What pay rise should you expect in 2024? UK data on typical annual increases by sector — and how to push for an above-average increase at your next review.
Every year, most UK employees sit through an annual review and come out with a number. Whether that number represents fair recognition or a polite decline dressed in percentages depends on knowing what's actually normal — and what you're entitled to push back on.
According to XpertHR and CIPD data, median pay settlements in 2024 are running at around 5–5.5%. This is lower than the 6–7% seen in 2022–23 during the peak of the cost-of-living crisis, but still above the pre-pandemic norm of 2–3%. The good news: pay rises are outpacing inflation for the first time in several years.
| Sector | Median pay rise 2024 |
|---|---|
| Technology | 6–9% |
| Financial services | 5–8% |
| Legal | 5–8% |
| Engineering | 5–7% |
| NHS / Healthcare | 5.5% (agreed settlement) |
| Education | 5.5% (teachers' agreed pay) |
| Retail / Hospitality | 4–6% |
| Public sector (ex-NHS) | 4–6% |
| Charity / Not for profit | 3–5% |
| Manufacturing | 4–6% |
One of the most consistent findings in UK pay data is that employees who switch jobs receive significantly higher pay increases than those who stay. The average pay rise for job movers in 2024 is around 10–20%, compared to 5% for those who stay with the same employer. Over a five-year career, this difference compounds substantially.
This doesn't mean you should always move — loyalty, role satisfaction, and development matter. But it does mean that if you've been with an employer for several years without moving, your salary may have drifted well below market rate even if your annual reviews have seemed reasonable.
The difference between a 3% and a 7% rise often comes down to one thing: preparation. Employees who arrive at reviews with data — market rates, specific achievements, and a clear ask — consistently outperform those who wait to be told a number. See our full salary negotiation guide for the exact approach.
Use our salary checker to benchmark your current pay and go into negotiations with data.
Check Your Salary →The median pay settlement in the UK in 2024 is approximately 5–5.5%, above the CPI inflation rate of around 3.4%, meaning most workers are seeing a modest real-terms increase.
At current inflation rates of around 3.4%, a 3% rise is effectively a small real-terms pay cut. Most sectors are settling above this — 3% in 2024 is below average.
Aim for at least inflation plus 1–2% as a minimum ask. If you have strong performance evidence and market data showing you're below rate, 7–10% is a reasonable target in most professional sectors.
Yes — consistently. Job movers in 2024 are seeing pay increases of 10–20% on average, compared to 5% for those staying with the same employer.