Average UK Salary 2026 — £35,000 Median
The average UK salary, median earnings, pay by sector and region. Live counter showing total wages paid in Britain today. All data from ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings.
Average Salary by Sector — UK 2026
| Sector | Median Annual | vs UK Average |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Insurance | £55,000 | +57% |
| IT & Technology | £52,000 | +49% |
| Legal Services | £50,000 | +43% |
| Engineering | £45,000 | +29% |
| Healthcare (NHS) | £38,000 | +9% |
| UK Average (all sectors) | £35,000 | — |
| Education | £34,000 | -3% |
| Public Administration | £33,000 | -6% |
| Retail & Wholesale | £28,000 | -20% |
| Hospitality & Food | £22,000 | -37% |
| Agriculture | £26,000 | -26% |
Average Salary by Region — UK 2026
| Region | Median Annual Salary | vs UK Median |
|---|---|---|
| London | £49,000 | +40% |
| South East | £38,000 | +9% |
| East of England | £36,000 | +3% |
| Scotland | £35,500 | +1% |
| East Midlands | £33,000 | -6% |
| West Midlands | £33,000 | -6% |
| South West | £32,500 | -7% |
| Yorkshire & Humber | £32,000 | -9% |
| North West | £32,000 | -9% |
| Wales | £30,500 | -13% |
| North East | £30,000 | -14% |
| Northern Ireland | £29,500 | -16% |
About UK Average Salary Data
The median UK salary is a more useful measure than the mean (average) because it is not skewed by very high earners. The median salary of £35,000 means half of UK workers earn more than this and half earn less. The mean (average) salary is higher at approximately £38,000 because high earners pull it up.
UK salary data comes primarily from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), published each October. It covers around 180,000 employee jobs sampled from HMRC's PAYE records. It is the most comprehensive UK salary survey available.
The gender pay gap means men and women earn differently even in the same sectors. The overall UK gender pay gap (median) is approximately 14.3% — men earn around 14% more than women on average. The gap is largest in finance and smallest in public sector roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary in the UK in 2026?
The median UK salary in 2026 is approximately £35,000 per year (£16.91/hr). The mean (average) salary is higher at around £38,000 because it is pulled up by high earners. London salaries are significantly higher — the median in London is around £49,000.
What is a good salary in the UK?
A salary above the UK median (£35,000) means you earn more than half of UK workers. A salary of £50,000+ puts you in approximately the top 15% of earners. In London, £50,000 is closer to average due to higher living costs. £100,000+ puts you in the top 5% of UK earners.
What is the average salary in the UK after tax?
At the median salary of £35,000, the approximate take-home pay (after income tax and National Insurance) is around £27,800 per year or £2,317 per month. This assumes the standard personal allowance of £12,570. Use HMRC's tax calculator for a precise figure.
What is the average salary in Great Britain?
The average (median) salary in Great Britain — England, Scotland and Wales — is approximately £35,000 per year. Northern Ireland has a slightly lower median of around £29,500. London has the highest median at around £49,000.