What Is The Average UK Salary? 2025
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Updated 02/04/2025
Quick Answer:
The average UK salary in 2025 is £34,000, but earnings vary by industry, role, and location. Use this guide to compare your pay, understand what affects it, and learn how to boost your income through smart career moves and negotiation.
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Over the past couple of years, I’ve spent a lot of time digging into salary data. As someone who writes about finance and personal investing, I want to understand not just what people earn but what that actually means — especially now, with inflation, rent hikes, and food prices all climbing faster than most pay packets.
You’ve probably wondered: Am I earning enough for the work I do? How does my salary compare to the national average? This guide will break that all down. We’ll look at the latest salary figures, what affects your earning potential, and whether UK wages are really keeping up with the rising cost of living.
What is the Average Salary in 2025?
According to the latest ONS data, the median UK salary in 2025 is about £34,000, while the mean sits closer to £39,000 — skewed higher by top earners. So if you’re under that, you’re far from alone.
The gap between full-time and part-time pay is even more telling. Full-time workers earn around £42,000, while part-time roles average just £15,000–£20,000 — a major drop, especially for parents or carers.
Weekly earnings paint a clearer picture: the median full-time worker takes home £670 a week — a decent figure until you factor in housing, transport, and rising living costs.
So yes, you might be “average” on paper — but is that enough in 2025? That’s the real question.
UK Salary Snapshot (2025)
Breakdown of average earnings in the UK, based on the latest ONS estimates:
| Salary Type | Average Pay (2025) | Notes / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | £34,000 | The middle value — 50% earn less, 50% earn more |
| Mean annual salary | £39,000 | Skewed upward by high earners; not always representative |
| Full-time average salary | £42,000 | For employees working 30+ hours per week |
| Part-time average salary | £18,500 | Based on significantly fewer hours worked |
| Median weekly earnings | £670 | Reflects gross income for full-time workers |
| Median salary (men) | £36,000 | Gender pay gap is still evident across many sectors |
| Median salary (women) | £31,000 | Reflects differences in seniority, hours, and industry roles |
| Public sector average salary | £32,500 | Often lower pay but stronger benefits and pension |
| Private sector average salary | £41,000 | Higher base pay, often more variable bonuses and fewer perks |
How Has Salary Growth Compared to Inflation?
One of the first things I learned digging into salary data is the difference between nominal and real wage growth. A £2,000 raise sounds great — but if inflation rises faster, your buying power drops.
And that’s what’s been happening. In recent years, UK inflation has consistently outpaced pay increases. Even with a raise, many of us are still struggling with rising costs — rent, fuel, groceries, childcare.
To put it in numbers: wages rose about 6% in 2023, but inflation peaked over 9%. So real wages actually fell. More money on paper, less value in real life.
Has the Average Salary Changed Over Time?
Since 2015, the UK median salary has risen from £27,000 to nearly £34,000 — but that growth hasn’t been smooth.
COVID, Brexit, and the cost-of-living crisis all disrupted progress. I remember a friend in events losing their income overnight during the pandemic. Even when work returned, pay and conditions often didn’t.
Brexit caused staffing and supply issues in key sectors, slowing wage growth. And inflation in 2022–2023 erased many of the gains we’d made.
Yes, salaries are higher than they were — but for most of us, they’re still not keeping up with the real cost of living.
What Factors Influence Your Salary in the UK?
Does Your Chosen Industry Matter?
Absolutely. In the UK, your industry plays a huge role in determining how much you earn, and the differences between sectors can be dramatic. Here’s what I’ve observed:
Average Salary by Industry (2025)
Average full-time annual salaries across major UK industries, based on 2025 estimates.
| Industry | Avg Salary (£) | Notes / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | £52,000 | Includes software development, cybersecurity, data roles — fast-growing and high demand |
| Finance & Banking | £50,500 | High-paying sector with roles in accounting, investment, and insurance |
| Legal Services | £48,000 | Solicitors, legal executives — higher for senior partners in private firms |
| Healthcare (Private) | £47,000 | Private specialists and consultants earn more than public sector peers |
| Construction | £38,000 | Roles include tradespeople, site managers, engineers — varies widely by skill level |
| Manufacturing | £36,000 | Skilled machine operators and production supervisors earn above average |
| Healthcare (Public) | £35,000 | NHS roles including nurses, paramedics, and junior doctors |
| Education | £33,500 | Teachers and lecturers — varies by region and level taught |
| Logistics & Transport | £32,000 | Includes HGV drivers, delivery, and warehouse operations — growing demand |
| Media & Creative | £30,000 | Includes design, content creation, PR — often competitive and variable pay |
| Retail | £25,000 | Includes store managers, customer service — many roles are part-time or hourly |
| Hospitality & Leisure | £23,000 | Often includes shift work, lower pay, and high staff turnover |
What I’ve learned is:
- Where you work matters just as much as what you do
- Changing industries can be one of the fastest ways to boost your salary
- Upskilling into in-demand areas (like digital, coding, or analytics) often pays off quickly
You don’t have to chase the highest salary out there — it’s more about understanding the landscape, being strategic, and moving where the opportunity lies.
