The best and worst jobs for women revealed in gender pay gap table – and how you could earn £8k more than men
Plus, find out how to fight the gender pay gap with tips from a top finance expert
MIND THE GAP The best and worst jobs for women revealed in gender pay gap table – and how you could earn £8k more than men
EVEN in 2025 millions of women around the world are still earning less than men - but there are some jobs where you can get paid MORE.
The Sun has analysed ONS data to reveal the top jobs for women as well as the worst. Use our tool below to search.
Advertisement
4
Women around the world are still being paid less than their male counterparts
Credit: Getty
The tool compares typical hourly rates across more than 400 occupations.
Women earn more than men in over 80 categories but the majority of roles still see men taking home higher pay.
According to the ONS, full-time female employees earned 7% less than men in 2024, whereas part-time female workers earned 3% more than their male counterparts.
Today, the average female employee, whether working full-time or part-time, earns £17.33 an hour, compared to £18.54 for the average male employee.
Advertisement
Since 2018, large employers have been legally required to publish data on their gender pay gaps, shining a spotlight on inequalities in the workplace.
The data looks at the average hourly earnings across jobs in the UK, however, it doesn't reflect the pay gap between men and women doing the same job with similar skills and experience.
Best industries for female workers
But it's not all doom and gloom for women - there are jobs where you can get paid more and it's not just in roles which are stereotypically performed by females.
Female power plant workers earn a whopping 25% more, with hourly pay averaging £23.68 compared to £18.93.
According to the ONS, the average Brit works around 36.5 hours per week.
Advertisement
When factoring in bank holidays and the statutory 5.6 weeks of annual leave, this amounts to roughly 1,757 working hours per year.
PAY RISE FOR MILLIONS
Based on this, a female plant worker could expect to earn £41,607 per year.
In contrast, a man in the same role would earn just £33,260 annually — leaving him up to £8,346 worse off over the course of a year.
Meanwhile, female social and human scientists earn 21.5% more, earning £3.81 more per hour than men.
Unsurprisingly, some jobs which are often female-friendly are included in the list, such as PAs and secretaries - where women earn £15.55 per hour, compared to £13.24 for men.
Advertisement
But roles such as counsellors, veterinary nurses, English teachers to foreign language students and train drivers are also on the list.
4
PA and secretary roles pay better for women than men
Credit: Getty
4
IS THERE A MOTHERHOOD PENALTY?
FOR 47 years, it's been illegal to pay men and women different rates for the same job - so why is there still a gender pay gap?
The Sun's Head of Consumer Tara Evans writes: Put it simply - it's being a mum, isn't it?
Women are usually the primary caregivers to children and, therefore more likely to take a career break to have children.
Taking that career break often means not going for a new job, promotion or a pay rise.
Many women who would love to go back to work cannot afford to due to childcare costs.
While having kids is a deeply personal choice, it's also one I think should be rewarded by society too, instead of being penalised by it.
By raising children, you are taking on an unpaid job that helps build a better future, not just for yourself but for everyone.
Jobs where men get paid more
Floorers and wall tilers have the largest recorded gender pay gap, with men earning an average of £14.33 per hour compared to £8.81 for women - a disparity of 38.5%.
Based on previous assumptions, a male floorer or wall tiler could expect to earn £25,178 per year, including bank holidays and the statutory 5.6 weeks of leave.
Advertisement
In contrast, a woman in the same role would earn just £15,479 annually — leaving her up to £9,669 worse off over the course of a year.
Financial managers and directors, along with electrical and electronics technicians, also get paid more.
Men earn more in these roles, with hourly rates of £42.53 and £19.09 respectively, compared to £30.72 and £13.79 for women.
Meanwhile, cybersecurity professionals also see a significant gap (27.2%), with men earning £27.07 per hour and women £19.70.
4
Advertisement
How to fight the gender pay gap
THERE are ways to fight the gender pay gap, explains money expert Kara Gammell:
Keep tabs on your credit score
A good credit score remains essential whatever your age, as it can help women to secure competitive interest rates for loans, mortgages, credit cards and even your monthly insurance premiums.
For women who are divorced and had a bank account or taken out a loan or mortgage with their ex-spouse, your ex's credit history will still show up on – and could damage – your credit report.
