What is the average salary in the UK?

Feeling overwhelmed by inflation? You’re not the only one! During these times of inflation, many people are questioning their salary and seeking jobs with good progression. Lots of factors can affect your salary, from location to experience to job type to industry. So, in today’s blog, we’ll be attacking salaries from all angles to help you understand where you fit in, and how you can start earning more.

The median annual salary in the UK for full-time employees was £31,285 in 2020-2021, according to the latest data from the ONS. This figure is down by 0.6% from the previous year, meaning full-time salaries have taken a hit. This is most likely as a result of the pandemic, with many of the UK’s full-time workforce being on furlough and companies recovering from any losses experienced during the height of the pandemic. 

Industries with the highest growth in gross weekly full-time earnings

Here are the top 5 industries that have experienced the highest growth in gross weekly full-time earnings in 2020-2021, compared to 2019-2020.

1. Construction – 16.8% increase
2. Manufacturing – 8.3% increase
3. Wholesale and retail trade – 7.6% increase
4. Transportation and storage – 5.7% increase
5. Electricity gas steam and air conditioning supply – 5.5% increase

Industries with the smallest growth in gross weekly full-time earnings

These are the 5 industries that experienced the least amount of growth in weekly full-time earnings, if any at all!

1. Public administration and defence; compulsory social security – -2.5% decrease
2. Mining and quarrying – -1.3% decrease
3. Information and communication – 0.2% increase
4. Arts and entertainment – 0.9% increase
5. Human health and social work activities – 1.7% increase

Growth in gross weekly full-time earnings by location

Location can affect your salary growth. Take a look at the earnings growth across the UK in 2020-2021 compared to 2019-2020:

1. Northern Ireland – 8.8% increase
2. West Midlands – 5.6% increase
3. Scotland – 5.1% increase
4. South East – 5%
5. Yorkshire and the Humber – 4.9%
6. East – 4.7%
7. Wales – 3.9%
8. South West – 3.8%
9. North West – 3.2%
10. North East – 2.7%
11. East Midlands – 1.4%
12. London – 1.1%

Highest paying occupations

• Chief Executives and senior officials – £90,00 average annual gross pay
• Legal professionals – £76,522 average annual gross pay
• Marketing and sales directors – £75,631 average annual gross pay
• Brokers – £66,813 average annual gross pay
• Advertising and PR directors – £64,641 average annual gross pay
• Medical practitioners – £64,504 average annual gross pay

Lowest paying occupations

• Playworkers – £14,345 average annual gross pay
• Beauticians and related – £15,210 average annual gross pay
• Hairdressers and barbers – £15,405 average annual gross pay
• Bar staff – £15,896 average annual gross pay
• Waiters and waitresses – £16,146 average annual gross pay
• Leisure and theme park attendants – £16,194 average annual gross pay

Ready to increase your earnings?

Are you feeling underpaid? Ready to increase your earnings in 2022? Well the good news is you have the power to start earning more money. Either you start applying for new jobs, or you negotiate a higher salary with your current employer.

SonicJobs can help you with your job search. With over half a million live vacancies on our app, you’ll be sure to find a well-paid job near you.