When it comes to discussing salaries and finances, the British stereotype is that we’re all too awkward to talk about it – but now, a study has revealed the UK’s best and worst-paid places.
And while it might not confirm what your best mates and even fellow colleagues are being paid, it’s a good indicator of how much cold, hard cash the average person in your region is taking home.
So, how much money do people make across the UK?
Here’s what you need to know.
What is the average weekly wage across the UK?
Unsurprisingly, the median weekly pay was highest for Londoners in full-time employment at £853 per week.
And, in April 2024, the government is set to give 3,000,000 workers nationwide a pay boost in its move towards a genuine living wage.
In second place was the South East, as per the Office For National Statistics’ findings, at £779 per week, while the East saw £15 less at £764.
Up in Scotland, the figures averaged out at £740 per week, while at the other end of the spectrum, full-time workers in the North East are paid almost £200 less than a Londoner each week, at £661.
The same study further analysed the percentage change in real median pay between 2010 and 2024 (which was adjusted according to inflation). And as it turns out, many regions across the UK are actually seeing less money than they did 15 years ago.
The East has seen average pay plummet by 10%, while London has seen relative decreases of 6%, the South East 5%, and the East Midlands 2%.
Yorkshire and the Humber has seen a 1% difference in the wrong direction, while in the North East and the West Midlands, the situation has neither improved nor worsened at 0%.
For the South West, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, there was more reason to be slightly optimistic. Both the South West and Wales saw a 1% (albeit rather measly) improvement in pay, while Scotland saw 3% and Northern Ireland 4%.
So, how might we go about negotiating a pay rise from our workplace if we feel we’re deserving of one?
It’s not an equal playing field, and factors like education, gender, company size, and geographic location can also influence salary averages. The data shows that the gender pay gap significantly impacts those between 30 and 59 years of age.
Likewise, a 2024 study from Instant Offices analysed the impact that age has on salary averages – and found that those aged between 40 and 49 earned around £40,040, while those in the 50 to 59 bracket took home less at £37,804.
It plummeted further for those aged over 60, averaging out at £33,852.
As Amanda Augustine, careers expert at TopCV previously told Metro, there are actionable tips that you take you closer to a salary that works for you.
Make sure to keep a note of everything you’ve accomplished in that role so that, when you’re inevitably asked to justify the extra cost, you have the receipts ready in the form of a ‘brag book.’
‘What goals have you met or exceeded since the last time your salary was under review? How has your work helped to cut costs, grow profits, increase efficiency, expand brand recognition, or retain business for the organisation?’ Amanda shared.
It’s important to make sure you’ve got the receipts to back it up, too. If you can prove that the average salary for your industry role is higher than what you’re being paid, then that’ll get you one step closer. Using websites like Glassdoor, Reed, PayScale and Check-a-Salary can help with this purpose.
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