To prevent this financial association leading to higher interest rates or even stopping you from taking out loans, credit cards or mortgages, you must manually request to be financially disassociated from your former partner.
You'll need to provide proof that you're no longer financially linked, for example a letter from your bank showing that your account is now held in your sole name rather than jointly.
You don't have to wait until you're officially separated or divorced to financially disassociate yourself from your ex – you can do it as soon as all joint accounts are closed, and any mortgage or other credit arrangements are no longer held in joint names.
Don't turn down free money for retirement
Research shows that women live longer, but most have smaller pension pots to our male counterparts.
Women can plump up their retirement savings with a little help from your employer.
Increase your workplace pension contributions or you could miss out on what is essentially free money from your employer, as they will add to your pension fund on your behalf.
Afterall, you wouldn't turn down a Christmas bonus, so don't pass up free pension cash from work.
Under auto enrolment, employers are required to put a minimum of 3% of your earnings between £6,240 and £50,270 into your pension.
Tax relief from the Government provides another 1%.
You must put in at least 4% on your own behalf, and if you opt out all the above is lost.
Extra top-ups are frequently available, particularly from large employers.
For example, an employer might automatically match 3% of your earnings as its minimum contribution to your pension.
But it might be willing to make 4%, 5% or 6% in matching contributions if you opt to save a higher proportion of your income.
Get into a savings habit
Instead of getting to the end of each month before thinking about putting some cash into your savings, women should aim to put some money (however small an amount) into your savings when you get paid.
That way, you're building up that rainy day fund for emergencies and you're investing for your future at the same time.
If you're working towards several financial goals at the same time, you might want to consider more than one savings account.
When your money is lumped into a single account, it's tough to know how much more you need to reach a particular goal.
Round ups are a handy feature offered by many banks to help users save money effortlessly.
When you make a purchase with your debit card, the transaction amount is rounded up to the nearest pound and the difference is automatically transferred to a savings account. For example, if you spend £2.75, the round-up feature will add £0.25 to your savings. This small, incremental saving can accumulate over time, making it easier to build a financial cushion without much effort.
Look to the long-term for savings returns
Women tend to be more cautious with their savings and are missing out on higher returns as a result.
According to the Barclays 2024 Equity Gilt Study, over the last 130 years, the probability of shares providing better returns than on cash on any two-year basis was 70%, and this figure rose to 91% over 10 years.
Yet just one in ten women have a Stocks and Shares ISA according to government figures – less than half of the number of men (21% vs 11%).
Women may feel they can't afford to commit to the regular expense, but it's worth knowing you can put aside as little as £25 a month, so it doesn't need to be a major outlay.
In building finishing trades, men earn £15.50 per hour, 25.5% more than women's £11.55.
Public relations and communications directors have a 24.5% gap (£46.15 for men, £34.85 for women).
Rail construction and maintenance operatives show a 24.2% gap (£18.64 for men, £14.12 for women).
Other educational professionals have a 24% gap (£32.32 for men versus £24.56 for women).
Finally, in vehicle body building and repair, men earn £15.83 per hour, which is 23.8% higher than women's £12.06 rate.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Evening Standard
9 hours ago
- Evening Standard
Liverpool FC make huge new Florian Wirtz transfer bid as fresh target emerges
Negotiations between the two clubs have continued in recent days and will carry on over the weekend, with rumours that Leverkusen are holding out for a total package for their top asset worth up to €150m (£126m), which would see him become the most expensive signing in the history of English football, plus potentially wanting either Jarell Quansah or Harvey Elliott as part of the deal.
