What's the Average Salary in the UK? The Latest Official Figures

If you've been asking yourself "whats the average salary in the uk", you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions for job seekers and employees trying to benchmark their pay. The most reliable source is the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). For April 2025, the median gross annual earnings for full-time employees stood at £39,039 – that's a 4.3% increase from £37,439 in 2024. Broken down weekly, the median full-time worker earned £766.60 per week, and on an hourly basis (excluding overtime) the median was £19.67 per hour.

These figures are a useful starting point, but they hide a lot of variation. The median means half of full-time employees earn less than £39,039 and half earn more. If you work part-time, your annual figure will be lower, but your hourly rate might still be competitive. The National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21 and over was £12.21 per hour from April 2025 – that's the legal minimum. So if you're earning £19.67, you're well above the floor, but many roles in retail, hospitality, and care pay closer to the NLW.

Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Salary – The Simple Rule

To convert an hourly wage to an annual salary, a common rule of thumb is:

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

For a standard full-time week of 37.5 hours (common in many UK sectors), the calculation is:

• £12.21/hr × 37.5 hrs × 52 weeks = £23,809.50 (NLW annual equivalent)
• £19.67/hr × 37.5 hrs × 52 weeks = £38,356.50 (close to the median)
• £39,039 annual median ÷ (37.5 × 52) = £20.02 per hour

Note that this assumes you work every week of the year with no unpaid leave. In reality, most employees get paid holiday (usually 28 days including bank holidays), so the actual hours paid are slightly less. But for quick comparisons, the 37.5-hour week is a reliable benchmark. Use our Hourly to Salary calculator for precise conversions.

Common Myths About Hourly Pay and Overtime

Myth 1: Overtime always boosts your income. Many salaried jobs (especially in professional services, IT, and management) don't pay overtime at all. You might be expected to work extra hours for the same annual salary. Even when overtime is paid, it's often at a lower rate than your normal hourly equivalent – for example, some contracts pay time-and-a-half only after 40 hours. And don't forget tax: if overtime pushes you into a higher tax bracket (40% or 45%), you'll keep less of each extra pound. Always check your contract and the salary articles on our site for guidance.

Myth 2: Hourly jobs are less secure than salaried roles. Hourly contracts can be zero-hours or part-time, which may offer less stability. But many hourly roles in the public sector (like NHS or teaching) are permanent and come with excellent benefits. The NHS Digital data shows that mean annual basic pay per full-time equivalent in NHS Trusts was £43,531 in the year to September 2025 – that's above the UK median. And NHS staff often receive overtime, unsocial hours payments, and London weighting. So don't judge a job by its pay type alone.

Myth 3: London weighting makes every London job worth it. London weighting is an extra allowance (typically £2,000–£5,000 per year) added to base pay to offset higher living costs. However, the cost of rent, transport, and childcare in London can easily swallow that premium. ONS ASHE data shows that median full-time earnings in London are higher than the UK average, but when adjusted for inflation using CPIH, the real-terms growth is modest. Always compare net income after housing costs, not just the headline salary.

Putting It All Together

So, what's the average salary in the UK? The ONS says £39,039 for full-time employees. But your personal benchmark depends on your industry, region, experience, and whether you're comparing hourly or annual figures. If you're on the National Living Wage of £12.21/hr, your annual equivalent is about £23,810 – that's below the median, but it's the legal minimum for over-21s. If you're in the NHS, your basic pay might be £43,531, but your total earnings could be higher with overtime.

Remember: the conversion from hourly to annual is a useful guide, but actual pay depends on your rota, holiday pay method, and any London weighting or overtime rules. Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance. For more data and tools, explore our salary data page and hourly calculator.

Key Takeaways

• Median full-time annual salary: £39,039 (April 2025)
• Median hourly rate (excl. overtime): £19.67
• National Living Wage (21+): £12.21/hr
• Conversion rule: annual ≈ hourly × 37.5 hrs × 52 weeks
• Overtime myths: not all overtime is paid, and tax can reduce the benefit
• London weighting: check net impact, not just the allowance