Is £48,000 actually good in the UK? We break down your take-home pay, what it buys in different cities, and how it compares to the national median.
£48,000 is above the UK median of £35,404 — putting you in roughly the top 30% of full-time earners. Whether it's "good" depends entirely on where you live and what stage of your career you're at. Here's the full picture.
| Deduction | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | £48,000 | £4,000 |
| Income tax | -£7,086 | -£590 |
| National Insurance | -£2,834 | -£236 |
| Take-home | £38,080 | £3,173 |
These figures assume no student loan, pension contributions, or other deductions. Use our take-home pay calculator for a personalised figure.
| City | Verdict at £48,000 |
|---|---|
| London | Comfortable. Can save, though property is still difficult. |
| Bristol / Edinburgh | Very comfortable. Deposit saving realistic. |
| Manchester / Leeds | Very comfortable. Good savings capacity. |
| Birmingham / Sheffield | Excellent. Homeownership within reach. |
| Liverpool / Cardiff | Excellent quality of life. Strong savings capacity. |
| Northern / rural areas | Outstanding value. Strong financial position. |
Context matters a great deal here. ONS data shows median salaries by age group:
At £48,000, you're above the median for most age groups. See our full average salary by age guide for the complete picture.
Our salary checker benchmarks your pay against real ONS data for your specific job and location.
Check Your Salary →£48,000 is above the UK median of £35,404. Outside London it supports a comfortable lifestyle. In London it is comfortable.
At £48,000 your estimated take-home is £38,080 per year (£3,173/month) after income tax and National Insurance. This assumes no student loan or pension deductions.
Yes — £48,000 supports a comfortable lifestyle in most UK cities, including managing in London with some care.