A new survey of 1,000 freelancers conducted by Tide has revealed the differences in pay between male and female freelancers and ranked UK cities according to their average self-employed day rates.
According to the survey, male freelancers charge an average rate of £149.48 per day. This is compared to an average day rate of £120.38 among female freelancers, meaning women typically earn 19.5 per cent less than male counterparts.
Although the survey stated that the pay gap between male and female freelancers was beginning to improve, Tide added: “It’s important that you speak with your peers about what they are earning, open conversations are not what businesses expect and is another way you can ensure you are being paid a fair rate.”
“Be brave in what you are asking for and believe in your skill set, the company wants you for this and you should be being paid the same as a male colleague. Always look to increase your rate project to project, you are building your unique skill set with every role you do, so always look to push up your rate, even if it’s by an additional £50-£100.”
Despite the discrepancy, Tide found that self-employed workers are currently better paid than employed workers. The UK’s average freelance day rate is £129.85, equalling a pre-tax annual salary of £33,111.75. In comparison, the average annual income of an employed worker stands at £29,484, a day rate of around £113.
In Tide’s ranking of UK cities, Newcastle came top with an average rate of £176.09, followed by Belfast (£165.83), Sheffield (£163.87), Glasgow (£152.50) and Edinburgh (£150.68). London followed Edinburgh with an average rate of £149.39.
Southampton was the lowest ranked city, with a rate of just £85.53. Cardiff (£92.13) and Birmingham (£94.12) were the next lowest ranked.
Tide said: “The survey results are divergent from many income reports, which typically show higher earnings in the south. In the data, London is the only southern city to achieve an average day rate that exceeds the nationwide average for all freelancers.”
“Such northern bias in these results might be explained by a lack of parity between respondents. Or it could just be that our northern freelancers are charging higher rates.”