The Courier
11 hours ago
- The Courier
JIM SPENCE: Paper thin squads at Tannadice and Dens need attention NOW
Both bosses at Dundee and United can expect to come under quick pressure if they don't get recruitment right in the coming weeks. Many Dundee fans are angry at the appointment of Steven Pressley, and even with last season's success, there's still a section of United supporters lukewarm about Jim Goodwin. It was always thus in football with fickle fans. But with both squads currently paper thin, the pressure could mount sharply if decent signings aren't forthcoming. We'll find out soon enough just how attractive the city clubs are to the kind of players who could boost their prospects next season. How great will the lure of European football at Tannadice prove; and how tempting might the prospect be of working with Steven Pressley as manager and with a technical director like Gordon Strachan, at Dens? Both clubs face major rebuilds; Dundee have just twelve signed players while United have had 16 departures, so a host of new faces will soon be on view. With a wafer thin squad of his own, Jim Goodwin's renovation project will be extensive, with players required in all positions, and a first deal now set to be done for Moldovan defender Iurie Iovu. Repeating another top four finish while restructuring the personnel that achieved it last season will be a major challenge. Arabs and Dees will hope their clubs are on the ball and that player identification to rebuild for the new season is already well advanced. Football is fluid and new targets and potential signings often emerge suddenly, so while a range of targets will undoubtedly have been identified at both clubs, there's also the prospect of new signing opportunities appearing as the squads are revamped. United fans, whatever they think of the departed Glenn Middleton, will recognise that when the Tannadice coffers can't compete with those of Doncaster Rovers, then attracting quality is no easy task, and that applies 100 metres up the street too. That means the powers of persuasion and the personal contacts of those in charge must be worked to the max to lure at least the same calibre of loan players who proved successful last season. Both clubs will have to find unique selling points to attract some targets, because if it comes down to purely a cash contest, neither can compete with many third and in some cases fourth tier English clubs. I've seen some United fans say that Middleton should have stayed for the challenge of Europe, but at 25, while he's hardly Methuselah, a player at that stage maybe has only another two decent contracts in front of him. Weighed against the prospect of possibly a very short European campaign, I wouldn't blame any professional for putting the mortgage first. The youth academies at both clubs will hopefully continue to supplement the recruitment of loan players and other signings. Each team has lost talismen; notably Lyall Cameron at Dens and goal machine Sam Dalby at Tannadice. Replacing that quality will rigorously test recruitment strategies. As for Pressley's appointment, Dundee supporters should rally round and support him. He deserves a fair crack of the whip to see what his team looks like and what he's trying to build before fans rush to judgement.
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The sneaky service charges adding thousands to YOUR bill and how to fight back
One flat owner says he regrets his investment where he now pays £5,300 per year in charges FEE PAIN The sneaky service charges adding thousands to YOUR bill and how to fight back Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of people living in leasehold properties are being hit with spiralling service charge fees - but there is a way to fight back. Almost five million homeowners pay service fees, which have risen 11% in the last year to an average of £2,300 per month, according to Hamptons. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Soaring service charge fees and delays to legislation has left leaseholders out of pocket Credit: Getty Some leaseholders have seen charges sky rocket, making it unaffordable and tricky to sell their home. While others have been hit by unfair charges. The government has planned to reform the system - but there are delays. This week JAMES FLANDERS explains how to challenge unfair charges. SOARING FEES Service charges are a fee paid by a leaseholder or resident set by a landlord. The amount varies each year depending on costs to the landlord. They can include charges for maintenance, repairs and insurance. The details are usually set out in your lease. The fee is usually set on what the landlord thinks they will spend. At the end of year the landlord should provide a statement. Detail of world's tallest apartment block revealed - including price of penthouses Some leases allow landlords to ask for contributions towards a "sinking fund" to build up reserves for future larger scale works. David Fell, lead analyst at Hamptons, said: "Both buyers and mortgage lenders have become increasingly cautious about committing to high service charge costs, particularly where they perceive charges to be disproportionate to the amenities they get in return. "As a result, would-be sellers paying high charges have often seen the value of their homes rise more slowly or even fall. "In some cases, sellers are offering potential buyers a cash contribution towards future service charge payments." 