What counts as a good salary in the UK in 2026? We look at the numbers by age, region, sector, and career stage — so you can judge where you really stand.
The question sounds simple. The answer is genuinely complicated — because "good" depends entirely on your age, where you live, what sector you work in, and what you're comparing yourself to. Here's an honest, data-led answer.
The most useful number is the median — not the mean. The UK median full-time salary is approximately £39,039 in 2025/26, meaning half of all full-time workers earn more and half earn less. The mean is higher (around £44,000–£46,000) but is skewed upwards by very high earners and is a misleading benchmark for most people.
| Region | Median salary | "Good" salary threshold |
|---|---|---|
| London | £47,455 | £55,000+ |
| South East | £39,983 | £48,000+ |
| East of England | £38,500 | £46,000+ |
| Scotland | £36,500 | £44,000+ |
| South West | £35,500 | £43,000+ |
| North West | £35,000 | £42,000+ |
| West Midlands | £34,800 | £42,000+ |
| Yorkshire & Humber | £34,200 | £41,000+ |
| North East | £34,403 | £40,000+ |
| Wales | £33,500 | £40,000+ |
| Northern Ireland | £32,500 | £39,000+ |
These "good salary" thresholds represent roughly the top 30% of earners in each region — a level at which you can live comfortably, save meaningfully, and build financial security without constant stress.
| Age group | UK median | Good salary for this age |
|---|---|---|
| 18–21 | ~£20,000 | £24,000+ |
| 22–29 | ~£28,000 | £34,000+ |
| 30–39 | ~£38,500 | £48,000+ |
| 40–49 | ~£42,000 | £55,000+ |
| 50–59 | ~£40,000 | £52,000+ |
Age context matters enormously. A 24-year-old earning £30,000 is doing well above their age-group median. A 45-year-old on the same salary in a professional role is likely being significantly underpaid relative to their peers. See our full average salary by age guide for the complete picture.
| Sector | Median salary | Top earner salary |
|---|---|---|
| Financial services | £45,000–£55,000 | £80,000–£200,000+ |
| Technology / Software | £42,000–£60,000 | £80,000–£150,000+ |
| Legal | £40,000–£65,000 | £100,000–£500,000+ |
| Engineering | £38,000–£52,000 | £70,000–£120,000 |
| Healthcare (NHS) | £32,000–£50,000 | £80,000–£120,000+ |
| Education | £30,000–£45,000 | £60,000–£120,000 |
| Marketing / Creative | £30,000–£45,000 | £70,000–£120,000 |
| Retail / Hospitality | £22,000–£30,000 | £45,000–£80,000 |
| Public sector | £28,000–£42,000 | £60,000–£100,000 |
Rather than chasing one number, it's more useful to think in three levels:
This covers essential outgoings — rent, bills, food, transport — with very little left over. In London, this is around £35,000. Outside London, it varies from £20,000 in Liverpool to £28,000 in Bristol. Living on a survival salary means no savings buffer, no financial resilience, and significant stress if anything unexpected happens.
Covers all essentials plus modest lifestyle spending, a holiday, and the ability to save 10–15% of take-home. In London, this is around £50,000–£55,000. In Manchester or Leeds, £35,000–£40,000. In Liverpool or Cardiff, £28,000–£33,000.
Covers everything above plus meaningful savings, investment, and genuine financial security building. In London, £75,000+. In most other UK cities, £55,000+. At this level, money largely stops being a day-to-day stressor.
The most useful exercise is not comparing yourself to a national average but to the market rate for your specific role, your specific location, and your years of experience. A data analyst with five years of experience in Manchester should benchmark against other data analysts with five years of experience in Manchester — not against the overall UK median.
Our salary checker lets you do exactly that — compare your salary against ONS data for your role and region.
If your pay is below where the data suggests it should be, you have three realistic options:
Our salary checker benchmarks your pay against real ONS data for your specific job and location.
Check Your Salary →The UK median salary is approximately £39,039 in 2025/26. A 'good' salary — one that enables comfortable living, saving, and some financial security — is broadly £50,000+ in London and £35,000–£42,000 in most other UK cities.
Earning approximately £60,000 or above puts you in the top 10% of UK earners. The top 1% starts at around £130,000–£150,000.
£40,000 is just above the UK median and is a good salary in most parts of the UK outside London. In London it covers essentials but leaves limited room for savings.
Earning £60,000+ puts you in the top 10% of UK earners and is generally considered a high salary. Above £100,000 places you in the top 2–3%.
Compare your salary to the market rate for your specific role, location, and experience level — not just the national median. Our salary checker uses ONS data to give you a role-specific benchmark.