The British dream….

A high-paying job, financial security, a place to live, and a lot of money – that’s what a great life looks like.

While everyone wants to fulfill this dream, not all Brits can achieve this lifestyle because the salary varies significantly among different demographic groups, age groups, and industries. 

Knowledge of the average UK salary isn’t merely a matter of financial statistics; it’s the key to achieving financial success and career growth. 

Invezz.com has conducted some amazing research & statistics to get an answer to the question, “How Much Does the Average Brit Earn?”

22 Average UK salary statistics 2023

These 22 average UK salary statistics can help Brits plan for their upcoming life expenses, investment, and saving strategies. 

Let’s explore:

General salary statistics

Here are some mind-boggling general salary statistics for Brits:

1. The median average UK salary for full-time employees was approximately £34,963 per year in 2023.

In 2022, the median annual salary was £33,000, which increased to £34,963 in 2023. Along with the salary, the cost of living has also increased. 

Information about the average salary helps Brits understand whether their salary can cover the cost of living in Britain. 

Source: Statista

2. The average weekly earnings for regular pay was £607, and total pay was £651, showing a steady increase since October 2022. 

The regular pay in October 2022 was £583, while the total was £624. This upward trend in the weekly salary indicates the increasing economic landscape.

As Brits receive higher salaries, it shows an improvement in their working conditions and ensures a higher career trajectory. 

The increase in the average wage in the UK indicates Brits are receiving higher incentives and performance-related bonuses.

Source: Office of National Statistics

3. The median household income for a Brit in 2022 was £32,300 in 2022.

While the median household income varies because of various factors, such as government policies, employment trends, and inflation rates, this income decreased by 0.6% from 2021 to 2022. 

As the median annual salary outweighs the median household income, it indicates that most households rely on one primary source of income, typically a full-time job. 

Source: Office of National Statistics

What is the UK average salary by region?

London has the highest average salary of £44,370 per year, followed by South East England, which has an average salary of £36,350 per year. Only London, South East England, and Scotland have average salaries that are higher than the average salary in the UK.

Source: Statista

4. The median average salary in London for full-time employees was higher than the average UK salary. 

In 2023, the median average salary in London for full-time employees was £44,370 per year, which was £9,407 higher than the national average. 

Knowing the regions with the highest salaries can help people decide their work location. 

Source: Statista

5. The average salary of people in Southern England is higher when compared to those in Northern England. 

The average salary in Southern England (London, South East, East, South West) was approximately £38,126 per year. In contrast, the average UK salary in Northern England (North West and Yorkshire) was £32,478 per year. 

This difference in the salary based on regions shows regional salary disparities in the UK. As the cost of living in London is higher, the average salary in London is higher. 

Another reason for this income disparity is that Southern England has more businesses, including financial institutions and multinational companies. 

Source: Statista

What is the gender pay gap in Britain?

The median gender pay gap in Britain is 9.4%. Like most world economies, income inequality remains a pressing issue. Here’s what the gender pay gap looks like in private and public sectors:

6. The median gender pay gap in Britain is 9.4%.

Four out of five companies in Britain pay males more than their female counterparts for the same role. The public sector has a gap of 15.1%, whereas the gap is just 8% for the private sector.

What’s more baffling is that in only 3% of public companies female employees are paid 10% more than men.

Information about the gender pay gap empowers Brits to negotiate a fair salary, make career decisions, and contribute towards making an inclusive workplace. 

Source: Guardian

7. Male workers earn 6.6% more hourly wages compared to their female workers. 

Female workers have an average hourly wage of £17.031, while male workers earn an average of £18.23 per hour. 

Interestingly, the pay percentage gap has increased by 3.8% since 2021, primarily because female workers have been promoted to administrative grades.

Source: HMRC

8. Construction, education, and finance sectors have the largest gender pay gap in 2022-2023. 

Whether British People work in construction companies, the financial or insurance sector, or educational establishments, they are likely to witness a gender pay gap of 22.8%, 22.4%, and 21.1%, respectively. 

On the contrary, Brits working in the health and social work and food services sectors have the lowest gender pay gap of just 1.9% and 1%, respectively.

Source: Guardian

9. 60% of Brits earning between £80,000-£100,000 say they believe they are about the average income. 

What’s baffling is that even the high-income group puts themselves on the normal income scale. 

Most Brits generally tend to compare their income negatively to what others earn. 

They feel the grass is greener elsewhere when it’s quite the opposite. 

According to the same research, 36% of Brits are likely to feel that they have a below-average income, 16% feel they earn above-average, and just 47% feel they earn about average.

Source: Newstatesman

What is the UK average salary based on type of employment?

The average UK salary for full-time employees is £17.4 per hour; for part-time employees, it is £12.04 per hour.

Source: Statista, Statista

10. Part-time workers have a higher likelihood of earning low wages when compared to full-time workers. 

24.3% of part-time workers had low pay, while only 5.2% of full-time workers were in the low-wage category. 

Understanding this income disparity between part-time and full-time workers can help Brits make financially wise career decisions. 

Source: Office of National Statistics

11. Full-time workers earn approximately 185% more than part-time workers.

The average UK salary of a part-time worker is £12,247 per year, whereas full-time workers earn £34,963 per year.

