Earnings Disparity: Median Income by Status and Race in Bermuda

While Bermuda's overall job market showed positive signs in 2024, with an increase in total filled jobs and a rise in the overall median income, a closer look reveals significant variations in earnings based on demographic factors. Specifically, the Bermuda Job Market Employment Briefs (October 2025) provides detailed figures on how median gross annual income differs according to Bermudian status and race.

Understanding these disparities is essential for comprehending the nuances of Bermuda's economic landscape, informing discussions about equity, and providing context for individuals navigating the job market. The data presented originates directly from the official survey conducted by the Department of Statistics, reflecting income reported by employers for all filled jobs.

A key metric derived from the survey is the median gross annual income. Calculated from the comprehensive count of filled jobs reported by island businesses, this figure represents the midpoint earnings level: half of all job holders earn more than this amount, and the other half earn less. For reference, the overall median income for all job holders in 2024 stood at $71,151, a 1.3% increase from the previous year. This serves as a crucial benchmark against which we can compare the earnings of different demographic groups.

Median Income by Bermudian Status

The 2024 Employment Survey breaks down job holders into four main status categories, revealing distinct income patterns:

Bermudians

This group, holding the majority (67%) of filled jobs in 2024, reported a median gross annual income of $68,256.

• Comparison to overall median: this figure represents 96% of the island-wide median income.
• Year-over-year growth: compared to 2023 ($67,187), Bermudians saw their median earnings increase by 1.6%.

Non-Bermudian spouse of Bermudian

Individuals in this category often have specific residency rights linked to their Bermudian spouse.

• Median income: their median gross annual income was $83,682, placing them at 118% of the overall median.
• Income growth: this group experienced a 2.8% increase in median earnings from 2023 ($81,393).

Other non-Bermudian

This category includes individuals working in Bermuda typically under work permits. They constituted 26% of filled jobs in 2024.

• Median income: they reported a median income of $82,793, or 116% of the overall median.
• Income trend: after a slight decrease in the previous year, this group saw a modest 0.3% increase in median earnings compared to 2023 ($82,563).

Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) holder

PRC holders represent a small segment of the workforce with specific long-term residency rights.

• Median income: their median gross annual income stood at $84,857, the highest among all status groups at 119% of the overall median.
• Growth rate: this group saw the largest percentage increase in median earnings between 2023 and 2024, rising by a substantial 7.1% from $79,263.

Median Income by Race

The survey also provides median income data based on the racial identity reported for job holders:

Black

Representing the largest group of job holders (51% in 2024), individuals identifying as Black reported a median gross annual income of $66,041.

• Comparison to median: this figure is 93% of the overall median income.
• Growth trend: median earnings for this group saw an increase of 1.9% compared to 2023 ($64,814).

White

This group held 30% of filled jobs in 2024.

• Median income: their median gross annual income was $99,420, significantly higher than the overall median at 140%.
• Growth trend: this group experienced income growth of 2.5% from 2023 ($96,957).

Mixed/other races

Accounting for 19% of filled jobs in 2024, this group reported the lowest median income among the racial categories.

• Median income: their median gross annual income was $57,689, which is 81% of the overall median.
• Growth rate: median earnings for this group increased by 1.5% compared to 2023 ($56,829).

Important Considerations

The data presented highlights clear differences in median earnings based on status and race, but it is critical to interpret these findings with caution:

• Correlation vs. causation: these statistics show correlations between demographic categories and income levels but do not explain the underlying causes. Factors such as distribution across industries, educational attainment, and years of experience are not isolated in this specific breakdown.
• Industry distribution: certain demographic groups may be more concentrated in higher-paying sectors like International Business or Finance, while others are more represented in lower-paying service sectors.
• Median figures: remember these are midpoint values for all jobs held within these categories and do not reflect the range of individual salaries.

This data provides a vital snapshot of income distribution but requires further analysis to fully understand the complex factors contributing to the observed disparities.

For more information about which jobs are most in-demand, see In-Demand Jobs in Bermuda.

Accessing the Full Report

The income statistics discussed in this article are sourced directly from Table 3 of the Bermuda Job Market Employment Briefs (October 2025).

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Disclaimer: This article summarizes median gross annual income findings by Bermudian status and race from the official Bermuda Job Market Employment Briefs (October 2025), based on the 2024 Employment Survey. These statistics highlight disparities but do not explain their causes. Individual earnings are influenced by numerous factors beyond those discussed here. Always consult the official government publications for the most complete and accurate data.