Median gross annual pay: United Kingdom
Median gross annual pay: United Kingdom stood at £39,039 in 2025, according to Nomis — official labour market statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Earnings by region table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 2002 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Earnings by region table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual pay, gross | |||||||||||
| United Kingdom | 39,039 | 37,439 | 35,004 | 33,061 | 31,224 | 31,487 | 30,378 | 29,559 | 28,759 | 28,195 | |
| North East | 34,833 | 33,380 | 31,435 | 29,816 | 27,666 | 27,906 | 27,251 | 26,505 | 26,046 | 25,660 |
Understanding median gross annual pay: United Kingdom
Dividing the full distribution of gross annual earnings for all full-time employees across the United Kingdom exactly in half, this metric captures total pre-tax remuneration received over twelve months. Unlike weekly or hourly sibling measures, annual earnings figures reflect the accumulation of basic pay, shift allowances, productivity bonuses, and annual incentive payments, while strictly excluding income derived from self-employment, property, or state benefits. The scope encompasses adult employees on adult rates whose pay was not affected by absence during the survey window, providing a robust benchmark for yearly wage progression.
Seasonality plays a minor role in annual figures compared to monthly metrics, yet bonuses paid in specific quarters can influence year-on-year comparisons if corporate profitability fluctuates. Revisions occur when additional employer returns are integrated into the final dataset, meaning provisional releases should be treated as preliminary approximations. Analysts comparing annual totals with hourly or weekly series must account for variations in average hours worked per year, as structural changes in holiday entitlement or standard working weeks can alter annual outcomes independently of hourly pay rates.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this annual pay figure include tax-free allowances or benefits in kind?
- No, gross pay covers only taxable earnings before any deductions for income tax, employee National Insurance contributions, or pension schemes.
- Why does this series restrict its focus to full-time employees?
- Restricting the sample to full-time staff avoids distortion caused by part-time working patterns when measuring twelve-month remuneration.
- How do bonus payments impact the median annual figure?
- Annual bonuses are fully included in the yearly total, meaning sectors with heavy reliance on performance-related pay see noticeable annual fluctuations.