£1,600 to £5,500 Salary Expectation. The differences can be bigger than most people expect!
In some cities, the same role can pay £600 more a month — and we’re not talking about senior positions.
We’re talking about the exact same job: same duties, same hours, different location.
Salary Ranges
A delivery driver in Leeds earning £1,900
Another in Dundee earning £1,300
A care assistant in London making £2,200
And one in Cardiff making £1,500
Salary Variations:
Understanding what influences salaries in the UK is key if you want to know your worth, plan your career, or prepare for job interviews. Education, experience, sector, and gender all play a role.
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Average annual salary is around £34,000.
- Postgraduate Degree (Master’s or PhD): Average jumps to approximately £42,000.
- Why it matters: Employers often associate higher education with better skills and long-term potential. Certain industries (finance, IT, law) may even require advanced qualifications for promotion.
Tip: While a degree helps, your subject of study and the reputation of your university can also affect how much you earn.
Experience and Age:
- Ages 20–29: Entry-level roles usually range from £22,000 to £27,000.
- Ages 30–39: Salaries rise steadily, averaging £30,000+ depending on the sector.
- Ages 40–49: Earnings peak at around £35,904 per year.
- Ages 50 and over: Wages may decrease due to career shifts, part-time work, or early retirement.
Fact: Experience counts, but it must stay relevant. Updating your skills can help maintain income as you get older.
Sector: Some Industries Pay Far Better Than Others
Here’s a look at how different sectors compare:
| Sector | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Finance & Insurance | £43,821 |
| Information Technology | £40,000–£60,000+ (varies) |
| Education (e.g. teachers) | £28,000–£38,000 |
| Public Administration | £32,000+ |
| Health & Social Work | £30,000 (nurses, therapists) |
| Hospitality & Food | £22,779 |
Note: Jobs in finance, tech, and legal services tend to pay much more than those in hospitality, retail, or care sectors.
Gender Pay Gap:
- Men’s average salary: £33,923
- Women’s average salary: £27,981
- Gap: About 21% less for women doing similar jobs.
Important: Knowing market rates and being confident when discussing salary can help reduce this gap – and employers are increasingly being held accountable.
Salary Ranges
National Average Salary
- Median salary in the UK: £31,461 per year
This is the midpoint – meaning half the working population earns below this, and half earns more.
Note: This figure varies depending on your location, job sector, and experience level.
Finance Sector Salaries:
If you’re in finance or banking, salaries tend to be well above average:
- Finance professionals (general): Up to £105,700
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Average of £146,600
(Sources: Spendesk, Figures.hr, Totaljobs)
These roles demand strong strategic thinking, leadership, and usually many years of experience.
Salary by Job Title
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CFO | £146,600 |
| Financial Manager | £53,100 |
| Senior Accountant | £45,000–£55,000 |
| Business Analyst | £40,000–£50,000 |
| Marketing Manager | £38,000–£52,000 |
| Software Developer | £40,000–£65,000 (varies widely) |
| Retail Store Manager | £28,000–£35,000 |
| Customer Service Agent | £21,000–£26,000 |
Tip: Salaries often increase with qualifications, years of experience, and job responsibilities.
Summary Table
| Level / Role | Expected Salary |
|---|---|
| UK National Median | £31,461 |
| Entry-Level Roles | £20,000–£27,000 |
| Mid-Level Professionals | £35,000–£55,000 |
| Senior Management (e.g. CFO) | £100,000+ |
| MBA Graduates | £50,000–£100,000+ |
| Finance Sector (Overall Range) | £60,000–£146,000+ |
Understanding salary ranges can help you:
- Set realistic salary expectations
- Prepare for negotiations
- Compare offers with confidence
- Make informed career decisions
If you want a breakdown by region, remote roles, or benefits packages, let me know – I can add that too!
Here’s a clear, informative overview of salary levels in six UK cities—covering both graduate/mid‑skill and low‑skill jobs—structured with subheadings and data for easy comparison. All figures are in British English.
Salary Levels Across Cities:
1. London
- Graduate / Mid-skill roles (e.g. management accountant, finance manager): average salary £70,000–£85,000 (Amber Student).
- Low-skilled roles (e.g. retail assistants, hospitality): national minimum wage level, roughly £21,000–£27,000, though London weighting pushes it slightly higher.
- 📌 Key insight: London salaries are about £20,000 higher than in the lowest‑paid cities (Centre for Cities).
2. Birmingham
- Graduates / mid-skill: median full-time income £34,037 (Wikipedia).
- Low-skilled jobs: pay close to the national average, approx. £20,000–£25,000; cost of living is notably lower than in London.
3. Edinburgh
- Graduate / mid-level roles: strong professional job market (law, finance, public sector). Though exact salaries not given, GVA per worker is high.
- Low-skilled: estimated around £22,000–£26,000, similar to other large cities.
4. Leeds
- Mid-skill / finance roles: Leeds is the second-largest finance hub outside London; mid‑range salaries for management accounting likely £45,000–£65,000 (robertwalters.co.uk).
- Entry-level / low-skill: hospitality, retail tend to pay between £20,000–£24,000.
5. Cardiff
- Graduates / mid-skill: finance and business services employ ~50,000 in Cardiff; salaries typically £30,000–£50,000 depending on role.
- Low-skilled work: similar to national standard, approx. £20,000–£24,000, with affordable living costs.
6. Dundee
- Graduate-level: ideal for new graduates; typical annual earnings £28,000 (MoneyWeek).
- Low-skilled roles: likely similar to Dundee’s graduate base, around £20,000–£24,000.
Quick Comparison
| City | Mid‑Skill Salary | Low‑Skill Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £70k–£85k (finance/accounting) | £21k–£27k | Highest pay, highest costs |
| Birmingham | ~£34k median (all sectors) | ~£20k–£25k | Good mix of opportunities |
| Edinburgh | £40k–£60k+ (professional) | £22k–£26k | High professional wages |
| Leeds | £45k–£65k (finance roles) | £20k–£24k | Growing finance hub |
| Cardiff | £30k–£50k | £20k–£24k | Strong services sector |
| Dundee | £28k (graduate entry) | £20k–£24k | Great for new grads & affordability |
When choosing where to live or look for work:
- London pays best in high-skill roles but costs most.
- Regional centres like Leeds, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Dundee offer strong salaries with better affordability.
- For mid-skill jobs, you can expect:
- £45k–£85k in major finance hubs.
- £30k–£40k in secondary cities.
- Low-skill jobs generally earn £20k–£26k, with greater purchasing power outside capital.
