Shattered glass ceiling representing gender equality in the workplace.

Shattering the Glass Ceiling: How Gender Sector Segregation Impacts Your Paycheck

Theo Raines in Business & Economy December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the hidden forces affecting wage inequality in the UK and how they might be impacting your financial well-being."

For decades, the global labor market has seen increasing participation of women. Despite progress, hidden inequalities persist, particularly in the form of gender sector segregation. This segregation influences not only the types of jobs women hold but also their wages and career advancement opportunities.

A groundbreaking study analyzing the UK labor market between 2005 and 2020 sheds light on these inequalities, revealing how deeply ingrained gender stereotypes affect employment contracts and wages. The findings uncover that the sectors where women are predominantly employed often have lower pay and fewer opportunities for advancement, affecting all workers, regardless of gender.

This article aims to break down the study's key findings, explaining the subtle yet powerful ways gender sector segregation impacts your potential earnings and career trajectory. Whether you're a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or simply curious about the forces shaping the modern workplace, understanding these dynamics is crucial for advocating for fair and equitable employment practices.

The Uneven Playing Field: How Sector Dominance Affects Wages

Shattered glass ceiling representing gender equality in the workplace.

The study highlights a stark reality: the propensity of women to be distributed differently across sectors is a major factor contributing to differences in wages and contract opportunities. This means that women are more likely to be concentrated in sectors characterized by lower wages and limited career advancement opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of inequality.

Researchers Riccardo Leoncini, Mariele Macaluso, and Annalivia Polselli evaluated changing patterns of sectoral gender segregation and its role in accounting for women's employment contracts and wages in the UK between 2005 and 2020. They found that even when controlling for factors like education and experience, a significant wage gap persists due to sector dominance.

Female-Dominated Sectors: These sectors, such as education, health, and service activities, tend to offer lower wages and fewer opportunities for advancement compared to male-dominated sectors.
Male-Dominated Sectors: Industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and construction often provide better pay and more career growth potential, but remain largely inaccessible to women.

This uneven distribution isn't just a matter of choice; it's influenced by what the study calls “persistent discriminatory constraints.” These constraints create barriers in the labor market, impacting women's ability to access higher-paying jobs and negotiate better contracts, ultimately leading to wage differentials.

Leveling the Field: What Can Be Done?

The findings of this study offer actionable insights for policymakers and individuals alike. By understanding how gender sector segregation impacts wages and opportunities, we can work towards creating a more equitable labor market for all. Addressing discriminatory constraints, promoting diversity in male-dominated sectors, and advocating for equal pay are essential steps towards leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone has the chance to reach their full potential, regardless of gender.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is gender sector segregation and how does it impact wages in the UK?

Gender sector segregation refers to the unequal distribution of men and women across different industries or sectors. This segregation significantly impacts wages in the UK because sectors where women are predominantly employed, such as education, health, and service activities, often offer lower pay and fewer opportunities for advancement compared to male-dominated sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and construction. This disparity, highlighted by the study analyzing the UK labor market between 2005 and 2020, contributes to a persistent wage gap, affecting all workers, not just women, due to the concentration of women in lower-paying roles.

What did the study by Riccardo Leoncini, Mariele Macaluso, and Annalivia Polselli reveal about gender sector segregation in the UK labor market?

The study by Riccardo Leoncini, Mariele Macaluso, and Annalivia Polselli between 2005 and 2020 unveiled critical insights into gender sector segregation within the UK. It found that this segregation significantly influences both wages and employment contracts. Their research demonstrated that even after accounting for factors like education and experience, a wage gap persists due to sector dominance. The researchers found that women are often concentrated in sectors characterized by lower pay and limited career advancement, which directly affects their potential earnings and career trajectory.

How do 'female-dominated' and 'male-dominated' sectors differ in terms of pay and career opportunities?

Female-dominated sectors, such as education, health, and service activities, generally offer lower wages and fewer opportunities for career advancement. Conversely, male-dominated sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and construction typically provide better pay and more significant career growth potential. This disparity is a key component of gender sector segregation, contributing to wage inequality and limiting the career prospects of those in female-dominated fields. The uneven distribution and 'persistent discriminatory constraints' further create barriers that prevent women from accessing higher-paying jobs and negotiating better contracts.

What are the long-term implications of gender sector segregation on the UK labor market and how does it affect individuals?

The long-term implications of gender sector segregation are far-reaching. It perpetuates a cycle of wage inequality, limiting the financial well-being and career advancement opportunities for individuals, especially women. This segregation can also lead to a less diverse workforce in higher-paying sectors, which in turn, affects innovation and economic growth. For individuals, it means that career choices might be inadvertently shaped by gender stereotypes, leading to lower lifetime earnings and fewer opportunities to reach their full potential. Over time, this reinforces societal inequalities and impacts the overall economic landscape of the UK labor market.

What steps can be taken to address the impacts of gender sector segregation and create a more equitable labor market?

Addressing gender sector segregation requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, it's crucial to challenge and dismantle 'persistent discriminatory constraints' that create barriers to equal opportunities. Secondly, promoting diversity in male-dominated sectors is essential to break down traditional gender roles and open up pathways for women. Thirdly, advocating for equal pay for equal work is a fundamental step. Policymakers and individuals must collaborate to implement these measures, ensuring that everyone has the chance to reach their full potential, regardless of gender, and ultimately create a more equitable and inclusive labor market.