Enter your salary below to instantly see your earnings percentile, how you compare to the UK median, and your exact take-home pay after tax.
How does your salary compare?
Based on ONS ASHE 2025 — full-time employees, all ages
44%
You earn more than 44% of UK full-time workers
UK ranking
Top 56%
of UK earners
vs UK median
£2,430
below median
Monthly take-home
£2,393
after tax (1257L)
What is a good salary in the UK in 2026?
The UK median full-time salary is £37,430 per year according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2025. This means half of all full-time employees earn more than this figure and half earn less. But whether a salary is "good" depends enormously on where you live, your age, your household situation and what you want from life. A £40,000 salary feels very different in rural Yorkshire compared to central London.
The interactive tool above uses ONS ASHE 2025 data to give you a precise earnings percentile for any salary you enter. You can see your ranking nationally, how you compare to the median, and what you actually take home after income tax and National Insurance at 2026/27 HMRC rates. Below we break down what each salary band means in practice, how earnings vary by region, and answer the most common questions about UK salary benchmarks.
What counts as a good salary in the UK?
Based on ONS ASHE 2025 full-time employee earnings distribution
Entry level or part-time
Below the 10th percentile for full-time workers. Common in retail, hospitality and some care roles.
Lower quarter
Common for early career roles and many service sector jobs. Below average but a typical starting point.
Approaching median
Typical for many skilled roles in healthcare, education, admin and skilled trades. A solid foundation.
Broadly average
Right around the UK median. Half of full-time workers earn more and half earn less.
Above average
Comfortable in most UK regions outside London. Senior roles, specialist skills, or experienced professionals.
High earner
Top fifth of UK full-time earners. Management, senior professional or specialist technical roles.
Very high earner
Top 10% of all full-time workers in the UK. Executive, senior management or high-demand specialist roles.
How does your salary compare by region?
A salary that feels comfortable in one part of the UK can feel stretched in another. Here is how median full-time earnings vary across the country.
Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Figures are approximate median gross annual earnings for full-time employees.
London premium: The London median of £48,000 is 28% above the next highest region (South East, £42,000) and 48% above the lowest (North East, £32,500). However, London living costs, particularly housing, typically absorb a significant portion of this premium.
What does a good salary actually take home?
Remember: it is not what you earn, it is what you keep.
Based on 2026/27 HMRC rates. Standard 1257L tax code. England and Wales. No pension or student loan.
Click any row for a full breakdown of deductions
Frequently asked questions
Is £35,000 a good salary in the UK?
Yes, £35,000 is a good salary in the UK for most regions outside London. It sits around the 42nd percentile of full-time worker earnings, meaning you earn more than roughly 42% of full-time employees. After tax in 2026/27 you take home around £2,393 per month. In cities such as Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham or Edinburgh, £35,000 provides a comfortable standard of living. In London it is tighter, though still workable with careful budgeting.
Is £40,000 a good salary in the UK?
Yes, £40,000 is a good salary in the UK. It sits just above the median full-time salary, putting you in the top 47% of earners nationally. After tax you take home around £2,693 per month in 2026/27. Outside London this salary is genuinely comfortable, allowing most people to save, enjoy leisure and manage a mortgage or rent without excessive strain. In London it is close to the average, so buying power depends heavily on housing costs.
What salary puts you in the top 10% in the UK?
Based on ONS ASHE 2025 data, you need to earn approximately £72,150 or more to be in the top 10% of full-time employee earnings in the UK. This threshold has risen steadily year on year, up from around £67,000 in 2023. Roles that typically reach this level include senior management, medical consultants, senior software engineers, lawyers and finance professionals.
What is the average salary for a 30 year old in the UK?
According to ONS ASHE 2025 data, the median full-time salary for workers aged 30 to 39 is approximately £38,961. The 25th percentile for this age group is around £29,500, while the 75th percentile is around £51,984. Earnings in the 30s tend to grow significantly compared to the 20s as workers accumulate experience and progress into more senior roles.
Is £50,000 a good salary in the UK?
Yes, £50,000 is a very good salary in the UK. It puts you in roughly the top 25% of full-time earners, well above the national median of £37,430. You also become a higher rate taxpayer at £50,270, so any salary above this is taxed at 40% on the portion above that threshold. After tax in 2026/27 you take home around £3,293 per month. Outside London, £50,000 provides an excellent standard of living.
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