A complete breakdown of UK median salaries by age group — from 18 to 60+. See how your earnings compare to the national median at your stage of career.
One of the most common questions people ask isn't just "am I paid fairly?" — it's "am I paid fairly for my age?" Age shapes earning expectations significantly, and understanding those benchmarks tells you when to push for more.
| Age group | Median gross annual salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18–21 | ~£20,000 | School leavers, apprentices, early part-time workers |
| 22–29 | ~£28,000 | Graduates, early-career professionals |
| 30–39 | ~£38,500 | Peak career development, first management roles |
| 40–49 | ~£42,000 | Senior roles, specialist expertise, peak earnings |
| 50–59 | ~£40,000 | Slight dip as some shift to part-time or less pressured roles |
| 60–65 | ~£35,000 | Pre-retirement, some reduce hours |
Most workers at this age are in first roles — school leavers, apprentices, or part-time workers. Earnings cluster around the National Living Wage (£11.44/hour in 2024) up to around £22,000 for more structured apprenticeships. The range is wide: a degree apprentice at a major firm might earn £20,000+, while someone in casual retail earns significantly less.
This decade sets your trajectory. Graduates entering the workforce typically start at £24,000–£29,000, reaching £30,000+ by their late twenties in most professional fields. The gap between sectors is widest at this stage — a 27-year-old software developer might earn £45,000 while a peer in hospitality management earns £24,000.
Earnings grow fastest in the thirties. Promotions, management responsibilities, and specialist expertise start commanding significantly higher pay. The median jumps to around £38,500, but professionals in finance, law, tech, and consulting frequently earn £50,000–£80,000 by their mid-to-late thirties. This is also when the gender pay gap widens most sharply.
The forties represent peak median earnings at around £42,000. Many workers are in senior individual contributor or management roles. However, this is also when career inertia becomes a risk — workers who haven't moved or updated their skills may find themselves earning below market rate.
The median dips slightly in the fifties — not because older workers are less valuable, but because some shift to part-time hours, career changes, or lower-intensity roles. Many high earners remain at their peak; the median is pulled down by those reducing hours.
See exactly where your salary stands for your specific role, age, and location.
Check Your Salary →ONS data shows UK median salaries of approximately £20,000 at ages 18–21, £28,000 at 22–29, £38,500 at 30–39, £42,000 at 40–49, and £40,000 at 50–59.
Median earnings peak in the 40–49 age group at around £42,000. In high-earning sectors, peak salaries are often reached in the late thirties.
The slight dip in median salaries after 50 is mainly due to some workers moving to part-time hours or lower-pressure roles, rather than reduced pay for those still in full-time senior positions.
No. The gap is small at 22–29 (around 2–4%) but widens significantly in the thirties and forties, driven largely by career breaks and the underrepresentation of women in senior roles.