In the heart of Saxony-Anhalt, an intriguing trend has emerged: part-time working women often outearn their male counterparts. The Employment Agency (BA) reported that women's median income, standing at €3,207, outpaced men's €3,129 in 2023. This disparity can be attributed to women occupying roles with better-paying professions, causing their earnings to surge. Although the annual growth rate in median income was slightly faster for men (€165 versus €157 for women), this gender-based wage gap persists.
The BA might not disclose typical earnings but focusing on the median income, which is unaffected by extreme high and low wages. It's a vital indicator, as it divides the total examined income into two equal groups, making it more representative than the average. It's compelling to notice that this pattern holds true for part-time employees in Saxony-Anhalt.
By the end of 2023, the median income for socially insured part-time employees in Saxony-Anhalt increased by €160 or 5%, to €3,152. The welfare and social services as well as the hospitality sectors experienced the most significant growth of 10% and 9% respectively. Sport and recreational jobs showed the least improvement, barely growing by 1%. Across the whole nation, the median wage reached €3,796 in December 2023, growing by 4% compared to the previous year. Hamburg boasted the highest median wage at €4,304, while the least-paid employees were found in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with a median wage of €3,098.
Geographical disparities in salary are becoming increasingly evident in Saxony-Anhalt, with urban areas such as Halle, Magdeburg, and Dessau-Roßlau displaying higher salaries than rural locations like Landkreis Wittenberg. Exemplifying this, the middle monthly gross income in Halle amounted to €3,444, surpassing Magdeburg's €3,399 and Dessau-Roßlau's €3,313. In contrast, Landkreis Wittenberg had the lowest earnings at €2,962.
Professions play a pivotal role in determining salaries, and women in various professions in Saxony-Anhalt often outperform their male counterparts. In this regard, doctors and teachers lead the earnings chart, with dental specialists and medical experts having the highest median gross income at €7,010. Meanwhile, general school teachers received €5,806, the lowest wage was found in the care sector, such as hairstylists and beauticians, who earned €1,881.
The enrichment data hints that the gender pay gap in Germany is a broader issue, with women earning approximately 18% less than men overall, partly due to career choices, working hours, and regional differences. In this context, the gender-based wage gap in part-time jobs in Saxony-Anhalt might be influenced by similar factors. However, a comprehensive understanding of this trend requires further research and detailed data.
Further investigation involves consulting regional economic data, gender pay gap studies, and long-term income trends. Gaining insights from these sources could provide a more nuanced picture of the factors contributing to the wage gap in part-time jobs in Saxony-Anhalt and how they compare to the broader median income growth trends for both genders over time.
