Average salary in the UK – What is the average wage in the UK?

Salary is not often discussed openly by us Brits, although speaking to colleagues about it is legal. So, it’s unsurprising that many are unaware of the average salary in the UK. To bring that information out in the open, we at Moneyfarm have done an exercise to increase awareness nationally, investigating by region, age and education groups, and more.

The data used in this article originates from the ONS (Office for National Statistics). First, we can reveal that the average wage in the UK for regular pay, as measured in November 2022, is £586 per week, or £30,472 per annum. The average wage in terms of total pay is £629 per week or £32,708 per annum. Total pay includes bonuses.

As of June 2023, the average wage in the UK for regular pay has steadily increased, and it is currently £613 per week or £31,876 per annum. The average wage in terms of total pay is £663 per week or £34,476 per annum. Total pay includes bonuses.

The factors affecting average salary

Several factors need to be considered when discussing average salaries in the UK. They include:

• The average salary in the UK per month according to sector and industry
• The average salary by geographic region
• The average salary according to age group
• The average salary by education/qualification
• The average salary according to gender

Each of these factors is discussed individually below.

Average salaries by sector and industry

Although not as large as in previous months, the difference between the national average salary of the UK private and public sectors still exists.

For April to June 2023, the average monthly salary growth in the private sector was 8.2%, as opposed to only 6.2% in the public sector. Private sector pay growth per industry was as follows:

• 9.4% in the finance and business sector.
• 5.8% in the construction sector.
• 8.2% in manufacturing
• 6.3% in the wholesaling, hotel and restaurant, retailing and wholesaling sectors.

Regarding the various industries, the data regarding the average salary in the United Kingdom is too large to be shown in this article. However, you can download an Excel spreadsheet entitled “EARN03: Average weekly earnings by industry” from the ONS website.

Average salaries by region

The average salary UK figures referred to above are for the full-time employees in the UK as a whole. For information on the average income in the UK by region, you can download an Excel spreadsheet entitled “EARN05” on gross weekly earnings of full-time employees by region from the ONS website.

For April to June 2023, the average wage in London was £999 per week. The southeast came next with £859, followed by England at £793. The lowest average was Northern Ireland, with £5612. The average salary in Scotland was £747.

Average Salaries by Age Group

The other thing affecting annual salary is age, so let’s look at the average salary broken down into age groups. According to the “ASHE Table” on age group earnings published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) in 2022, the annual gross pay figures are as follows:

• 18 to 21-year-olds – £13,237
• 22 to 29-year-olds – £26,800
• 30 to 39-year-olds – £34,226
• 40 to 49-year-olds – £38,574
• 50 to 59-year-olds – £36,156
• 60+ year-olds – £27,090

It’s noticeable that average UK salaries rise until we reach the 50 to 59 and 60+-year-old groups, after which they fall. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, in their 50s, some people start to reduce their working hours as their homes are child-free.  Also, the majority own their homes outright and are more likely to be debt free. Lastly, those over 60 are more confident of their retirement provision and people who got their financial planning right start taking early retirement.

Average Salaries by Education Level

The level of education and qualification achieved also impact the size of the average salary in the UK.

According to figures published on figures.hr the annual average wage here in the UK is £31,461 per year. In the UK, individuals with qualifications up to A levels typically earn around £25,000. However, those with an undergraduate degree see their earnings rise by approximately 36% to £34,000. Moreover, those holding advanced degrees like Masters or PhDs further experience a 24% increase, taking their average salary to £42,000.

Average Salaries and the Gender Gap

Although it has decreased significantly over recent decades, the gender pay gap is still a concern. According to the graph (figure 1) on the ONS’s “Gender pay gap in the UK: 2022, the gap has decreased from 27.5% in 1998 to about 14.9% in 2022. For full-time employees, the gap has gone from 17.4% to 8.3% over the same period, while the gap for part-time workers has gone from 0.6% to -2.8%.

The average hourly wage in the UK

The average hourly wage based on full-time salaries across the UK as a whole is £16.30 per hour, according to statista.com. The average salary in London by the hour is the highest at £21.19. Conversely, the lowest hourly rate is in Yorkshire and Humber at £14.54.

The highest-paying jobs in the UK

According to the 2022 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) report by the ONS, the highest average yearly salary in the UK is paid to Chief executives and senior officials. The 2021 highest-paying job was that of CEO at £72,621 per annum. It increased to £79,835 per annum in 2022. The second highest-paying job goes to marketing, sales and advertising directors, whose median salaries averaged out at £77,695 per annum.

