An understanding of the average salary in the UK is necessary for international students to properly plan their work and study journey. International students can earn a handsome salary amount whether they are working part-time or full-time. The UK follows an even salary distribution however, there may be differences based on the salary depending on the gender of an individual. The main factors affecting the job experience of the students include the employment nature, location, and job culture in the employment sector. A good salary in the UK also depends on the job location and work experience of the applicants. This blog on What is a good salary in the UK enables you to get an in-depth idea of the highest-paying jobs in the UK, factors affecting average salary in the UK, salary distribution by age, gender, location, education & much more!
Average salaries in the UK for Full-time Employees in 2025
The average weekly earnings of the full-time employees also depend on the type of industry and expertise level of the employees.
Industry
Average Weekly Earnings in £
Real Estate Activities
645
Other Manufacturing
633
Food Products, Beverage and Tobacco
611
Financial & Insurance Activities
1,356.00
Mining & Quarrying
1,228.00
Information & Communication
1,134.00
Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities
954
Chemicals & Man-made Fibres
908
Electricity, Gas & Water Supply
829
Engineering & Allied Industries
796
Wholesale Trade
761
Construction
723
Basic Metals & Metal Products
703
Public Administration
694
Transport & Storage
685
Administrative & Support Service Activities
574
Health & Social Work
547
Education
535
Textiles, Leather & Clothing
496
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing
482
Other Service Activities
468
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
467
Retail Trade & Repairs
408
Accommodation & Food Service Activities
309
What are the highest-paying jobs in the UK?
These are the job roles for the top industry experts who are willing to work and relocate to the United Kingdom.
Highest-paying jobs in the UK
Salaries
Customer Support Specialist
£23,410
UX Designer
£34,278
Digital Marketing Specialist
£29,537
Data Analyst
£30,261
HR Generalist
£32,290
Senior Recruiter
£40,341
Project Manager (IT)
£48,649
Sales / Business Manager
£38,581
Software Engineer
£40,567
Factors Affecting Average Salary in the UK
It is necessary to understand the factors focusing on providing good job opportunities to the people in the UK. A good salary in the UK helps in setting realistic expectations & better outcomes that can enhance the overall productivity of the organization. Here are some key factors that influence your paychecks and salary statistics.
Experience: The candidates with good experience can earn a high income in the UK. For example, full time employees holding an experience of ten years can earn 25-30% more in the next five years. The people with good work experience can significantly get a good offer & better employment opportunities.
Education: A good degree helps to boost your earning potential to a large extent. The employees working in the UK firms can earn more money. STEM graduates tend to find higher returns on their education with a starting salary over £5,000 or higher.
Location: The salaries in major cities such as London are comparatively higher due to the high living costs. The average salary in London is approximately £41,000 per year. All those who are wondering about how much you need to earn to live comfortably in London must consider location as an essential factor. The costs of transportation and housing increase depending on the location of the employment.
Economic Factors: The economic factors influencing the salary of the employees include government policies, interest rates and inflation. The employees can work more salary due to better financial stability, structured pay scales and extensive resources.
Average Salary in the UK for Full-Time Employees (Weekly): Industry-Wise
If you are curious about the average salary in the United Kingdom, this is data from the Office of National Statistics that breaks down the average weekly earnings across different industries. The data depicts how much average salary an employee can make in the United Kingdom per week. The salaries of the individuals may vary however, this information is helpful for all job seekers and anyone interested in making his career in the job market of the United Kingdom.
Industry-Wise Average Salary in the UK for Full-Time Employees (Weekly)
Industry
Average Weekly Earnings in £
Real Estate Activities
645.00
Other Manufacturing
633.00
Food Products, Beverage and Tobacco
611.00
Financial & Insurance Activities
1,356.00
Mining & Quarrying
1,228.00
Information & Communication
1,134.00
Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities
954.00
Chemicals & Man-made Fibres
908.00
Electricity, Gas & Water Supply
829.00
Engineering & Allied Industries
796.00
Wholesale Trade
761.00
Construction
723.00
Basic Metals & Metal Products
703.00
Which industries have seen the most growth in the UK?
Are you wondering about the average salary rise in 2025 in the United Kingdom? Thus, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the top industries in the United Kingdom which are in high demand. These industries have significantly contributed to the growth of the thriving economy of the country in recent years.
The manufacturing industries in the UK experience the highest annual growth rate, 5.9% from May to July, and an annual regular pay rise of 3.9%. These are the significant percentage of increase in the UK industries.
Importers & Exporters - 27.8%
Probation officers - 21.7%
Agricultural machinery drivers - 15.8%
Elementary administration occupations - 20.7%
Elementary sales occupations - 21%
Fishmongers and poultry dressers - 14%
Agricultural & Fishing Trade - 13%
Postal workers, mail sorters, messengers, and couriers - 15.2%
Telephonist- 13.4%
Horticultural trades - 14.1%
Average UK Wage: Age
The full-time workers in the UK earn £682 per week as per the latest record of Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours & Earnings. The survey also reveals an age gap in earnings- people between the age group of 40-49 years can make the most of their earnings- weekly pay of £770 for full-time work. This means there is a significant pay gap for young earners under the age of 30. Below is the breakdown of the average UK salary distribution by Age.
Average Salary in the UK by Age
Age
Weekly Wage (median average) Full-time gross pay
Annual salary (30 hours a week or more)
18-21
441.00
22,932.00
22-29
583.00
30,316.00
30-39
722.00
37,544.00
40-49
770.00
40,040.00
50-59
727.00
37,804.00
60+
651.00
33,852.00
Average Salary in the United Kingdom: Full-Time Workers
There are some main differences in 'median' and 'average' salary in the UK. Let’s clarify this better before diving into the wages in the United Kingdom.
The average salary of an individual is calculated by adding of salaries of each employee divided by the total number of employees.
Median Salary finds the middle point where all salaries of the employees are lined up from the lowest to the highest.
We have provided a brief breakdown of the average UK salary for full-time workers. It compares the wages of the employees in the UK by sector.
Average Salary in the UK (Full-Time Workers)
Sector
Average Salary in the UK Per Year (£)
Average Salary in the UK Per Month (£
Healthcare, Pharmaceutical &
Social Services
45,233.00
3,769.00
Information Technology
41,283.00
3,440.00
Engineering
40,434.00
3,370.00
Science
37,158.00
3,096.00
Banking, Finance & Insurance
35,909.00
2,992.00
Average Salary in the UK: Part-Time Worker
The recent job reports of UK Labour Market Statistics in the UK reveal certain interesting trends! Over 24 million people in the UK are full time job holders and real growth comes from the part time roles by 8.46 million workers. Part time jobs help international students to manage their personal expenses along with their studies.
The part-time income enables students to manage their expenses, enjoy diverse cultures and gain quality work experience. The popular sectors in the UK where students can also engage in part-time job roles include customer service, admin, retail & logistics. Many even juggle multiple part-time gigs or join part-time calling job roles.
The average salary of employees in the UK is estimated to be £13.11 per hour or £25,568 annually. There can be variations in the salary depending on location, industry, and job sector. Below is the comparison table for the average salary for part-time workers in the UK.
Average Salary in the UK for Part-Time Workers
Type of Job
Average Pay Per Hour
Tutor
15.00
Dog Walker
12.50
Waiter
12.00
Customer Service Representative
11.00
Translator
10.00
Average Payment in the UK: Gender-Wise
As per the ONS reports of 2023, the woman earns less salary as compared to the man. However, this difference has improved slightly with time. However, the gap is still wider and there is a need for a positive change. The table below throws light on the Gender Pay Gap statistics in the UK.