Average Salary by Job Title (2025)
| Job Title | Average Salary (£) | Notes / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | £42,500 - £58,657 | Salaries typically range from £40,000 for entry-level positions to £70,000 for experienced professionals. |
| Accountant | £35,893 -£50,000 | Average salary for staff accountants, with variations depending on experience, location, and company policies. |
| Teacher | £31,650 - £49,000 | Following a 5.5% pay rise, the average salary for teachers has increased to over £49,000 for the 2024-2025 academic year. |
| Nurse | £31,000 - £45,000 | Reflects the average annual salary for nurses in the UK. |
| Retail Assistant | £22,374-£28,098 | Represents the average annual salary for retail assistants. |
How Does Location Impact Earnings?
That’s the trade-off in the UK: yes, salaries are higher in big cities (especially London), but so are your costs.
Here’s what I’ve found when comparing salary differences by location:
- London salaries often come with a £5,000–£10,000 premium, depending on the industry.
- Southeast England and large cities like Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol tend to offer decent pay, especially in sectors like tech, finance, and law.
- Rural areas and small towns often see lower average wages — sometimes £5K–£10K less than the national average — but with significantly lower living costs.
But here’s the key question: Does a higher salary mean a better quality of life? Not always.
- In London, £1,300/month will afford you a one-bed flat. In the North East, that same amount could cover a mortgage and council tax.
- Public transport, childcare, and dining out are all more expensive in major cities, which means your take-home pay stretches much less.
So yes, location absolutely impacts your salary — but it also affects how far that salary goes.
Do Age and Experience Make a Big Difference?
Average UK Salary by Age Group (2025)
| Age Group | Average Salary (£) | Career Stage & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18–24 years | £20,000–£24,000 | Entry-level or support roles, often part-time |
| 25–34 years | £28,000–£34,000 | Early career progression; potential for junior management roles |
| 35–44 years | £35,000–£45,000+ | Senior-level positions or career switches into higher-paying fields |
| 45–54 years | £37,000–£47,000 | Often peak earning years, though growth may plateau |
| 55+ years | £34,000–£42,000 | May decline slightly due to part-time roles or pre-retirement shifts |
Experience counts — but only if it’s tied to skills that are still in demand.
How Important Are Education and Qualifications?
This one really hits close to home. I didn’t go to a top-tier university — just a solid one — and I used to wonder if that would limit my earnings. It hasn’t, but that’s partly because I’ve learned that education opens doors, but it’s what you do next that really moves the needle.
Here’s how I’ve seen qualifications influence earnings:
- Graduates vs non-graduates:
- On average, graduates earn about £10,000 more per year than non-graduates over their lifetime
- But not all degrees are equal — STEM fields, law, medicine, and finance tend to offer the highest returns
- Vocational training and apprenticeships:
- These can be hugely valuable, especially in trades and tech
- I know developers who learned to code through bootcamps or self-study and now earn more than grads with traditional degrees
- Professional certifications:
- In industries like accounting (e.g., ACCA, CIMA), project management (Prince2, PMP), and IT (AWS, CompTIA), certifications often lead to promotions or pay rises
- They signal credibility and competence without the time and debt of a full degree
At the end of the day, qualifications can give you a head start, but continuous learning and smart career choices are what sustain long-term income growth. I’ve met university grads earning less than self-taught creatives and entrepreneurs — so don’t let a lack of formal education hold you back.
How Wide Is the Gender Pay Gap in 2025?
Despite progress, the gender pay gap in the UK persists. In 2025, women still earn around 13.5% less than men. The gap stems from:
- Fewer women in senior roles
- Male-dominated high-paying industries
- More women working part-time, often with limited progression
Is the Gender Pay Gap Getting Better?
