Is £30k a Good Salary in the UK?

If you are earning or considering a job offer of £30,000 a year, you are probably wondering how that stacks up against typical UK wages. The short answer is that £30k is above the National Living Wage and the median for part-time workers, but it sits below the full-time median. Whether it is a 'good' salary depends on your hours, your region and your personal circumstances.

What the Official Data Says

The most reliable source for UK earnings is the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). For April 2025, the median gross annual pay for full-time employees was £39,039. Median weekly earnings were £766.60, and median hourly earnings (excluding overtime) were £19.67. This means that half of full-time workers earn more than £39k and half earn less. At £30k, you are below that midpoint, but still well above the National Living Wage.

The National Living Wage (for workers aged 21 and over) was £12.21 per hour in April 2025. At 37.5 hours per week for 52 weeks, that works out to an annual salary of about £23,809.50. So £30k is about £6,000 above the legal minimum for an adult worker.

Converting £30,000 to an Hourly Rate

To understand whether £30k is a good salary, it helps to see the hourly equivalent. The standard conversion used by most UK calculators is:

Annual salary ÷ (hours per week × 52 weeks) = hourly rate

• At 37.5 hours per week (common in NHS, civil service and many office roles): £30,000 ÷ (37.5 × 52) = £15.38 per hour
• At 40 hours per week (common in retail, hospitality and some trades): £30,000 ÷ (40 × 52) = £14.42 per hour
• At 35 hours per week (some professional roles): £30,000 ÷ (35 × 52) = £16.48 per hour

These rates are above the National Living Wage but below the median hourly rate of £19.67. If you work part-time, say 20 hours per week, your hourly rate would be higher (£28.85) but your annual income stays the same.

How £30k Compares to NHS Pay Bands

The NHS is one of the UK's largest employers and its pay scales are a useful benchmark. For 2026/27, the NHS pay bands are:

• Band 2: £25,272 (single rate) – £12.92 per hour
• Band 3: £25,760 to £27,476 – up to £14.05 per hour
• Band 4: £28,392 to £31,157 – up to £15.93 per hour
• Band 5: £32,073 to £39,043 – up to £19.97 per hour

A £30,000 salary sits between Band 4 and Band 5. It is above the top of Band 4 (£31,157 is the maximum) but below the starting point of Band 5 (£32,073). So if you are in a healthcare role, £30k would be typical for an experienced Band 4 or a new Band 5 post.

Part-Time vs Full-Time Considerations

The ONS defines full-time as working more than 30 paid hours per week (or 25 for teaching professions). Part-time is 30 hours or fewer. If you earn £30,000 working 30 hours a week, your hourly rate is about £19.23 – much closer to the median. But if you earn the same amount working 40 hours, your hourly rate drops to £14.42.

When comparing salaries, always check the hours per week and whether overtime is paid. A £30k salary with a 35-hour week is effectively better paid than a £30k salary with a 40-hour week. Also consider London weighting – many employers add a supplement of 15–20% for inner London roles, so a £30k salary in London might be equivalent to £25k outside.

Regional Differences

ONS data shows that median earnings vary significantly by region. In London, the median full-time salary is around £45,000, while in the North East it is closer to £34,000. So £30k goes much further in the North East or Wales than in London or the South East. If you are considering a move, use a salary calculator to compare take-home pay after tax and housing costs.

Is £30k a Good Salary for You?

For a single person with no dependants, £30k is a comfortable salary in most of the UK outside London. You would pay basic-rate income tax on earnings above the personal allowance of £12,570, and National Insurance on earnings above about £12,500. Your take-home pay would be roughly £2,000 per month (depending on pension contributions and student loan deductions).

For a family or someone with high rent/mortgage costs, £30k may feel tighter. It is below the median full-time salary, so you are earning less than half of full-time workers. But it is still above the minimum wage and can be a good starting point for career progression.

Summary

• £30,000 a year is above the National Living Wage but below the UK median full-time salary of £39,039.
• At 37.5 hours per week, it works out at £15.38 per hour.
• It compares to NHS Band 4/5 and is a solid salary outside London.
• Always consider hours per week, overtime, and regional cost of living.

For more detailed comparisons, see our salary data page or read related salary articles on hourly rates and benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is £30k a good salary for a graduate? Yes, many graduate schemes start between £25k and £32k, so £30k is competitive for a first job outside London.

How much tax will I pay on £30k? Using the 2026/27 tax bands (England/Wales/NI), you would pay roughly £3,500 in Income Tax and £2,500 in National Insurance, leaving about £24,000 net per year (excluding pension).

Can I live on £30k in London? It is possible but challenging. After rent and bills, you may have limited disposable income. Many London employers offer a London weighting of £3,000–£5,000 on top of base salary.