Data, Dollars, and Diversity: Gender Views Across the Pay Grade in the Digital Health Workforce

Gender inequities persist in the specialist digital health workforce, influencing education, remuneration, and career progression. Despite women comprising the majority of this workforce, disparities in pay and gender remain underexplored. Data were drawn from the 2023 Specialist Digital Health Workforce Census, which included 425 Australian respondents who completed gender-related questions and reported remuneration, was analysed to examine associations between gender, remuneration level, and perceptions of equity. Women represented 74.1% of respondents, yet significant correlations emerged between gender and remuneration (p=0.006). Women earning less than $3,000 per week were more likely to identify financial barriers to career development and emphasise policies on pay equity as facilitators. Perceptions of organisational support for gender equity differed by gender (p<0.001), while remuneration influenced views on career development and work-life balance. Findings highlight structural inequities shaped by gender and remuneration, underscoring the need for targeted interventions such as mentorship, sponsorship, and inclusive leadership programs. Policies promoting pay equity and culturally responsive career development are critical to advancing gender equity in digital health. Further research is required to explore these significant themes.