What is an average salary in the UK?

Wondering what the average UK salary is in 2025? If so, you’re not alone.

A common trait amongst Brits is that we don’t like talking about money and how much we all earn.

Because of this, many people have no idea what the average UK salary is or whether they’re earning above or below it.

UK average salaries can vary between industries, from national minimum wage earners to those on six figures.

Here, we explore the median salary in the UK, as well as the gender pay gap and which UK jobs pay the highest.

Want to know more? Scroll down to discover how your earnings stack up!

UK average salary

According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the UK average salary was £18,079 for part-time workers and £48,512 for full-time employees as of November 2025.

This has increased from the average UK salary in 2023, which was £42,210 for full-time positions and £15,212 for part-time.

The median average salary in 2025 is £14,713 for part-time and £39,039 for full-time. This is compared to £12,631 and £34,963 in 2023.

Median salaries are better numbers for comparing wages. This approach means it’s less likely to be skewed by the few people earning higher salaries.

The median salary is at the centre of all wages, a “middleman” that you can judge your own salary against.

But, does an average salary allow you enough income to pay the average household bills per month?

What is a good salary in the UK?

Between £2,500 and £3,000 is considered to be an ideal monthly net income in the UK. That salary could support a comfortable life in a city, including a two-bedroom flat, entertainment and leisure.

Not only that, but many Brits feel that a £2,000 a month income after tax is the minimum required amount for a single person to live a reasonable lifestyle.

A £40,000 gross salary is what you would need to live a comfortable but not extravagant life in the UK. This is also the salary a couple with kids would need to live well.

It would mean you’d be making enough to rent an apartment or a car, dine out, and go on regular holidays.

Read next: How much it really costs to go to work in 2026

The Gender Pay Gap

The latest data from the ONS shows that the average UK male full-time employee earns 6.9% more than his female counterpart.

However, in part-time work, the pay gap difference is in favour of female employees, with women earning 2.9% more than men.

This is because more women work in part-time positions than men.

Which jobs have the biggest gender pay gap?

The newest data shows that male workers earn more than their female co-workers in the five professions with the biggest wage gaps.

This means that male workers in these jobs earn the same wage as female workers in the same role in around half the time.

Skilled trades earn 13.9% more, and process plant and machine operatives earn 12.3% more.

Is there an improvement in the gender pay gap?

Yes. But this improvement doesn’t apply to all age groups equally. Workers aged 40 and over still experience a higher gap than younger workers, as much as 9.1% or more in many roles.

This is because there are more men than women moving up into highly-paid managerial roles after age 39. After this age, the UK average salary tends to increase.

Which factors affect UK average salaries?

Location

It’ll come as no surprise that Londoners and people living in the South East are making the most money – an average of £766.60 every week.

Regionally, the North East has the lowest average pay, with full-time workers earning £692.10 per week.

Remember, though, that the London number is given a boost thanks to the city’s mega earners, such as CEOs on six figures.

However, you then need to factor in that it can cost less overall to live in other areas.

Find out the cheapest places to live in the UK to see if it’s worth a move to get more disposable income out of your salary.

Occupation

The industry you’re working in may be the reason you’re not earning as much as your friends.

Now, if you’re fiercely passionate about what you do and your salary is enough for you to support yourself, that’s great! But, if you’re doing it solely for the money, it may be time for a career change.

Age and experience

Having experience in the working world will always pay better. The gap between what men and women earn changes as people get older.

When workers are in their early 20s, there’s barely any difference at all. But once people hit mid-career, the gap starts to grow.

For full-time workers aged 22 to 29, the gap is tiny at around 1%. Men and women in this age group earn almost the same.

By the time workers reach their 40s, the gap widens to just over 9%. This is the point where more men tend to move into higher-paid roles, which pushes the numbers apart.

In the 50 to 59 age bracket, the gap grows again to around 12%, and it stays at a similar level for workers aged 60 and over.

These figures show a clear pattern. The difference in pay is small when people are young, but it becomes much larger from about age 40 onwards.

Private or public sector

Typically, public sector salaries are higher than jobs in the private sector. In 2025, the UK median salary for full-time workers in the private sector was £39,118.

But, those in the public sector earned slightly more, with the median average UK salary being £42,799.

When should you get a raise?

Are you unhappy with your current salary? If so, now’s the time to start working towards that pay rise. We’re not suggesting that you suddenly burst into your boss’s office demanding more money, though.

You should expect a raise around once per year, so if your average weekly earnings have recently gone up, you’ll probably have to make do with it for now.

But, if it’s been a year, or even more, since your earnings were given a boost, it’s a good idea to start planning your strategy.

The best way to ask for a pay rise

A good time to request a pay rise is during your next performance review, so make sure to check when the next one is. Unfortunately, your approach to the subject largely depends on your superior’s personality.

If they’re a direct and no-nonsense kind of person, sending an email in the lead-up to the review is a good idea.

In the email, you can state that you’d like to discuss your salary, to avoid any surprises. In other cases, you may have to discuss it in another conversation.

Whenever you do bring up the topic, have a good case prepared for why you should have the raise.

