Female execs hit by £400,000 gender pay gap over course of careers

-

Women in senior positions still suffer from a significant lack of equality in the workplace when it comes to their salaries, new research shows.

In fact, the average female executive suffers a lifetime earnings gap of £423,390 when compared to a male worker with an identical career path, according to figures from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Based on analysis of market pay data collected by salary survey specialists XpertHR, the research shows that the average male in an executive role earned a basic salary of £40,325 over the 12 months to August 2012, compared to £30,265 for a female in the same type of role.

If this gender pay gap of £10,060 a year is sustained, it means that a woman and a man entering executive roles aged 25 and working their way up the career ladder until retiring aged 60 would take home pre-tax totals of £1,092,940 and £1,516,330 respectively.

HRreview Logo

Get our essential weekday HR news and updates.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Keep up with the latest in HR...
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Optin_date
This field is hidden when viewing the form

 

Ann Francke, CMI chief executive, commented: “A lot of businesses have been focused on getting more women on boards but we’ve still got a lot to do on equal pay and equal representation in top executive roles.”

The figures also revealed that despite a stronger presence in junior roles, women are struggling to progress up the career ladder at the same rate as men.

According to the research, the percentage of women in the executive workforce now stands at 57 per cent.

However, while at junior level the majority (69 per cent) of executive workers are now female, just 40 per cent of department heads are female and only one in four chief executives (24 per cent).

“Allowing these types of gender inequalities to continue is precisely the kind of bad management that we need to stamp out,” said Ms Francke.

“Companies are missing out on the full range of management potential at a time when we need to be doing everything we can to boost economic growth.”

Pamela Flores is an events professional with experience at Symposium Events, a UK-based conference and events organization. She has worked in editorial and event coordination roles within the HR and expatriate management sector, contributing to the organization of major conferences including the Expatriate Management and Global Mobility conference. Her background spans online editorial work and events management within the professional conference industry.

Latest news

Curtis Holmes: Payroll is the driver for employee engagement

Payroll has long been treated as a back-office necessity: essential, but not something that shapes culture or drives engagement. This no longer stands.

Labour market yet to show major AI impact on jobs, govt adviser says

A government economic adviser has challenged predictions of widespread AI-driven unemployment, arguing labour market data has yet to show disruption.

Young workers ‘pressured into signing NDAs after workplace injuries’

Workers say injuries are being hidden behind confidentiality agreements while financial pressures leave many afraid to challenge unsafe conditions.

CIPD recognises 30 HR leaders driving change across UK workplaces

The CIPD has unveiled its HR30 list for 2026, recognising senior people leaders whose work has delivered measurable impact across organisations and workforces.
- Advertisement -

Brits dream of being their own boss, but still cling to the monthly pay cheque, survey reveals

Britons say they like the idea of self-employment, but most still value the security and stability of traditional jobs.

AI Coaching Won’t Replace Managers. It Will Expose Coaching Debt.

As AI coaching expands, employers may gain a clearer view of where manager support is falling short.

Must read

James Blackhurst: bridging the skills gap with imagination

UK businesses are facing a long term labour shortage....

Joe Gilliver: What is the value of corporate family events?

Joe Gilliver explores the reasons why businesses should spend money on events for people outside the organisation.
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you