Understanding the Average UK Salary in 2025

When people ask about the "average UK salary 2025", they are usually looking for a benchmark to compare their own earnings or to convert an hourly rate into an annual figure. The most authoritative source is the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which provides median earnings for employees in the UK. This article explains the key figures, how to convert between hourly and annual pay, and what to consider if you work part-time or in London.

Official ONS Earnings Data for 2025

According to the ONS ASHE bulletin published in October 2025, the median gross annual earnings for full-time employees in the UK was £39,039 in April 2025. This is a 4.3% increase from £37,439 in 2024. On a weekly basis, median full-time earnings were £766.60, up 5.3% from £728.27. The median hourly rate (excluding overtime) for full-time employees was £19.67, a 5.4% rise from £18.66.

These figures are nominal (not adjusted for inflation). In real terms (using CPIH), weekly earnings grew by 1.1%.

Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Salary

To convert an hourly wage to an annual salary, you need to know your contracted hours per week. A common assumption for full-time work is 37.5 hours per week (the standard for many office and public sector roles). Using that assumption:

• Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × 37.5 × 52

For the median hourly rate of £19.67, this gives approximately £38,358. The actual ONS median of £39,039 suggests that many full-time employees work slightly more than 37.5 hours (e.g., 37.7 hours) or receive overtime that is included in annual earnings but excluded from the hourly ASHE figure.

If you work a different number of hours, adjust the formula accordingly. For example, a 40-hour week would be hourly rate × 40 × 52. Our Hourly to Salary tool lets you input your own hours and see the annual equivalent instantly.

Part-Time Earnings and Hours

Part-time employees (working 30 paid hours or fewer per week) had median weekly earnings of £280.00 in April 2025, up 6.4% from £263.25. The ONS does not publish a separate median hourly rate for part-time workers, but the lower weekly figure reflects fewer hours. Many part-time roles are in sectors like retail, hospitality, and care, which often pay close to the National Living Wage.

When converting a part-time hourly rate to an annual salary, use your actual contracted hours. For instance, 20 hours per week at £12.21 per hour (NLW) gives an annual salary of about £12,698.40 (20 × 12.21 × 52). This is below the Income Tax Personal Allowance of £12,570, so you may pay little or no tax.

National Living Wage and Minimum Wage 2025

The government sets statutory minimum wages that apply to most workers. From April 2025:

• National Living Wage (21+): £12.21 per hour
• National Minimum Wage (18-20): £10.00 per hour
• National Minimum Wage (16-17): £7.55 per hour
• Apprentice rate: £7.55 per hour (for apprentices under 19 or in first year)

At 37.5 hours per week, the NLW annual equivalent is about £23,809.50. This is significantly lower than the median full-time salary, highlighting that the NLW is a floor, not a target. The ONS Low and High Pay bulletin notes that only 2.5% of employee jobs were paid below the NLW/NMW in April 2025, the lowest proportion since records began.

London Weighting and Regional Differences

The national median of £39,039 hides considerable variation by region. London typically has higher earnings due to higher living costs. The ONS data shows that median full-time weekly earnings in London were higher than the UK average, but the exact figure is not in the summary bulletin. If you work in London, you may receive a London weighting allowance on top of your base salary. When converting an hourly rate that includes London weighting, use the total hourly pay including the allowance.

Overtime and Bonuses

The ONS hourly earnings figures exclude overtime. Many employees earn additional pay through overtime, bonuses, or commission. These can significantly boost annual income but are not guaranteed. When using our hourly calculator, remember that the conversion assumes a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonus, tips, or salary sacrifice. Actual pay depends on your rota, holiday pay method, and overtime rules.

Using the Average UK Salary 2025 as a Benchmark

The median full-time salary of £39,039 is a useful benchmark, but it is not the "average" in the sense of the mean (which is higher due to very high earners). The ONS also publishes mean earnings, but the median is more representative of a typical worker. If you are job hunting or negotiating a pay rise, compare your offer to the median for your occupation and region. The ONS provides detailed tables by occupation (e.g., managers, professionals, caring occupations) and by industry.

For more salary data and conversion tools, visit our salary data page or browse topics related to UK pay. You can also learn more about how we calculate these figures on our about page.

Summary

• Median full-time annual salary (2025): £39,039
• Median full-time hourly rate: £19.67
• National Living Wage (21+): £12.21 per hour
• Conversion rule: Annual ≈ hourly × hours per week × 52
• Part-time median weekly earnings: £280.00

Always check your contract for exact hours and any additional payments. The figures above are based on official ONS and GOV.UK data and provide a reliable starting point for understanding the average UK salary in 2025.