Key facts
- Median UK salary (all employees): approximately £31,000
- Median full-time salary: approximately £37,500
- Peak median by age: £37,200 at ages 40 to 49
- London median full-time salary: approximately £42,000 (+35% vs UK median)
UK Average Salary 2025: The Headlines
The ONS ASHE data covers over 100,000 employees across the UK and represents the most comprehensive snapshot of pay available. The survey distinguishes between full-time and part-time workers, and between median and mean figures - a distinction that matters because salary distributions are heavily skewed to the right.
For full-time employees only, the median rises to approximately £37,500 - a figure often cited in headlines but which excludes the significant part-time workforce. Once you know where you stand nationally, you can calculate your exact take-home pay after income tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions.
Average Salary by Age Group in 2025
Earnings follow a predictable lifecycle: rising steeply through your twenties and thirties as skills and experience accumulate, peaking in your forties, then typically declining slightly as more workers shift to part-time arrangements or take career breaks ahead of retirement.
| Age Group | Median Annual Salary | Mean Annual Salary | Typical Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-21 | ~£18,500 | ~£19,200 | Entry-level, apprenticeships |
| 22-29 | ~£25,500 | ~£27,800 | Graduate roles, junior professional |
| 30-39 | ~£33,400 | ~£37,200 | Mid-career, management |
| 40-49 | ~£37,200 | ~£42,600 | Senior roles, specialists |
| 50-59 | ~£35,600 | ~£40,900 | Peak experience, some part-time |
| 60+ | ~£30,200 | ~£35,800 | Pre-retirement, flexible working |
Source: ONS ASHE 2024. Figures are approximate and cover all employees including part-time.
The jump from the 22-29 to 30-39 age group is typically the largest, reflecting promotions, specialisation, and the compounding effect of experience. Workers who retrain or switch industries in their thirties often see accelerated growth compared to those who remain in the same sector. If you work part-time or changed jobs mid-year, our pro rata calculator converts your actual pay to a full-time equivalent.
Average Salary by Region
The regional salary gap in the UK remains stark. London's median salary is roughly 35% higher than the national median, but this advantage is substantially eroded by housing costs, which consume a far larger share of income in the capital than elsewhere.
| Region | Median Full-Time Salary | vs UK Median |
|---|---|---|
| London | ~£42,000 | +35% |
| South East | ~£34,500 | +11% |
| East of England | ~£32,000 | +3% |
| South West | ~£29,400 | -5% |
| East Midlands | ~£29,500 | -5% |
| West Midlands | ~£29,800 | -4% |
| Yorkshire and Humber | ~£29,000 | -6% |
| North West | ~£30,200 | -3% |
| North East | ~£27,800 | -10% |
| Wales | ~£27,500 | -11% |
| Scotland | ~£31,200 | +1% |
| Northern Ireland | ~£27,000 | -13% |
Source: ONS ASHE 2024. Full-time employees only.
The "levelling up" agenda has narrowed regional gaps marginally over the past decade, but London and the South East continue to command significantly higher nominal wages. Workers considering relocating should use a net-of-housing-costs comparison rather than gross salary figures.
Remote Work and Regional Arbitrage
Since 2021, a growing number of UK workers receive London-scale salaries while living outside London - a form of regional arbitrage. If your employer pays London rates and you live in the North West or Wales, your real purchasing power can be substantially higher than an equivalent London colleague. Use our free UK salary calculator to see your exact take-home wherever you are based.Average Salary by Industry and Sector
Industry choice remains one of the strongest predictors of lifetime earnings. Finance, technology, and professional services consistently pay the most; hospitality, retail, and care work pay the least.
| Industry / Sector | Median Annual Salary | Key Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | ~£45,000 | Analysts, advisers, underwriters |
| Information & Communication (Tech) | ~£42,500 | Developers, engineers, data |
| Professional Services | ~£39,000 | Accountants, lawyers, consultants |
| Public Administration & Defence | ~£34,000 | Civil servants, local government |
| Education | ~£31,500 | Teachers, lecturers, support |
| Healthcare and Social Work | ~£33,000 | NHS staff, nurses, carers |
| Construction | ~£32,000 | Tradespeople, project managers |
| Manufacturing | ~£30,000 | Production, engineering, QA |
| Retail (wholesale and retail trade) | ~£22,000 | Sales, operations, management |
| Accommodation and Food Service | ~£19,500 | Hospitality, chefs, front-of-house |
Source: ONS ASHE 2024. Median full-time earnings by SIC sector.
How Does Your Salary Compare?
Knowing where you sit relative to the national median is useful context, but the number that really matters is your take-home payafter income tax, National Insurance, pension contributions, and any student loan repayments. You can see exactly how much NI you pay at any salary level using the 2026/27 rates.
A gross salary of £35,000 gives very different take-home figures depending on whether you are in the standard PAYE position, making salary sacrifice pension contributions, or repaying a student loan. Use the calculator below for your exact figure.
UK Salary Calculator 2026/27
Enter your gross salary and see your monthly and annual take-home pay after income tax, National Insurance, pension, and student loan deductions. Updated for 2026/27 HMRC rates.
