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Sydney's Income Divide: Blokes Earn More, Oldest Workers Top Charts
4 Oct
Summary
- Men aged 45-54 in Sydney earn the highest median income of $102,309.
- Women earn 27% less than men in the same age bracket, $74,860 median.
- Leichhardt district has Sydney's highest median income at $88,888.
In Sydney, men aged 45 to 54 command the highest median annual income, reaching $102,309. This age group and gender cohort consistently shows higher earnings across the city. Women's median income peaks in the same age range, but at $74,860, representing a substantial 27% gap compared to their male counterparts.
The Leichhardt district, encompassing suburbs like Balmain and Rozelle, records the highest median income in Sydney at $88,888 per year. Conversely, the Fairfield district reports the lowest median income at $48,502. This disparity highlights significant economic inequalities across different areas of Greater Sydney.
Analysis of 2022-23 income data reveals men earn more than women in every age cohort and district. Experts attribute this gap partly to women shouldering more unpaid domestic work and often working fewer hours or in lower-paying sectors. This "motherhood penalty" contributes to a persistent gender wealth gap, impacting women's long-term financial security.
A notable exception to the age-income trend occurs in Sydney's west and south-west. Here, men aged 35 to 44 show the highest median incomes, a pattern linked to a high concentration of trades workers whose income profiles peak earlier. These physical trades can become demanding with age, influencing income trajectories.
