Scale of gender pay gap revealed

The Institution of Chemical Engineers’ (IChemE) biennial salary survey of workers in sectors including oil & gas, food and beverage, energy and pharmaceuticals has revealed the scale of the gender pay gap with women typically earning up to 25% less than men by the age of 40.

The survey, which is based on a sample of over 2,500 IChemE members in the UK and Ireland, revealed median salaries for the chemical engineering profession had grown by 5.7% since 2012 and by 12% since 2010 to £56,000.

Employers need to take another look at how women are supported and rewarded throughout their careers

IChemE policy director Andy Furlong

However, despite median salary increases for female engineers outstripping their male counterparts – 10.3% versus 7.1%– over the past two years, the pay gap between men and women continues to be the most challenging remuneration issue for the chemical and process industries.

The survey also suggests that women are achieving median salaries around 28% less than men over the course of their careers – with men averaging around £17,000 more.

IChemE director of policy and communication Andy Furlong, said: “The chemical engineering profession has remained largely recession-proof during the economic downturn with above average increases in salaries.

““However, the sector does face skill shortages and many talented people, especially women, choose to overlook what is still perceived to be a male dominated profession. IChemE’s 2014 salary survey suggests there is much more to be done to tackle one of the biggest issues – the gender pay gap.”

“To attract and retain all of the best talent, employers need to take another look at how women are supported and rewarded throughout their engineering careers,” Furlong added.

Meanwhile, the survey also reveals that salaries for people entering a career within engineering sectors, under the age of 25, improved by 5.3%, between 2012 and 2014, to a median salary of £30,000 – an increase of £1,500.