The difference in pay between the genders is evident across all sectors of the economy.

Analysis of the reasons for the pay gap can be found in the literature³, and a picture of the pay gap for IT professionals is provided here in Figure 4.

• Every year from 2001-2008, and across all age groups, female IT professionals have earned less than male IT professionals.
  
  
• Female IT professionals earn 13% less than their male equivalents; this gap rises to 30% in 40-49 year olds - arguably the peak of most people's careers.
  
  
• It pays dividends for IT professionals and in particular for female IT professionals to hold as high a qualification as possible. The proportional increase in pay for a given level of qualification is higher for females compared to males.

Figure 4: Gross weekly pay of full time IT professionals by gender

Click the image to enlarge it 

Source: e-skills UK analysis of ONS LFS 2001-2008
Notes: Figures are annualised via a quarterly average

³ Barnard, A., Modelling the gender pay gap in the UK: 1998 to 2006. Office for National Statistics, Economic and Labour Market Review, Vol 2, August 2008