The average salary of white workers is 40 percent higher than blacks, according to a recent employment survey.

The median annual income of white employees last year was $71,607, compared to $50,539 earned by black workers a gap of $21,000. Persons of mixed and other races fared even worse, with an average salary of $48,549 per year.

The figures were revealed in the 2009 edition of The Bermuda Job Market Employment Briefs, released yesterday by Government. They reveal the gap in earnings based on race in Bermuda remains constant.

In July 2006, The Royal Gazette reported Government figures for 2005 showed the median income level for blacks at $44,263 compared to $61,154 for whites. The figures reveal the 40 percent gap has not closed in the past three years, and has actually slightly increased.

The 2008 data however, still highlights expats as the prime breadwinners.

The Department of Statistics report states there is "a significant amount of variation in the median annual income of jobholders based on their Bermudian status".

While Bermudians rake in an average of $51,976 and Permanent Residents $56,769, non-Bermudians earn a median annual income of $65,316.

The report says: "The profile of median income by economic activity confirmed that jobholders in the international business sector received the highest pay packet with an annual median salary of $94,373."

While average salaries in the utility sector were also high at $68,018, those earning the least were hospitality industry workers, with a median annual income of $34,725-$37,034.

The data a snapshot of the main findings of the 2008 Annual Employment Survey, reveals the level of employment in Bermuda "rose marginally" last year, from 39,851 in 2007 to 40,213 positions in 2008.

But despite 362 more jobs becoming available, 330 were filled by non-Bermudians. In contrast, the number of positions held by Bermudians declined by 92.

Non-Bermudian workers now occupy a third of all jobs on the Island. Expats, non-Bermudian spouses and Permanent Residents made up 33 percent of the workforce last year a rise of one percent on 2007.

Expats themselves filled 26 percent of all jobs in 2008, holding 10,367 positions an increase of 330 on the previous year.

The report notes they occupy a high proportion of professional jobs in the labour market, accounting for almost three-quarters of accountants and two-thirds of nurses.

In 2008, the number of jobs in the international business sector rose by 72 to 4,761.

The construction industry also continued to thrive, posting 3,649 jobs an increase of 105. The estimated value of building activity was $366 million between the third quarter of 2007 and second quarter of 2008 a $62 million increase on the previous year.

The business services sector (computer, business consultancy, legal and accounting services) also created 139 more positions, to a total of 4,326.

The transport and communications industry however, reported a significant decline, with 154 less jobs than the 2,756 of 2007. Taxi drivers seemed to fare particularly badly, with 42 less drivers on the road.

Overall, the median annual income in Bermuda was $54,867 last year an increase of three percent on 2007.

The public can obtain a free copy of the Employment Briefs from the Department of Statistics on the third floor of the Cedar Park Centre building.

You can also download the information at: www.statistics.gov.bm