In today’s career-driven world, it’s hard to believe that women still face inequality in the workplace. Granted, we’ve come a long way, but it’s still very much prevalent. However, many professions have seen women’s participation increase with more focus on equal pay and equal opportunity initiatives. As women continue to lobby for equal pay, they are choosing to pursue career paths from all drives. By choosing one of the high-paying fields, women can ensure that they’re putting themselves in the best position to earn as much as possible and be in a position of power.
Here is a list of jobs and positions that women have started to dominate.
Engineering
Engineers are the ones who design and build all the infrastructure that surrounds us. Whether in a private company or public institution, engineering is a very sought-after profession that requires many years of education. Engineers split their work time between project sites and the office to create their designs. Women have increasingly started to dominate the engineering field. In today’s market, women in engineering actually earn equal to or even higher than their male counterparts in the UK, with their average annual earnings reaching almost £44,538 and 3% higher than men. Whether in civil, electrical or any other specialized engineering field, they are at the top of their game.
Computer Information and Systems Manager
This specialization is more commonly known as Information Technology Managers. They are responsible for software and hardware implementations and computer system coordination. IT systems’ strategies and database development need a very technical background, with most managers possessing a degree in IT, with more specialized certificates. Women have been excelling in the information technology domain. In the UK, an IT Manager is expected to earn an average of £67,767 for men and 6% less for women, which is a lot better than the national average of 19% less.
Pharmacist
This is one of the higher-earning professions in the healthcare field. Where workers manage and dispense medicine to patients, counsel them, and offer other related services. Pharmacists either work in a hospital or clinical center and are also employed in local drugstores and large franchises. In 2018 it was recorded that annual earnings for £51,376 for male pharmacists compared with £48,048 for their female counterparts with a pay gap of 6.4%, keeping with the trend of women slowly minimizing that pay difference in this field.
CEO
Women CEO’s have been dominating the field of business. While the percentage of women CEO is still very minimal at 5.6% globally, the rise in the appointment of women in Fortune 500 companies has made its mark. These women not only have maneuvered their companies for the better, but they have completely dominated and proven their credibility and ability to run these companies and oversee their company’s operations. Although this position has the highest salary potential in a management position, with an annual earning potential of £90,700, it involves very long hours and huge responsibilities.
Software Developers
While women only make up 17% of the UK’s tech workforce, that’s a big increase from earlier years. Women software developers are found in many software specializations such as UX design, back-end development, front-end developers and general software development. One study has found that women’s earning potential in tech is 11% higher than their male counterparts earning them a position of power.
Lawyers
Female lawyers have been on the rise for the past 2 decades, counseling and representing their clients in many aspects of the law. In the UK, a recent study published in April 2018 saw that the average pay gap between men and women was at 20%. Which is a low figure compared to the gaps in banking for example, currently at 40%. This field is an extremely lucrative one and can earn its professionals an average salary of £40,871. Women have been outperforming their male colleagues in handling cases and surpassing them once they enter the workplace.
Physicians
In the UK, one of the highest paying professions is that of a medical physician. On average, the estimated salary for a healthcare professional is £75,855 per year. The specialty of General Practitioners is one that is dominated by women, with women outnumbering men by at least 33,000 registered General Practitioners. A number that is increasing by the year. So, being a GP in the UK is a sure way to own the industry.
As you can see, while women may earn less compared to men in the same fields, that doesn’t stop women from joining these professions and excelling in them. The pay gap is diminishing, with more women joining the workforce in high paying industries and, in some cases, even outranking their male colleagues.
