What Is a Good Salary in the UK in 2025? Benchmarks, Averages, and Regional Differences
What counts as a "good" salary is inherently subjective, but there are objective benchmarks that help contextualise any income. In 2025, the UK median full-time salary is approximately £34,963 according to the latest ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. That means if you earn more than this, you are in the upper half of UK earners. But the numbers look very different once you factor in where you live, your household size, and what you want from life.
UK salary percentiles in 2025
| Percentile | Annual gross salary | Monthly take-home (England) |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (bottom 10%) | ~£14,000 | ~£1,167 |
| 25th | ~£23,500 | ~£1,843 |
| 50th (median) | ~£34,963 | ~£2,562 |
| 75th | ~£48,000 | ~£3,024 (est.) |
| 90th | ~£62,000 | ~£3,668 (est.) |
These figures are for full-time employees. Part-time workers, those in the gig economy, and the self-employed are not directly captured in the same way.
The mean vs the median
The mean (arithmetic average) UK salary is higher than the median — approximately £38,000–£42,000 — because a relatively small number of very high earners pull the average up. The median is a better indicator of what the "typical" UK worker earns. When politicians or media quote the "average" salary, they often use the mean, which overstates what most people earn.
Regional salary differences
Salaries vary enormously by region:
- London: Median full-time salary approximately £45,000–£48,000. Significantly higher wages, but also the highest costs. A £40,000 salary that feels comfortable in Leeds may feel tight in London.
- South East: Median approximately £38,000–£42,000. High costs, particularly housing, but more affordable than Central London.
- East of England, South West: Approximately £35,000–£38,000.
- Midlands, East Midlands: Approximately £32,000–£36,000.
- North East, Wales, Northern Ireland: Approximately £28,000–£32,000 — lowest wages, but also among the lowest living costs.
- Scotland: Approximately £33,000–£36,000 nationally; higher in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
What these salaries look like after tax
Take-home pay (England, 2025-26, standard tax code, no student loan):
- £25,000: ~£20,880/year (~£1,740/month)
- £35,000: ~£27,407/year (~£2,284/month)
- £45,000: ~£33,855/year (~£2,821/month)
- £55,000: ~£39,831/year (~£3,319/month)
- £70,000: ~£48,777/year (~£4,065/month)
What you can afford at each level
The affordability question depends heavily on household composition and location. Some rough guides for a single person in 2025:
- Below £25,000: Living costs are very constrained outside low-cost areas. Renting in any city is difficult without significant housing subsidy or cost-sharing.
- £25,000–£35,000: Comfortable life in Northern England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Tight in the South East, very challenging in London.
- £35,000–£50,000: Solid middle-income range. Homeownership realistic in most UK regions outside London. Savings achievable.
- £50,000–£75,000: Comfortable across the UK. Homeownership within reach even in London with a second income or deposit.
- Above £75,000: By most standards, affluent in UK context. Top 5–7% of earners.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out where my salary ranks?
The ONS publishes the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) annually, typically in October, with detailed breakdowns by occupation, region, and sector. For a quick check, the ONS "How do you compare?" tool allows you to see your salary percentile interactively. Remember that comparing yourself only to full-time employees gives a different picture than including part-time and self-employed workers.