How are the averages compiled?

All the average wage figures shown above are median salary UK averages and not “mean” salary UK averages. The significance is that whereas “mean” averages relate to individuals and can be significantly affected by small numbers of higher earners, “median” averages are weighted to apply to the typical individual.

All the average pay UK figures we refer to are for full-time workers. The ONS defines full-time as working more than 30 paid hours per week, whereas 30 hours or less is defined as being part-time. The only exception is teachers who are defined as full-time employed if they work at least 25 paid hours (or more) per week.

The explanation of the terms “means, median, full time and part-time” is as per the glossary section of the “Employee earnings in the UK: 2022” report on the ONS website.

Average household income in the UK

The average salary in the UK refers to the amount earned by an individual in a given time period. In contrast, household income in the UK refers to the total income earned by all members of a household in that same period. And the desire to invest and the ability to learn how to invest depend initially on your household income.

The lowest median disposable household income for the year 2022 for the poorer-paid sector was £14,500. For the wealthiest sector, it was £66,000. The average household income in the UK for the same period was £32,300.

Knowing your disposable household income (“disposable” indicating the sum after direct taxes have been deducted), you then need to ask yourself:

• Why do you want to invest?
• What is your risk tolerance?
• How much can you afford to invest?
• When do you want to be able to access your invested funds?

If having answered these questions, you still wish to go ahead with investing, you need to do some further research, and you’ll find plenty of information on the financial planning page of the Moneyfarm.com website.

You might be tempted by some of the high-return investments in the UK. But you need to be aware that although all investments carry some risk, those offering high returns usually have a higher risk factor.

Investment opportunities for increasing income

One way of investing for income is via stocks and shares. They are traded on stock exchanges worldwide and in indices like the UK’s FTSE 100 and USA’s S&P 500, and many pay monthly dividends.

As we’ve already mentioned, investing of any kind involves risk, and if you are not familiar with how stock markets work and how to trade stocks and shares, you should be knowledgeable or seek financial advice.

Other investment opportunities for increasing your income include real estate, corporate and government bonds, and ETFs.

Regarding Individual stocks and shares ISA, choosing the best ISA for you depends on your financial circumstances. Nevertheless, there are five from which to choose:

• Cash ISAs
• Innovative finance ISAs
• Junior ISA
• Lifetime ISA
• Stocks and shares ISA

If you want to learn more about each of the five options, you’ll find a blog entitled “Types of ISAs” on the Moneyfarm website, which contains some helpful information.

If you are considering opening a stocks and shares ISA, you can choose from various tailored or personalised portfolios according to your risk tolerance. These portfolios carry a diverse range of shares in different companies and market sectors, and as such, they help to reduce risk. But remember – the higher the predicted return, the higher the risk.

Historical Trends in Average Salary in the UK

Understanding the historical trends in average salary provides valuable insights into a region’s economic development and labour market dynamics. In the context of the United Kingdom, the average salary has witnessed significant fluctuations over the past few decades. Factors such as inflation, government policies, industrial growth, and global economic conditions have played a crucial role in shaping these trends.

During the late 20th century, the average salary saw steady growth, reflecting the country’s economic prosperity. However, events like the financial crisis of 2008 led to stagnation and even decline in some sectors. Recent years have shown a gradual recovery, with the technology and finance sectors leading the way. The analysis of historical trends in average salary in the UK helps policymakers, economists, and businesses in strategic planning and decision-making.

Tax-Efficient Savings and Investments

ISAs of any kind are tax wrappers. Any returns growth your investment undergoes is tax-free, as are any withdrawals. The annual ISA investment allowance is £20,000, spread across all types.

FAQ

How do salaries work in the UK?

Salaries in the UK are usually expressed as an annual amount, which is paid weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Income tax and National Insurance (NI) contributions are deducted from the salary by the employer before it is paid to the employee. The amount of tax and National Insurance deducted depends on the employee’s earnings and their tax code.

In addition, many employers also offer benefits such as pensions, health insurance, and paid vacation time. The minimum wage in the UK varies depending on the employee’s age and whether they are an apprentice.

How is the average salary calculated in the UK?

The average salary in the UK is usually calculated by adding up the total earnings of all workers in a particular category or industry and then dividing that by the total number of workers.

What is the minimum wage in the UK?

As of April 2023, the minimum wage per hour in the UK is £10.42 for those aged 23 and over, £10.18 for ages 21 to 22, £7.49 for ages 18 to 20, and £5.28 per hour for apprentices and those 18 and under.