SALARY GUIDE
Average UK Salary by Profession
ONS ASHE data provides the most authoritative source on UK salary levels by occupation. This guide covers median salaries for major UK professions based on the latest available ONS data.
TL;DR
- ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) is the most authoritative source for UK salary data by occupation
- The median UK full-time employee salary is approximately £37,430 per year (ONS ASHE 2024)
- Healthcare, law, finance and technology occupations consistently top UK salary tables
- Regional salary differences are significant -- London and South East median salaries exceed other regions
- Real wage growth (earnings adjusted for inflation) has varied significantly across occupation groups since 2020
Last reviewed: June 2026
How UK Salary Data Is Measured
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) is the most comprehensive and authoritative source of UK earnings data. ASHE surveys approximately 1% of employees each year using HMRC PAYE records, providing median and mean earnings by occupation (Standard Occupational Classification), industry, region, age group and employment type (full-time/part-time). The survey is conducted in April each year and published later in the same year.
Median salary (the midpoint of the earnings distribution) is a more useful measure than mean salary for most comparisons, as the mean is skewed upwards by high earners at the top of the distribution. ASHE reports both, but median figures are cited most frequently in labour market analysis.
Median Salaries for Major UK Professions (ONS ASHE 2024)
The following are approximate median annual salaries for full-time employees in major occupation groups based on ONS ASHE data. Figures are for gross (before tax) earnings. Chief executives and senior officials: approximately £86,000. Medical practitioners: approximately £80,000. Solicitors, lawyers and judges: approximately £65,000. Financial managers and directors: approximately £65,000. IT and telecommunications directors: approximately £75,000. Secondary education teachers: approximately £44,000. Police officers (sergeant and below): approximately £43,000. Nurses: approximately £38,000. All full-time employees (median): approximately £37,430.
Regional Salary Differences
ONS ASHE data consistently shows significant regional salary variation. The median full-time salary in London exceeds the UK median by approximately 20% to 25%. The South East and East of England also exceed the UK median. The North East, Yorkshire, East Midlands, West Midlands and Wales typically have median salaries below the UK average. Northern Ireland and Scotland are close to the UK median. For occupations where remote working is common, these regional differentials have narrowed for some workers since 2020.
Salary Growth and Real Wages
Nominal salary growth (before inflation adjustment) has been strong in the UK in 2022-2024, driven by labour market tightness and high inflation. However, real wage growth (earnings adjusted for consumer price inflation) was negative in 2022-2023 as inflation outpaced wage rises, eroding purchasing power for most workers. Real wages recovered in 2024 as inflation fell back. ONS publishes a Real Earnings index alongside the ASHE data.
Public vs Private Sector Pay
ASHE data consistently shows a pay differential between public and private sector employees, with the public sector typically paying more at the lower end of the earnings distribution (due to minimum pay floors and collective bargaining) and less at the upper end (where private sector senior pay is unconstrained). Public sector pensions are typically more generous than private sector equivalents, which affects the total compensation comparison.
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Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal, financial or insurance advice. Kaeltripton is an independent editorial publisher, not regulated by the FCA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average UK salary in 2026?
Based on ONS ASHE data (2024, the most recent annual survey), the median gross annual salary for full-time UK employees is approximately £37,430. This figure changes annually -- always refer to the latest ONS ASHE bulletin for current figures.
What is the highest-paying profession in the UK?
ONS ASHE data consistently shows medical practitioners (doctors and dentists), senior corporate managers and directors, and legal professionals among the highest-paid occupations in the UK. Precise rankings vary by year and how occupational classifications are grouped.
Where can I find official UK salary data?
The ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) is the official source. It is published annually on the ONS website and provides detailed breakdowns by occupation, industry, region, age and employment type. Figures are available in interactive tables on the ONS website.
What is the difference between mean and median salary?
The mean salary is the average of all salaries added together and divided by the number of workers. The median is the midpoint of the earnings distribution -- half of workers earn above this figure and half below. The median is less affected by very high earners at the top of the distribution and is generally a more useful measure of what a typical worker earns.
