Earnings analysis across different groups

Earning differences between ethicities

The chart below shows average earning differences in ethnic groups compared to White ethnicities. Within both England and the North East, Asian or Asian British ethnicities earned less than White ethnicities; across the other ethnic groups, there were stark differences between the North East and England.

The largest difference was in the North East: Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups earned on average more than White ethnicities, whereas across England this group earned slightly less than White ethnicities. This trend was replicated to a smaller degree for Black, African, Caribbean or Black British ethnicities. The other  ethnic groups category earned less than White ethnicities in the North East, but more than White ethnicities on average across England.

The gaps in the latest earnings are described in the above paragraphs and below charts, but it should be noted that there is considerable variation between years on earnings gaps between ethnicities. This is demonstrated by the third chart below. Some of the data points are based on small sample sizes and cannot be considered reliable, especially those relating to Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups and Other ethnic groups.

Earnings in the North East and England by occupation and full-time/part-time breakdowns

The first chart below shows that over the last nine years, earnings in England have grown faster than earnings in the North East. This difference has increased from a gap of £44 per week in 2014 to £75 in 2023.

The second chart shows the differences between average weekly earnings for those who work in the North East measured against those who live in the North East. Earnings are slightly higher for those who live in the North East rather than those who work in the North East for both full-time and part-time roles.

There were only three occupations which had higher median earnings in the North East Region than across England in 2023. These occupations were Caring, leisure and other service occupations, Caring personal service occupations, and Process, plant and machine operatives. Earnings across all occupations were £34 higher per week in England than in the North East, on average.

The trends of higher and lower earning occupations across the North East and England matched each other. That being said, Director type roles, especially Corporate managers and directors, earn considerably less (£200) in the North East than in England meaning that the highest earners in the North East are within Protective service occupations. The lowest earners in both areas work in Sales occupations.