Survey shows women falling behind in pay

Women in the profession are as satisfied as men with their chosen career even though they earn less in real terms and are less likely to hold managerial positions. This is among the findings of a major new survey into working practices of women practitioners and their attitudes to their jobs and career.

Conducted jointly by Optician and CIBA Vision between July and September, the Women of Vision 2010 survey involved 808 optometrists and dispensing opticians of whom just over half were women.

The survey reveals many significant gender differences, such as that women are more likely than men to work in multiples and less likely to be a practice owner or director. Overall, women respondents earn less on average than men both in actual salaries and in pro rata earnings when working hours are taken into account.