UK average salaries 2025/26: comprehensive data by role & industry

Median (50th percentile): The middle value when all salaries are ranked – half earn more, half earn less. It's less affected by extremely high or low salaries.

Mean (average): The total of all salaries divided by the number of people, which can be skewed by outliers (e.g., a few very high earners).

25th percentile: 25% of workers earn less than this amount; 75% earn more.

75th percentile: 75% of workers earn less than this amount; 25% earn more.

We primarily use median values as they give a more realistic picture of typical salaries.

Our comprehensive salary data is compiled from multiple authoritative sources including:

• Office for National Statistics (ONS) - Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE)
• Glassdoor and Payscale salary databases
• Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for graduate salaries
• Government salary surveys and public sector pay scales
• Industry-specific salary reports and professional body surveys

All data represents 2025/26 estimates based on the latest available figures and projected trends.

Based on our data, the highest-paying industries in the UK are:

1. Finance & Investment Banking - Median roles £60,000-£95,000
2. IT & Technology - Senior roles £70,000-£95,000
3. Legal - Solicitors and barristers £60,000-£80,000
4. Healthcare (Medical) - GPs and consultants £90,000-£110,000
5. Engineering - Specialized roles £50,000-£75,000

However, salaries vary significantly by experience, location, and specific role.

Experience level significantly impacts earning potential:

• Junior/Entry-level: Typically 10-30% below median for the role
• Mid-level (3-7 years): Close to or at median salary
• Senior (8+ years): Typically 30-60% above median

Career progression can lead to salary increases of 40-100% over 10 years in many fields, especially in high-growth sectors like technology and finance.

Salaries vary based on many individual factors:

• Location: London salaries often 20-40% higher than other regions
• Company size: Larger companies typically pay 10-30% more
• Specific skills: Niche or in-demand skills command premium
• Years of experience: Each year typically adds 3-5% to salary
• Qualifications: Advanced degrees or certifications increase earning potential
• Performance: High performers can earn significantly above average
• Negotiation: Initial salary negotiation impacts long-term earnings

Use our data as a benchmark, but recognize your individual circumstances will create variation.

The UK median full-time salary for 2025/26 is estimated at approximately £37,430, based on ONS projections. However, this varies significantly:

• London: £42,000-£45,000
• South East: £38,000-£40,000
• Other regions: £33,000-£37,000

We update our comprehensive salary database annually, typically in January, incorporating:

• Latest ONS ASHE data (published September/October)
• Updated industry reports and surveys
• Inflation adjustments and economic projections
• Emerging role additions (new tech roles, green jobs, etc.)

Our current data reflects 2025/26 estimates.

Regional variations are influenced by:

• Cost of living: Higher housing and living costs in London/South East
• Industry concentration: Finance in London, tech in Cambridge, manufacturing in Midlands
• Company headquarters: Major corporations concentrated in certain areas
• Competition for talent: More competition drives salaries up
• London weighting: Many public sector roles include London allowance

Use our data strategically:

1. Identify the 75th percentile for your role as a target for strong performance
2. Filter by your region and experience level for relevant comparisons
3. Consider the full range (25th-75th percentile) to understand market spread
4. Research similar roles in your industry for comparable data
5. Factor in your unique skills and experience
6. Use our comparison tool to see where you currently stand

Tip: Aim for the median if moving to a new role, or 75th percentile if you have strong experience/skills.

Emerging and high-growth roles include:

• Data Scientists & Machine Learning Engineers: £55,000-£85,000
• Cybersecurity Analysts: £52,000-£70,000
• Cloud Architects: £75,000-£95,000
• Renewable Energy Engineers: £42,000-£62,000
• DevOps Engineers: £55,000-£70,000
• Digital Marketing Specialists: £35,000-£50,000

Our data focuses on full-time permanent roles. For part-time and contract work:

• Part-time: Pro-rata the full-time salary (e.g., 60% hours = 60% salary)
• Contract/Freelance: Typically 20-50% higher day rate to account for no benefits, holiday, or job security
• Zero-hours: Often at or below median due to limited security