Despite doctors being seen as a pivotal key worker in the fight against COVID-19, they are paid less than train drivers who are paid the highest salary out of this new group.
Research from Glassdoor discovered that train drivers on average are paid £3,190 more than doctors.
Glassdoor found key workers get paid:
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- Train Driver, average median annual base pay: £54,959 in London £54,974 outside London
- Doctor, average median annual base pay: £51,769 in London £43,867 outside London
- Paramedic, average median annual base pay: £35,253 in London / £31,550 outside London
- Social worker, average median annual base pay: £35,085 in London £32,701 outside London
- Firefighter, average median annual base pay: £34,261 in London £31,353 outside London
- Teacher, average median annual base pay: £31,868 in London £30,913 outside London
- Prison guard, average median annual base pay: £30,000 in London £29,207 outside London
- Bus driver, average median annual base pay: £29,040 in London £24,459 outside London
- Police community support officer, average median annual base pay: £26,956 in London £25,882 outside London
- Postman, average median annual base pay: £23,863 in London £22,416 outside London
- Delivery driver, average median annual base pay: £21,044 in London £20,148 outside London
- Care assistant, average hourly base pay: £8 per hour in London £16,000 outside London
John Lamphiere, Vice President and managing director of EMEA at Glassdoor said:
Key workers are rightly being praised as heroes for their dedication and work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with many on the front line helping to support patients with the virus. As such, more scrutiny is being placed on what they earn vs. what they are worth to the nation. You’d be forgiven for wondering why many key workers earn below the national average, whereas many jobs that are not critical right now pay much, much more.
This was announced by Matt Hancock, Health Secretary at the daily Downing Street Coronavirus briefings on the 23/04/20.
Glassdoor calculated these figures using Office for National Statistics (ONS) Employee Earnings in the UK: 2019.
Darius is the editor of HRreview. He has previously worked as a finance reporter for the Daily Express. He studied his journalism masters at Press Association Training and graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.
Everyone has an important part to play in tackling the current pandemic but this level of inequality is worrying particularly for roles which require degrees and years of education and professional training compared to others and the sometimes mortgage equivalent level of debt doctors, teachers and other professionals are emerging with from university to perform this work. We should write off the university debts for teachers, Doctors, nurses and other key worker professionals helping us through this crisis
Yes, and we should take a look at what other people (non key-workers) get paid.
There are huge distortions. Many people whose work would not be much missed earn far more than any of the key workers. It would be a good thing if there could be a national reset of pay scales.
For example, how much does a minor TV presenter get paid – or a cameraman?
How much is a senior manager paid in a non-essential industry?
Why does anyone get paid more than anyone else?
Which brings us to the idea of Universal Basic Income.
In a future where automation and robotics mean less work for more people, UBI would ensure everyone had enough to support themselves and then they can choose whether to fill in a few hours for the sake of being able to afford higher expenditure.
All of society could gain from people being able to educate themselves or just make music if that is what they are good at.
Let this crisis be our teacher – We can learn what makes a wholesome society.
I expect that many train drivers work for 45 years plus and longer hours with shift working. I don’t expect many leave university in their late 20’s and then need to leave work in their mid 50’s with a 1 million £ pension pot.It is the whole remuneration package over a full working life that should be measured