win together.
If you are ready to stop waiting for permission and start owning your power, let’s build your salary negotiation strategy in a free coaching call.