Questioning what the typical UK wage is in 2022? If that’s the case, you’re not alone. A typical trait amongst Brits is that we don’t like speaking about cash and the way a lot all of us earn. Due to this, many individuals do not know what the typical UK wage is or whether or not they’re incomes above or under it.
UK common salaries can fluctuate between industries, from minimal wage earners to these on six figures. Right here, we discover the median wage within the UK, in addition to the gender pay hole and which UK jobs pay the very best.
Need to know extra? Scroll down to find how your earnings stack up!

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UK common wage
In accordance with the Workplace of Nationwide Statistics, or ONS, the UK common wage was £13,549 for part-time employees and £38,131 for full-time staff in 2021/2022. This has barely decreased from the typical UK wage in 2020, which was £38,552 for full-time positions and £13,819 for part-time.
Moreover, the median common wage was decrease 12 months on 12 months – £11,310 for part-time and £31,285 for full-time. That is in comparison with £11,240 and £31,487 in 2020, respectively.
Median salaries are higher numbers for evaluating a wage. This method means it’s much less prone to get blended up by the few individuals incomes larger salaries. The median wage is on the centre of all wages, a “intermediary” whom you’ll be able to choose your personal wage in opposition to.
That is higher than utilizing the typical wage which is affected by the individuals who earn greater than £62,645 every year.
However, does a median wage alow you sufficient revenue to pay the common family payments per 30 days?
What is an effective wage within the UK?
Between £2,500 and £3,000 is taken into account to be a great month-to-month internet revenue within the UK. That wage might assist a cushty life in a metropolis, together with a two-bedroom flat, leisure and leisure.
Not solely that, however many Brits really feel {that a} £2,000 a month revenue after tax is the minimal required quantity for a single particular person to stay life-style. A £40,000 gross wage is what you would want to stay a cushty however not extravagant life within the UK. That is additionally the wage a pair with children would want to stay nicely.
It will imply you’d be making sufficient to lease an condo or a automotive, dine out, and go on common holidays.
The Gender Pay Hole
The newest information from the ONS reveals that the typical UK male full-time worker earns 14.9% greater than his feminine counterpart. Nonetheless, in part-time work, the pay hole distinction is in favour of feminine staff, with ladies incomes 2.22% greater than males.
It’s because extra ladies work in part-time positions than males. In 2021, for full-time staff, the gender pay hole was 15.1% in favour of male staff. The part-time distinction was in favour of girls by 17.4%.
Which jobs have the most important gender pay hole?
The most recent information reveals that male employees earn 50% greater than their feminine co-workers within the 5 professions with the most important wage gaps. Which means that male employees in these jobs earn the identical wage as feminine employees in the identical function in round half the time.
Cellular machine drivers, reminiscent of those that work in pile driving or tarmac surfacing, have the most important UK gender pay hole. In these roles, male employees are paid 57.99% greater than feminine employees.
Is there an enchancment within the gender pay hole?
Sure. However this enchancment doesn’t apply to all age teams equally. Employees aged 40 and over nonetheless expertise a better hole than youthful employees – as a lot as 10% or over in lots of roles. It’s because there are extra males than ladies shifting up into highly-paid managerial roles after age 39. After this age, the UK common wage tends to extend.
Which elements have an effect on UK common salaries?
Location
It’ll come as no shock that Londoners are making essentially the most cash – a median of £728 each week. The capital’s median wage is £68 larger per week than the second highest within the South East, with a median of £660. It’s additionally £117 larger than the median determine for the remainder of the UK.
Bear in mind, although, that this quantity is given a lift because of the town’s mega earners, reminiscent of CEOs on six figures. Regionally, the North East has the bottom common pay, with full-time employees incomes £547 per week.
Nonetheless, you then have to think about that it may price much less general to stay in different areas. Discover out the most cost-effective locations to stay within the UK to see if it’s price a transfer to get extra disposable revenue out of your wage.
Occupation
The trade you’re working in will be the purpose you’re not incomes as a lot as your folks. Now, in the event you’re fiercely enthusiastic about what you do and your wage is sufficient so that you can assist your self, that’s nice! However, in the event you’re doing it solely for the cash, it might be time for a profession change.
Age and expertise
Having expertise within the working world will at all times pay higher. Folks within the 16 to 17 age bracket earned the least in 2021 with a median wage of £220 per week – £220.40 for girls and £219.10 for males.
By the way, this age bracket is the one one by which ladies are likely to earn greater than males. The figures bounce all the best way to £327 and £354 for ladies and men within the 18-21 age group.
When you get to the 40-49 age group, your earnings can doubtlessly attain a median of £704 per week, making this the highest-paid age bracket. Sadly, after this, the typical UK wage begins to lower as you get nearer to retirement age. Full-time staff can count on to earn round £648 per week.
However what about these aged 60 and over? The typical UK determine sits at £575, however these numbers may also start to dip. That is due to staff retiring, lowering the typical earnings rather a lot.
Personal or public sector
Usually, public sector salaries are larger than jobs within the non-public sector. In 2020, the UK median wage for full-time employees within the non-public sector was £30,973. However, these within the public sector earned barely extra, with the median common UK wage being £32,743.
When do you have to get a increase?
Are you sad along with your present wage? If that’s the case, now’s the time to start out working in direction of that pay rise. We’re not suggesting that you simply instantly burst into your boss’s workplace demanding more cash, although.
It’s best to count on a increase round as soon as per 12 months, so in case your common weekly earnings have not too long ago gone up, you’ll most likely must make do with it for now. However, if it’s been a 12 months, or much more, since your earnings got a lift, it’s a good suggestion to start out planning your technique.
One of the best ways to ask for a pay rise
A great time to request a pay rise is throughout your subsequent efficiency assessment, so be certain that to verify when the subsequent one is. Sadly, your method to the topic largely will depend on your superior’s character.
