Understanding Project Management Salary in the UK

If you are a project manager or considering a career in project management, knowing the typical project management salary in the UK is essential for negotiating pay, planning your career, or converting an hourly rate into an annual figure. This article draws on the latest official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Association for Project Management (APM) to give you a clear picture of earnings, with a focus on hours per week assumptions and the difference between full-time and part-time work.

UK Salary Benchmarks: ONS ASHE 2025

The ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) provides the most authoritative picture of UK employee pay. In April 2025, the median gross annual earnings for full-time employees were £39,039. The median weekly earnings stood at £766.60, and median hourly earnings (excluding overtime) were £19.67 per hour. These figures are a useful baseline when comparing any professional salary, including project management.

It is important to note that ONS defines full-time as working more than 30 paid hours per week (or 25 for teaching professions). Part-time employees work 30 hours or fewer. The median weekly earnings for part-time employees were £280.00 in April 2025.

Project Management Salary: APM Survey 2025

The APM Salary and Market Trends Survey 2025, based on responses from over 3,800 project professionals, found that the average salary for a project professional is £52,500 – a 10% increase from £47,500 in 2023. This is significantly higher than the UK median full-time earnings, reflecting the specialist skills and responsibilities in project management.

Salaries vary by sector and qualification:

• Energy, utilities and consultancy: average £62,500
• Construction, business services, IT and financial services: average £57,500
• Chartered Project Professionals: average £82,500
• APM Project Management Qualification holders: average £57,500
• APM Project Professional Qualification holders: average £62,500

These figures are typically based on full-time roles. If you work part-time or on an hourly contract, you will need to adjust accordingly.

Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Salary

When you see an hourly rate for a project management role, you can estimate the annual salary using a simple formula:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × contracted hours per week × 52 weeks

For example, if your hourly rate is £25 and you work 37.5 hours per week, your annual salary would be £25 × 37.5 × 52 = £48,750. If you work 30 hours per week, it would be £25 × 30 × 52 = £39,000.

This conversion assumes a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonuses, tips, or salary sacrifice. Always check your contract and the official GOV.UK guidance. Use our Hourly to Salary tool for quick calculations.

Part-Time vs Full-Time Considerations

Many project management roles are advertised as full-time, but part-time and flexible working are increasingly common. If you are offered a part-time role, your salary will be pro-rata based on the full-time equivalent. For instance, if the full-time salary is £52,500 for 37.5 hours per week, working 22.5 hours per week (60% time) would give a salary of around £31,500.

Hourly rates are often more transparent for part-time workers. The median hourly rate for full-time employees is £19.67, but project managers typically earn more. The APM survey does not provide a specific median hourly rate, but you can estimate it by dividing the average annual salary by (hours per week × 52). For a £52,500 salary at 37.5 hours per week, the hourly rate is approximately £26.92.

London Weighting and Regional Variations

Salaries for project managers can vary significantly by region. London and the South East often command higher pay due to higher living costs. The ONS ASHE data includes regional breakdowns, and the APM survey notes that project professionals in London earn more on average. When comparing job offers, consider whether London weighting or a regional allowance is included.

National Living Wage and Minimum Wage

For context, the National Living Wage for employees aged 21 and over was £12.21 per hour in April 2025 (rising to £12.71 in 2026/27). The National Minimum Wage for 18-20 year olds was £10.00, and for 16-17 year olds £7.55. Project management roles should pay well above these minimums, but it is useful to know the baseline.

Summary

The typical project management salary in the UK is around £52,500 per year, based on the APM survey. The UK median full-time salary is £39,039. When converting hourly rates to annual pay, remember to use your contracted hours per week and multiply by 52. Part-time workers should calculate pro-rata. For more salary data and comparisons, visit our salary data page. Always check your contract and consult official sources like GOV.UK for the latest National Living Wage rates.

For further reading, explore our salary articles on related topics.