Nottingham salary data for 2026 — median earnings by sector, how the city compares to the UK median, and which industries pay most.
Nottingham is the largest city in the East Midlands and home to a growing professional services, pharmaceutical, and digital economy. Salaries are below the national median but the city's low cost of living makes it genuinely competitive on disposable income.
| Sector | Average salary (Nottingham) |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical / Life Sciences (Boots HQ) | £32,000–£70,000 |
| Technology / Digital | £30,000–£58,000 |
| Financial Services | £28,000–£55,000 |
| Healthcare (NHS Nottingham) | £28,000–£55,000 |
| Legal | £25,000–£52,000 |
| Education / Universities | £27,000–£48,000 |
| Public Sector | £23,000–£42,000 |
| Retail / Hospitality | £20,000–£26,000 |
Boots (part of Walgreens Boots Alliance) has its global headquarters in Nottingham and is the city's largest private employer, offering a wide range of roles from pharmacy and healthcare to finance, IT, and marketing. The city is also home to Capital One's UK headquarters, two major universities, and a large NHS trust.
Nottingham is one of the more affordable East Midlands cities. Average 1-bed rents in the city centre are approximately £700–£950/month. Transport costs are also low, making it a practical base for professionals seeking affordability without sacrificing city amenities.
See how your pay compares to Nottingham and UK median benchmarks.
Check Your Salary →The median salary in Nottingham is approximately £31,000 — around 21% below the UK median. Pharmaceutical, tech, and NHS roles pay significantly above this.
Pharmaceutical roles at Boots HQ, technology, financial services (Capital One), and senior NHS positions are the highest-paying sectors.
Yes — Nottingham is one of the more affordable East Midlands cities with 1-bed city centre rents of £700–£950/month.