A recent study has identified the occupations with the most pronounced gender pay gaps in the UK, with barristers and judges topping the list. The research, conducted by personal injury experts at Claims.co.uk, analysed data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to highlight the extent of earnings disparity between men and women across various professions.
The study reveals that female barristers and judges face the widest pay gap, earning £8.31 less per hour than their male counterparts. This discrepancy translates to a significant 29.1% less in hourly earnings. Financial managers and directors follow closely behind, with women earning approximately £11.56 less per hour, amounting to a 28.8% pay gap.
In third place are web design professionals, where women earn £6.32 less per hour than men, representing a 27.7% gap. Production, factory, and assembly supervisors rank fourth, with women earning £4.46 less per hour, or 26% less than their male peers.
Female assemblers of vehicles and metal goods come fifth, earning £3.74 less per hour compared to their male colleagues, which constitutes a 23.5% pay gap. Vehicle technicians, mechanics, and electricians are sixth, with women making £3.28 less per hour, equating to a 22.4% disparity.
Education managers are placed seventh, with female workers earning £6.03 less per hour, which is 22% less than their male counterparts. Nursery education teaching professionals also experience a significant pay gap, with women earning £5.10 less per hour, reflecting a 21.2% shortfall.
Production managers and directors in construction are in ninth place, with female employees earning £5.03 less per hour, translating to a 21% gap. The tenth spot is occupied by newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters, where women earn £4.32 less per hour, a 20.6% pay difference.
The findings of the study indicate that traditionally male-dominated occupations, such as vehicle technicians and assembly roles, exhibit notably high gender pay gaps. The results are particularly striking in high-paying, prestigious roles like barristers, judges, and financial directors, which have also shown significant pay disparities.
| Rank | Occupation | Pay gap (£) | Pay gap (%) |
| 1 | Barristers and judges | 8.31 | 29.1% |
| 2 | Financial managers and directors | 11.56 | 28.8% |
| 3 | Web design professionals | 6.32 | 27.7% |
| 4 | Production, factory and assembly supervisors | 4.46 | 26.0% |
| 5 | Assemblers (vehicles and metal goods) | 3.74 | 23.5% |
| 6 | Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians | 3.28 | 22.4% |
| 7 | Education managers | 6.03 | 22.0% |
| 8 | Nursery education teaching professionals | 5.10 | 21.2% |
| 9 | Production managers and directors in construction | 5.03 | 21.0% |
| 10 | Newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters | 4.32 | 20.6% |
A spokesperson for Claims.co.uk commented, “It is striking to see such a significant gender pay gap across these occupations, particularly in fields traditionally dominated by men. The study underscores that even in high-status and well-compensated roles, women continue to face considerable pay disparities.”
The spokesperson also expressed hope that the findings would catalyse discussions on gender pay equity, urging industry leaders to consider pay reviews and implement measures to address these disparities.
The data was sourced from the ONS’s Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), with the study calculating the median hourly pay for men and women to determine the extent of the gender pay gap.
For more information, please visit Claims.co.uk