UK Salary Growth Trends: 2020 to 2025
The five years between 2020 and 2025 were exceptionally volatile for UK wages. COVID-19 suppressed wage growth in 2020 and distorted 2021 comparisons through furlough scheme composition effects. From 2022, wage growth accelerated sharply as employers competed for workers during labour shortages, and as employees demanded inflation-matching increases as CPI exceeded 10%.
| Year | Approximate Median UK Salary | Annual Change (Nominal) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ~£29,000 | +1.5% (COVID distortion) |
| 2021 | ~£29,900 | +3.1% (reopening effect) |
| 2022 | ~£31,500 | +5.4% (inflation-driven) |
| 2023 | ~£33,500 | +6.3% (peak wage growth) |
| 2024 | ~£34,100 | +1.8% (growth slowing) |
| 2025 | ~£35,000 (est.) | +2.6% (forecast) |
Figures are approximate ONS ASHE estimates and projections. Real (inflation-adjusted) growth was negative in 2022-23.
Crucially, real wage growth (adjusted for inflation) was negative in 2022 and early 2023 as CPI consistently exceeded wage rises. By late 2023 and into 2024, real wages turned positive as inflation fell faster than wage growth. Workers on long-term fixed contracts or without union representation were most exposed to this real-terms pay cut.
From Gross to Take-Home: What the Numbers Mean
Understanding the gross-to-net conversion is critical for financial planning. Here is a rough guide to what different salaries yield after income tax and NI for the 2026/27 tax year (England, no pension, no student loan):
| Gross Annual Salary | Approx Monthly Take-Home | Annual Take-Home | Tax & NI Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| £20,000 | ~£1,550 | ~£18,600 | ~7% |
| £25,000 | ~£1,860 | ~£22,300 | ~11% |
| £31,000 (median) | ~£2,160 | ~£25,900 | ~16% |
| £35,000 | ~£2,350 | ~£28,200 | ~19% |
| £45,000 | ~£2,860 | ~£34,300 | ~24% |
| £60,000 | ~£3,550 | ~£42,600 | ~29% |
Approximate figures for 2026/27 England/Wales. Assumes standard PAYE, Personal Allowance £12,570, no pension sacrifice or student loan.
Why Your Employer's Cost Is Higher Than Your Salary
Beyond your gross salary, your employer pays Employer National Insurance - at 15% on earnings above £5,000 per year from April 2026. On a £35,000 salary, this adds approximately £4,500 to the total employment cost. Understanding the full cost of employment can strengthen your hand in salary negotiations - read our guide to National Insurance rates 2026/27 for the full breakdown.Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
The median full-time salary in the UK is approximately £31,000 per year (£2,583 per month) according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2024. The mean average is higher at around £37,000, skewed by high earners in London and the financial sector.
The median full-time salary in London is approximately £41,000 per year, roughly 32% higher than the UK national median of £31,000. However, higher living costs, particularly housing, significantly offset this premium.
On a gross salary of £31,000 in 2026/27, you take home approximately £25,100 per year (£2,092 per month) after income tax of £3,686 and National Insurance of £1,474, assuming a standard 1257L tax code and no pension deductions.
Earning above £40,000 puts you in the top 30% of UK earners. Above £50,270 you enter the higher-rate tax band. Most financial advisers consider £50,000+ a comfortable salary outside London, while £60,000+ is typically needed for equivalent comfort in the capital.
Median salaries peak at approximately £37,200 for ages 40 to 49, rising from about £18,500 at ages 18 to 21 and about £25,500 at ages 22 to 29, according to ONS ASHE 2024.
London has the highest median full-time salary at approximately £42,000, about 35% above the UK median. The South East is second at approximately £34,500.
On £31,000 gross in 2026/27 you take home approximately £25,900 per year (about £2,160 per month) after income tax and NI, with no pension or student loan deductions, per the gross-to-net table in this guide.
The ONS median of about £31,000 is for full-time employees only. Part-time median earnings are lower, around £13,000 to £14,000 per year, so mixing full-time and part-time figures would understate typical full-time pay.
Get UK finance tips delivered weekly
No spam. Unsubscribe any time.
You Might Also Like
How to Calculate Your Take-Home Pay in 2026/27
A complete guide to understanding income tax, National Insurance, pension contributions, and student loan deductions. Uses real 2026/27 HMRC rates.
Salary Sacrifice Explained: How to Pay Less Tax Through Your Employer (2026/27)
UK salary sacrifice 2026/27: give up salary for pension or benefits and save income tax and NI. How it works, what you can sacrifice and employer savings.
James Hartley is a CIMA qualified financial analyst and Founder and Lead Financial Analyst at WhatsUK, with 8+ years in UK tax, payroll, and compliance. He builds every calculator on WhatsUK and authors all editorial content, ensuring every figure is verified against official HMRC sources before publication.
Sources & Official References
- ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2024- UK median earnings by age, region, and sector
- HMRC Income Tax Rates 2026/27- Personal allowance and band thresholds
- ONS Earnings and Working Hours- Monthly and quarterly wage growth data
Last verified:
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on standard HMRC rates for 2026/27. Results may vary based on individual circumstances. This is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified accountant or CIMA-qualified financial adviser for personal tax matters.