Top 10 Professions with a gender pay gap in 2025

Despite progress in workplace equality, the gender pay gap remains a persistent issue across many sectors. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that women in the UK are still earning significantly less than their male counterparts in a range of professions — even when performing the same roles.

While the overall gender pay gap has narrowed slightly in recent years, disparities remain entrenched in certain industries. Below, we examine the top 10 professions with a gender pay gap in 2025.

1. Financial Managers and Directors

In one of the UK’s highest-earning sectors, women earn nearly 30% less on average than men. Senior roles in finance remain male-dominated, with women often underrepresented in leadership positions that offer the highest pay.

2. Chief Executives and Senior Officials

Despite a growing number of women breaking into executive roles, the pay gap in this profession stands at around 25%. Men are more likely to lead FTSE 100 companies, and bonuses awarded to male CEOs often exceed those given to women.

3. Health Professionals

While women make up the majority of workers in healthcare, they earn around 20% less than men. This gap is particularly visible among consultants and surgeons, where men are more likely to occupy high-paying specialties.

4. Legal Professionals

In law, women are still paid over 17% less than their male counterparts. While female solicitors and barristers now make up a significant portion of the workforce, they are less likely to reach partnership level — where earnings spike.

5. Information Technology and Telecommunications Directors

Tech remains one of the worst industries for gender pay parity. In senior IT roles, women earn approximately 22% less than men, and are significantly underrepresented in technical leadership roles.

6. Engineering Professionals

Women in engineering are still rare, and those in the field earn around 15% less than their male peers. This gap is attributed to both lack of representation and unequal access to promotions and high-responsibility roles.

7. Architects and Town Planners

A profession traditionally dominated by men, women in architecture and planning roles earn about 14% less on average. Despite an increase in female graduates, top-level positions remain elusive for many women.

8. Sales and Marketing Directors

Women in sales leadership positions face a pay gap of roughly 18%. Commission-based structures and bonus schemes often favour men, who are more likely to lead high-revenue accounts.

9. Police Officers (Sergeant and Above)

In law enforcement, women are less likely to hold senior ranks, contributing to a 13% pay gap. Though more women are entering the force, advancement to leadership roles continues to lag.

10. Teaching and Educational Professionals

While women are well-represented in teaching, especially at primary level, those in senior academic roles earn up to 12% less than men. Male teachers are more likely to rise to headteacher or leadership positions, which are more highly paid.

Closing the gap within the top 10 professions with a gender pay gap and beyond

Experts say that tackling these disparities will require more than just policy changes — a cultural shift is needed within organisations to ensure transparency, fairness, and equal opportunities for advancement.

“Closing the gender pay gap isn’t just about fairness — it’s about making better use of talent across every sector,” said Dr. Anjali Kapoor, an economist specialising in workplace equality. “Progress is happening, but far too slowly.”

As the UK continues to reckon with issues of equity in the workplace, many are calling for stronger enforcement of pay gap reporting laws and proactive steps from employers to eliminate bias.