How UK Average and Median Salary Compare: What the Latest ONS Data Reveals

Understanding UK Average and Median Salary

When you look at UK salary statistics, you will often see two figures: the median and the mean. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes both, but its preferred measure for typical earnings is the median. This is because the median is less distorted by a small number of very high earners. For full-time employees in April 2025, the median gross annual salary stood at £39,039, while the mean was approximately £45,800 (based on ONS ASHE and on-site reference data). The gap of nearly £7,000 illustrates how high earners pull the average upwards.

What the Latest ONS ASHE Data Shows

The ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for 2025 provides the most authoritative picture of employee pay. Median weekly earnings for full-time employees were £766.60 in April 2025, a 5.3% increase on the previous year. After adjusting for inflation using CPIH, real terms growth was 1.1%. Median hourly earnings (excluding overtime) rose to £19.67, up 5.4% from £18.66 in 2024. Part-time workers saw median weekly earnings of £280.00, a 6.4% increase.

These figures are provisional and based on a 1% sample of employees drawn from HMRC PAYE records. They cover employee jobs only, not the self-employed. The annual earnings figure of £39,039 applies to employees who had been in the same job for at least a year, so it may not fully reflect new starters or those who changed jobs.

National Living Wage and Minimum Wage Context

The government sets statutory minimum pay rates. From April 2025, the National Living Wage for employees aged 21 and over was £12.21 per hour. For a typical full-time worker on a 37.5-hour week, this amounts to roughly £23,810 per year. Younger workers and apprentices have lower rates: £10.00 for ages 18-20, and £7.55 for ages 16-17 and apprentices. The NLW increase of 6.7% in April 2025 is reflected in the hourly pay growth for low-paid occupations, though weekly earnings growth can be affected by changes in hours worked.

NHS Earnings as a Sector Comparison

NHS staff earnings offer a useful benchmark for public sector pay. According to NHS Digital data for the 12 months to September 2025, the mean annual basic pay per full-time equivalent (FTE) in NHS Trusts in England was £43,531, an increase of 11.9% from the previous year. For NHS Support Organisations and Central Bodies, the mean basic pay per FTE was £55,464 (up 11.6%). When including non-basic pay such as overtime and allowances, mean annual earnings per person in NHS Trusts were £44,349. These figures are means, not medians, and show that NHS basic pay is broadly in line with the UK mean salary of around £45,800, though with variation by role and organisation.

Why the Median Matters More

For most employees, the median salary is a better indicator of what a typical worker earns. The mean is skewed by high earners in finance, tech, and senior management. For example, if nine people earn £30,000 and one earns £200,000, the mean is £47,000, but the median is £30,000. The ONS median of £39,039 reflects the middle of the distribution. When comparing your own salary to national figures, it is often more useful to look at the median for your occupation, region, and age group, which ASHE provides in more detailed tables.

Real Terms and Take-Home Pay

While nominal earnings grew 5.3% in 2025, real terms growth was just 1.1% after inflation. This means that the purchasing power of the average salary increased only modestly. Take-home pay also depends on Income Tax and National Insurance contributions. For employees in Scotland, Income Tax bands differ from the rest of the UK, which can affect net pay. Always consider your personal tax code and any salary sacrifice arrangements when estimating take-home pay.

Caveats and Limitations

ASHE data has several limitations. It excludes the self-employed, who make up a growing share of the workforce. It also excludes some casual workers and those not on PAYE. The annual figures are based on employees who have been in the same job for at least a year, so they may underrepresent job changers who often see larger pay increases. Regional variations are significant: London median full-time earnings are substantially higher than the national average, while many rural areas are lower. Occupation also plays a huge role – median pay for managers is far above that for sales and customer service roles.

Using This Information

Whether you are negotiating a salary, considering a career change, or just curious about where you stand, the ONS median is your best starting point. Compare your salary to the national median of £39,039, but also look at more specific breakdowns by occupation and region available on the ONS website. For job seekers, advertised salaries may differ from actual earnings due to bonuses, overtime, and other factors. The National Living Wage provides a floor, but many roles pay well above it.

For further reading, see our UK Average Salary overview and explore detailed salary data for different sectors and regions.

FAQs

What is the difference between median and mean salary in the UK?

The median salary is the middle point of all salaries when ranked from lowest to highest, meaning half of employees earn above and half below. The mean salary is the arithmetic average, calculated by dividing total pay by the number of employees. The mean is typically higher than the median because it is pulled up by a relatively small number of very high earners. For full-time UK employees in April 2025, the median gross annual salary was £39,039, while the mean was around £45,800 (based on ONS ASHE and on-site reference data). The ONS prefers the median as a more representative measure of typical earnings.

How does the National Living Wage compare to the median salary?

The National Living Wage (NLW) for employees aged 21 and over was £12.21 per hour from April 2025. For a full-time employee working 37.5 hours per week, this equates to roughly £23,810 per year. This is significantly lower than the median full-time salary of £39,039, reflecting that the NLW is a legal minimum floor, while median pay includes a wide range of occupations and experience levels. Many workers earn above the NLW, but it provides a benchmark for low-paid roles.

What do NHS staff earnings tell us about UK average pay?

NHS staff earnings provide a useful sector-specific comparison. According to NHS Digital data for the 12 months to September 2025, the mean annual basic pay per full-time equivalent (FTE) in NHS Trusts in England was £43,531, close to the UK mean full-time salary of around £45,800. However, NHS Support Organisations and Central Bodies had a higher mean basic pay per FTE of £55,464. These figures include basic pay only; when non-basic pay (e.g., overtime, allowances) is added, mean annual earnings per person in NHS Trusts were £44,349. This shows that NHS pay is broadly in line with national averages, though varies by role and organisation type.