New Survey highlights male female wage difference

The mean weekly earnings in a main job was higher for males than for females in every age group, according to a new survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

Characteristics of Employment Survey looks at data accumulated in August 2014 and examines a wide variety of workplace trends.

The survey found that In the 60–64 year age group the mean weekly earnings for females was 59% of that for males. In the 20–24 year age group – female average weekly earnings were 80% of male earnings. The greatest difference in mean weekly earnings between males and females was for those aged 35–44 (a difference of $642 per week), while the smallest difference, $106, was for those aged 15–19 years.
The survey also looked at the favoured areas that male and female workers were employed in.

It found that employed males were more likely to be in the occupation group Technicians and trades workers (24%) followed by Professionals (20%). In contrast, employed females were more likely to be in the occupation group Professionals (26%) and Clerical and administrative workers (23%).

The occupation group with the highest proportion of males was Machinery operators and drivers (91%) followed by Technicians and trades workers (86%). In contrast, the occupation group with the highest proportion of females was Clerical and administrative workers (76%) followed by Community and personal service workers (68%).