Average Salary UK 2025: Full-Time and Part-Time Earnings Benchmarks

Understanding the average salary UK 2025 is essential whether you are negotiating a job offer, planning a career change, or simply checking whether your pay is in line with the market. The most authoritative source for UK employee earnings is the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which provides median figures for full-time and part-time workers across the country.

Median Full-Time Annual Salary: £39,039

For April 2025, the ONS reports that median gross annual earnings for full-time employees who had been in their job for at least a year were £39,039. This represents a 4.3% increase from £37,439 in 2024. When looking at weekly pay, full-time employees earned a median of £766.60 per week, up 5.3% on the year. In real terms (adjusted for CPIH inflation), that weekly figure rose by 1.1%.

Hourly rates also climbed. The median hourly wage for full-time employees (excluding overtime) reached £19.67 in April 2025, compared with £18.66 a year earlier – a 5.4% increase. This is the figure most often used when converting an hourly rate to an annual salary.

Part-Time Earnings and the Hours Assumption

Part-time workers saw even stronger nominal growth. Median weekly earnings for part-time employees were £280.00 in April 2025, up 6.4% from £263.25. Because part-time hours vary widely, the ONS does not publish a single annual figure for part-time workers. When converting a part-time hourly rate to an annual salary, you need to multiply by your actual contracted hours per week and by 52 weeks. For example, if you work 20 hours per week at £12.21 per hour (the National Living Wage), your annual pay would be approximately £12,698 (£12.21 × 20 × 52).

National Living Wage and Minimum Wage Rates

The government sets statutory minimum hourly rates. In April 2025, the National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21 and over rose to £12.21 per hour. For 18–20 year olds the National Minimum Wage (NMW) is £10.00, and for 16–17 year olds it is £7.55. Apprentices aged 16–18 or in their first year also receive £7.55 per hour. These rates are a floor; many jobs pay above the minimum.

Low Pay and High Pay Thresholds

The ONS also publishes low-pay and high-pay benchmarks. In 2025, jobs paying less than £11.97 per hour (two-thirds of the median hourly pay of £17.96) are considered low-paid. Only 2.5% of employee jobs fell below this threshold – the lowest proportion since records began in 1997. At the other end, jobs paying more than £26.94 per hour (1.5 times the median) are classed as high-paid, and 23.2% of jobs met that criterion.

How to Convert Hourly Rate to Annual Salary

A common question is: “If I earn £X per hour, what is my annual salary?” The standard conversion uses the formula:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

For a typical full-time role of 37.5 hours per week, the calculation is straightforward. For example:

• £12.21/hr (NLW) × 37.5 hrs × 52 = £23,809.50 per year
• £19.67/hr (median) × 37.5 hrs × 52 = £38,356.50 per year (close to the ONS median annual figure)

But remember: this assumes a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, no bonus, and no salary sacrifice. Actual take-home pay will also depend on tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions. Use our Hourly to Salary tool to run your own numbers.

London Weighting and Regional Variations

The national median of £39,039 hides significant regional differences. London typically commands higher salaries to offset higher living costs, though the ONS does not publish a single “London weighting” figure. Many employers add a percentage or fixed amount to base pay for London-based roles. If you are job-hunting in the capital, expect offers above the national median, especially in sectors like finance, tech, and professional services.

Overtime and Additional Pay

The ASHE hourly figures exclude overtime. If you regularly work overtime, your actual hourly earnings may be higher, but overtime is often paid at a premium rate (e.g., time-and-a-half). When converting your total annual earnings, include overtime hours at their actual pay rate. However, for budgeting purposes, it is safer to base calculations on your basic contracted hours.

Why the Hours Assumption Matters

Full-time is defined by the ONS as more than 30 paid hours per week (or 25 for teaching professions). Part-time is 30 hours or fewer. If you work 40 hours per week, your annual salary will be higher than the 37.5-hour conversion suggests. Always check your contract for your exact weekly hours. For more context on how different working patterns affect pay, browse our salary articles.

Summary

The average salary UK 2025 for full-time employees stands at £39,039 per year, with a median hourly rate of £19.67. Part-time workers earn a median of £280 per week. The National Living Wage is £12.21 per hour for those aged 21 and over. When converting hourly pay to annual salary, remember to use your own contracted hours and consider that actual pay may vary due to overtime, bonuses, or regional allowances. For a personalised calculation, try our salary data page or the Hourly to Salary converter.

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Disclaimer: Hourly-to-salary figures assume a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonus, tips, or salary sacrifice. Annual ≈ hourly × hours/week × 52. Actual pay depends on rota, holiday pay method, London weighting, and overtime rules. Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance.