IT'S a man's world - even when it comes to dishing out the pocket money.

Despite spending less time on chores, boys earn a higher weekly allowance than girls.

They also save more.

A survey by Westpac found parents divided jobs along gender lines, with boys more likely to mow lawns, wash cars and take out the bins. Girls were assigned indoor chores, such as cleaning bedrooms, washing up and doing laundry.

"Some chores tend to have a higher monetary value, like mowing the lawn," said Gai McGrath, Westpac's retail banking general manager.

"So maybe that is a good insight for girls - if mowing the lawn is more highly valued, maybe they might put their hands up to do it."

Ms McGrath said research for the bank's new free Pay Pig app, which was designed to help parents and children keep track of chores completed and pocket money earned, found boys spent 2.1 hours a week on chores to earn an average of $48.

Girls invested 2.7 hours on household jobs but earned $45.

The higher-earning boys managed to save 29 per cent of their earnings ($14.10) while girls put away a quarter ($11.10).

"Our research shows those who earn pocket money by doing chores and using technology to track their savings are more than twice as likely to understand the value of money (45 per cent) than those who don't do either (18 per cent)," Ms McGrath said.

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The boy versus girl pocket-money pay rates reflected the real Australian workplace, where the gap between male and female university graduates starting salaries is now $5000, according to research by Graduate Careers Australia.

Mum of four Shannon Kavanagh avoids pay-per-job chores for Corey, 11, Zoe, 14, Alana, 10 and Sophie, 8.

"We used to have a list with this job is worth so much but they were only going for the big jobs that made the most and the other ones were missing out," she said.

"Washing the car was $10 and emptying the bins was $2. Now everyone gets $10, regardless of age, if they do their jobs. And they can earn bonus points towards an extra $10."

The West Pennant Hills family also rewards saving, with each banked $40 attracting a $10 bonus payment.

But the value of helping around the house goes far beyond the immediate reward of cash, Mrs Kavanagh said.

"Every one of my kids can cook an egg, make a bed and when they leave home they will be able to look after themselves," she said.

"They know it takes effort."

"They are doing a lot of saving and have learnt you can also have a little bit to spend and play with."