Your salary percentile tells you exactly where you sit in the UK earnings distribution. If you are at the 70th percentile, it means 70% of UK full-time workers earn less than you — and 30% earn more. It is a far more meaningful measure than comparing yourself to a single national average.
Here is what the UK salary percentile data actually shows — and how to find out exactly where you sit.
UK salary percentiles — the full picture
The following figures are based on the latest ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, covering full-time employees across the UK. These are the income percentile thresholds — to be at each percentile, you need to earn at least the salary shown.
| Percentile | Annual salary threshold | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | £18,200 | You earn more than 10% of workers |
| 25th percentile | £24,800 | You earn more than 25% of workers |
| 50th percentile (median) | £39,900 | You earn more than half of all workers |
| 75th percentile | £57,200 | You are in the top quarter of earners |
| 90th percentile | £79,400 | You are in the top 10% of earners |
| 95th percentile | £105,000 | You are in the top 5% of earners |
| 99th percentile | £180,000+ | You are in the top 1% of earners |
UK salary percentiles by age group
Age matters significantly when comparing salary percentiles. A £35,000 salary puts a 25 year old in a very different position to a 45 year old. Here is how the 50th and 75th percentile thresholds vary by age group.
| Age group | 50th percentile (median) | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 18–21 | £21,500 | £26,000 |
| 22–29 | £30,800 | £40,000 |
| 30–39 | £41,300 | £57,800 |
| 40–49 | £43,600 | £62,400 |
| 50–59 | £41,000 | £58,600 |
| 60+ | £36,700 | £51,200 |
UK salary percentiles by region
Regional variation in the UK is significant. Being in the top 25% of earners in the North East requires a very different salary to being in the top 25% in London. Here is how the median and 75th percentile vary by region.
| Region | Median salary | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| London | £54,200 | £82,000 |
| South East | £45,800 | £66,000 |
| East of England | £42,400 | £60,000 |
| Scotland | £40,800 | £57,000 |
| South West | £38,600 | £54,000 |
| North West | £39,400 | £55,000 |
| West Midlands | £38,800 | £54,200 |
| Yorkshire | £37,200 | £52,000 |
| North East | £35,800 | £49,800 |
| Wales | £35,400 | £49,200 |
| Northern Ireland | £35,000 | £48,600 |
What is the top 10% salary in the UK?
To be in the top 10% of UK earners — the 90th percentile — you need to earn approximately £79,400 per year or more. This is the threshold across all ages and regions combined. In London, the threshold is considerably higher, while in lower-wage regions it is lower.
What is the top 1% salary in the UK?
According to HMRC data, the top 1% of UK earners — the 99th percentile — earn approximately £180,000 or more per year. This group is heavily concentrated in financial services, senior executive roles, and professional services in London. There are approximately 320,000 people in this bracket out of a UK workforce of around 32 million.
UK wage percentile vs income percentile — what is the difference?
These terms are often used interchangeably but there is a technical distinction. Wage percentile refers specifically to earnings from employment — your salary or wages. Income percentile is broader and includes investment income, rental income, pension income, and other sources. For most working-age people the difference is small, but for higher earners with significant investment portfolios the distinction matters.
The ONS ASHE data — which powers this analysis — covers wage percentiles for full-time employees. It is the most accurate source for employed workers but does not capture self-employed income or investment returns.
Key insight: The most meaningful salary percentile comparison is against people in the same age group and region as you — not the national figure. A salary at the 60th percentile nationally might be at the 45th percentile in London or the 75th percentile in the North East.
Find your exact salary percentile
Our free salary checker compares your salary to the ONS data for your specific age group and UK region — not just a national average.
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