Slowly. The gap has narrowed by about a quarter over the past decade, but at this pace, it could take 45 more years to close.
Since 2017, large companies must report their gender pay data. This has improved transparency — but not always outcomes.
Some progress is happening. UK Research and Innovation has reduced its gap slightly. But in sectors like finance, female leaders still earn up to 30% less.
Closing the gap will take more than reporting. It needs:
- Clearer pay structures
- More support for women in leadership
- Flexible working without career penalties
Are You Earning What You Deserve?
This was the question that got me into salary research in the first place.
How Can You Tell If You’re Underpaid?
Check salary benchmarks:
- Use calculators on sites like Glassdoor, Reed, or TotalJobs
- Compare your salary by job title, experience, and location
- Look beyond national averages — regional pay can vary a lot
Watch out for red flags:
- No raise in over 2 years
- New hires starting on more money than you
- Taking on extra responsibilities without a pay bump
- Similar roles advertising significantly higher pay
What Can You Do to Increase Your Income?
Most of the biggest salary jumps I’ve seen — including my own — came when people stopped waiting and took action.
Here’s what’s worked for me and others I’ve coached:
Negotiate — even outside review cycles
- Don’t wait for your annual review
- Come prepared with clear evidence: your wins, added responsibilities, and salary benchmarks
Expert Tip: The best time to negotiate is right after you’ve delivered a big result or taken on something new
Switch roles or employers
- A lateral move to a new company can increase your salary by 10–20% instantly
- Internal promotions can help too, but outside offers tend to drive bigger raises
Upskill or retrain
- I’ve seen people double their salary by learning in-demand skills like coding, digital marketing, or project management
- Even short, free courses can unlock new career paths
If you feel underpaid, don’t ignore that gut feeling — check the data, build your case, and take that next step.
What Else Should You Consider Besides Base Pay?
For a long time, I focused purely on my base salary. But as I got further into my career, I realised that total compensation — the full package — can make a big difference. In some cases, a slightly lower salary can be offset by perks that improve both your finances and your quality of life.
How Much Do Perks and Benefits Add to Your Package?
Here’s what I look out for now:
- Pensions
A 10% employer contribution instead of 3% could mean tens of thousands more by retirement. It’s easy to overlook — especially earlier in your career, such as in your 20s or 30s — but it really adds up.
- Private healthcare
Dental, physio, or mental health support can cost hundreds annually. Having this covered is both a financial and emotional win.
- Bonuses and profit-sharing
I’ve had years where a well-timed bonus added 10–15% to my income. Not guaranteed, but a welcome boost.
- Flexible working
Working from home even a couple of days a week saves me around £150/month on travel and lunches — and improves my work-life balance.
When I’m reviewing job offers or negotiating, I always consider these extras. They can shift the value of an offer significantly.
What Tools and Resources Help Benchmark Your Salary?
These are the sources I turn to for reliable, up-to-date comparisons:
- ONS (Office for National Statistics) – official UK data by role, industry, and region
- Glassdoor – User-submitted salaries, good for comparing within companies
- TotalJobs – salary ranges shown alongside live job listings
- Prospects.ac.uk – particularly useful for graduates and early-career planning
Conclusion: How Does Your Salary Compare?
The average UK salary might be around £34,000, but that number alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
Your industry, experience, location, education, and negotiation skills all play a role. And in a post-pandemic, high-inflation world, the real question isn’t just what do you earn — it’s what can you do with it?
My advice? Stay curious. Benchmark your role. Ask questions. And don’t be afraid to take action if something doesn’t add up.
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FAQs
What is the average salary in the UK in 2025?
The average (mean) salary in the UK in 2025 is around £39,000, while the median salary — often a more accurate reflection — is approximately £34,000.
Which industries pay the most in the UK?
The highest-paying industries in the UK include technology, finance, and private healthcare, with average salaries often exceeding £50,000 for experienced professionals.
How much does a nurse or teacher earn in the UK?
In 2025, nurses earn an average of £31,000 per year, while teachers now earn around £49,000 following recent public sector pay increases.
Does location affect salary in the UK?
Yes, salaries are typically higher in London and the Southeast due to the cost of living. However, these increases are often offset by higher housing and transport expenses.
How can I check if I’m underpaid in my current job?
Compare your salary to industry benchmarks using tools like Glassdoor, TotalJobs, and the ONS. If you’re underpaid, consider negotiating or upskilling for better roles.
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