Key Facts: United Kingdom Wages
- Country
- United Kingdom (GBR)
- Continent
- Europe
- Currency
- British Pound Sterling (GBP)
- Minimum Wage
- £12.71 /hr ($16.83 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- £3,253 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- £39,039 /year
- Median Individual Income
- £28,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- UK Government / Low Pay Commission
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-17
United Kingdom — Average Salary & Wages
British Pound Sterling (GBP) Data verified Jun 2026 Sources
The average salary in United Kingdom is
£39,039 a year
But half of all workers earn less than £28,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in United Kingdom is £12.71/hr ($16.83 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is £3,253 ($4,306.90 USD). The median monthly income is £2,333.33 ($3,089.28 USD).
The United Kingdom's minimum wage is among the highest for Europe, ranking #3 out of 40 countries with statutory minimum wages. Over the past 10 years, the minimum wage has increased by 77% in nominal terms. The standard work week is 40 hours.
Median full-time gross annual earnings, ONS ASHE (April 2025 provisional). ONS publishes the median as its preferred measure of average pay; a mean is not given in the headline release, so this figure is a median and is treated as such in cross-country comparisons. Net estimated after income tax and National Insurance on 2025/26 bands.
• SECTOR RATES
18-20 year olds
£10.85 /hr
Since 2026-04-01
16-17 year olds
£8 /hr
Since 2026-04-01
Apprentices
£8 /hr
Since 2026-04-01
For apprentices under 19, or 19+ in first year of apprenticeship. Older apprentices past first year receive the rate for their age.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2016, the minimum wage has grown +77% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In United Kingdom, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $19.26/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in United Kingdom earns £2,203/mo. That is 68% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- £2,203 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 68% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $2,916.72/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +77% since 2016
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- £12.71
- Monthly
- £2,203.07Based on 173.33 hours/month (40 hrs/week)
- Annual
- £26,436.80Based on 2,080 hours/year (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks)
National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21+. The NLW is distinct from the voluntary Real Living Wage set by the Living Wage Foundation; see livingwage.org.uk for current voluntary rates.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
Working Time Regulations limit average to 48 hrs/week (opt-out available). No statutory overtime rate; overtime pay is set by contract.
Nations · 4 regions
How United Kingdom Compares
| Metric | United Kingdom | Europe Avg. | Europe Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $16.83/hr | $8.37/hr | $17.79/hr (Luxembourg) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $4,306.90/mo | $3,218.62/mo | $9,615.38/mo (Switzerland) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | $16.74 |
| Guernsey | $16.68 |
| Bermuda | $17.13 |
| Australia | $17.19 |
| Jersey | $17.21 |
| United Kingdom | $16.83 |
Related Wage Comparisons
• NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
Compare United Kingdom
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France 
Netherlands 
Switzerland 
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Belgium Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for United Kingdom on our sister site.
Cost of living in United Kingdom on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in United Kingdom?
The minimum wage in United Kingdom is £12.71/hr (approximately $16.83 USD), effective since 2026-04-01. National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21+. The NLW is distinct from the voluntary Real Living Wage set by the Living Wage Foundation; see livingwage.org.uk for current voluntary rates.
What is the average salary in United Kingdom?
The average gross monthly salary in United Kingdom is £3,253 (approximately $4,306.90 USD). Median full-time gross annual earnings, ONS ASHE (April 2025 provisional). ONS publishes the median as its preferred measure of average pay; a mean is not given in the headline release, so this figure is a median and is treated as such in cross-country comparisons. Net estimated after income tax and National Insurance on 2025/26 bands. Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) — Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) (2025).
How many hours is the standard work week in United Kingdom?
The standard work week in United Kingdom is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Working Time Regulations limit average to 48 hrs/week (opt-out available). No statutory overtime rate; overtime pay is set by contract.
How has the minimum wage in United Kingdom changed over time?
The minimum wage in United Kingdom has changed as follows: £7.20 in 2016, £7.50 in 2017, £7.83 in 2018, £8.21 in 2019, £8.72 in 2020, £8.91 in 2021, £9.50 in 2022, £10.42 in 2023, £11.44 in 2024, £12.21 in 2025, £12.71 in 2026. This represents 11 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in United Kingdom in USD?
The minimum wage in United Kingdom converts to approximately $16.83/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in United Kingdom in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in United Kingdom is approximately $4,306.90 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does United Kingdom's minimum wage compare to the Europe average?
United Kingdom's minimum wage ranks #3 out of 40 countries with statutory minimum wages in Europe, placing it among the highest in Europe.
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