The gender pay gap among career contractors is disappearing, according to research by professional employment organisation Parasol.
Figures released by Parasol show that, nationally, female contractors are now earning virtually as much as their male counterparts.
The picture varies significantly across different regions, but in the North East, South West and Scotland a ‘reverse pay gap’ is emerging, with some women earning nearly £4 an hour more than men.
Parasol managing director Derek Kelly said: “As far as professional, white-collar career contractors are concerned, the traditional pay gap between men and women is disappearing.
“Women’s average earnings have gained significant ground on those of men in the past year. After years of unequal pay, female contractors can now expect to be compensated fairly for their skills and expertise.
“We welcome this trend and hope that it is maintained long into the future.”
Warrington-based Parasol has employed more than 53,000 career contractors since its launch in 2000. Parasol employees work in a range of skilled sectors including IT, engineering, legal services, education, energy and pharmaceuticals.
The company’s research reveals that, between October 2011 and October 2012, the gap in the average contract hourly rate of men and women was cut from £2.88 to just £1.14.
Nationally, the average female contractor now earns £29.86 an hour, compared to £31 for men. In salary terms, that equates to £58,227 for women and £60,430 for men – a gap of just £2,203.
The most dramatic change occurred in the South West, where women working as professional contractors have overtaken men in terms of earning power in the space of a year and now get paid an average of £35.22 an hour, compared to £31.47 for men.
In Scotland, where pay between the sexes was almost exactly equal last year, female contractors are now earning an average of £31.96 an hour – £3.34 more than men.
An analysis of contractor rates in the North East shows that women are earning £2 an hour more for their work than their male counterparts. The average hourly contract rate for women in the region now stands at £29.61.
Even in areas where men’s earnings still outstrip those of women, such as the Midlands, London and the South East, the gender gap has closed significantly over the past 12 months.
“These findings demonstrate how women have closed the gap on men in terms of earning power in a relatively short space of time”, added Mr Kelly.
“The flexibility and earning potential offered by contracting make it an attractive career option for men and women alike. Hopefully our findings will encourage more women to consider becoming part of the UK’s ever-growing flexible workforce.”
Parasol based its research on a comparison of the earnings of thousands of its employees between October 2011 and October 2012.
