BRITAIN’S general union GMB has updated its occupational pay league for employees, ranking official pay data from the highest paid sector to the lowest.

Top of the league are company directors and chief executives who on average earn £181,491 a year – 16 times the national minimum wage. The transport sector includes £21,179 for transport and distribution clerks and £35,439 for transport and distribution managers. At the top end of the transport sector, financial managers take home, on average, £87,280 and purchasing managers an average £49,288 a year.

Paul Kenny, general secretary at the GMB, said: ‘This annual look at what people in different occupations earn always generates a lot of comment, particularly from workers who earn less than the average figure shown for their occupation.’

  • View the full list at www.gmb.org.uk.

    Average earnings

    Transport sector positions Salary (£)
    Financial managers 87,280
    Purchasing managers 49,288
    Production, works and maintenance managers 43,212
    Transport and distribution managers 35,439
    Buyers and distribution managers 31,247
    Transport operatives 21,410
    Transport and distribution clerks 21,179