3 Service fees have rocketed over the past five years, particularly in the North of England UNFAIR CHARGES Some leaseholders have found that they are being charged unfair fees. Tribunal judges have made some landlords pay back up to £100,000. In one example, they ruled that a £135 fee to change two light bulbs was excessive. In February 2023, it was revealed that landlords and insurance brokers were secretly taking up to 60% of the £1.6billion leaseholders paid for building insurance as hidden commissions. New rules now stop insurance companies from choosing policies just to earn the highest commission, helping leaseholders get better value. But brokers and managing agents are still allowed to take commissions. The government has promised to ban excessive building insurance commissions through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. Instead, landlords will only be able to charge a straightforward and fair "permitted insurance fee" for the work they actually do, making costs clearer and protecting leaseholders from hidden charges. However, these proposed laws still need further legislation to come into effect, and the government hasn't yet provided a timetable for this. New rules planned by the government also plan to introduce commonhold agreements to replace leasehold ones. Commonhold allows flat owners to jointly own and manage their buildings, cutting out landlords and property management companies. But the proposed rules only apply to new homes. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing said they know "far too many leaseholders" are being hit with "unreasonable and extortionate charges". A draft of the bill is expected later this year but leaseholders may have to wait months before it becomes law. 3 Leaseholders can challenge costs if they feel they are unreasonable, or if the standard of work is poor Credit: Getty HOW TO CHALLENGE FEES Leaseholders have a legal right within six months of receiving a summary of costs to request extra information from their landlord. You can challenge a cost if you think it's unreasonable, the standard of work is poor or you don't think you should be paying it. For example, you might question a fee for lift maintenance if you live in a ground-floor flat and it's not included in your lease. Or you could challenge charges for communal services, like a gym that's always closed or a concierge service that doesn't have staff. You will need to apply to a tribunal which has the power to rule on whether the service charge is reasonable or payable. In England this is the first-tier tribunal (property chamber). In Wales it's the leasehold valuation tribunal. Applying to the tribunal usually costs a fixed fee of £110, though this may be waived if you're on certain benefits. If your case is transferred from court to the tribunal, you'll only pay the difference between the court fees and the tribunal fee - or nothing if you've already paid more than £110 in court fees. If a hearing is scheduled, you'll need to pay an additional £220 hearing fee. Speak to the Leasehold Advisory Service online at or call them on 020 7832 2500 to find out more and get free advice on service charge issues. You could also apply to the Housing Ombudsman if you have a complaint about how your service charge fees have been managed. It says cases have jumped by 25 per cent in the last four years. If you're finding it hard to pay your service charges, there's support available. If you're on Universal Credit and have been receiving it for at least nine months, you could get help with your service charges if you own a leasehold property. People over the state pension age can also get support through pension credit. £5.3k charge but I waited months for vital repairs LAWYER Liam Spender, 41, thought he'd bought his dream home when he purchased his £591,000 two-bed flat six years ago. But within months it had turned into a nightmare. "I regret buying it to this day," said Liam, who lives in the Isle of Dogs, east London. Initially he paid a £4,200 a year service charge but it has rocketed to £5,300 in just four years - a 26% increase. A huge chunk of his bill - over £1,200 a year - was for buildings insurance, according to Liam. Yet, despite paying so much, Liam had to wait months for repairs after part of his flat's floor collapsed. To make matters worse, he discovered £300 of the insurance fee was being taken as commission by his landlord and their broker. In 2021, Liam teamed up with 103 homeowners in his building block and applied to the property tribunal. A few days before the case their landlord conceded and awarded the homeowners £100,000 in backdated commission payments. It meant that Liam got £300 back, while his neighbours in larger properties received significantly more. "There are millions of people like me in the same boat and they are owed money they don't even know about", said Liam, who has since founded Leaseholder Action to help other people being hit with secret commission fees. RIGHT TO MANAGE If you don't get anywhere by approaching your management company, you could take over managing the charges yourself via Right to Manage. It is a legal process where leasehold residents in flats can take over managing the maintenance and services. To do this, enough long-leaseholders (those with leases originally over 21 years) need to get together and form an RTM company. It costs £50 to set up a company and takes 24 hours to register. You then need to serve notice to the freeholder of the development - the person who owns the land - letting them know you are taking over the right to manage. They then have one month to dispute this. The government is also planning to remove the requirement for leaseholders to cover the landlords expenses during the process, which will save homeowners around £3,000. It's also not allowed if there are four or fewer flats and a landlord lives in the building. It could help you cut out management fee costs and charges for unnecessary work - but you will be responsible for the company and annual reporting. Unless one of you is trained in these areas you may need to take on an accountant or managing agent. Applications to set up RTM companies rose by 20% last year, according to Direct Line.
