Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

These are the office jobs that could see you earning nearly 50% less than some of your co-workers

Staff from Interactive Investor look at their computer screens in their office in Glasgow, Scotland May 8, 2012. Uncertainty over the implications of the Greek and French elections for Europe's efforts to resolve its debt crisis sent the euro and shares lower on Tuesday and supported safe-haven German government bonds. REUTERS/David Moir (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS SOCIETY)

Female financial clerks make 61.1% of a male financial clerk's salary. Image: REUTERS/David Moir

Andy Kiersz
Quant Reporter, Business Insider
Aine Cain
Careers Intern, Business Insider

53 years after the Equal Pay Act was passed, the gender wage gap continues to be a contentious issue in the work force.

According to the White House, the median woman working full time earned 78 cents for every dollar earned by the median man in 2013.

Debates tend to focus on the complex set of reasons for the gap, but it's interesting to note which occupations feature the largest wage disparities.

Global average, annual earnings
Image: World Economic Forum

Data from the United States Census Bureau allows us to piece together which fields see the most substantial imbalances in earnings.

Here are the white collar jobs — occupations or occupational groups that involve mostly non-physical office work — with the largest pay gaps between full-time, year-round male and female workers as of 2014.

30. Market research analysts and marketing specialists

Average wages for men: $79,902

Average wages for women: $60,798

Female market research analysts and marketing specialists make 76.1% as much as male market research analysts and marketing specialists.

29. Optometrists

Average wages for men: $79,902

Average wages for women: $60,798

Female optometrists make 75.8% as much as male optometrists.

28. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists

Average wages for men: $62,739

Average wages for women: $47,450

Female compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists make 75.6% as much as male compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists.

27. Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents

Average wages for men:$63,606

Average wages for women: $47,747

Female tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents 75.1% as much as male tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents.

26. Opticians

Average wages for men: $45,916

Average wages for women: $34,290

Female opticians make 74.7% as much as male opticians.

25. Parts salespersons

Average wages for men: $36,195

Average wages for women: $26,989

Female parts salespersons make 74.6% as much as male parts salespersons.

24. Real estate brokers and sales agents

Average wages for men:$62,132

Average wages for women: $46,221

Female real estate brokers and sales agents make 74.4% as much as male real estate brokers and sales agents.

23. Property, real estate, and community association managers

Average wages for men:$60,819

Average wages for women: $44,159

Female property, real estate, and community association managers make 72.6% as much as male property, real estate, and community association managers.

22. Procurement clerks

Average wages for men: $59,765

Average wages for women: $43,055

Female procurement clerks make 72% as much as male procurement clerks.

21. Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations

Average wages for men: $77,993

Average wages for women: $56,151

Female healthcare practitioners and technical workers make 72% as much as male healthcare practitioners and technical workers.

20. Judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers

Average wages for men: $111,928

Average wages for women: $80,325

Female judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers make 71.8% as much as male judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers.

19. Computer operators

Average wages for men:$50,004

Average wages for women: $35,821

Female computer operators make 71.6% as much as male computer operators.

18. General and operations managers

Average wages for men: $74,888

Average wages for women: $53,539

Female general operations managers make 71.5% as much as general operations managers.

17. Physicians and surgeons

Average wages for men: $211,526

Average wages for women: $150,053

Female physicians and surgeons make 70.9% as much as physicians and surgeons.

16. Natural sciences managers

Average wages for men: $101,115

Average wages for women: $71,535

Female natural sciences managers make 70.7% as much as natural sciences managers.

15. Retail salespersons

Average wages for men: $36,903

Average wages for women: $26,051

Female retail salespersons make 70.6% as much as male retail salespersons.

14. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

Average wages for men: $54,623

Average wages for women: $38,292

Female production, planning, and expediting clerks make 70.1% as much as male production, planning, and expediting clerks.

13. Advertising and promotions managers

Average wages for men: $75,638

Average wages for women: $52,378

Female advertising and promotions managers make 69.2% as much as male advertising and promotions managers.

12. Statistical assistants

Average wages for men: $60,366

Average wages for women: $41,460

Female statistical assistants make 68.7% as much as male statistical assistants.

11. Marketing and sales managers

Average wages for men: $97,067

Average wages for women: $65,229

Female marketing and sales managers make 67.2% as much as male marketing and sales managers.

10. Insurance sales agents

Average wages for men: $61,939

Average wages for women: $40,861

Female insurance sales agents make 66% as much as male insurance sales agents.

9.Credit counselors and loan officers

Average wages for men: $71,012

Average wages for women: $46,834

Female credit counselors and loan officers make 66% as much as male credit counselors and loan officers.

8. Database administrators

Average wages for men: $86,854

Average wages for women: $56,890

Female database administrators make 65.5% as much as male database administrators.

7. Financial managers

Average wages for men: $94,742

Average wages for women: $60,512

Female financial managers make 63.9% as much as male financial managers.

6. Sales and related occupations

Average wages for men: $50,567

Average wages for women: $32,122

Female salespersons make 63.5% as much as male salespersons.

5. Personal financial advisors

Average wages for men: $100,564

Average wages for women: $63,432

Female personal financial advisors make 63.1% as much as male personal financial advisors.

4. Financial clerks

Average wages for men: $66,189

Average wages for women: $40,423

Female financial clerks make 61.1% as much as male financial clerks.

3. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents

Average wages for men: $100,017

Average wages for women: $57,024

Female securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents make 57% as much as male securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents.

2. Financial specialists

Average wages for men: $91,705

Average wages for women: $49,220

Female financial specialists make 53.7% as much as male financial specialists.

1. Legal occupations

Average wages for men: $120,569

Average wages for women: $62,167

Female legal workers make 51.6% as much as male legal workers.

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