10 jobs with the largest gender pay gaps

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Despite DEI becoming more integral to companies' reputations and success, the gender pay gap still persists, with women making an estimated 83 cents per a man's dollar — and some industries have even wider gaps.

Job search site Lensa examined which industries have the greatest differences in median weekly earnings between men and women, using 2021 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The results revealed to what extent companies have failed to address the underlying biases that lead to women being severely underpaid. 

"While from the outside it may seem like women have a 'seat at the table,' we wanted to see just how true that is," says Brad Goodwin, content lead at Lensa. "The demand for female-led roles has risen, but the pay gap remains stubbornly high."

Read more:How this company reduced its gender pay gap in one year

Notably, the male-dominated finance sectors saw some of the widest pay gaps, with securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents topping the list at a 56.84% difference in earnings. On average, men make $1,891 per week, compared to a woman's pay of $1,054, their data revealed. On the other hand, positions like teaching assistants and billing and post clerks were the few industries where women made slightly more than men, a meager 0.31% and 0.91% respectively. Given that women fill a majority of these roles, it's not surprising their pay was more equitable.

While employers cannot close the gender pay gap overnight, Lensa recommends taking concrete steps toward pay equity. Employers can encourage their hiring managers to switch to more skill-based assessments during interviews and even invite negotiation once an offer is made. 

Here are 10 industries with the largest gender pay gaps, according to Lensa.

10. Chief executives

Difference in weekly earnings: 35.33%

Read more: 20 cities with the smallest and largest gender pay gaps

9. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

Difference in weekly earnings: 35.37%

8. Sales and related occupations

Difference in weekly earnings: 37.20%

7. Medical assistants

Difference in weekly earnings: 39.58%

6. Technologists and technicians

Difference in weekly earnings: 40.88%

Read more: Taking a stand on the gender pay gap will benefit all of your workers

4. Personal financial advisors

Difference in weekly earnings: 42.08%

3. Medical scientists

Difference in weekly earnings: 50.45%

2. Legal occupations

Difference in weekly earnings: 50.55%

1. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents

Difference in weekly earnings: 56.84%

Read more: Will $1 million solve the gender wage gap in soccer? UKG says it's a start
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