A recent analysis of Office for National Statistics data by HR and payroll software provider Ciphr highlights that 70% of female-dominated jobs in the UK have a gender pay gap favouring men. The study examined over 50,000 employees and revealed that only 3% of female-majority roles had no pay gap in 2024, while 27% showed a gap in favour of women.
Other occupations with evident gender pay gaps include office managers, marketing and commercial managers, solicitors, lawyers, and financial accounts managers. These jobs, held by approximately 380,700 women compared to 206,800 men, feature median pay gaps ranging from 13.4% to 18.4% in favour of men.
Similarly, care managers, business owners, and educational professionals report significant disparities, with average pay gaps of 14.8% and 14.4%, respectively. Even roles such as office administrators and clerical assistants, where women make up 78% of the workforce, experience a 4.7% pay gap.
The average hourly pay gap across all workers is 13.1% in men’s favour. This disparity accumulates over time, negatively impacting women’s long-term financial security, including pension savings.
“The UK’s stubbornly high, double-digit (13.1%) gender pay gap reflects systemic issues that cannot be ignored. It’s not just a matter of fairness – it’s a matter of equity, engagement, and trust in the workplace. Employers must do more to uncover and address the root causes of these disparities, from recruitment practices to career progression and salary review processes,” said Claire Williams, chief people and operations officer at Ciphr.
The issue extends beyond female-majority roles. Ciphr’s research highlights that gender pay gaps exist in around three-quarters of all jobs, rising to 82% in male-dominated positions and 85% in gender-balanced roles.
By prioritising transparency and action, employers can build more equitable workplaces that foster trust and engagement, ultimately benefiting employees and organizations.