TRICIA PHILLIPS

It’s shocking that a gender pay gap still exists in 2017 and that 80% of UK industries are guilty of paying men more than women for doing the same job. But there is a tiny glimmer of hope as the wage gap is at its lowest since records began, at 18.1%.

And there are industries where things are more equal with a less than 10% difference in pay – and jobs where women can earn more than men.

Research for commercial property firm savoystewart.co.uk has revealed the highest paid jobs for women.

The biggest percentage of these, 40%, require an education involving a STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subject – an area in which post-16-yearold girls are being encouraged.

Jobs in IT are the best paid for women with an impressive yearly salary of £67,767 for those who reach director level. But females make up less than a quarter of the IT workforce.

So, where should women head for the best paid jobs?

IT and telecommunications directors Earnings £67,767 – 6.7% less than men.

Advertising and public relations directors Earnings £58,403 – 8% less than men.

Train & tram drivers Earnings £48,537 – 0.7% more than men.

Taxation experts Earnings £45,279 – 2% more than men.

Electrical engineers Earnings £44,538 – 3.7% more than men

Human resources managers & directors Earnings £41,163 – 8.7% less than men.

Purchasing managers Earnings £41,212 – 8.7% less than men.

Higher education & teaching professionals Earnings £38,210 – 8.6% less than men.