Using SOC Codes with Salary Data: Regional and Seniority Differences Across Britain

Understanding SOC Codes with Salary Data

When researching UK pay, the most authoritative source is the Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). This survey uses SOC codes with salary data to provide median and percentile earnings for hundreds of occupations. SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) codes group jobs by skill level and duties, making it easy to compare pay for roles like cleaner (SOC 9223), receptionist (SOC 4216), or care worker (SOC 6135).

For example, ASHE 2025 shows that full-time cleaners earn a median of £24,130, receptionists £24,678, and care workers £27,468. These figures are measured in April 2025 and are the best available benchmark for typical pay in each role. However, note that many cleaning and care jobs are part-time, so the all-employee median is lower.

Regional Pay Differences Across Britain

Pay varies sharply by region. The UK median full-time salary in 2025 was £39,039, but this masks large regional gaps. London leads with a median of around £39,800 (weekly £958.20), followed by the South East at ~£35,200 and the East of England at ~£34,100. Scotland sits just above the UK average at ~£33,100. At the other end, the North East has the lowest median at ~£29,600 (weekly £681.20). The West Midlands, North West, Yorkshire & the Humber, and Wales all cluster around £30,700–£31,300.

These differences reflect local labour markets, cost of living, and industry mix. For job seekers, using SOC codes with salary data by region can help set realistic expectations. For example, a receptionist in London might earn closer to the 90th percentile of £32,790, while the same role in the North East could be nearer the 10th percentile of £19,397.

Seniority and Age Effects on Pay

Seniority, often proxied by age, also influences earnings. ONS ASHE 2025 shows median pay rising steadily: 18-21 year olds earn £13,069, 22-29 year olds £29,855, 30-39 year olds £36,000, and 40-49 year olds peak at £37,734. After 50, pay declines to £34,835 for 50-59 year olds and £26,750 for those 60+. This pattern reflects career progression, with higher pay in mid-career and a drop as workers reduce hours or move to lower-paid roles.

For specific SOC codes, seniority can be seen in percentile spreads. For instance, care workers (SOC 6135) have a 25th to 75th percentile range of £22,798 to £32,493, meaning a senior care worker could earn over £10,000 more than a junior colleague.

Take-Home Pay After Tax and NI

Gross salary is only part of the picture. For the UK median of £39,039, take-home pay after Income Tax and National Insurance (2026/27 rates) is approximately £31,628, an effective rate of 19.0%. This assumes no pension or student loan deductions. For lower earners, such as a cleaner on £24,130, take-home is around £20,000 after tax and NI. Higher earners face marginal rates of 40% above £50,270.

Scotland uses different income tax bands, with the higher rate starting at £43,662, so Scottish workers may pay more tax on similar salaries. Always check your specific tax code and any occupational pension contributions, which can reduce net pay by 4.6% to 12.5% for public sector roles.

How to Use SOC Codes with Salary Data

To research your own role, find the SOC 2020 code for your occupation (available on the ONS website or via salary data pages). Then consult ASHE Table 14, which lists median, 10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th percentiles for full-time and part-time employees. This gives you a range rather than a single figure, helping you negotiate or benchmark job offers.

Remember that ASHE data is a snapshot from April each year. The National Living Wage for workers aged 21+ rose to £12.71/hour from April 2026, meaning the pay floor for many roles is now higher than the 2025 median. For example, a full-time cleaner on 37.5 hours would earn at least £24,785, above the 2025 median of £24,130.

Caveats and Considerations

• Mean vs median: The mean full-time salary is estimated at £48,512, but this is skewed by high earners. The median (£39,039) is the better indicator of typical pay.
• Part-time work: Many roles, especially cleaning and care, are part-time. The all-employee median (including part-time) is £32,890.
• Regional adjustments: Some employers apply London weighting or regional multipliers. Always check the specific job advert.
• Pension and benefits: Public sector pensions (NHS, Teachers, Civil Service) reduce take-home pay but provide valuable benefits. Private sector pensions typically have lower contributions.

For more detailed analysis, see our salary articles on specific professions or the salary index for interactive comparisons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are SOC codes and how do they relate to salary data?

SOC codes (Standard Occupational Classification) are used by the Office for National Statistics to group jobs into categories. ONS ASHE publishes median and percentile pay for each SOC code, allowing you to look up typical salaries for specific occupations, such as cleaners (SOC 9223) or receptionists (SOC 4216). This is the most reliable way to benchmark pay for a given role.

How do regional differences affect salaries in the UK?

Regional pay varies significantly. According to ONS ASHE 2025, London has the highest median full-time salary at around £39,800, while the North East has the lowest at about £29,600. The South East, East of England, and Scotland also pay above the UK median of £39,039. Employers often adjust pay for local labour markets and cost of living.

How does seniority or age impact UK salaries?

ONS data shows that median pay rises with age, peaking in the 40-49 bracket at £37,734, then declining after 60. Younger workers (18-21) earn a median of £13,069, often due to entry-level roles and part-time work. Experience, qualifications, and job level drive these differences, but individual progression varies by sector.