UK mean monthly pay: professional and scientific
UK mean monthly pay: professional and scientific stood at £4,935 in Jul 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Pay and employment from PAYE table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jul 2014 to Jul 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Pay and employment from PAYE table
| Indicator | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | 10-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean monthly pay by industry | |||||||||||
| M — Professional, scientific and technical | 4,935 | 4,970 | 4,877 | 4,844 | 4,821 | 4,925 | 4,826 | 4,771 | 4,669 | 4,742 | |
| N — Administrative and support services | 3,128 | 3,083 | 3,074 | 3,070 | 3,118 | 3,060 | 3,067 | 3,046 | 3,021 | 3,011 |
Understanding UK mean monthly pay: professional and scientific
Remuneration statistics derived from monthly employer tax returns across the United Kingdom measure average earnings for personnel engaged in section M, encompassing legal services, accounting, management consultancy, architectural design, scientific research, and engineering. The indicator aggregates total taxable pay declared through payroll submissions by professional practices and technical consultancies, divided by the active employee headcount. This series differs from industrial and administrative counterparts by reflecting a knowledge-intensive workforce where compensation frequently incorporates professional fee distributions and performance incentives.
Evaluating this data involves accounting for corporate financial calendars and partnership structures that can influence the timing of significant remuneration payouts. Preliminary monthly figures undergo regular administrative revisions as late tax returns are incorporated. Analysts should rely on twelve-month comparisons to evaluate sustainable wage progression, because single-month movements can be skewed by quarterly or annual professional fee settlements. When contrasting this series with other service sectors, users should note the high proportion of specialist technical roles and associated remuneration premiums.
Frequently asked questions
- Which professional fields are grouped under this classification?
- Legal practices, accountancy firms, engineering consultancies, scientific research facilities, and advertising agencies are included.
- How do corporate financial years influence these monthly earnings readings?
- Many professional practices align bonus distributions and remuneration reviews with their specific corporate year-end dates, creating predictable periodic patterns.
- Are self-employed accountants or consultants captured in these payroll figures?
- Only individuals operating through incorporated structures with PAYE payroll schemes are counted, excluding sole traders.