Brits can use this information to evaluate potential full-time and part-time job offers. It also helps them advocate for fair pay and negotiate salaries with potential employers. 

Source: Statista

12. Low income is common for part-time, younger, and hospitality industry employees. 

36.8% of Brits in elementary occupations, 44% in hospitality, and 52.2% of young workers aged 16 to 21 were low-paid employees in October 2022.

Recognizing the industry and demographic-specific factors helps Brits take steps to improve their earning potential and make wise career decisions.

Source: Office of National Statistics

What is the average wage in the UK by occupation?

The average wage in the UK largely depends upon the occupation an individual chooses and the industry in which they work. The average wage in the UK by occupation is as follows:

13. Chief Executive Officers and Senior Officials are the highest-paying individuals, with a median salary of £79,835 per year. 

The second highest salary is for Marketing, Advertising, and Sales Directors because their median full-time salary is £77,695 per year. In addition, the median yearly salaries of Financial Managers and Directors is  £64,193, and Aircraft Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers is £62,778.

Exploring the highest-paid roles allows Brits to decide their skill development, education, and career choices. It also helps them in salary negotiations.

Source: Save The Student

14. A Dental Nurse with more than three years of experience earns a basic pay of £27,596 per year, while a Learning Disability Nurse with more than four years of experience earns £34,581 per year. 

The NHS categorizes nurses’ pay under nine different bands, with each band having a different salary range based on the experience of the nursing staff. 

Dental Nurses with less than three years of experience earn an annual basic pay of £25,147, whereas a School Nurse with more than five years of experience earns an annual basic pay of £42,618. 

Exploring the salary of different nurses can help Brits decide on the type of nurse they want to become. It also provides an understanding of whether their salary meets their standard of living. 

Source: National Health Services

15. Dentists earn a whopping 143% more than the national average salary.

The average UK salary of a Dentist is £72,000 per year. Knowing about the earning potential of different dental specialties can help Brits decide the cost of their education and understand whether choosing a particular specialty is financially viable. 

Source: Jobted

What is the average UK salary by age?

The average UK salary for 18-21 years is £441 per week. For 22 to 29 years, it is £583 per week, and for those between 30-39 years, it is £722 per week. 

As people age, they gain more experience, resulting in a competitive and decent salary. Examining the average UK salary by age can highlight mid-life career growth and early-life average income trends and give an overview of potential income disparities by age.

16. People in their 40s earn the highest salary. 

People in their 40s who work full-time earned an average of £770 per week in 2023. This is the highest salary for all age groups.

On the contrary, people between 18 and 21 earned an average of £441 per week in 2023.

This clearly outlines a correlation between income and age. People experience an increase in weekly or annual income when they progress through their careers and gain relevant experience and skills. 

Source: UK Gov

17. The national minimum wage for British People between 18-20 years is £7.49 per hour. 

This minimum wage depends on the age bracket in which you fall. 

As of April 2023, the national minimum wage for Brits 23 years and above was £10.42 per hour. For 21 to 22 years, it was £10.18; for those under 18, it was £5.28 per hour. 

Knowledge of the national minimum wage can help Brits seek fair compensation and ensure employers value their work based on their capabilities. It also empowers employees to be wary of potential labor law violations by the employer, building an equitable work environment. 

Source: UK Gov

18. Weekly wages rise as Brits age until they reach their 50s.  

The median wage of men in their 40s is £824.7 per week, while that of women in their 40s is £696.4 per week. But, the median wages start declining after the age of 50. 

Men in their 50s earn £784.2 per week, whereas women in their 50s earn £646.2 per week. 

The average UK salary by age declines after the age of 50 because more Brits may retire early, switch to part-time work, or leave the workforce due to illness. 

Source: Statista

19. There’s a large gender pay gap between employees aged 30 to 60 and above. 

The median weekly wage of men aged 50-59 is £784.2, while that of women in the same age group is £646.2. This shows that men earn 21% more than women in the same age group. 

Women aged 30 to 60 and above witness a disrupted career path because of their caring responsibilities, either elderly relatives or children. It indicates that irrespective of the age group. The gender pay gap remains a persistent issue throughout Britain.

Source: Statista

What is the average UK salary by level of education?

The average salary of graduates in Britain is £34,000 per year. Interestingly, non-graduates earn an average of £25,000 per year while post-graduates earn an average of £42,000 per year.

The level of education and the salaries Brits earn are directly proportional. Typically, higher education imparts advanced skills necessary for specialized job roles. By advancing their studies, Brits can open the doors to numerous opportunities, making them potentially strong candidates for any pivotal role. 

In short – going to school pays off big time!

20. The average salary of graduates in Britain is £34,000 per year, £963 less than the average median salary.

21. People with no higher education above A level standard earn an average salary of £25,000 per year, 36% less than graduates. 

22. People with a postgraduate degree in any discipline earn the highest annual salary of £42,000.

Source: Figures

Wrap up

Your salary becomes a major factor in deciding your quality of life and overall work satisfaction. These statistics help you decode the different factors that affect your earning potential and understand the ongoing opportunities in Britain’s economic landscape. 

As discussing salaries is still taboo in modern British society, knowing your average salary can help you understand where you stand. 

There’s no point in earning three times the national average of Britain if you’re working thrice as many hours as everyone else does!

FAQs