A new study by Pens.com reveals stark salary disparities across UK professions, with healthcare workers among the most underpaid compared to industry benchmarks. The analysis, which compared expected salaries from professional career guides to actual median earnings, highlights systemic undervaluation in critical roles, particularly in healthcare and scientific fields, while creative and tech sectors often see inflated pay.
Mudloggers, who monitor drilling operations in the oil and gas industry, are the most underpaid professionals, earning a median salary of £19,815 against an expected £42,500, a shortfall of 53.37%. Healthcare roles also face significant gaps. Podiatrists, specialists in foot, ankle, and leg issues, rank as the second most underpaid, earning £31,850 compared to an expected £63,279, a 49.67% deficit. Microbiologists, who study microscopic organisms like bacteria and viruses, are third, with a median salary of £26,891 against a benchmark of £50,158, a 46.39% shortfall.
The top 10 most underpaid jobs in the UK
- Mudlogger: Expected £42,500, Actual £19,815, Difference -53.37%
- Podiatrist: Expected £63,279, Actual £31,850, Difference -49.67%
- Microbiologist: Expected £50,158, Actual £26,891, Difference -46.39%
- Care manager: Expected £57,000, Actual £30,974, Difference -45.66%
- Charity fundraiser: Expected £35,750, Actual £19,500, Difference -45.45%
- Jewellery designer: Expected £55,250, Actual £30,997, Difference -43.90%
- Barristers’ clerk: Expected £62,500, Actual £37,674, Difference -39.72%
- Insurance claims handler: Expected £37,833, Actual £22,899, Difference -39.47%
- Pharmacologist: Expected £42,500, Actual £26,223, Difference -38.30%
- Exercise physiologist: Expected £43,238, Actual £26,977, Difference -37.61%
Care managers, vital to the healthcare sector, earn £30,974, 45.66% below the expected £57,000. Charity fundraisers, often supporting healthcare initiatives, face a 45.45% pay gap, earning £19,500 instead of £35,750. These findings align with broader concerns about undervaluation in the UK healthcare sector, where low pay contributes to staff shortages and burnout. A 2024 report by the European Public Service Union noted that healthcare assistants in the UK earn below national median wages, with wages often failing to keep pace with inflation.
In contrast, creative and technology sectors enjoy significant salary premiums. Creative directors, who oversee brand or project visions, are the most overpaid, earning £97,325 against an expected £38,000, a 156.10% premium. Research scientists in medicine receive a 313% boost, earning well above benchmarks. Software engineers and machine learning engineers also benefit, with salaries 80.4% (£73,496 vs £40,750) and 94.2% (£97,112 vs £50,000) above expected levels, respectively.
A Pens.com spokesperson said: “The disparities we’ve uncovered between expected and actual salaries raise important questions about how we value different professions in the UK. It’s particularly concerning that many healthcare and scientific roles appear significantly underpaid compared to industry benchmarks.” They added: “While some variation is expected between industry salary guides and real-world earnings, gaps of 50% or more suggest systemic undervaluation of certain crucial professions. Employers should examine these discrepancies to ensure they’re offering competitive compensation that accurately reflects the skills and contributions of their workforce.”
The study’s findings resonate with public sentiment. A 2024 King’s College London and Ipsos poll found that 47% of people believe junior doctors (£32,398) and 51% think newly qualified nurses (£28,407) are underpaid, reflecting widespread concern about NHS pay levels. Low pay in healthcare not only affects workers but also impacts patient care, as understaffing and burnout strain the system. Addressing these disparities could improve retention and service quality, ensuring the UK values its essential workers appropriately.