What Is a Good Salary in the UK in 2026?
🧮 See your take-home pay →"Good" is relative — but data gives us a concrete benchmark. According to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, the median full-time salary in the UK is approximately £37,430 per year. That means half of all full-time workers earn less, and half earn more.
Understanding where your salary sits — nationally, regionally, and in your sector — gives you the context to negotiate, plan, and set realistic financial goals.
UK salary percentiles in 2026
These figures are approximate full-time employee earnings from ONS data:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | ~£20,500 | Bottom 10% of earners |
| 25th percentile | ~£27,000 | Bottom quarter of earners |
| 50th percentile (median) | ~£37,430 | Exactly average |
| 75th percentile | ~£47,500 | Top quarter of earners |
| 90th percentile | ~£62,000 | Top 10% of earners |
| 99th percentile | ~£130,000+ | Top 1% of earners |
Take-home pay at common salary levels (2026/27)
Gross salary tells only part of the story. Here is what you actually take home after income tax and National Insurance, assuming a standard 1257L tax code and no student loans or pension contributions:
| Gross Salary | Income Tax | National Insurance | Take-Home (Year) | Take-Home (Month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | £2,486 | £1,348 | £21,166 | £1,764 |
| £35,000 | £4,486 | £2,148 | £28,366 | £2,364 |
| £45,000 | £6,486 | £2,548 | £35,966 | £2,997 |
| £60,000 | £11,432 | £3,067 | £45,501 | £3,792 |
| £80,000 | £19,432 | £3,467 | £57,101 | £4,758 |
Regional salary differences
Where you live makes a substantial difference. London salaries are significantly higher, but so is the cost of living — particularly housing:
| Region | Median Full-Time Salary | vs UK Median |
|---|---|---|
| London | ~£47,500 | +27% |
| South East | ~£40,200 | +7% |
| East of England | ~£38,500 | +3% |
| UK Median | ~£37,430 | — |
| West Midlands | ~£35,800 | -4% |
| Yorkshire & Humber | ~£34,900 | -7% |
| North East | ~£33,500 | -10% |
| Wales | ~£33,200 | -11% |
What makes a salary "good"?
The number alone is less important than what it allows you to do. A useful framework:
- Cover essential costs comfortably — rent/mortgage, food, bills, transport, without being stretched
- Save at least 10–15% of gross — pension contributions included — for long-term financial security
- Build an emergency fund — 3–6 months of expenses
- Have money left for discretionary spending — holidays, hobbies, socialising
By that measure, £35,000–£45,000 outside London (or £50,000+ in London) is a broadly "good" salary for a single person in 2026 — enough to hit all four goals without serious sacrifice.
See your exact take-home pay
Updated for all 2026/27 tax thresholds — income tax, NI, pension and student loan.