Equal job. Equal skills. £10k less pay. Why?
Hey Jude
I’ve just found out that my peer is being paid £10,000 more than me. Yes, ten thousand pounds. He let it slip during an away day, and I just smiled and played along as if we were on the same pay. Inside, I felt crushed.
We’re both data scientists working for a well-known medical organisation here in the UK. I actually started in the role before him and even recommended him when a similar position opened up a few months later. We’re on the same level, we do the same job, and we have similar experience.
So why is he getting paid more?
My mind is running in circles. Does our boss rate him more? Is he really doing a better job? Or is this about something else?
The truth is, I can’t shake the thought that it’s because I’m Black. I’m earning less than a White colleague who’s on the same rung of the ladder as me. I’m struggling to find another explanation, and it’s making me doubt myself.
Am I overreacting? Or is this exactly what it feels like. Unfair and wrong? I don’t know how to start this conversation without it blowing up in my face.
Ben O.
Hi Ben,
First things first, you are not alone.
There are many possible reasons why you are being paid less than your peer. Race could be one of those reasons, but it may not be the only factor. Unfortunately, the statistics show that Black professionals often face pay disparities:
Black employees earn 5.7% less per hour than White employees (ONS, Ethnicity pay gaps, UK: 2012–2022).
Black men in the public sector earn over 15% less than White men in comparable roles (WISERD, Understanding ethnicity pay gaps in the UK public sector, 2023).
Black men in the private sector earn around 25% less than White men with similar experience (WISERD, 2023).
You are not imagining this, and you are certainly not overreacting. A 2025 survey found 80% of Black workers believe secrecy around salaries fuels inequality in their workplace. Ethnicity pay gap reporting exists but is voluntary, meaning many organisations do not publish their data. The Resolution Foundation estimates ethnic minority workers collectively miss out on £3.2 billion every year due to pay gaps. This is not just numbers – it is real people’s livelihoods.
But let us focus on your immediate situation and how you can approach this conversation constructively.
1. Focus on you
You were hired for a reason. Keep your confidence intact. This could be about structural and systemic issues, not your ability or contribution.
2. Act now
Do not wait for your annual appraisal. Pay conversations can happen at any time. Put yourself on your manager’s radar now.
3. Build your case
Document your achievements and gather examples of how you have delivered results, improved processes or added value. Collect feedback from colleagues and managers. Present it clearly (slides or a bulleted email) and ask for a meeting to discuss your pay.
4. Use the data
Bring external benchmarks for data scientists in your sector. Keep it professional and fact-based. Avoid focusing on your peer’s pay specifically; frame it as aligning your salary with the market.
5. Seek allies
Sometimes having support inside your organisation can make a difference. If there is a trusted senior colleague, mentor or HR partner, ask for their advice or advocacy. Platforms like The BOP exist for this very reason – to help Black professionals find guidance, sponsorship and community support when navigating workplace barriers.
6. Follow up
After the meeting, send a summary of what was discussed and agreed. Keep a record of all conversations and dates. It helps if you need to revisit the issue or escalate later.
7. Take care of yourself
Unequal pay is not just about money, it takes a toll emotionally. Do not let this situation chip away at your self-worth. Lean on trusted friends, mentors or networks for support while you navigate this.
And remember, this is not about your colleague, it is about the structure you are both working in. Maintain your friendship, and if you can, learn how they approached their salary conversation.
Ben, you are not alone in this fight. Too many Black professionals are in the same position. By speaking up, you are not just advocating for yourself, you are helping to chip away at a bigger problem that needs changing.
Your voice matters, and every conversation like this brings us closer to equity.
Let us know how your conversation goes
Learn more
Ethnicity Pay Gap in the UK – Office for National Statistics (ONS)
View the latest data on how pay differs by ethnicity https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/articles/ethnicitypaygapsingreatbritain/previousreleasesBroken Ladders Report – Runnymede Trust and Fawcett Society
Read about the barriers women of colour face in progression and pay https://www.runnymedetrust.org/projects-and-publications/employment-and-economy/broken-ladders.htmlUK Workers Demand Action on Pay Inequality Read about Overwhelming Support For Mandatory Disability and Ethnicity Pay Gap Reporting - https://www.onrec.com/news/news-archive/uk-workers-demand-action-pay-inequality-overwhelming-support-for-mandatory#:~:text=is%20critical