Cardiff salaries are below the UK median but rising. Full breakdown by industry — and how Welsh pay compares nationally.
Cardiff is the economic centre of Wales and has been growing steadily as a professional services and media hub. Salaries are below the UK median — reflecting both the Welsh economy and the relative size of the city — but the low cost of living makes the effective financial position more favourable than the headline numbers suggest.
| Sector | Average salary (Cardiff) |
|---|---|
| Financial services | £28,000–£55,000 |
| Technology / Software | £28,000–£55,000 |
| Media / BBC Wales | £26,000–£50,000 |
| Legal | £25,000–£55,000 |
| Healthcare (NHS Wales) | £28,000–£50,000 |
| Public sector / Welsh Government | £24,000–£50,000 |
| Education | £26,000–£42,000 |
| Retail / Hospitality | £19,000–£26,000 |
BBC Wales has a significant presence in Cardiff Bay, anchoring a wider media and production cluster. This has created a range of media, production, and digital roles that offer competitive salaries relative to the local market — and occasionally at near-London rates for senior editorial and production positions.
Cardiff is home to the Welsh Government and the Senedd, making it a significant public sector employer. Welsh Government roles are generally well-remunerated relative to the local private sector, with good pension and leave benefits.
See how your pay compares to Cardiff and UK median data.
Check Your Salary →The median salary in Cardiff is approximately £31,500 — around 11% below the UK median. However, Cardiff's low cost of living makes disposable income relatively competitive.
Financial services, technology, legal, and senior public sector roles are the highest-paying. BBC Wales and Welsh Government positions are also competitive locally.
Cardiff offers a good work-life balance, low cost of living, and a growing professional job market. Salaries are below the UK median but stretch further given local costs.