What do entry-level jobs actually pay in the UK? Salary ranges by sector, how to know if an offer is fair, and how to negotiate a better starting salary.
Landing your first serious job is a milestone — but working out whether the salary you're being offered is fair is harder than it should be. Entry-level pay varies enormously across sectors, and many employers rely on candidates not knowing their worth.
Here's a clear-eyed look at what entry-level roles actually pay across the UK — and how to make sure you don't leave money on the table.
The median entry-level salary in the UK sits at approximately £22,000–£26,000 gross per year, depending on sector. In higher-demand fields like technology and finance, entry-level roles regularly start at £28,000–£35,000. In hospitality, retail, and some parts of the public sector, £20,000–£23,000 is more typical.
| Sector | Typical entry-level salary |
|---|---|
| Technology / Software Development | £28,000–£38,000 |
| Finance / Banking (graduate schemes) | £30,000–£45,000 |
| Engineering (graduate roles) | £26,000–£34,000 |
| Social Work (qualified) | £28,000–£32,000 |
| NHS / Healthcare (Band 2–3) | £23,000–£25,000 |
| Law (trainee solicitor) | £25,000–£50,000+ |
| Accountancy / Finance (non-scheme) | £22,000–£28,000 |
| Marketing / Digital | £22,000–£28,000 |
| Teaching (unqualified / trainee) | £20,000–£24,000 |
| Retail management trainee | £22,000–£26,000 |
| Administration / Office | £20,000–£25,000 |
| Media / Journalism | £18,000–£24,000 |
| Hospitality management | £20,000–£25,000 |
| Construction / Trades (apprentice) | £15,000–£22,000 |
| Region | Typical entry-level range |
|---|---|
| London | £26,000–£36,000 |
| South East / Cambridge | £24,000–£30,000 |
| Manchester / Leeds / Bristol | £22,000–£27,000 |
| Birmingham / Sheffield | £21,000–£26,000 |
| Scotland (Edinburgh / Glasgow) | £22,000–£28,000 |
| North East / Wales / Northern Ireland | £19,000–£24,000 |
Absolutely. Most first-time jobseekers assume the offered salary is fixed — in most cases, it isn't. Even a £1,000–£2,000 improvement at the start compiles significantly because future raises are calculated as a percentage of your current salary.
Check it against real UK salary data before you sign. Our checker benchmarks your role by location and experience level.
Check Your Salary →The median entry-level salary in the UK is approximately £22,000–£26,000, though tech and finance roles can start at £28,000–£38,000.
For roles in hospitality, retail, or some parts of the public sector, £20,000 is not unusual. In professional or office-based roles, it's on the low end and potentially worth negotiating.
Yes — most employers have some flexibility on starting salaries, even at entry level. A polite, data-backed ask succeeds more often than people expect.
In most professional roles, expect 3–8% annual increases through reviews, and a 10–20% jump if you move employers after 18–24 months.