Lifetime Earnings Gap hits 93K Euros for UK Women

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 18 September 2025

• A new study finds, UK women risk losing £93,000 of lifetime earnings due to the gap between men and women's salaries.
• The gap starts at entry point and reaches its highest at £3,484 per annum by women's 50s, according to the research.

According to a new research, UK women are likely to lose more than £93,000 of their earnings during a 40-year working life as a result of the gender pay gap.

Instant Offices study shows how in-work gender inequalities between men and women accumulate over decades, which leave women with a substantial lifetime deficit that has a direct impact on pensions, savings and long-term financial security.

The average full-time UK salary was £37,430 in 2024, a rise of £2,467 on the previous year. 2025 graduate starting salaries will be averaged at £31,000, though highly industry- and region-dependent.

Salaries typically increase with age, and peak at the 40–49 year olds. The most significant jump occurs when staff move from the 20s into the 30s, as the typical salary increases by £7,696 over a single year.

But even at entry level, the gap exists. Men aged 18-21 on average earn £520 more a year than women. By employees' 40s, the gap is as high as £3,000 a year, although this is the highest paying decade for men as well as women.

The overall gender pay gap in the UK is 9%, although it grows steadily over a lifetime. Men aged 30 earn £1,664 a year more on average than women. When in their 40s, the gap has widened by £2,756 annually. Between their 50s, women are paid £3,484 less than similar male coworkers per year.

Over the course of four decades, these small gaps of one year's worth each add up to a £93,392 lifetime shortfall. And that doesn't even take into account the knock-on impact of lower pension contributions, bonuses or investments. Factoring all those in, the actual cost is probably well over £100,000.