In the event that they’re a direct and no-nonsense type of particular person, sending an electronic mail within the lead-up to the assessment is a good suggestion. Within the electronic mail, you’ll be able to state that you simply’d like to debate your wage, to keep away from any surprises. In different instances, you’ll have to debate it in one other dialog.
Everytime you do convey up the subject, have case ready for why it is best to have the increase. Have you ever created new methods which have benefitted the corporate? Have you ever taken on extra duty because you final had a pay rise?
Take into consideration what you’ve carried out over the past 12 months and have your case clear earlier than you ask for more cash. A dialog like this wants confidence – the worst factor you are able to do is sound nervous or neglect key factors. Rehearsing in entrance of a mirror is at all times a good suggestion!
How massive of a pay rise do you have to ask for?
Earlier than you go in with all weapons blazing, you should have an concept of how a lot extra cash to count on. Try the typical salaries of different employees in your function – you would even ask your folks and acquaintances how a lot they’re incomes.
Don’t really feel awkward about having conversations about funds with your folks. The much less you keep at nighttime about different individuals’s earnings, the extra assured you’ll really feel speaking to your supervisor a few increase.
When you’ve carried out your analysis, you’ll be able to resolve how a lot you need to improve your earnings or anticipate a determine to be urged by your supervisor. Bear in mind, asking for a increase is a fragile matter, so the latter choice might be the most effective. If the urged determine is just too low, you’ll be able to at all times attempt to negotiate.
It’s higher to slowly make your means in direction of your required determine than go straight in with an eye-wateringly excessive quantity that instantly will get rejected.
What to do in case your pay rise request is rejected
If the worst occurs and your request is rejected, don’t really feel disheartened. Consider it as a chance to indicate you’re keen to remain on the firm and increase your efficiency. Ask what you would do to warrant a future pay rise and stroll out of the negotiation with delight.
Remember, although, {that a} pay rise rejection isn’t at all times private. As of late, some firms merely can’t afford to present out common pay rises.
In search of one other job as an alternative? Why not discover a real earn a living from home job or discover out methods to get a job with no expertise.
How one can negotiate the wage for a brand new job provide
If the corporate you’re employed for isn’t capable of give you a pay rise, it might be time to consider a brand new job. If you happen to resolve to do that, remember the fact that negotiating your new wage is tremendous essential for getting off to begin.
Wait in your potential new employer to supply a quantity, thank them, however politely request time to consider it earlier than you snap their arm off. It is likely to be tempting to grab up the provide right away, however desirous about it reveals that you simply’re smart. It’ll additionally offer you an opportunity to contemplate the provide with out your judgement being clouded by pleasure.
One of the best ways to method a negotiation
In some methods, negotiating the wage of a brand new job is like asking for a pay rise in your present one. You’ll have to be armed with the data of how a lot different individuals in the identical discipline earn, and also you’ll have to promote your self. However, you’re already good at this in the event you’re on this place anyway.
When starting the negotiation along with your new supervisor, broaching the topic with out being defensive is essential. Define your required determine as a suggestion moderately than a requirement. Keep keen in regards to the job as a result of the goal is to return throughout as a precious and constant staff member.
By no means give out an ultimatum. This can put your employer off instantly, doubtlessly leaving you jobless. If wage negotiations don’t work, attempt negotiating worker advantages like bonuses or holidays.
These will appear to be small requests, so your employer could also be extra inclined to go for them. That is very true in the event you’ve saved the allure on all through the assembly!
Coping with rejection
If there’s no probability of any negotiation, it might be price asking if a pay assessment is feasible when you’ve received by means of the probation interval. This will provide you with an opportunity to indicate off your talents within the function and will provide you with the arrogance to argue your case. Bear in mind, your price isn’t outlined by your wage!
How one can get essentially the most out of your wage
Budgeting
Many monetary targets could be achieved with cautious budgeting, and it means you don’t have to compromise on the necessities. It’s very important to avoid wasting first and spend after as an alternative of the opposite means round.
A great rule of thumb is to spend 50% of your wage on necessities, 15% on private purchases and 35% ought to go into your financial savings.
Set targets
Saving cash with none targets is a nasty concept. You possibly can be depriving your self in the event you don’t truly know what you’re saving cash for. Take into consideration which brief and long-term targets you’d like to attain.
Some short-term targets could possibly be a vacation, shopping for a automotive, or some new furnishings. Lengthy-term targets might embody shopping for your first house or going to school.
Keep watch over your spending
Bear in mind to maintain observe of how a lot you’re spending, particularly with private purchases. Presents and impulsive buys can rapidly add up!
FAQs
Which UK jobs have the bottom common salaries?
In 2022, childcare employees as soon as once more had the bottom common UK earnings, with take-home pay of simply £6,925, 3.4% greater than in 2021. After childcare employees, bar employees had the second lowest common earnings within the UK, taking house £7,844.
What are the highest-paid jobs within the UK?
You most likely consider CEOs if you think about the highest paid jobs within the UK, however they’re truly in second place now. Promoting administrators, gross sales, and advertising positions are actually the highest-paid roles within the UK.
That is partly due to the CEO function struggling a 2.2% common earnings decline. IT administrators are in third place, with common salaries of £68,912
What’s an above-average UK wage?
Within the UK, £50,000 could possibly be classed as an above-average annual wage. The UK common wage for a household with each mother and father working is £40,000, so £50,000 can be an above-average revenue of 67% extra.
What’s extra, you wouldn’t pay excessive taxes on this revenue and would nonetheless be within the 20% bracket. You’d pay round £13,000 in Nationwide Insurance coverage and revenue tax leaving you with roughly £37,000.