Understanding UK Salary Averages (2025/26)
Navigating the UK job market requires understanding typical salary expectations. While the median annual salary for full-time employees in the UK is estimated around £37,430 for the 2025/26 period (based on ONS projections and trends), actual earnings vary significantly based on numerous factors.
This page provides an interactive exploration of average salaries across more than 50 common UK roles. The data presented here is compiled and estimated from [**Specify YOUR Sources - e.g., recent ONS ASHE data, major recruitment agency reports (specify which?), aggregated job board data, etc.**] aiming to reflect the 2025/26 landscape. We primarily focus on median salaries, as they better represent the 'typical' earning compared to the mean (average), which can be skewed by very high salaries.
Use the tools below to filter the data, visualize trends, and compare your own salary against these benchmarks.
Explore Average Salary Data
Use the filters below to narrow down the salary data by industry, region, or job role. You can also download the currently filtered view as a PDF.
| Industry | Role | Region | Average Salary (Median, 2025/26 Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loading salary data... Use filters to refine. | |||
Source: [**Reiterate Your Data Source Here**]. Salaries are estimates and subject to variation.
Key Salary Trends & Insights (2025/26)
Based on our analysis of [**Your Data Source**], several key trends emerge in the UK salary landscape for 2025/26:
- Regional Disparities Persist: London continues to command the highest average salaries across most sectors, often 15-25% above the national median, reflecting the higher cost of living. However, strong growth is also observed in tech hubs like Manchester and Edinburgh...
- Tech & Finance Lead: Industries like Information Technology (especially roles in cybersecurity, AI, and data science) and Finance (investment banking, fintech) generally offer the highest average earnings...
- Skills Gaps Impact Pay: Roles experiencing significant skills shortages, such as certain healthcare specialists, skilled trades (e.g., qualified electricians, specialist welders), and specific engineering disciplines, are seeing above-average salary growth...
- Impact of Inflation: While wage growth has occurred, its real-term value compared to inflation remains a key concern for many workers. Salary increases in some sectors may not fully offset rising living costs...
Explore the data table and chart for more detailed comparisons. Our blog also features in-depth articles on salary negotiation and market trends.
Average Salary by Industry (Visualization)
The chart below provides a visual comparison of estimated median salaries across key UK industries based on our dataset.
Note: Chart displays median salaries for selected major industries for illustrative purposes.
Compare Your Salary
Curious how your annual salary compares to the overall UK median and potentially filtered averages? Enter your gross annual salary below.
Average Salary FAQs
What's the difference between mean and median salary?
The median is the 'middle' salary value when all are ranked – half earn more, half earn less. It's less affected by extremely high/low salaries. The mean is the total salary sum divided by the number of people, which can be skewed by outliers. We primarily use the median for a more typical representation.
Where does CheckAWage get this salary data?
Our data is meticulously compiled and estimated from a variety of reputable sources, including [**List Your Specific Sources - e.g., ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), data from major UK recruitment agencies like Reed/Hays (specify if used), analysis of aggregated job postings from platforms like LinkedIn/Indeed, specialist industry reports.**]. We clearly state the sources where possible and aim for 2025/26 estimates, but data always has limitations.
How often is this data updated?
We strive to update our salary data benchmarks annually, typically incorporating the latest available official statistics (like ONS ASHE released later in the year) and major industry reports. The "2025/26" label reflects our current estimates for this period.
Why is my actual salary different from the average shown?
Averages provide a benchmark, but individual salaries depend heavily on specific factors: your exact years of experience in the role, niche skills, level of responsibility, company size/profitability, specific location (city vs. wider region), educational qualifications, performance, and negotiation outcomes.
Learn More & Calculate Your Pay
Gain further insights or calculate your specific take-home pay:
- Average IT Salary UK - In-depth look at technology roles.
- Teacher Salaries UK - Explore education pay scales.
- Minimum Wage Calculations - Understand baseline earnings.
- UK Take-Home Pay Calculator - See your net pay after deductions.
- CheckAWage Blog - Read articles on salaries, negotiation, and finance.