What Is the UK Average Salary? A Guide for Employees and Job Seekers

If you're comparing hourly jobs with salaried offers, understanding what is the UK average salary is essential. The most reliable source is the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which provides median earnings for employees across the country. For April 2025, the ONS reported that median weekly earnings for full-time employees were £766.60, a 5.3% increase on the previous year. That translates to a median annual salary of £39,039 for those who had been in the same job for at least a year, and a median hourly rate (excluding overtime) of £19.67.

These figures give you a solid benchmark, but remember they are medians – half of full-time employees earn more, half earn less. The average (mean) is higher, but the median is more representative of a typical worker.

Hourly to Annual Conversion: The 37.5-Hour Rule

When you see an hourly rate, you can estimate the annual salary using a simple conversion. Most full-time roles in the UK are based on a 37.5-hour week (though some are 35, 40, or other hours). Multiply the hourly rate by your weekly contracted hours and then by 52 weeks. For example:

• £12.21 per hour (National Living Wage for ages 21+ in 2025) × 37.5 hours × 52 weeks = £23,809.50 per year.
• £19.67 per hour (median full-time hourly rate) × 37.5 × 52 = £38,367 – close to the ONS median annual figure.

Use our Hourly to Salary calculator to do this quickly. Always check your contract for exact hours, as some roles include paid breaks or shift allowances.

National Living Wage and Minimum Wage Context

The government sets minimum hourly rates that most workers must receive. As of April 2025, the National Living Wage for employees aged 21 and over is £12.21 per hour. For 18–20 year olds it is £10.00, and for 16–17 year olds it is £7.55. Apprentices also have a separate rate. These rates are reviewed annually, so the 2026 figures may differ. The GOV.UK website publishes the latest rates.

If you are offered a job at or near the National Living Wage, your annual salary will be around £23,800–£24,800 depending on your age and hours. That is well below the median full-time salary, reflecting that many part-time and entry-level roles pay at or near the minimum.

NHS Pay as a Benchmark

For public sector workers, NHS pay scales are a useful reference. According to NHS Digital's staff earnings estimates for the 12 months to June 2026, the mean annual basic pay per full-time equivalent (FTE) in NHS Trusts and Clinical Commissioning Groups in England was £44,457. That is higher than the UK median, partly because the NHS employs many skilled professionals like doctors and nurses. For NHS Support Organisations and Central Bodies, the mean basic pay per FTE was £56,136. These figures include all staff groups, from porters to consultants, so individual roles vary widely.

If you are considering a healthcare role, you can compare your hourly rate to these averages. For example, a nurse on a typical Agenda for Change band 5 salary might earn around £30,000–£35,000 per year, while a consultant could earn over £100,000.

London Weighting and Regional Differences

The ONS ASHE data shows that earnings vary significantly by region. London and the South East have the highest median salaries, while Northern Ireland and Wales tend to be lower. Many employers, especially in the public sector, add a London weighting allowance – often £2,000–£5,000 per year – to attract staff to the capital. When comparing hourly jobs with salaried offers, factor in where the job is located. A £20 per hour job in London may not stretch as far as a £17 per hour job in the North East.

Part-Time and Hourly Work

Part-time workers earn less on a weekly basis – the ONS reported a median of £280 per week in April 2025. But part-time hourly rates can be similar to full-time rates, especially in skilled roles. If you are considering a part-time or zero-hours contract, use the hourly rate to compare with full-time salaries. For example, a part-time role at £15 per hour for 20 hours a week gives an annual equivalent of about £15,600 (20 × 52 × £15). That is below the full-time median, but may suit your lifestyle.

Caveats and Important Notes

• Overtime and bonuses: The ONS median hourly figure excludes overtime. Many roles include overtime pay, which can boost annual earnings significantly.
• Salary sacrifice: Pension contributions, cycle-to-work schemes, and other salary sacrifice arrangements reduce your taxable pay but not your contractual salary.
• Self-employment: The figures here are for employees only. Self-employed workers have different earnings patterns and are not covered by ASHE.
• Annual vs. weekly: ASHE annual figures are for employees in the same job for at least a year, so they may not reflect new starters or those who changed jobs.

For more detailed breakdowns by occupation and region, explore our salary articles and salary data pages.

Conclusion

So, what is the UK average salary? For a typical full-time employee in 2025, it is around £39,000 per year or £19.67 per hour. But averages hide a wide range: from the National Living Wage of £12.21 per hour to NHS mean basic pay of £44,457 per year. When comparing hourly jobs with salaried offers, always convert using your contracted hours and consider location, overtime, and benefits. Use our Hourly to Salary tool to get a quick estimate, and check official sources like ONS and GOV.UK for the latest rates.