Brief: Salary Surveys show Gender Gap alive and well, but other Distinctions Narrowing

Companies are missing a chromosome, with 81% of jobs in the IT sector dominated by men, says Parity, an IT services specialist.

Parity's research found that of the 19% of women who chose a career in IT, 60% gravitated towards project management, even though their salaries were on average 50% less than their male counterparts.

Of nearly 200 people surveyed, men in project management earned on average £71.90 per hour whilst women only earned £37.31. Furthermore, women are still predominantly occupying coordination and administrative roles within IT, as opposed to the management and leadership positions.

'It's not because of their skill-set that women are still earning less than men or opting for positions with less responsibility, it's because many IT positions do not cater to their lifestyle,' said Stewart Coia, Director of HCM Practice at Parity Resourcing Solutions. 'Creating a culture that encourages flexible working is crucial to attracting and retaining talent in the industry. Employees are looking to decrease stress in their life whilst taking greater control of their career and the IT sector must ensure that these needs are met, before good resources are lost.'

In another survey, from the Society of IT Management, it's been found that the pay gap between public and private sector IT staff is closing. The survey, conducted by Computer Economics Ltd, (CEL), suggests local government IT pay packets are now 86% of their private sector equivalents, up from 60% in previous years.

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