Have you created new strategies that have benefitted the company? Have you taken on more responsibility since you last had a pay rise?

Think about what you’ve done during the last year and have your case clear before you ask for more money.

A conversation like this needs confidence – the worst thing you can do is sound nervous or forget key points. Rehearsing in front of a mirror is always a good idea!

How big of a pay rise should you ask for?

Before you go in with all guns blazing, you need to have an idea of how much extra money to expect.

Check out the average salaries of other workers in your role – you could even ask your friends and acquaintances how much they’re earning.

Don’t feel awkward about having conversations about finances with your friends. The less you stay in the dark about other people’s earnings, the more confident you’ll feel talking to your manager about a raise.

Once you’ve done your research, you can decide how much you want to increase your earnings or wait for a figure to be suggested by your manager.

Remember, asking for a raise is a delicate matter, so the latter option is probably the best. If the suggested figure is too low, you can always try to negotiate.

It’s better to slowly make your way towards your desired figure than go straight in with an eye-watering high number that immediately gets rejected.

What to do if your pay rise request is rejected

If the worst happens and your request is rejected, don’t feel disheartened.

Think of it as an opportunity to show you’re eager to stay at the company and boost your performance. Ask what you could do to warrant a future pay rise and walk out of the negotiation with pride.

Keep in mind, though, that a pay rise rejection isn’t always personal. These days, some companies simply can’t afford to give out regular pay rises.

Looking for another job instead? Why not find a genuine work from home job or find out how to get a job with no experience.

How to negotiate the salary for a new job offer

If the company you work for isn’t able to offer you a pay rise, it may be time to think about a new job.

If you decide to do this, keep in mind that negotiating your new salary is super important for getting off to a good start.

Wait for your potential new employer to offer a number, thank them, but politely request time to think about it before you snap their arm off.

It might be tempting to snatch up the offer straight away, but thinking about it shows that you’re wise. It’ll also give you a chance to consider the offer without your judgement being clouded by excitement.

The best way to approach a negotiation

In some ways, negotiating the salary of a new job is like asking for a pay rise in your current one.

You’ll need to be armed with the knowledge of how much other people in the same field earn, and you’ll need to sell yourself. But, you’re already good at this if you’re in this position anyway.

When beginning the negotiation with your new manager, broaching the subject without being defensive is crucial.

Outline your desired figure as a suggestion rather than a demand. Stay eager about the job because the aim is to come across as a valuable and loyal team member.

Never give out an ultimatum. This will put your employer off immediately, potentially leaving you jobless. If salary negotiations don’t work, try negotiating employee benefits like bonuses or holidays.

These will seem like small requests, so your employer may be more inclined to go for them. This is especially true if you’ve kept the charm on throughout the meeting!

Dealing with rejection

If there’s no chance of any negotiation, it may be worth asking if a pay review is possible once you’ve got through the probation period.

This will give you a chance to show off your abilities in the role and will give you the confidence to argue your case. Remember, your worth isn’t defined by your salary!

How to get the most out of your salary

Budgeting

Many financial goals can be achieved with careful budgeting, and it means you don’t need to compromise on the essentials. It’s vital to save first and spend after instead of the other way around.

A good rule of thumb is to spend 50% of your salary on essentials, 15% on personal purchases and 35% should go into your savings (check out the average savings in the UK).

Set goals

Saving money without any goals is a bad idea. You could be depriving yourself if you don’t actually know what you’re saving money for. Think about which short and long-term goals you’d like to achieve.

Some short-term goals could be a holiday, buying a car, or some new furniture. Long-term goals could include buying your first home or going to university.

Keep an eye on your spending

Remember to keep track of how much you’re spending, especially with personal purchases. Gifts and impulsive buys can quickly add up!

FAQs

Which UK jobs have the lowest average salaries?

The lowest-paid jobs in the UK are usually found in hospitality, retail, cleaning and other frontline service roles. These roles often involve part-time hours, shift work and limited career progression, which keeps overall pay down.

Younger workers are also far more likely to fall into the low-paid bracket, especially those in starter roles such as bar staff, kitchen assistants or shop workers.

While these jobs can be a useful first step into work, they tend to offer slower pay growth than skilled, professional or technical careers.

What are the highest-paid jobs in the UK?

Based on the latest 2025 ONS data, chief executives and senior officials remain the highest-paid workers in the UK. They earn a higher median hourly rate than any other occupation. Close behind are other senior corporate managers and directors, who also sit near the top of the pay rankings.

Specialist director-level roles in areas such as IT, finance, and commercial management continue to feature near the top of the list too. These roles tend to command high pay because they involve major responsibility, long hours and decisions that have a big impact on how organisations run.

While pay varies across sectors, the overall picture is clear: senior leadership and director-level roles remain the highest-paid jobs in the UK in 2025.

What is an above-average UK salary?

In the UK, £50,000 could be classed as an above-average annual salary. The UK average salary for a family with both parents working is £40,000, so £50,000 would be an above-average income of 67% more.

You also wouldn’t pay high taxes on this income and would still be in the 20% bracket. You’d pay around £13,000 in National Insurance and income tax leaving you with roughly £37,000.