“Is my salary good for the UK?” is one of the most common questions people ask when they get a new job offer or a pay rise. With rising living costs and big differences between regions, it can be hard to know whether your income is low, average or genuinely high. It all depends in the area where do you live either in the North or the South of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In this article we have researched some data from the official sources to answer the above question.
In this guide, we’ll look at the latest salary data, typical “good salary” ranges in 2025, how London compares to the rest of the UK, and what different salaries look like after taxes. You can then plug your own numbers into our UK Take-Home Pay calculator for a personalised breakdown.
1. The Latest Salary Data: What Does the Average Person Earn in the UK?
According to recent UK earnings data, the median gross annual salary for full-time employees is now around £37,000–£38,000. That means half of full-time workers earn less than this and half earn more.
💡 Quick Definitions
Median salary: The middle value – more useful than “average” because it is less distorted by very high earners.
Mean (average) salary: All salaries added together and divided by the number of workers – can be pulled up by top earners.
If you earn around this level, you’re roughly in the middle of the UK income distribution. If you’re significantly below it, your salary is on the low side for a full-time worker. If you’re well above it, especially outside of London, you’re likely on a “good” salary.
2. What Actually Counts as a “Good” Salary in the UK?
There isn’t one perfect number that defines a good salary. It depends on your location, household size and lifestyle. But we can still group salaries into rough bands to see how they compare.
| Gross Salary (Full-Time) | How It Compares | Typical Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Under £26,000 | Below typical full-time earnings | Entry-level roles, part-time, or lower-paid sectors |
| £26,000–£32,000 | Lower to mid range | Entry-level positions, manageable in cheaper areas; can feel tight in big cities |
| £32,000–£40,000 | Around the UK middle | Normal for many single people and some couples outside London, but I would not say comfortable salary |
| £40,000–£55,000 | Above average | Often considered a “good” salary in many regions |
| £55,000–£70,000+ | High for most of the UK | Strong salary, especially outside London and the South East |
For a lot of people in 2025, a salary starts to feel clearly “good” when it moves into the £40,000–£55,000+ range – again, with London being the big exception.
3. London vs the Rest of the UK
Salaries in London are higher than in most other regions, but so are housing, transport and childcare costs. It’s common for people on £50,000 in London to feel no richer than someone on £35,000 in a cheaper part of the UK. For example £35,000 in Manchester with renting costs for a 1-bedroom flat £800-1000, can feel ok, compare to London with same salary, but cost of rent for 1-bedroom flat £1200-1500 and commuting costs.
Rough guide: what feels “good” in different areas
- Outside London & South East: £35,000–£45,000 can already feel solid for many households, depending on rent.
- Large cities (Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, etc.): £40,000–£50,000 is usually a healthy income for a single person or couple without kids.
- London & inner commuter belt: many people feel they need £50,000–£60,000+ to live comfortably, especially if renting privately.
⚠️ Remember Cost of Living
A “good” salary is not just about how much you earn. It’s about what’s left after rent or mortgage, bills, transport and childcare. Two people on the same income in different cities can have completely different lifestyles.
4. After-Tax Reality: What Different Salaries Look Like in Your Pocket
Headline salary amounts don’t tell the full story. Income tax, National Insurance, pensions and student loans all reduce your take-home pay. Here are simplified approximate annual and monthly take-home figures for someone on the standard tax code, not in Scotland, with no student loan and only basic pension contributions:
| Gross Salary | Approx. Take-Home (Year) | Approx. Take-Home (Month) |
|---|---|---|
| £30,000 | ~£25,100 | ~£2,090 |
| £40,000 | ~£32,300 | ~£2,690 |
| £50,000 | ~£39,500 | ~£3,290 |
| £60,000 | ~£45,300 | ~£3,780 |
🔢 Pro Tip
These are only ballpark figures based on current tax and National Insurance rates. For a precise breakdown that reflects your tax code, pension and student loans, use our Salary After Tax Calculator.
5. Is Your Salary “Good” for Your Situation?
Whether a salary feels good also depends heavily on who you’re supporting and what your commitments look like.
📍 Single person, renting
- Outside London: £30,000–£35,000 can be manageable if rent is reasonable.
- In London: many single people report needing closer to £40,000–£50,000+ to live comfortably without sharing a house.
👫 Couple without children
- Two salaries of £25,000–£30,000 each = solid combined income in many areas.
- One person on £40,000–£50,000 and the other part-time can still be comfortable outside the most expensive cities.
👨👩👧 Families with children
- Childcare and housing costs can easily absorb a big chunk of income.
- Combined household income of £50,000–£70,000+ is often needed to feel comfortable, especially in cities.
6. How to Make Your Salary Go Further
You may not be able to double your salary overnight, but you can often improve your effective income (what you keep and what it can buy) with a few smart moves.
- Check your tax code: Being on the wrong tax code can mean overpaying tax every month.
- Use workplace pensions wisely: Employer contributions are effectively “free money” towards your future.
- Salary sacrifice schemes: Cycle-to-work, extra pension and some other benefits can reduce taxable income.
- Try to cut your biggest fixed cost first: Think of looking for cheaper (if possible) rent or mortgage, car finance, credit loan or moving area, has more impact than skipping coffee.
- Up-skill in your current role: Certifications, taking on more responsibility or moving to higher-paying employers in your field can lift you into the next salary band.
🎯 Key Takeaways
- Around £37,000–£38,000 is currently the middle of the UK full-time salary range.
- In many regions, £40,000–£55,000+ is widely seen as a “good” salary.
- In London, you often need £50,000–£60,000+ to feel similarly comfortable.
- After tax and National Insurance, your take-home can be 20–30% lower than your gross salary.
- The number isn’t everything – housing, commuting, childcare and lifestyle choices massively change how “good” a salary feels.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Is £30,000 a good salary in the UK?
£30,000 is slightly below the latest full-time median salary, but it can still provide a reasonable standard of living in cheaper parts of the UK, especially for single people or couples with low housing costs. In London and the South East, most people would consider it on the low side.
Is £50,000 a good salary in the UK?
Yes – £50,000 is comfortably above the national median, so it is typically seen as a good salary. Outside London, it can provide a very comfortable lifestyle for many households. In London, it is still strong, but high rent and childcare costs can reduce how “rich” it feels.
How can I see if my salary is good for my exact situation?
The fastest way is to look at your after-tax income and compare it to your essential monthly costs (rent or mortgage, bills, food, transport and childcare). Use our UK budget planner to see how much you spend monthly, then consider increasing salary or lower your expenses.
8. Final Thoughts
A “good” salary isn’t just a number on paper – it’s how much freedom it gives you in real life. Knowing where your income sits compared with the rest of the UK, and understanding what it looks like after tax, helps you make better decisions about jobs, promotions and where to live.
Whatever you earn right now, tracking your finances and planning your next career step can have a bigger impact than you think. Start by checking your true take-home pay below.