Tech staff among top earners - especially men living in London

Professionals holding full-time science and technology jobs are among the top earners in the UK, according to official government figures released this week.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revamped its annual hours and survey measurements and found science and technology professionals - a category that includes but stretches beyond IT workers - earn, on average, £605 per week, or £31,460 per annum. For the average, it uses the median measurement, presumably to lessen the effect super-earners would have on a mean figure.

Techies rank behind 'corporate managers', averaging £643 per week, and especially 'health professionals' who weigh in at £993 per week - or £51,636 per annum.

However, science and technology is still some way above the national average. That currently stands at £422 per week, as of April 2004.

The average Briton is likely to earn more if they are a man - a median of £462 for males in full-time employment versus £358 for women - and if they live in London, where the median is £541 per week or £28,132 across all occupations.

One figure many wouldn't expect - the average wage is higher in the public sector than the private sector. It was £453 per week in April this year as opposed to £408 at private organisations.