When you see headlines about the “average salary in the UK,” it can sound like there’s a single number that applies to everyone. In reality, the picture is far more complex. Pay varies depending on age, gender, region, industry, and whether you are in the public or private sector. Even the way data is collected can change the figures. Looking at the latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and HMRC’s Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Real Time Information (RTI), we can see how different groups experience the labour market.
Key Average Salary Statistics
| Salary Category |
Average UK Statistic
|
| Age |
40–49 year olds earned a median £45,552 in 2024
|
| Region |
London weekly pay was £905, vs £651 in the North East
|
| Industry |
Information & communication wages grew by ~10% in 2024
|
| Public vs Private |
Public sector median weekly pay was £765, private £714
|
| Type of Pay |
Total pay was £711/week, regular pay £667/week in 2025
|
| Real vs Nominal |
Weekly earnings rose 6.0%, but only 2.9% after inflation
|
| Gender |
Gender pay gap for full-time workers was ~8% in 2024
|
| Job Type |
Part-time workers earned £263/week, full-time £728/week
|
| Trend Over Time |
Annual earnings rose from £35,004 to £37,430 (2023–24)
|
| Data Source |
PAYE RTI showed a £2,260 median monthly salary in July 2025
|
One of the clearest drivers of pay is age, as salaries usually rise with experience. Younger workers tend to earn far less, often under £30,000, while those in their 30s and 40s see their earnings peak before they level off later in life. This age-related pay curve reflects career progression and the accumulation of skills over time.
Median annual salary for full-time employees aged 40–49 was £45,552 in 2024.
Average UK Salaries by Region
The UK has some of the largest regional pay gaps in Europe. London, with its concentration of finance, tech, and professional services jobs, pulls ahead of the rest of the country. In contrast, regions such as the North East and Wales remain below the national median, reflecting differences in local economies and living costs.
Median weekly pay in London was £905 in 2024, compared with £651 in the North East.
Average Salaries by Industry or Sector in the UK
Industry choice is one of the biggest determinants of pay. Workers in technology, finance, and professional services typically enjoy higher salaries, while retail, hospitality, and care roles remain at the lower end of the scale. Interestingly, in 2024 some of the fastest wage growth was recorded in lower-paying sectors such as accommodation and food services, partly due to recruitment challenges and labour shortages.
Wages in the information and communication sector rose by nearly 10% in 2024.
UK Public vs Private Sector Average Salaries
Public and private sector roles often show a divergence in pay. The private sector can deliver higher earnings, particularly through bonuses, but the public sector has offered more stable pay growth in recent years. This was especially noticeable after public sector wage caps were lifted following the pandemic years, narrowing the gap between the two sectors.
Median weekly pay in the public sector was £765, compared with £714 in the private sector in 2024.
UK Average Salary by Type of Pay
Not all measures of pay are equal. Regular pay excludes bonuses and is a better indicator of base salary trends. Total pay, however, includes bonuses and overtime, which can make a big difference in certain industries, particularly finance and consulting. Looking at both measures highlights where earnings are driven by variable pay rather than steady wages.
In mid-2025, average weekly total pay was £711, compared with £667 for regular pay.
Average Real vs Nominal Pay UK Salaries
Wages may appear to be rising strongly in nominal terms, but inflation can quickly erode those gains. Comparing real versus nominal pay shows whether people are actually better off in terms of purchasing power. In recent years, while cash pay has grown at healthy rates, high inflation has kept real pay growth modest, meaning many households feel little benefit.
Weekly earnings rose 6.0% in cash terms, but only 2.9% after inflation between April 2023 and April 2024.
UK Average Salaries by Gender
The gender pay gap continues to persist despite gradual progress. Men working full-time still earn more than women on average, with the difference particularly pronounced in older age groups and in sectors where bonuses form a large part of total pay. While legislation requires large employers to report gender pay gaps, change has been slower than campaigners would like.
The gender pay gap for full-time workers stood at around 8% in 2024.
Average UK Salary by Job Type
Working hours also make a big difference to average pay. Part-time roles are common in retail, hospitality, and care — sectors that already pay less than the national median. As a result, part-time workers earn significantly less than full-time employees, even before accounting for fewer hours.
In April 2024, part-time workers earned a median of £263 per week, compared with £728 for full-time staff.
UK Average Salaries Over Time
Looking at salary trends over time shows how the labour market adapts to economic shocks and inflation. After years of stagnation following the financial crisis, nominal wages have risen strongly since 2020. However, adjusting for inflation paints a more subdued picture, with real wage growth remaining modest. This means that while salaries are higher on paper, household budgets have not improved as much.
Median annual earnings rose from £35,004 in 2023 to £37,430 in 2024, a 6.9% increase.
Average UK Salary Information Data Source
Finally, it’s worth noting that different datasets produce different salary figures. The ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) is based on employer payroll surveys, while the Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) series gives a more up-to-date picture of short-term changes. HMRC’s PAYE RTI data, meanwhile, uses tax records for payrolled employees and tends to show slightly different results again.
PAYE RTI data showed a median monthly salary of £2,260 in July 2025.
Richard is the founder of the Good Money Guide (formerly Good Broker Guide), one of the original investment comparison sites established in 2015. With a career spanning two decades as a broker, he brings extensive expertise and knowledge to the financial landscape.
Having worked as a broker at Investors Intelligence and a multi-asset derivatives broker at MF Global (Man Financial), Richard has acquired substantial experience in the industry. His career began as a private client stockbroker at Walker Crips and Phillip Securities (now King and Shaxson), following internships on the NYMEX oil trading floor in New York and London IPE in 2001 and 2000.
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